Top influencer Jade Anna van Vliet (20) recently addressed her fans' persistent questions about the whereabouts of her beloved cats, Bruno and Rover, which had seemingly vanished since she began living with Ajax footballer Kenneth Taylor.
After enduring weeks of speculation and rumors—many fans believed she had surrendered her pets to an animal shelter—Jade finally opened up during a makeup video on TikTok. "Mijn lieve katten zijn niet meeverhuisd," she stated bluntly at the outset. "My dear cats have not moved with me." This admission came as both relief and heartache for her followers, who had long wondered about the fuzzy companions often featured on her social media.
The catalyst for the cats not joining her new life is Kenneth’s health. Jade explained, "Die is allergisch voor katten. Daarnaast heeft hij astma en die twee dingen samen, als topsporter, zijn geen goede combinatie"—or—"He is allergic to cats. Besides, he has asthma, and those two together, as an athlete, are not a good combination." With Kenneth suffering from these ailments, the safety and well-being of her cats naturally became Jade's primary concern.
Alongside her boyfriend’s health issues, structural concerns about their new living arrangements also weighed heavily on Jade's decision. The new apartment, located in Alkmaar, is not ideally suited for feline residents due to its low windows. "Als ze daar vanaf springen, dan zijn ze letterlijk dood," she remarked, expressing her fears over the danger of her pets possibly escaping.
Initially living with her pets in Heemskerk, Jade made the difficult decision to rehome them before the move to Alkmaar. She explained the complexity of her situation: "Zo’n keuze maken over beestjes waar je megaveel van houdt, dat is niet niks." Translately, she noted the emotional toll of making such decisions about pets one loves so dearly.
Fortunately, Jade assured her fans, both cats are now living happily and safely in loving homes. Bruno is staying with her mother, and Rover was adopted by a "superlieve" woman—a nice person seeking to provide companionship for her older cat.
Jade regularly receives photographs and updates about her cats from their new homes, providing her some solace amid the transitions. "Ik krijg nog steeds foto's en video's van mijn katten en kan de kat bij mijn moeder zien wanneer ik wil," she said, highlighting the importance of maintaining contact with her pets.
Her emotional transparency offered reassurance to her followers concerned by the rumors. Jade acknowledged her earlier silence surrounding the issue—"Je kan zeggen dat het mij eigen schuld is geweest omdat ik er niks over heb gezegd"—"You can say it’s my fault for not saying anything." The decision stemmed from her desire to protect her beloved felines from unfounded speculations surrounding their absence.
Jade's popularity on social media has placed her under scrutiny, where even pet ownership decisions provoke public discourse. Following the breakup of her relationship with fellow YouTuber Gio Latooy last year, Jade is acutely aware of how her personal life intertwines with her public persona.
Now, as she starts anew with Kenneth, she must navigate the challenges of combining her life with her pets' needs. The recent transition for Jade and Kenneth is significant, not just for the couple but also for Jade’s furry family.
While balancing her influencer commitments and her relationship, Jade remains dedicated to her cats and encourages her followers to understand the challenges many pet owners face, particularly during major life changes.
This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the bond between pet owners and their furry companions, illustrating the lengths to which one will go to protect those they love, even under public scrutiny.