Celebrity Cats Help NYC Shelter Cats

The Algonquin Hotel was the cat’s meow on Saturday night. Cat lovers of every stripe showed up to support the Mayor’s Alliance of NYC Animals and eager to meet the latest celebrity cat, Tara The Hero Cat. It was my third year attending and it gets better every year. An adoption van of adorable kitties was parked outside the Algonquin Hotel while the party sparkled indoors on two levels.

Downstairs guests mingled near an open bar, sipping cocktails, noshing and chatting about cats, what else? It was fun catching up with friends I don’t see often and meeting new ones. I’ll post more images in an album on our Facebook or G+ page. I forgot to wear my cat ears but my friend Lisa Alexander arrived catified. There were loads of raffle prizes and fun hosted by pet writer Sandy Robins.

Upstairs on the mezzanine level, in the fabulous Barrymore Suite, the cat models posed (or not) wearing costumes based on Broadway shows from Chicago to Wicked. Ada Nieves designed the beautifully crafted costumes. Certain cats like certain people enjoyed the attention more than others. Can we say, cats, cocktails, costumes and cameras?

Lily, a first time model, wearing a bridal gown from Mamma Mia played runaway bride. The event was sponsored by Cat Fancy. Lily must have known. She ran straight to Cat Fancy, editor, Susan Logan.

A bonafide feline Broadway star ( Breakfast at Tiffany’s), the ginger tabby, Vito Vincent looked at ease and well tended to by his cat dad.

Matilda, the resident hotel cat at the Algonquin (I’d trade places with her in a New York minute) didn’t appear. At least I didn’t see her. Alice de Almeida, Algonquin Hotel manager and Matilda’s caretaker is very protective. If it’s too noisy and Matilda doesn’t want to show up, it’s her prerogative. The event as de Almeida says, “We are happy to use this evening to remind New Yorkers that adopting from shelters and rescue groups is a great way to support the cause.”

The special guest that everyone clamored to meet was Tara the Hero Cat, the fearless 5-year-old brown tabby and now famous YouTube sensation (about to hit 23 million view). She flew in (thank-you Jet Blue) with her guardians Erica and Roger Triantafilo from California. Tara took everything stride. The remarkable cat endured the crush of fans, lights, cameras and noise like a true super star. Yes, she already has a literary agent and has signed on with Daymond John of Shark Tank fame. Tara is no pushover. When she’d had enough, she hid under a table in the library conference room. I spent some quiet time with her and her mom, Erica, alone in the room. The bonus being able to hold her and have a chat. More about that in another post. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

Can I ask you for three more votes? The voting ends this Thursday and if we win, it’s a $1000 donation for shelter kitties. Vote for Best Designed Blog at The Pettie Awards