Elevating Cat Care: LoftyLoo™ Launches Innovative Litter Box Solution for Mobility Challenged Cat Guardians

LENEXA, KS – October 1, 2024 – In America’s heartland, a simple act of kindness blossomed alongside the signature Kansas sunflowers into a business providing an innovative solution for millions of cat owners facing mobility challenges. LoftyLoo™, the brainchild of aunt-niece duo Jody Allen and Amy Leiker, reimagines cat care with a simple yet ingenious raised litter box design that is now available for purchase.

A Neighbor in Need Sparks an Idea

The journey of LoftyLoo began when Allen stepped in to care for her neighbor’s cat during his hospitalization. As she tended to the feline friend, a realization struck: her neighbor would struggle with litter box maintenance after returning home. This moment of empathy became a catalyst for innovation.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about how difficult it would be for my neighbor to bend down and clean the litter box after their hospital stay,” Allen recalls. “I knew there had to be a better way.”

Driven by this insight, Allen reached out to her niece, Leiker, of Lenexa, Kansas, and together they embarked on a mission to find a solution. “Surely, someone has already solved this problem,” Leiker recalls thinking. Searching for a solution already in the marketplace proved futile. “To our surprise, we found absolutely nothing, zilch. There were no accessible pet care options — none. If you’re living with pain, recovering from an injury on crutches, or navigating life in a wheelchair, managing a litter box on the floor is more than just hard, it’s dangerous and often impossible. We were shocked to find nothing out there that conveniently and efficiently addresses the needs of people who face the difficulty or impossibility of tending to a litter box at floor level,” Leiker explained.

Teamwork led to a makeshift solution for a neighbor in need. It wasn’t an elegant solution, failed to secure the litter pan in place, wasn’t at just the right height, but it served as a start to solving a problem and was deeply appreciated by the neighbor. But the thinking didn’t stop there. The light bulb flashed bright in Leiker’s marketing mind.

LoftyLoo founders Jody Allen and Amy Leiker. – Photo Credit: LoftyLoo

Bringing LoftyLoo From Napkin Sketch to Reality

A dive into the statistics revealed that 46.5 million U.S. households own at least one cat and many millions of Americans live with temporary or permanent mobility challenges. Leiker and Allen could not let go of the concept. The brainstorming and sketches on napkins began.

The pair set out to design a consumer product – a mobile and elevated litter station that would eliminate the need for kneeling, bending, and straining. Their goal was clear: create a product that would allow cat owners with mobility issues to care for their pets independently, safely, and comfortably.

“We wanted to create something that wasn’t just functional, but also high-quality and attractive,” Leiker explains. “Cat owners shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their beloved pets. Even more important, they shouldn’t have to feel like a burden or suffer embarrassment asking for help or experience frustration and even danger just trying to independently care for their pet’s daily needs.”

With LoftyLoo, users can sit or stand to clean the litter box. No more bending or knealing. – Photo Credit: LoftyLoo

The Design Process

Leiker’s background includes a long career in marketing for major companies, primarily in the health care industry. Throughout life she has pursued a keen personal mission to take care of and support the underserved and often overlooked in our society. Add a passion for animal welfare and the stars aligned for Leiker to meet this opportunity.

With all that Leiker brought to the project, design and engineering skills were not something she possessed. So she turned to her then 11-year-old son and sixth-grader, Elias, a computer whiz familiar with using technology to turn a rough concept into a multi-dimensional model and design plans. Elias took the project from the paper napkin stage to something conceptually solid to pass on to professionals for refinement.

For many months, the cycle of designing, prototyping, testing, and refining whirled like a twister on the Kansas plain. The whirlwind of false starts and refining tweaks took its course and the dust settled to reveal a beautiful and practical final design. With the development complete, Patent applications were filed, and the project moved closer to reality.

Finding a Manufacturer

A search for a manufacturing partner led to a fortuitous relationship with one of America’s premier furniture manufacturers. Approaching a manufacturer commonly dealing with major clients the size of Ikea and even Walmart, Leiker had braced herself for being turned away. But the nature of the project and its potential to benefit so many people who deserve assistance led to success in locking down manufacturing for the product. “I feel so blessed to have found a pathway to deliver a premium quality product, expertly crafted from top-of-the-line materials, and made right here in the USA,” says Leiker.

Creating a Brand

Meanwhile, Leiker’s marketing brain swirled with ideas. A perfectly descriptive and catchy brand moniker emerged. LoftyLoo – the elevated litter box for cat owners with chronic pain, disabilities, and mobility limitations – was born.

Trying out the LoftyLoo. – Photo Credit: LoftyLoo

Addressing Widespread Unique Needs

The journey that started with a simple act of kindness now brings consumers a carefully conceived product ready for the marketplace. “LoftyLoo was created out of love and necessity. We’re excited to finally share it with cat owners who need it most,” Leiker said. “Beyond assisting with the physical challenges so many pet owners face, our product meets cats at their preferred level. It’s unbelievable that through the entire history of cat care, litter boxes have stayed on the floor! Cats naturally, instinctively prefer to be higher up. It’s where they feel safest and most secure.”

