Is the Netflix Documentary Cat People Worth Watching? A Deep Dive Into Every Episode
The Netflix documentary Cat People (2021) dives into the quirky, heartwarming, and surprising ways humans connect with their feline friends.
Cat People
Creator: Glen Zipper
Country: USA
Think you love cats more than most? You might want to reconsider. The Netflix documentary series Cat People (2021) spans six episodes, each spotlighting someone whose life revolves entirely around their feline companions. Some channel their passion into cat-inspired art while others run a shelter in Greece or train their feline companion to surf.
Curious how the series came together and which episodes you’ll enjoy most? Keep reading.
👉 If this kind of documentary is your thing, you should also check out Cat Daddies (2021), which features eight men whose lives are deeply shaped by their bond with cats.
Cat People Episodes
Episode 1: Cat Rapper’s Delight
This episode follows Moshow, also known as “The Cat Rapper,” a passionate cat lover who has built his entire creative life around his pets. He writes and performs rap songs inspired by his cats—DJ Ravioli, MegaMam, Black Savage, and Lil’ Parmesan—and even meows in his music. It’s a fun, energetic introduction to someone who fully blends art, personality, and his love for cats.
Episode 2: The Cat Show Must Go On
Here, we meet Samantha Martin, the founder of The Amazing Acro-Cats, along with her team. She trains cats to perform tricks and even play instruments in a traveling show.
Considering how independent cats usually are, what she’s doing feels almost unbelievable. The episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at the patience and dedication it takes to work with animals that don’t always want to cooperate.
Episode 3: Copycat
This episode explores what it really means to capture a cat’s essence. Sachi, the artist behind Wakuneco, creates incredible, lifelike 3D portraits using needle felting.
Inspired by her own rescue cats, she carefully recreates other people’s pets with an attention to detail that’s almost hard to believe. It’s a quieter, more emotional story that shows just how ultra-realistic art can be.
Episode 4: Paws for the Cause
This episode centers on Sarah Bergstein and Chris Hoyler, a couple living with six cats, including their chunky rescue Mr. B, who unexpectedly became Instagram-famous. His popularity led them to start Mr. B’s Random Acts of Kindness, which raises money for cats in need through regular GoFundMe campaigns.
Their journey took off after attending the Catsbury Park Cat Convention, where they connected with people involved in cat rescue. One major inspiration was Sterling “TrapKing” Davis, who focuses on TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), a humane method to control overpopulation and prevent diseases like feline leukemia and feline AIDS.
Their first donation went to him, and since then, they’ve continued raising money every couple of weeks to support similar efforts.
Episode 5: God’s Little People
This episode takes place on the Greek island of Syros and follows Joan and Richard Bowell, founders of God’s Little People Cat Sanctuary.
It all started with a sick kitten they found in their garden. Helping that one cat gave them a sense of purpose, and soon they realized the island needed much more support for its large stray population.
With around 25,000 residents and roughly 13,000 cats, the need for a cat sanctuary was huge. The spay and neuter as many strays as they can, and after treatment and recovery, they’re vaccinated and either returned to their colony or prepared for adoption, often with international families.
Not everyone on the island welcomed their efforts at first, especially when they began feeding stray cats, but that didn’t stop them. Over time, their mission grew, and today they even run one of the cat cafés in Greece (Cat Cuddling Café).
Episode 6: Catwabunga!
Set in Fallbrook, California, this episode follows Maverick, a Bengal cat who is both an emotional support animal and an adventurous companion to his owners, Kayla Tabish and Nick Heaney. What starts with simple training—getting him used to a harness and short outings—gradually turns into something much bigger.
Maverick begins accompanying them everywhere, from coffee shops to the beach, and eventually joins Nick in wakeboarding. Step by step, they introduce him to water, until one day he jumps off a paddleboard to swim toward Kayla. From there, they begin teaching him to surf and jump between boards.
The episode also touches on the specific needs of the Bengal breed and what it takes to travel and train a cat.
👉 If you enjoy Cat People, I’ve put together a list of the best documentaries about cats to watch next.
The Creator Behind Cat People
The Netflix documentary Cat People comes from Oscar-winning producer Glen Zipper.
Before stepping into the world of filmmaking, he worked as a criminal prosecutor in Hudson County—until one unexpected encounter changed everything.
From Courtroom to Camera
Zipper’s career shift started when he met a stray pit bull puppy on the streets of Jersey City. He brought him to an animal shelter, where he quickly realized how overcrowded and difficult the system really was. Like so many other people, he thought that once the dog had made it to the animal shelter, he was going to be OK. But when he learned the puppy might be euthanized within days, he decided to adopt him. After that, he decided to volunteer at the shelter as well.
