Our own Dara Demi, Chief Communications Officer and a passionate advocate for pet adoption, is the mastermind behind the communications team and strategy at Wake County. At home, her two beloved cats, adopted from the Wake County Animal Center, are experts in their own feline "communiCATion" expressing their love and needs through every purr, meow and gentle paw.
The first time Dara and her family visited the Wake County Animal Center was in 2017, nearly a year after the heartbreaking loss of their tuxedo cat, Stella, who had been with them for 17 years and passed away on Christmas Eve. This was especially difficult for Dara’s twin daughters Avery and Alexa, who were just seven years old at the time. After some time to grieve they decided to adopt new cats from the Animal Center.
“As a special birthday gift, we let each girl pick out a kitten from the Wake County Animal Center. Avery was drawn to our all-black cat, Starry Night or ‘Star’ for short. Alexa fell in love with our grey tabby Smarty Pants, who was a foster kitty,” said Dara.
The selection process was nothing short of magical. Star went to the front of her cage at the Animal Center and pawed at Avery, as if saying, “I choose you.” One of the shelter staff members took Star out and let Avery hold her. Avery was elated and couldn’t wait to bring Star home. Alexa, on the other hand, found her kitty from the Center's online adoption gallery. After visiting Smarty Pants at a foster home, Alexa fell in love with the kitten’s playful and energetic personality.
For Dara and her husband Geof Levine, adopting their cats wasn’t just about filling the void left by Stella; it was also a teachable moment for their daughters. They wanted to instill the importance of adopting rather than shopping for pets, a value that Dara has long supported through her work with Wake County, and she knew there was no better place to adopt.
Although Star and Smarty Pants had distinct personalities, they both quickly filled the Levine household with joy. Smarty Pants, living up to her name, quickly proved to be the smart one, using her cleverness to charm her way into Dara’s lap. Star, with her less-than-bright but lovable ways, became the cuddle queen of the family, always ready for a snuggle.
“Unlike most cats, Smarty Pants is extremely needy. As soon as I come home from work, she’s climbing up my leg, demanding to be petted. Star will paw at the blankets covering my husband at night to make him lift out his arm to pet her,” said Dara.
Cats have proven to be the perfect fit for the Levine family’s on-the-go lifestyle. They are easy to care for, requiring just food, water, a clean litter box and, of course, a lot of love. There's no need to buy fancy toys, as the cats are happy playing with hair ties, milk jug caps and cardboard boxes. They're also independent enough to be left alone for the day while Dara and Geof are at work.
Pet ownership, however, comes with its own challenges. Daily hairballs from Smarty Pants, scratched-up furniture and expensive emergency vet bills for Star are just a few of the difficulties Dara and Geof have faced. But every time Star curls up on Dara’s lap or Smarty Pants climbs onto her leg demanding attention, those difficulties fade into the background.
Dara’s advice to pet owners is to pay attention to their animals' cues. When their cats knock over water bottles or paw at blankets, they’re simply communicating their needs.
“They can’t tell us in words, so they tell us by meowing and acting out,” she said.
Dara and Geof’s house has always been a bit of a zoo, especially during the pandemic, when their two cats were joined by a guinea pig and a hamster. They even took the cats on hikes using a cat backpack! The cats often sit in the windows above the garage or by the front door, waiting for the family to come home. When they do, the cats greet them with cries and rubs, demanding affection.
“There’s no better therapy after a long, stressful day than to sit on the couch with a thick blanket and be surrounded by snuggling, sleeping and sometimes snoring cats. They’re warm and soft and they live for your attention and affection,” said Dara.
Starry Night and Smarty Pants, two kittens from the Wake County Animal Center, continue to brighten the Levine family with every purr, meow and snuggle. Adopting pets from the Wake County Animal Center is more than just a kind gesture; it’s a way to create a lifetime of memories with animals who need love the most.
