Katie Teixeira, a former procurement analyst from Rhode Island, has turned her grief over losing her 'soul cat' Milo into a thriving small business crafting memorial jewellery for pet owners. After Milo's death in 2021, Teixeira sought a way to commemorate her but found existing keepsakes unsatisfactory. Drawing on her artistic skills, she created a ring using Milo's shed whiskers set in silver resin. When she wore it to a cat shelter where she volunteered, requests poured in, leading her to launch Fallen Whiskers in 2023.
The business gained momentum when a social media post went viral, and Teixeira was laid off from her job in 2024. Encouraged by friends and family, she made the side hustle her full-time occupation. Despite initial fears, the venture has proved successful: she now fills around 15 orders weekly, with prices ranging from $125 to $150. Her Instagram following exceeds 100,000, and customers speak of her work with deep gratitude.
Teixeira incorporates a wide range of materials—whiskers, ashes, fur, teeth, claw sheaths, reptile skins, horse mane, and even hedgehog quills—into items such as rings, pendants, earrings, and cufflinks. She also creates bespoke pieces for zoo and sanctuary workers, using lion or tiger whiskers. All materials must be shed naturally or collected after death. A portion of proceeds supports PawsWatch, the cat shelter where she volunteers.
The rise of Fallen Whiskers reflects a broader cultural shift in how owners view their pets. According to the Pew Research Center, 97% of American owners consider their animals family, with over half saying they are as important as human members. This has fuelled increased spending on pet-related goods, including memorial items like cremation, burial, and custom jewellery. For Teixeira, the business has also been a personal journey of healing, allowing her to help others navigate the same grief she experienced.
