Hey! I’m David, one of the cat dads from the movie Cat Daddies. I got to take my cat down the red carpet for the theatrical debut this weekend! AMA!

You feed your cat measured amounts or just let it eat whenever?

She eats measured amounts. Despite how round she looks she only weighs 10lbs

Do you feel that the 2011 hit "Cat Daddy" by The Rej3ctz accurately portrays your journey and experiences as an actual daddy of said cat?

That’s probably the most accurate depiction of my life, even more accurate than this documentary, really.

I’ve gotten to meet most of the cast and nobody seems to notice when I drop references to the song in casual conversations which is a bummer

How/why were you approached to take part in the film?

The director, Mye Hoang, reached out to us on Instagram. She wanted to bring us on because because I was a truck driver and it allowed for some diversity in filming locations. I won’t lie, I thought it was a scam or something when I got the message.

Tora?!

Yeah, it’s Tora! They put her on the poster and everything, it’s crazy

That’s so exciting! I followed on IG and was sad when the activity died down, glad you’re both back!

When Covid happened we kind of just took a step back from social media and let things play out. Our inbox was flooded with people concerned about our safety and it was just a lot to deal with. We’re happy to be back

What's next for you and your cat?

We were only asked to be present at the NYC opening but I’ve enjoyed this so much we’re going to the Dallas opening too. After this we’re going to be traveling in an RV for a bit and just posting on Instagram from time to time like we were doing before

Wait, there was a NYC opening?! I didn't see the east coast represented on the list of locations, how can we see this movie??

It’s playing at Village East by Angelika for the next week and hopefully a bit longer since it’s doing so well. A lot of opportunities are riding on its success in NYC so hopefully we get to see more shows on the east coast soon

Great to know, thank you! My husband went from cat-indifferent to devoted cat daddy after we got married. I was demoted to second-favorite human after that, but it was worth it! He's got a surprisingly innate rapport with cats for somebody who never interacted with them (severe allergies.) Hoping he decides having another cat is worth the allergies, he definitely misses having one.

Many of us in the movie had the same experience. I wasn’t a cat person at all for the longest time! That’s awesome that he was persuaded!

When and where in Dallas?

It will be at the Angelika Film Center starting on the 21st and lasting for a week. I’ll be there Friday and Saturday, I don’t know what showings they want me to show up for but I’ll probably just end up hanging out at the theater for most of the day, that’s what I did in NYC today.

Awesome! I’ll try to come out!

Awesome, hope to see you there! It will be streaming next year but I’d highly recommended seeing it in theaters, it was shot with the big screen in mind and it shows

How did it feel walking down that red carpet?

I felt so many different ways ,honestly. At first I felt like I made the wrong decision. There was a lot of people giving me directions at the same time, look this way, get the cat to look that way, I’m just a regular guy with a cat that doesn’t know she’s in a movie, it got really crazy really quick. We took a break for a few minutes and just sat in a hallway watching people line up for the movie. After I realized I could just take it at my own pace it was really enjoyable, I’m glad we got to do it

I have a cat, and I’m also a dad.
How do I become a Cat Dad?

There’s been a lot of people asking for a sequel, strike while the irons hot and send the director a message!

Are you prepared for when people recognize you when they see you? I would think it is a weird feeling when a stranger knows who you are and you have no idea who they are.

When we showed up to the premiere I didn’t know there was actually an early screening just letting out. I went to the restroom and people came in addressing me by name and asking about my personal life. It was the most bizarre feeling in the world. We’ve been recognized a few times while checking out stuff around the theater and I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to it, I’m caught off guard every single time

Give Tora a pet from me. I look forward to watching the movie.

I will! She’s sitting outside of the theater waiting to do a Q&A. You’re going to love the movie!

I missed this at a festival earlier in the year and was really bummed since I’m a cat dad myself. Do you know if there will be a VOD release?

Sorry you missed it but you’re going to love it when you get to see it, I watched it Friday and was blown away.

When people coming to the film asked about streaming. the directors answer was “it will be streaming next year” I asked her off to the side hoping to get a behind the scenes answer but it seems that’s the best we have at the moment. I don’t know when or where it will be streaming but hopefully we have an answer soon. I really hope as many people see it in theaters as possible though, it was made for the big screen and it shows.

Thanks. Maybe I should road trip to Dallas.

Do it! I’m leaving NYC tonight and driving to Dallas

When is the screening in dallas?

It opens on Friday the 21st, Tora and I will be there on Friday and Saturday. I don’t know what all they’ll have us doing but we’ll probably just spend both days hanging around the theater

How did you get casted for the role? And how did your cat like the red carpet?

