Imagine a giant gathering of kindred cat-loving spirits, hungry for the latest in feline pop culture, design, and fashion, and eager to meet human and cat celebrities. Pretty cool, right? Maybe even a dream come true. Well, get excited because this place exists. It’s called CatCon and the convention with cattitude recently announced dates for 2017, its third year of proving cats not only rule the internet, they rule the world. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with the event from its inception, so I can personally attest to the pure magic that is CatCon. It’s like walking through Disneyland, except it’s all about cats. I’m not even kidding.
After two years at The Reef in downtown Los Angeles, CatCon will move to the Pasadena Convention Center on Aug. 12 and 13, 2017. The larger venue promises more space for additional offerings, including a more expansive adoption lounge. In 2016, spcaLA partnered with presenting sponsors Hill’s Science Diet and Petco to facilitate the adoption of 99 cats and kittens during the two-day event.
“We hope that with this new location, we’ll get even more kitties adopted in 2017,” said CatCon creator Susan Michals.
In addition to the cat adoptions, over the past two years, CatCon has donated nearly $70,000 to organizations including FixNation, Lil BUB’s Big Fund, and Kitten Rescue. So the event not only promotes the cool side of cat people, it gives back in big ways. I feel proud to be a part of it.
As far as talent’s concerned, there’s no shortage. Everyone’s favorite perma-kitten Lil BUB is returning, along with Nala Cat and her brother White Coffee Cat. Newcomers include Nala and Coffee’s little sister, Luna, and Oskar the Blind Cat. And if you’re a BUB fan, you can look forward to lots of fun merch in her booth again. Speaking of vendors, you’ll be happy to know the convention center will be packed with all the coolest, hippest, most fun cat-themed products on the market.
In addition to the celebri-cats, fan favorites, Julie Newmar (Batman’s Catwoman) and Cats of Instagram will be on hand again next year. Oh, and DJs Reid Speed and Splurt (who owns NYC’s biggest cat, Samson, aka Castradamus) will join the fun this time around. How can you not be excited about someone named DJ Splurt? Come on! And by now you must have heard about Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw, the chic kitten rescuer whose passion for the babies has educated humans and saved cats. That’s right — she’ll be there too.
If you’ve attended CatCon in the past, you know all about the entertaining speakers as well as fun, hands-on activities. 2017 promises to keep bringin’ it with new seminars such as Men and Cats: A Love Story and They Put the Special in Special Needs. Plus, guess what? There will be an awards ceremony. That’s right — the first ever CatCon Awards will take place.
So where are you going to be on Aug. 12 and 13 next year? I hope to see you in Pasadena at CatCon. Mark your calendars and start planning for the event that spreads joy and goodness to cats and the people who love them.
You can find additional information about CatCon on its site, where you can also sign up for the newsletter and be among the first to learn about event details as they’re announced.
Quick note: Because CatCon is a busy event and the promoters care about the safety of your pets, they ask that you leave your cats and other pets at home; however, you’re welcome to bring them home lots of souvenirs and presents.
