Dawn M. Shiley got her first Norwegian Forest Cat, Billy Joe,  in November 1990.  By 1992, the decision to become a breeder had been made and the cattery was registered with CFA, TICA, and ACFA.  The first Skogeier litter was born in 1993.

Dawn was active in the recognition of the Norwegian Forest Cat in CFA.  She currently  is serving her fourth two-year term as chairman of the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) Breed Council.  

Dawn and Frank have known each other since the mid-1990s. Frank joined Dawn with the Norwegian Forest Cats in 1998.  Today, they and the cats live in northern Virginia in Fauquier County, just outside of Warrenton.

Dawn and Frank are members of several CFA clubs, including the Cat Fanciers of Washington, National Norwegian Forest Cat Breed Club, Delaware River Cats, and Premier Power (all CFA affiliated clubs).  They also are members of Almost Heaven Cat Club (not yet affiliated with an organization.)  Both are very active in management of the National Capital Cat Show (Dawn was its show manager in 2001 and 2002).  Every year, they help produce the CFA Southern Region Celebration Show and are involved in the management of a new CFA Show at Madison Square Garden.