When you order an AlwaysCat, it doesn't exist yet. There's no shelf somewhere with your cat on it, waiting to be put in a box. That's on purpose, and it's also why we ask for 4 to 6 weeks.
Where it started
AlwaysCat began with a simple observation: people who love cats are surrounded by cat things, and very few of them are beautiful. So we decided to make one object and take our time over it. A single 40 cm silhouette, calm and a little proud, the way cats are.
Sticking to one shape turned out to be freeing. All the care goes into the finish, and you get to choose the cat that suits the person, rather than the other way round. There's a bit more about that in our story.
What happens after you click “buy”
First, the cat is cast in resin, in Europe. Resin keeps the lines of the silhouette crisp and gives the sculpture its weight, about 2.4 kg, so it sits firmly on a shelf.
Then comes the slow part: the painting, all by hand. A plain colour needs several even coats. Patterns like Mondrian are masked one strip of tape at a time. If you've asked for a name, it's lettered by hand on the left haunch. And for a Your Cat order, the painter works with your photos alongside.
Last, a protective lacquer goes over the paint. From then on, the cat only needs a soft cloth every now and then (the care page has the details).
From Aigle to wherever you are
We're based in Aigle, in the canton of Vaud. Every order is checked and shipped from Switzerland, free of charge, to cat lovers all over the world. Outside Switzerland, import duties and taxes may be due on delivery, and our shipping page explains how that works.
Why we don't just make them faster
Making to order means we don't sit on a warehouse of unsold sculptures, and every cat is painted for someone. The trade-off is time, and we'd rather be upfront about it than rush a paint job. If your date is too close, send an e-gift card: it arrives by email and they choose their cat themselves.
Questions we get about it
Where are the sculptures made?
They're cast in resin, hand-painted and lacquered in Europe, then shipped from Aigle, Switzerland.
How long will I wait?
4 to 6 weeks from your order, painting included. Shipping is free worldwide.
Will I know when it's on its way?
Yes. You get an order confirmation by email, then a shipping email when your cat leaves Switzerland.