You probably remember the scene: two people on a motorcycle crashing through a wall of plastic cubes. It was flashy. It was loud. It was very "Shark Tank." Nikki Linn and Rusty Niedwick didn't just come to sell a cat bed; they came to show that their Kitty Kasas were basically indestructible.
Honestly, it’s one of those pitches that sticks with you because it felt real. They weren't just suits with a spreadsheet. They were shelter owners who were tired of cat furniture that smelled like ammonia and fell apart after a week.
The Pitch That Started a Shark Fight
When Nikki and Rusty walked into the Tank in Season 10, they were looking for $200,000 for 20% of their company. Most people think these pitches are all about the money, but for them, it was about protection. They had a manufacturer overseas who had basically stolen their designs and started selling knock-offs. They needed a Shark with some legal teeth to bite back.
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The numbers were actually pretty solid for a niche pet brand. At the time of filming, they’d done about $600,000 in sales over two years.
Kevin O’Leary—who usually hates anything that "meows"—actually saw the green. He offered $200,000 for a 33.3% stake. Then things got spicy. Lori Greiner, the "Queen of QVC," jumped in and matched Kevin's offer. Watching them bicker was peak television. Lori eventually sealed the deal by agreeing to a 30% equity split, mostly because she genuinely liked the product and the "rescue" mission behind it.
What Happened After the Cameras Stopped?
Here is the thing about Shark Tank deals: a lot of them never actually close. If you look at Lori Greiner’s official portfolio today, you won’t see Kitty Kasas listed there. It’s a classic case of the "handshake deal" that might have hit some snags during due diligence, or perhaps the founders found a better path elsewhere.
But that didn't stop the momentum.
Instead of just grinding it out as a tiny startup, Kitty Kasas made a massive move in July 2019. They were acquired by Jolly Pets, an Ohio-based company known for making nearly indestructible dog toys. This was a smart play. Jolly Pets already had the manufacturing and the distribution networks in place.
Why Kitty Kasas Actually Solved a Problem
Most cat trees are gross. Let's be real. They are covered in carpet that traps fur, dander, and... other stuff. Nikki and Rusty created these because of a ringworm outbreak at their shelter, the Arni Foundation. They needed something they could literally hose down with bleach without ruining it.
The system is basically LEGOs for cats:
- The Bedroom: A simple cube with a pillow.
- The Gym: A cube with a sisal scratching post.
- The Recreation: A "penthaus" style top or a cube with hanging toys.
They are made of low-density polyethylene. That’s just a fancy way of saying they are tough plastic that doesn't off-gas nasty chemicals. You can stack them six feet high or scatter them around the room.
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Where Are They Now in 2026?
If you are looking for these today, you don't have to look hard. They aren't some "as seen on TV" relic gathering dust. You can find them all over Amazon, Petco, and Chewy.
The brand has expanded quite a bit under the Jolly Pets umbrella. They’ve added more colors—moving away from just the bright "preschool" primary colors to more muted tones like charcoal and taupe that actually look okay in a modern living room.
Revenue-wise, they don't share private numbers anymore, but being part of a larger conglomerate means they are likely doing several million in annual sales. They also stuck to their roots. The "Shelter Re-Do" program is still a thing. They still use a portion of their success to help out no-kill shelters, which was always the heart of the business anyway.
The Reality of the "Shark Tank Effect"
A lot of people think that if a Shark doesn't stay involved, the business fails. Kitty Kasas proves that's just not true. Sometimes the show is just a giant commercial that catches the eye of a bigger buyer.
For Nikki and Rusty, the goal was never to become corporate moguls. It was to fund their animal rescue work. By selling to Jolly Pets, they got the payout they deserved and the resources to keep the product alive while they focused on what they actually loved: saving cats.
Actionable Takeaways for Pet Owners
If you're thinking about grabbing some for your own "catio" or living room, keep these things in mind:
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- Measure first: They are about 15x15 inches. If you have a 25-pound Maine Coon, it’s going to be a tight squeeze.
- Check the "Hut" vs "Cube": The newer "Hut" models are often a bit cheaper but don't stack quite as securely as the original cubes.
- Don't skip the Gym: Most people buy the bed first, but the sisal scratching post is actually the most durable part of the whole system. It lasts way longer than those cardboard loungers.
The legacy of Kitty Kasas isn't just a TV segment or a 30% equity counter-offer. It's a reminder that a product born out of a real, messy, "ringworm-level" problem usually has more staying power than something dreamed up in a boardroom.