Aqeela Nahani, Executive Director of Le Miaousée, is bringing a unique blend of culture, education, and animal welfare to Montréal’s cat-loving community. Founded in 2024, the organization celebrates the role of cats in society while raising awareness about feline welfare and responsible pet ownership. Through creative pop-up exhibits and community programming, Le Miaousée connects cat lovers with rescue organizations and encourages compassion for the city’s growing stray population. With plans to open a permanent museum space in summer 2026—featuring cat history exhibits, adoptable cats, and educational programming—Nahani and her team hope to inspire stronger community action and help more cats find safe, loving homes.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Le Miaousée is a Montreal-based organization that celebrates the role of cats in our society while promoting compassion, education, and community action to improve feline welfare. Since 2024, we have hosted pop-up events that brought together cat lovers, artists, and rescue organizations to deepen our collective connection to cats. In summer 2026, we plan to open a permanent museum space featuring exhibits on cat history and culture, a cat-themed boutique, and real adoptable cats in partnership with local rescues.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Montréal faces a persistent crisis: at-capacity animal shelters, a growing street cat population, and ongoing pet abandonment. Despite the tireless work of rescue organizations, the root causes remain: limited public awareness and gaps in education on pet ownership.
We aim to engage people who love cats (or are cat curious) but may not fully understand the challenges they face. By offering heartwarming exhibits, fun and engaging programming, and educational workshops, we hope to shift attitudes and encourage more responsible pet ownership.
Our long-term vision is simple but ambitious: fewer cats in shelters, stronger community engagement in animal welfare, and ultimately, every cat in a safe and loving forever home.
When did you start/join it?
Le Miaousée began in May 2024 with our first event, “Barnyard Buddies: Tales from the Farm Sanctuary”. The exhibit took place at Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary and featured the stories of cats living in farm sanctuaries across North America. That event set the tone for what we’re building – storytelling as a gateway to compassion.
What made you want to get involved?
The idea for Le Miaousée was sparked by the book “Fearless Felines: 30 True Tales of Courageous Cats” by Kimberlie Hamilton. This book is about heroic and extraordinary cats whose courage shaped moments in history. It reminded me that cats are everywhere, yet their stories are often overlooked. I began to imagine what it would look like to share those stories in a space dedicated to them, like a museum. From that spark, Le Miaousée was born.
What was the situation like when you started?
When we started, we had no permanent space and no budget. We just had an idea, a small but passionate team, and a belief that we were ready for something different. We were experimenting, learning how to produce events, building partnerships with rescues, and figuring out how to merge culture and animal welfare in a meaningful way.
How has it changed since?
Since then, we have been growing into a more structured organization with stronger partnerships and a defined long-term vision. Our pop-up exhibit in September 2025, “Miaoutréal: The History of Montréal’s Cats”, exceeded expectations. Originally meant to be three weeks, the exhibit was extended into October due to sold-out weekends, and we surpassed our visitor goal with over 2,000 attendees.
The exhibit generated meaningful media coverage, strong visitor engagement, and it provided support to two local cat rescues who joined us each weekend to raise funds for their operations. The exhibit confirmed that there is strong demand for a cultural space in Montreal dedicated to cats.
What more needs to be done?
We need continued collaboration between cultural institutions, rescue organizations, and the broader public. Education around sterilization, responsible adoption, and long-term pet care must be accessible and ongoing.
We also need to keep reframing animal welfare as a community issue, not just the responsibility of shelters and volunteers, but something we all contribute to through awareness, support, and action.
How can our readers help?
Visit our resources page to learn how to get involved, such as volunteering with, fostering for, or donating to a local cat rescue. We recommend supporting organizations such as Réseau Secours Animal/Animal Rescue Network, Refuge ABC’s Rescue, and Refuge Kitty-Kat Rescue.
Even small actions make a real difference, such as sharing adoption posts, attending fundraising events, and choosing to adopt instead of buying from a breeder.
Do you have any events coming up?
Right now, our primary focus is preparing to open our permanent museum space in summer 2026. Behind the scenes, we are developing exhibits, building partnerships, and securing the foundation needed to make the space engaging and impactful from day one.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We love Refuge A.B.C.’s Rescue, a Montreal-based non-profit dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of stray cats, orphaned kittens, and homeless feline families. Their work on the ground is compassionate, hands-on, and truly life-changing for the cats they serve.