After six months of volunteering, something clicked. He realized that working with animals made him happy and that he wanted to make a career out of it. That’s when he made a bold move: leaving law behind, heading to Los Angeles, and starting fresh in documentary filmmaking. His goal? Tell meaningful, character-driven stories about animals and the humans connected to them.
A Passion for Animal Stories
Before Cat People, Zipper created the Netflix documentary series Dogs (2018–2021), which explores the deep emotional bond between humans and their four-legged companions across the world—from Syria to Costa Rica to New York. The idea was simple but powerful: show how these relationships can inspire hope and connection, even during divided times.
He wanted something more cinematic than typical animal programming—closer in tone to high-end Netflix content like Chef’s Table, with a strong focus on real-time, verité storytelling. The result was a visually rich, emotionally grounded series that resonated with audiences worldwide.
That same storytelling approach carries over into Cat People, where the focus shifts to equally fascinating and often misunderstood feline relationships.
The Idea Behind Cat People
With Cat People, Zipper set out to challenge stereotypes. The Netflix documentary highlights individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have built their lives around cats—often being labeled as “eccentric” or misunderstood along the way.
The series doesn’t just lean into quirky moments; it digs deeper, showing what these relationships really mean. At its core, it’s about connection, identity, and the quiet, powerful bond shared with these independent animals.
How Zipper Approaches Filmmaking
Zipper describes his role as a producer in a pretty down-to-earth way: helping bring a director’s vision to life—even joking that he turns “a director’s dream into [his] nightmare” to make sure everything runs smoothly.
He also believes in staying flexible during filming. Rather than forcing a story into a strict structure, he prefers to let it unfold naturally. That openness is a big part of why his Netflix documentaries feel so authentic and engaging.
Beyond Cat People
Zipper’s career spans a wide range of high-profile documentary projects. He’s worked on everything from music films like Foo Fighters: Back and Forth (2011), The Last Play at Shea (2010), and Elvis Presley: The Searcher (2018) to major cultural profiles such as Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (2024) and What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali (2019).
In 2011, he co-founded Zipper Bros Films with his brother, Ralph Zipper. Their first feature, Undefeated (2011), went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
On top of that, he co-authored a young adult sci-fi novel, Devastation Class, about a group of teens navigating a catastrophic future. He continued to build a diverse slate with projects like The Nightmare (2015) and Betting on Zero (2016).
Animal Advocacy
Outside of Netflix, Zipper is also deeply involved in animal advocacy. He serves on the advisory board of a Santa Monica-based charity and continues to support efforts helping homeless animals.
At the end of the day, his work always circles back to the same ideas: connection, purpose, and the unexpected ways a life can change.
Is Netlix’s Cat People Worth Watching?
Yes, but not every episode will be for everyone. What makes Cat People interesting is also what makes it a bit uneven: each episode tells a completely different story, so the tone and appeal can vary quite a bit. You can watch the whole series, but it works just as well to start with the episodes that genuinely catch your interest.
For me, the “God’s Little People” episode really stood out. Having spent quite a bit of time in Greece, I had a soft spot for it right away. It offers a meaningful look at the challenges surrounding stray cats, while also showcasing beautiful scenes of Syros that make you want to pack your bags and go on vacation.
Another favorite was “Copycat,” because I was so blown away by the artist’s life-like creations.
That said, a few episodes leaned a bit too far into “cat-obsessed” territory—and that’s saying a lot coming from someone who also dedicates her life to cats. Not every episode will land the same way, but you’ll almost certainly find a few that you genuinely love.
Cat People Trailer
Where to Watch Cat People?
This six-part documentary series was created as a Netflix Original and is currently included with a standard Netflix subscription.
And while you’re at it, why not watch Zipper’s documentary series Dogs as well?
Final Thoughts
Which episode of Cat People stood out to you the most? Are there other cat documentaries or shows you’ve seen that you’d recommend to fellow cat lovers? Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts.
About the Author
Vanessa Morgan is the editor of When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals, Strange Blood: 71 Essays on Offbeat and Underrated Vampires Movies, Evil Seeds: The Ultimate Movie Guide to Villainous Children, and Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies. She also published one cat book (Avalon) and four supernatural thrillers (Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside, A Good Man, and Clowders). Three of her stories became movies. She introduces movie screenings at several European cinemas and film festivals and is also a programmer for the Offscreen Film Festival in Brussels. When she is not writing, you will probably find her eating out or taking photos of felines for her website, Traveling Cats.
