If you've been following the wild world of meme tokens on blockchain, you know cats have clawed their way to the top. From viral sensations like Mr. Miggles to entire communities built around feline fun, cat-themed projects are purring with potential. Now, enter Tara Faulkner, co-founder of CatTown, who's turning that meme magic into an onchain game on the Base network. In a recent episode of BaseLayer, shared via this tweet, Tara opens up about her path from rural Ireland to building a virtual cat world that's already donated over $30,000 to charities.

Tara's Roots: Growing Up in Donegal

Tara hails from Donegal, a picturesque but remote corner of Ireland. Raised on a family farm, she watched her dad shift from traditional farming to the milk industry in the '90s, only to see it squeezed by monopolies. Despite the challenges, Tara emphasizes the strong sense of community and family that shaped her—a vibe she sees echoed in the crypto space.

With no kids her age nearby, young Tara turned to technology for entertainment. "I got a computer and started messing about with MS Paint," she recalls. This early tinkering sparked a passion for visual design, blending traditional art with digital tools. It's no surprise that today, she's channeling that creativity into CatTown, where players immerse themselves in a cozy, cat-centric universe.

Diving into Crypto and Launching CatTown

Tara's crypto adventure kicked off in 2020 alongside her fiancé (and now co-founder) Mike. Starting with small trades, they soon went all-in. Between jobs, they gave themselves three months to build something together. That's when CatTown was born—they even snagged the domain cat.town.

So, what exactly is CatTown? It's an onchain game built on Base, Ethereum's layer-2 scaling solution known for low fees and fast transactions. Players adopt the persona of a cat in a life simulation style reminiscent of classics like Harvest Moon. You can grow crops, chat with other cats, form relationships, and participate in activities like weekly fishing competitions.

At the heart of it is Kibble (KBLL), CatTown's native ERC-20 token. ERC-20 is a standard for fungible tokens on Ethereum-compatible chains, making KBLL easily tradable. Earn it through gameplay, enter contests with a small KBLL fee, and watch prize pools grow. Part of the revenue cycles back to players, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem.

The Charitable Purr-pose

What sets CatTown apart in the meme token scene is its real-world impact. Over the past year, the community has donated around $30,000 to global causes, including cat protection organizations and typhoon relief in the Philippines. Tara shares heartwarming stories of players using their winnings to buy actual kibble for animal shelters. "I want CatTown to put some good out into the world and inspire goodness," she says.

This blend of fun, memes, and philanthropy is peak crypto spirit—turning internet cat love into tangible help. It's a reminder that meme tokens aren't just about pumps; they can foster communities that give back.

Why Base? A No-Brainer for Builders

Tara didn't hesitate when choosing Base for CatTown. "There's so many strong projects and communities building on Base," she explains. Backed by Coinbase, Base aims to make blockchain accessible, demystifying crypto for newcomers. With tools, documentation, and supportive devs, it's a builder's playground.

For anyone eyeing meme tokens or onchain projects, Tara's advice is simple: "Just start." Push past self-doubt, tap into resources, and dive in. The only real constraint? Yourself.

Community Buzz and What's Next

The tweet spotlighting Tara's story has sparked enthusiasm on X. Base lead Jesse Pollak called it "based," while community members like Mr. Miggles chimed in with supportive meows. Others praised the project's OG status and its blend of gaming and giving.

As meme tokens evolve, CatTown stands out by weaving narrative, utility, and charity into a cat-themed package. Whether you're a blockchain newbie or a seasoned degen, it's projects like this that highlight the fun side of crypto. Keep an eye on CatTown—it might just become the next big purr in the meme world.

For the full story, check out the BaseLayer episode on YouTube or dive into CatTown's world. What's your take on cat memes driving real change? Drop your thoughts below!