Welcome to Companion Animal World
Welcome to my Substack! My name is Kat Albrecht-Thiessen and I’m a police detective-turned-pet detective, author, inspirational speaker, trainer, founder of the first-ever (online) lost pet recovery training academy, and the founder of an up and coming nonprofit memorial site / tourist attraction called Companion Animal World (CAW).
What We Do Here
At CAW, we discuss our shared love for companion animals through the amazing lost pet recovery stories that I write. We also discuss our plans to build a one-of-a-kind memorial site to honor and remember our passed companion animals (dogs, cats, horses, ducks, goats, rabbits…whatever animals you roll with!) AND the people we’ve lost who also deeply loved animals.
What You’ll Get
By subscribing to Companion Animal World you’ll receive posts about my three favorite topics:
(1) my serialized memoir PET TRACKER stories that chronicle my journey from cop to pet detective,
(2) my educational and heartwarming lost pet recovery stories, and
(3) my BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) to build CAW, an incredible mega pet memorial site / tourist attraction.
My writing is honest, raw, fascinating, sometimes spiritual (even supernatural), and many times pee-your-pants-funny!
FREE SUBSCRIBERS GET: (No cost…what a deal!)
Weekly serialized posts from my inspirational memoir PET TRACKER, the fascinating story of my journey from police detective to pet detective.
Weekly educational lost pet recovery stories from my international network of pet detectives who recover lost pets in their communities.
PAID SUBSCRIBERS GET: ($5 a month or $50 a year)
Weekly serialized posts from my inspirational memoir PET TRACKER, the fascinating story of my journey from police detective to pet detective.
Weekly educational lost pet recovery stories from my international network of pet detectives who recover lost pets in their communities.
Occasional idea exchanges with me about the pet memorial site development and the ability to offer your input into what will go into this facility, plus opportunities to volunteer.
Live posts and interviews with animal industry people.
MEMORIAL SITE FOUNDERS GET: ($20 a month or $240 a year)
Everything that FREE and PAID subscribers receive (see above) PLUS:
The satisfaction of supporting Kat’s effort to develop compassion fatigue and pet memorial retreats and build a large pet memorial site.
I know that you have questions. I have some answers.
FAQ
Where will “this place” be located? We will build this on beautiful Southern Vancouver Island, BC, near the city of Victoria.
How will you pay for this? I won’t, but God will! I have so much faith that God will move the hearts of animal lovers to support (donate, invest, sponsor) this endeavor, when that time comes. Jesus said it only takes a mustard seed size of faith to move a mountain and that with it, you can do ANYTHING. I believe that!
Can we donate now? NO. We are not yet equipped to accept charitable donations at this time. When the right people are in place and we are ready to accept donations, we will announce that.
How can I get involved? Here are ways to get involved: (1) become a PAID or FOUNDER level subscriber as this will help sustain me financially while I oversee the development of this dream, (2) please like, comment, and restack what I write in Substack and participate in the conversations (3) consider adding Companion Animal World to your Substack “Recommendations” list in your Substack.
This will take time, it will require many resources, and ultimately it will cost a boat load of money! So tell me, are you ALL IN with me? Do you want to help participate in creating something new and incredibly helpful to those of us who deeply love our companion animals.
Let’s all connect, gather as a family, exchange ideas, and build this site together!
About Me
I began my fascinating yet bumpy journey into lost pet recovery work back in March of 1997 when I used a search-and-rescue dog to track down A.J., my missing police bloodhound. After that life changing moment, I took my cadaver dog (Rachel, a Weimaraner) and trained her to track lost pets with instant success! Yet, in spite of my success, I was told (in 1998) that I was “having a pipe dream” if I thought I could make a living as a pet detective! So in addition to all my companion animal content, I write about what its like to take chances, to make sacrifices, to truly believe in what you’re doing as you follow your “dream” and most important, to understand that when you partner with God, ALL THINGS are possible! Not only have I made a living (as a pet detective) but I’ve trained many others who’re doing the same!
As I moonlighted as a “pet detective,” I pioneered sophisticated lost pet recovery tactics and techniques that mirror the science of finding lost people (search-and-rescue). In 2005, I developed the first ever lost pet recovery training program that has taught over 800 volunteer and professional lost pet recovery specialists. I’ve also authored 2 books: Pet Tracker and Dog Detectives: How to Train Your Dog to Find Lost Pets, appeared on Animal Planet and a few TV shows, and have been featured in many magazine and newspaper articles, including a recent feature in The New York Times.
I grew up in California, moved to Seattle in 2008, and in 2012, I married my best friend and moved from Seattle, WA to Vancouver Island, BC (Canada) where I have dual citizenship. My husband Johnny (who is disabled) and I live with our two rescued lap dogs: Opie, a Beagle mix, and Olie, an ESA Chihuahua mix.