The director, Mye Hoang, reached out to us on Instagram and asked if we would be interested. They had been filming a lot on the west coast and wanted to get some different locations, I was a truck driver so that went well with what they were looking for.

I tried to tell the cat what we were about to do but I don’t think she was listening. At first she seemed a little overwhelmed by all of the cameras and people being pushy to get pictures. Once we started doing our own thing and not really listening to the directions people were giving she warmed up to all of it and made friends out of the people waiting to see the film. They let us sit in and watch the movie and she seemed intrigued by such a new environment. She ended up falling asleep and snoring just a few minutes after it started playing.

Omg I just watched the trailer and this looks like the sweetest movie. What was your favorite aspect of participating in this project? Also, your cat is adorable. 🥰

First off, I want to say thank you, I read all of the compliments Tora gets to her and it goes straight to her head. My favorite part of this whole experience has been meeting everyone involved in making it happen. I’m honestly shocked at the amount of genuinely amazing people surrounding this movie. The crew was awesome when filming, they really took time to get my cat comfortable with them, it quickly became like friends hanging out and just recording some videos. When I got to NYC and met the other cat dads I was once again blown away, everyone has been such a joy to be around and I say that as someone that doesn’t like being around people. I don’t get anything for promoting this movie but I want it to be successful as possible because I know the passion and love that went into making it

That is so cool! Thank you for replying, it sounds like this was an amazing experience for you and Tora, I am looking forward to watching the movie. :D

It was such a cool thing to be part of, you have to let us know what you think when you see it! I’ve just been hanging around the theater all day hyping people up as they walk in

Do you know of the organization known as "Flatbush Cats"?

Not only do I know them, they’re in the movie and the work they’re doing is captured beautifully. I got to hangout with them Friday and Saturday and they’re such amazing people

As a member myself, I love working with them. Me and my mom were shouted out in their first volunteer newsletter as a part of the multi-block sweep from over the summer. Cool to hear you're familiar with us!

That’s awesome! You guys are amazing!

How often do you say "Ooh big stretch!" When the cat does a big stretch?

Every single time. She never has a big stretch or a big yawn without me commenting on it

I guess this part of the film, but how is your cat so chill about travelling around? Did you take her outside from kittenhood?

We got her when she was around 8 weeks old and started harness training her immediately but I’m still on the fence when it comes to if all cats can be leash trained or not. A big thing you’ll see in the film is all of us admitting this is just who our cats are. There’s one guy in the movie that adopted his cat later on and the cat took to the outdoors instantly. Starting young helps but the cats personality is definitely a huge factor

They made a movie about people like me? shit that's cool. I'm "catman" - the guy from DC that would stand on the top edge of tall buildings, looking around with my cat. lol. I taught her how to roll over... sit... shake... she was smart. She could turn door knobs. Didn't need a leash. =) Accidentally got another cat. But this one hasn't been taught dumb pet tricks. =) I took my cat into the office at night once, and when she shat on my boss's carpet, I realized he deserved it. I didn't clean it up properly, and the smell was there for weeks, and no evidence that we did it. =) muhahaha.

That’s awesome! We’ve been teaching Tora tricks but we haven’t been able to teach her the pooping on the carpet of our enemies trick yet. Maybe we’ll work on that next!

Will you ever return to making stuff like Issues and Follow The Leader? No disrespect but I feel you fell off when you guy tried to capitalise on the whole brostep thing

I think Korn would have a much easier time answering this one. A little fun fact, the cameraman for Cat Daddies, Robert Bennett, shot a Korn concert during Covid so it was just the crew and the band which was probably a blast

What did your cat think of the red carpet? I am interested in how it was during it.

She wasn’t a fan of people she didn’t know crowding her to take pictures, and honestly I wasn’t a fan of that either. Filming the movie was easy because the crew took the time to get to know her, the red carpet was just a lot being thrown at us at once. After like 5 minutes of the red carpet thing we dipped off and found a spot to watch people lining up and watch the other cats do their thing. Once she was able to observe for awhile she warmed up to it and ended up eating treats in the middle of the carpet until I had to carry her away.

Hey thanks for answering this! Aww that sounds adorable!!!! What a cutie, such exciting moments in the spotlight together! She is lucky to have her buddy who takes care of her. Congrats on the documentary!

Thanks! It’s been such a wild experience. I thought seeing the documentary would make it feel real but someone it feels less real now. I can’t believe it!

Waffles or French toast? And why?

I tend to steer clear of both being that neither are typically vegan. Before going vegan though, waffles. I’ve never been a big fan of sweet foods and anytime I’ve had french toast it was just too sweet for me.

Are you still trucking? And if so you do manage to fit the shiw biz commitments into your schedule?

