To Elizabeth Smith, of Cat Fancy magazine [Letter 540]

March 20, 1966

Miss Elizabeth Smith
CATFANCY Magazine
P.O. Box 1096
Studio City, California 91604

Dear Miss Smith:

Thank you for your letter of March 4.

You ask whether I own cats or simply enjoy them, or both. The answer is: both. I love cats in general and own two in particular.

You ask: “We are assuming that you have an interest in cats, or was your subscription strictly objective?” My subscription was strictly objective, because I have an interest in cats. I can demonstrate objectively that cats are a great value, and the charter issue of Cat Fancy magazine can serve as part of the evidence. (“Objective” does not mean “disinterested” or indifferent; it means corresponding to the facts of reality and applies both to knowledge and to values.)

I subscribed to Cat Fancy primarily for the sake of the pictures, and found the charter issue very interesting and enjoyable.

With my best wishes for your success,

Cordially,

Ayn Rand

AR:dk