Veterinarian Dr. James Peterson endorses the product, stating, “Every cat owner should own a LoftyLoo. Cat litter boxes do not belong on the floor.” This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Alicia Ashley, another veterinary professional familiar with the product. She adds, “Cats and their guardians need and deserve better — this is where the LoftyLoo comes in.”

LoftyLoo’s innovative design includes:

• An elevated, top-entry litter box allowing owners to sit or stand while cleaning
• A spot for their business that appeals to cats’ natural preferences for higher places
• Built-in step-up perch for easy access by cats of all sizes
• Ample enclosed storage to keep things tidy
• Locking wheels for easy maneuverability and stability
• A spacious design accommodating litter pans of all sizes
• High quality wood and hardware components ensure a long-lasting investment

LoftyLoo dimensions. – Photo Credit: LoftyLoo

One standout feature of the LoftyLoo Raised Litter Box is its ergonomic design, resulting from careful study of test users and influenced by ADA design guidelines. The 27″ height elevates the litter box to an accessible level whether standing or seated which accommodates wheelchair users. Cat owners with mobility issues now have safe access to the litter box without needing to bend down or kneel to the floor. The risk of strain or injury while cleaning the litter box is gone.

The design keeps cats in mind too. A built in step-up helper perch at just 18″ off the floor provides easy access for felines from kittens to less mobile senior cats.

There is a further benefit for homes shared with a dog, the LoftyLoo keeps the busy noses and paws of canine companions out of the litter area.

Changing Lives, One Cat Guardian at a Time

The impact of LoftyLoo is best illustrated through the experiences of users. Diane O’Connell, a 93-year-old cat owner from Kansas City, shares, “I haven’t been able to clean my cat’s litter box in years because I couldn’t bend over. Thanks to LoftyLoo, I can maintain the litter box myself now. It’s given me back my independence.”

Accessibility Extends to Pricing and Shipping

In keeping with their mission to make cat care more accessible, LoftyLoo ensured that obtaining a LoftyLoo is as convenient as using one. The product is priced at $288.88, with free shipping offered within the United States. Payment plans allow you to pounce now and pay later in 4 interest-free installments through Afterpay or longer terms through Affirm.

Further enhancing affordability, a special Launch Offer is available by using the code LOFTYLOOLAUNCH to save $50. “We want LoftyLoo to be as accessible as possible,” says Amy Leiker. “That’s why we’re offering free shipping, flexible payment options, and now this special launch discount. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to care for their pets comfortably and independently and are doing all we can to help customers do that.”

To keep pricing affordable, the LoftyLoo ships unassembled. Detailed instructions and an online video tutorial guide consumers through the assembly process in well under an hour. For those needing assistance with assembly, services like Thumbtack, Taskrabbit, and Handy offer convenient in-home assembly by experienced professionals in most locations.

Surprises on the LoftyLoo Journey

In our exclusive interview with Leiker, Pawzhub asked, “What are some surprises you have encountered so far with LoftyLoo?” Leiker responded saying, “The focus all along was to answer needs of those who are mobility challenged. I wasn’t initially tuned in to how much cats would love the raised litter box. I suppose, in hindsight, one look at a cat tree and I should have predicted that cats would enjoy an elevated poo experience!”

“Another surprise that I wasn’t focused on during development but am now realizing as we introduce LoftyLoo to the marketplace is that even people who have no mobility challenge want a LoftyLoo simply for the convenience of not having to squat down to floor level for the daily chore of cleaning their cat’s litter box. I am thrilled that the market may be even bigger than I first thought.”

Looking to the Future

The story of LoftyLoo is more than just a chronicle of product development – it’s a testament to the power of observing the world with compassion and the courage to act on those observations. As our population ages and pet ownership remains high, innovations like LoftyLoo become increasingly vital in enabling people to care for their animal companions independently and safely.

“My hope is that LoftyLoo will soon be on the radar of every doctor, hospital discharge nurse, rehab and occupational therapist, home health provider, and caregivers – both professional and family. It’s not just about keeping the cat happy — it’s about empowering patients and loved ones to care for their pets with dignity, safety, and independence.”

As the journey of LoftyLoo unfolds, it is clearly not just about selling a product – it is about championing a movement towards more inclusive and thoughtful pet care solutions. Do additional innovative products lie ahead for LoftyLoo? “Stay tuned,” says Leiker. “LoftyLoo was born out of compassion, support, and grit. So, don’t be surprised if you see future products from us addressing unique needs for pets and their guardians.”

Get Elevated!

For more information about LoftyLoo™ or to place an order, visit www.loftyloo.com. Don’t forget to use code LOFTYLOOLAUNCH at checkout to claim your $50 discount.