I’m not trucking anymore, actually. For a few years I was living in the truck working 70 hours a week, taking 3 days off every 3 months or so, it all caught up to me at once. I decided to take a break and realized how much I enjoyed doing things other than driving a truck all day. I just bought an RV so I’m still traveling I just get to do it on my own terms while exploring creative outlets I enjoy like photography

Do you know any good cat dad jokes?

Unfortunately I don’t but I’m hoping to pick some up soon

You are an unusual individual, I hope you relish that. :) ok so; two questions. What’s kitteh’s favorite treats, and how hard was it to get him there without dying?

That’s an interesting compliment and I like it. She loves anything in a puree tube, it’s the only snack she’s never refused. I actually spilled one on the red carpet while feeding her. Getting there without dying was easy, just popped her in her backpack and she went along for the ride

Do you have a P O Box is can send some treats to? :D

You are far too kind! I’m not in this to gain anything, I didn’t even get paid for the movie, if you absolutely insist it would be great to donate any treat money to a charity that aligns with your values

I can do that. :) and I know; I just wanted to give treats to your kitteh ;) you’re a good dude. Tbh thanks for the replies

I really appreciate it! She’s super stocked up on treats. There’s an older couple from CT that sends her birthday gifts and we decided to head up there to meet them being that they’ve been so sweet and following along on Instagram forever and of course they showered her with treats while we were there. Of course, thanks for the questions, I can’t believe this is something people actually wanted to talk about, I thought I would get like 2 or 3 comments.

How do I request my royalty check?

Man, I’m not even getting paid and I’m on the poster

Where will it be streaming? 😺

I have no idea! All we’ve heard so far is it will be on streaming sometime next year

Sorry, how do we watch the documentary? None of the theaters are near me.

Getting more places added was riding on the success of this opening weekend and from what I’ve heard it went really well so hopefully we see more dates added soon. It will be streaming next year but I haven’t heard any info on that as far as a solid date goes

How did the cat react to walking down the red carpet? Was he/she stressed? If yes, how did you handle it?

It was overwhelming for both of us at first to be honest. She wasn’t a fan of people crowding her to take pictures, I wasn’t a fan of it either, I felt like I made the wrong decision at first. Thankfully she gets carried around in dog backpack so she was able to just hide from people, I didn’t have that option so I just walked away. We sat off in a little hallway and watched everything play out. There were other cats there and we watched them for a while and watched people line up for the movie, chatted with some people that didn’t know we were in the movie which was a good break from the pressure. After hanging back for a bit she warmed up and wanted to take part in it. We went back on the carpet and she ate treats in the middle of it until they wouldn’t let us stay there anymore lol

That sounds adorable. Thank you for the reply! Though, weren't you afraid of her getting scared and running away? Or does the dog bag have any measures against it?

Thankfully the bag is a little safe space for her. She uses it when she’s tired of walking on hikes, if we’re in a place she’s unfamiliar with and hasn’t warmed up to, and now she uses it for movie premieres apparently. When she’s in the bag she’s really comfortable, it’s like being at home I guess. There is a little clip that I clip her harness to that keeps her from jumping out, I used that for this event but it wasn’t necessary

Can I get in your cats face?

Yes but be prepared for the consequences… she licks everyone she meets

You are a what, from what?

I have a cat, someone put me in a movie about it. Now I’m here talking about it, I guess, I don’t know 🤷‍♂️

How's it feel to enslave an animal?

To feed them at your leisure, only things you want to feed them, to have them confined to your every whim at all times?

To subject an animal to stunts like this, do you feel good, secure, confident?

I ain't no animal activist, I grew up in a farm, mainly wondering why people enslave animals like this.

You think having pets is enslavement but farms are fine? Interesting take. Tora has a really good life and by all indications enjoys what we do. Thanks for commenting though and I hope you see the film to get a better understanding of the relationships people have with their pets and how they really are part of our families.

No thanks. Having pets is enslavement, pure and simple.

Do you let them hunt? eat whatever they want? shit whenever they want? HELL NO.

You feed them pellets from a lab because it is convenient for you.

That's having a slave in your house.

If you don’t mind me asking, did your farm have animals and if so what was their purpose? Another question I have is would you consider having small children slavery being that you make the majority of their decisions for them or do you only support free range feral children? Just trying to figure out where you draw the line.

Dude, you’re being trolled.

Absolutely, it’s just fun, I love the responses

Hey David, i have a good friend but he likes me a lot more than me in a way he sees me as his long lost brother and almost idolizes me and that is kinda pff putting for me. How would i go about distancing myself from him? Lately ive just been a dick to him

I would have him watch Cat Daddies, all of us would be thrilled to have him as our long lost brother. Good luck