Jamie Smith

41, Dalton Gardens, Idaho, owns and fosters more than 10 cats.

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom

Volunteer position: Board member for the Kootenai Humane Society

Specialty: Rescuing old and special-needs cats with ailments such as amnesia, diabetes or an amputated leg.

Nickname: “My friends call me ‘The Cat Whisperer.’ “

Why cats: “I love their independence. I love their sense of humor. I love getting into their heads.”

Why not dogs: “Dogs are very surface. Cats are deeper. I like to go deeper.”

Most memorable cats: Ricki Tikki, a black-and-white tuxedo cat with Fu Manchu whiskers. His legs splay like Bambi’s as he slides across the living room floor because he was born with brain damage. There was Katie Cat, a gray tabby who nuzzled her owner’s ear and hugged her before dying of liver disease. Also a black cat named Oliver, the mama’s boy.

Advice for communicating with cats: Eye contact. Talk to them often in soothing tones.

How she keeps cats in the yard: Her 6-foot chain-link fence is topped with heavy-gauge wire netting.

Perils of trying to heal cats: “Dogs are so easy to work with. They want to please you. Cats get so stubborn. They would rather die than do something that makes you smile.”

Best ways to protect cats: Spay and neuter. Use microchip IDs. Keep them inside at night.

Feline abilities she’d like to have: “I would love to have the ability to heal. A cat’s purr heals bone tissue. Petting a cat lowers your blood pressure. Owning a cat just makes you happy.”

Why cats adopt her: “It’s fate. It’s kismet.”