Regina Klein

Founder, Behaviour Researcher & Chief Editor of BritishShorthairAsk.com

A Curiosity That Became a Calling

My name is Regina Klein, and cats have been the quiet thread weaving through every chapter of my life.
I never planned to become a writer, a researcher, or the founder of a global cat-care website. I simply wanted to understand the silent grace behind a creature that could communicate entire emotions with a blink.

I grew up in Bath, England, surrounded by animals and books. My parents were teachers who encouraged curiosity; we spent weekends exploring nature trails and local farms. Among the chaos of dogs, rabbits, and birds, I always gravitated to the neighbor’s elderly tabby. Something in the cat’s calm, unbothered presence fascinated me — the perfect balance of independence and attachment. I didn’t know it then, but that fascination would become my compass.

At nineteen, when I moved to London for university, I adopted a small British Shorthair kitten named Oliver.
That was the moment curiosity turned into a lifelong vocation.

From Wonder to Understanding: The Academic Path

I earned my B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of London, graduating in 2016 with a research thesis on social signaling and stress adaptation in domestic cats.
Those three years transformed how I thought about animals — they were not subjects of affection alone, but complex systems of emotion, chemistry, and instinct.

To deepen that knowledge, I pursued advanced and continuing studies:

• Diploma in Feline Psychology and Behaviour, International Open Academy (2017)

• Certificate in Animal Nutrition, University of Edinburgh Online (2018)

• Behaviour Science for Companion Animals, Royal Veterinary College Continuing Programme (2020–present)

• Pet Health and Welfare Management, Coursera / University of Glasgow (2022)

These weren’t vanity certificates. Each course taught me how to interpret the why behind a cat’s action — the micro-expressions of anxiety, the subtle postures of trust.
That knowledge became the bedrock of my later work.

Learning in the Real World

After graduation, I joined a local rescue shelter in Camden as a Pet Care Advisor.
The work was raw: abused rescues, malnourished kittens, terrified seniors abandoned after lockdown.
I learned to read trauma in silence — the flinch before a hand reaches out, the shallow breathing of a cat who no longer trusts.

My supervisor, a veterinary nurse named Mara, once told me,

“A cat doesn’t owe us love; we earn it through consistency.”
That single sentence became my career philosophy.

For six years I advised new owners, created enrichment routines, and conducted informal behavioural observations. I also began writing informational leaflets to help people understand fear, overstimulation, and safe socialization. Those leaflets grew into blog posts, and by 2018 I was freelancing for digital magazines including PetCareToday, CatParentLife, and PurrfectLiving.

The Gap I Couldn’t Ignore

While freelancing, I noticed a pattern.
Every website lumped all cats together — “the generic house cat.”
But British Shorthairs are not generic. Their dense coats, round faces, and gentle temperaments hide physiological and psychological traits distinct from other breeds.

They mature slowly, form deep but quiet bonds, and require balanced nutrition to avoid obesity. Yet most advice online ignored these nuances.

I wanted to build a resource that treated the British Shorthair with the same respect a veterinarian gives a patient — informed, precise, and empathetic.

So, in late 2020, from a rented flat filled with books, camera gear, and one snoring British Shorthair, I launched BritishShorthairAsk.com.

Building a Trusted Resource

The first version of the site was humble: three articles — one on grooming, one on nutrition, and one heartfelt essay about Oliver.
Within a few months, readers began emailing questions:

“What’s the best litter texture for heavy cats?”
“Do British Shorthairs like water fountains?”
“Why does my cat lick my hair?”

Answering those questions required more than anecdotes; it required research.
So I spent evenings combing veterinary databases, reaching out to experts, and double-checking everything before publishing.

The goal wasn’t traffic; it was trust.
Slowly, that trust became our brand identity.

Philosophy: Respect Before Correction

If there’s one principle guiding everything I do, it’s this:

Respect the nature of the cat before you attempt to change it.

Too often, owners treat cats as small dogs — expecting obedience instead of partnership.
The British Shorthair in particular thrives on predictable environments and gentle communication. Understanding that is the foundation of responsible ownership.

This philosophy informs every guide, product review, and case study on my site. Whether I’m explaining taurine metabolism or reviewing scratching posts, the tone remains constant: empathetic realism backed by data.

Collaborations and Recognition

Since launching the site, I’ve collaborated with numerous professionals and organizations:

• International Cat Care (ICatCare) — Guest Educator on Breed-Specific Behaviour (2022)

• Feline Behaviour Association UK — Professional Member since 2019

• Royal Veterinary College — Webinar Speaker: “The Science of Feline Calm” (2023)

• The Cat Owner’s Digest — Featured Expert in “Understanding Slow Blink Communication” Series (2024)

• Contributor to FelineWell Magazine for their Behaviour Insights Column

These collaborations provided both exposure and responsibility — to uphold the same ethical standards as established veterinary publications.

