Meet Aleem Kassam: Cat Daddy Extraordinaire!

This month’s cat daddy is co-founder of the multi-award-winning Kalu Interiors and luxury lifestyle influencer Aleem Kassam. Not only is he one of Canada’s (and possibly the world’s) best dressed, but so are his cats Theodoros and Helios, otherwise known as ‘Theos’ and ‘Helo.’

The Scoop on Fabulous Cat Daddy Aleem Kassam

Aleem Kassam is an interior designer and co-founder of Kalu Interiors, a Vancouver-based design firm known to break industry barriers. He started his path in Interior Design in 2004 by obtaining a formal education at the Art Institute of Vancouver. He soon wanted adventure and furthered his education abroad at the Art Institute of Chicago to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design & Sustainable Interior Architecture. 

Aleem continued his education at the Domus Academy in Milan for Hospitality Design and the school of Central Saint Martins in London for Retail Design. This global perspective inspired Aleem’s taste for design and personal style, making him one of Vancouver’s most influential tastemakers and Canada’s top-dressed.

When he’s not busy making waves in the design community, Aleem loves to spend time with his cats. So we connected with Aleem to ask him some questions about his furry friends and the vital work VOKRA is doing to find furever homes in Vancouver.

Family Portrait: Aleem and his fiancé Victor, Theodoros and Helios.

Why are you one of Vancouver’s most fabulous ‘Cat Daddies’?

I would say that I’m Vancouver’s most fabulous ‘Cat Daddies’ because I’m fashionable, and so are our Cats! Not only do they sport some of the most fashionable threads for every occasion, but they’re also set up at home with the most entertaining and healthy activities, including a massive cat wheel for exercise, natural litter, and only raw and natural foods for their diet. They also travel in style, often either to Grandma’s condo downtown, where they get spoiled with massages and treats, or to flying harbour air seaplanes to the island to visit their other Grandma; where they get to eat freshly caught fish and go for walks outside on the property and explore nature!

Strike a pose! Taking after Daddy Aleem with their style and chicness.

Share More about Theos and Helo!

Theos is six and will turn seven in June, and Helo is three, turning four in August. Theos is the intelligent, calculating big brother that waits on the sidelines and purrfectly assesses every situation before acting. He knows what he wants and knows how to get it. He knows tricks too! Sit, Stand and Shake a Paw! He’s the first to greet anyone at the door - a very curious and affectionate guy - but don’t be fooled by his friendly demeanor and loving head tilts; he’s using you. 

Helo, on the other hand, is the more happy-go-lucky of the two; he always finds himself in silly predicaments but is also the shyer of the boys. The innocent one who sometimes you wonder how he gets through life... but that’s what we’re here for, I guess! Though, once he warms up to you, he’ll cry and beg for rubs, pats and cuddles. His big blue eyes will have you gasping for air, as his cuteness will suffocate you. Theos can sometimes get jealous of this, and he’ll make it known. You can follow their adventures @theosandhelios!

Why do you think in 2023 that everyone should be aware of the Adopt Don’t Shop movement?

Now more than ever, anyone looking to add a furry family member must seek the adoption route first, as so many furry friends are out there looking for homes. As we come out on the other end of the pandemic, and so many people decided to extend their family during it; we’re unfortunately now seeing an influx of abandoned and surrendered animals due to a multitude of reasons; including many not realizing the time and financial responsibilities of taking care of an animal, or what happens when they have to go back to work, etc.

Why do you support VOKRA’s work in the Lower Mainland?

The work that VOKRA does in our community is so valuable as it, first and foremost, provides a voice and representation to cats and kittens who cannot otherwise advocate for themselves. Countless felines across the Lower Mainland find themselves in terrible situations and shape due to a lack of resources or reasonability of humans, and they require our help to ensure their health and safety, which without organizations like VOKRA would not have that opportunity. 

Like every living creature, they deserve our care and respect, so it’s important that we also do what we can not only with our decision to adopt but also to support non-profit organizations like VOKRA in every way we can.

What lessons in love and life have your kitties taught you?

Every day, Theos and Helo are reminders of unconditional love, and as much as they rely on us for their survival, we also rely on them for many life lessons. Reasonability, care, patience, love and resilience... are just a few lessons they provide us. Just as humans, they also have needs and emotions, which can change daily, so we must cue into those most innate behaviours and follow the instinct to ensure they are healthy and happy. By being sensitive to them and their needs- we can translate this into our everyday lives and interactions with humans, making us both more aware and sensitive to the feelings of others. That is the greatest lesson that animals can teach us.

For more about Cat Daddy Aleem, visit his Instagram or website.