Moshow The Cat Rapper, based in Portland, visited the Oregon Coast Humane Society last weekend in support of adopting senior and special needs cats in Florence.

New executive director partners with Moshow The Cat Rapper

Aug. 11, 2021 — On July 7, the light-hearted docuseries “Cat People” hit Netflix, starring cat lovers from around the world — including “Portland’s No. 1 cat rapper,” Moshow The Cat Rapper, also known as Dwayne Molock.

He’s caught traction for his viral bathtub cat rapping videos, along with his soul-touching connection to cats, as depicted in the series. Moshow further seized the attention of cat rescuers and cat lovers in Florence and Lane County with his first time visiting the area through a partnership with Oregon Coast Humane Society (OCHS).

On Friday, Aug. 6, he filmed a music video promoting adoptions featuring the OCHS kittens for his latest album, “Cat Rapper Dropping Heat.” Then, on Saturday, OCHS held a book signing event with Moshow.

A total of 57 people attended —the most visitors the OCHS has seen for a while, according to OCHS Executive Director Elizabeth Thompson, who joined the humane society at the start of the year.

Moshow posted about the book signing on his social media accounts, exclaiming, “I will also be helping all the kitties get adopted. … Let’s save all the kitties!”

Throughout the day, families, adults and children gathered sought to connect adoption seekers to senior and special needs cats living at the shelter.

During Moshow’s visit, six cats were adopted, with two special needs cats’ adoptions still pending. In addition, the event raised $100 in donations for the shelter.

Thompson said she is hopeful that Moshow’s visit will catalyze more cat adoptions in the coming weeks.  

Moshow’s visit all began with Thompson’s vision in “thinking outside the box” in finding ways to house OCHS’s long-term residents, she said.

After she discovered Moshow was based in Portland from watching “Cat People,” Thompson reached out via email the same day.

“I really need some help with networking these cats outside of Florence, Ore.,” she wrote. “Would you be willing and able to help us?” 

To her surprise, Moshow responded the following morning. Together, they marked the calendar for a weekend in Florence to shed awareness for the OCHS community and their cats.

According to Moshow, he aims to support and advocate for cats near him in Portland, and sometimes in other areas in greater Oregon.

“For me, this whole thing is about spreading love and positivity, it’s always about the cats and I really want to get these cats a home,” he said.

Moshow uses his platform, as well as songs and books about cat care, to highlight the joys of interacting with cats. Working with an Oregon humane society was “doing the work he always dreamed of,” he said. “Since everything after Netflix, they are the first people to team up with me, and I’m very happy about that.”

OCHS, a limited intake, no-kill shelter, currently has six dogs listed as available at oregoncoasthumanesociety.org — but approximately three dozen cats.

 “I heard that there’s a lot of cats here that have been here for eight or 10 years, and that hurts my soul,” Moshow said. “I want to use my platform to help get cats adopted by showing animals in a cool light, and do whatever I can do to help, which is why I’m here.”

In past years, OCHS has brought in over 100 cats for adoption. Therefore, the reason why some cats have spent their entire lives at the shelter is due to a lack of “proper socialization early on because of the sheer numbers here,” Thompson explained. “When there are that many cats, it’s easy to hide.” 

On Friday around 2 p.m., Moshow and his wife — who he calls his Cat Lady — played with the senior and special needs cats. One of them was named Sedona and she purred and pawed around on Moshow’s shoulders.

“They were awesome, very fun, and welcoming,” he said of both the cats and the OCHS volunteers and shelter staff.

Later on, he was shocked by the facility’s adoption rates, considering how great his experience was while he hung out with the cats. 

Moshow and his wife were excited to visit the OCHS to spotlight the OCHS’s cats to offer a broader platform to help them find their future families.

Moshow’s social media platforms reach over a million followers, with engagements on his posts and videos. He sees this as a resource to cultivate change in “saving cats” and bettering the overall qualities of their lives.

His posts over the weekend, show photos of him and his wife in the OCHS kitten playroom with a caption that stated, “We got cat power!” He also posted photos of the cats and the people he was able to meet. “Where are our cat people at!?” he asked.

Thompson said she is eager to see what will come in the following weeks as more content about the coast’s cats will surface.

She was also appreciative of Moshow for giving OCHS’s cats a sense of recognition by prioritizing them. Some of the cats have been overlooked due to age, health, and special needs. Therefore, for the first time in a long time, the cats have been given an opportunity to feel seen by the world.

“For me, it’s the gratitude I feel towards him and his wife,” Thompson said. “It was touching to see somebody who has such a platform come with humility, and with a heart for these cats. For him to remain humble and so passionate about trying to place cats, speaks volumes about where his heart is and what he’s here for.” 

Moshow first realized the “cat fever” at age 25, thanks in part to his Cat Lady. She enlightened him on the peace and happiness cats brought into their lives. Since then, there was no turning back for the couple, as they’ve continued to embark on a journey in saving the cats with their own cat family by their side. Currently, they have five cats named Black $avage, Sushi, Lil Parmesan, Mega Mam and DJ Ravioli. 

“Thank you very much to the Florence, Ore., Community. You guys are awesome, I love it here and I love this little town,” Moshow said. “Thank you everybody for respecting the animals and being very peaceful here. It’s all about getting these cats adopted and everyone here in this lovely town has been nothing but nice, respectful and just very welcoming.” 

For more information about OCHS, visit www.oregoncoasthumanesociety.org.

People can follow Moshow on social media, music and streaming platforms through “iammoshow.”