Oliver and Daisy: My Teachers

Oliver lived to twelve. Losing him left a silence so heavy that for months I couldn’t write about cats at all. Then came Daisy, a cream-colored British Shorthair with eyes the color of sunrise.

Where Oliver was stoic, Daisy is playful and vocal. Together they taught me that no two cats — even within one breed — are identical.
Their contrasting personalities remind me to approach every question with humility; there is no single answer that fits all.

My office still carries Oliver’s paw-print impression beside my keyboard. Every article passes under that silent approval before it goes live.

The Mission: Education Through Empathy

The internet doesn’t need more pet trivia; it needs understanding.
My mission is to translate complex feline research into practical guidance owners can trust.

Three pillars support that mission:

1. Science you can use – evidence distilled into actionable advice.

2. Stories that connect – because empathy reinforces learning.

3. Integrity above income – transparency about sponsors, sources, and limitations.

Every guide includes citations, update dates, and honest pros / cons. If a product fails testing, I say so. My loyalty lies with readers and their cats, not advertisers.

Commitment to Transparency

BritishShorthairAsk.com follows a formal Editorial & Fact-Checking Policy:

• All health information references peer-reviewed journals or verified veterinary sources.

• Every major post undergoes internal review and periodic updates.

• Affiliate partnerships, if any, are disclosed in plain language.

• Reader corrections are welcomed and documented publicly.

Community & Advocacy

Beyond digital education, I work hands-on with animal welfare groups.
I volunteer monthly at London Cat Rescue, designing enrichment strategies for shy rescues.
In 2023 I co-led an online campaign with the UK Cat Welfare Alliance titled “Healthy Weight, Happy Cat”, reaching over 50 thousand owners.

I also moderate British Shorthair Circle, an online group connecting breeders, adopters, and hobbyists in respectful dialogue.
Our motto: “Share experience, not ego.”

The Research Side

Between 2021 and 2024 I ran a small independent project called The British Shorthair Temperament Survey. Over 400 owners contributed data about play preferences, stress triggers, and vocalization patterns.
Key findings — such as the link between low-noise environments and reduced stress shedding — are being compiled into an open-access white paper for the community.

While I’m not a laboratory scientist, I consider citizen science invaluable. It bridges the gap between academia and everyday observation.

Writing Style and Pedagogy

My readers come from 60+ countries. Some are lifelong breeders; others just adopted their first kitten. So I write with inclusive clarity — avoiding jargon without oversimplifying.

Each article aims to:

• Educate without intimidating.

• Empower without preaching.

• Engage through empathy.

I often tell stories mid-article — real anecdotes from my consultations — because memory follows emotion better than data alone.

Life in London

I still live in London, in a small flat filled with plants, notebooks, and two cat trees.
My morning begins with Daisy demanding breakfast precisely at 6 a.m. Then coffee, journal reading, and writing until noon.
Afternoons are for editing, photography, and occasionally visiting nearby shelters.

Evenings are my quiet sanctuary: a book, soft jazz, Daisy purring against my arm. I like to believe tranquility breeds clarity — and that serenity seeps into my work.

Values That Guide Everything

1. Integrity – Facts before feelings.

2. Empathy – Every cat deserves patience.

3. Accountability – If I err, I correct it.

4. Sustainability – Promote eco-friendly litter, packaging, and nutrition.

5. Community – Knowledge grows when shared.

These values turn information into trust — the true currency of the internet age.

Looking Ahead

The next phase of BritishShorthairAsk.com involves expansion into multimedia education:

• Short video tutorials on grooming and health checks.

• A monthly newsletter featuring expert Q&As.

• Collaborative workshops with UK veterinary students on feline behaviour.

• An eBook series, “Living with British Shorthairs,” slated for 2026.

My long-term goal is to build a verified database of British Shorthair breeders and rescues that uphold welfare-first standards.

What Cats Taught Me

Cats have been my greatest teachers.
From them I learned patience, observation, and humility. I learned that silence often speaks louder than sound, and that presence — simply being there — can heal anxiety better than any medication.

Every human relationship I value has improved because of what cats taught me: respect boundaries, reward trust, and listen more than you speak.

A Personal Reflection

Sometimes people ask, “Don’t you ever get tired of writing about one breed?”
Never. Because within that breed lies infinite individuality.

British Shorthairs remind me that calmness is a strength, that affection can be subtle, and that love doesn’t always need noise.

When readers email to say an article helped them bond with their cat, that’s success. That’s purpose fulfilled.

A Message to My Readers

If you’ve found your way here, perhaps you’re seeking advice, reassurance, or simply companionship in your journey as a cat owner.
Know this: you’re not alone. Every cat parent faces uncertainty. Every one of us learns, sometimes stumbles, and always grows.

This site exists to support that growth — with compassion, clarity, and evidence.

Thank you for trusting me to share that path with you.
Your curiosity fuels my commitment; your stories inspire my work.

With gratitude and a purring co-author beside me,

— Regina Klein
Founder & Chief Editor
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.britishshorthairask.com