#AdorableAdoptables & Shelter Stories, Cats, Reviews & interviews, Shelter Cats

What Happens At CatCon Stays At CatCon

August 15, 2017 / 10 Comments

If you love cats, sharing makes us purrrr :-)

The third annual cat-centric convention CatCon took place August 12-13 and the purrs of 15K cat lovers could be heard across the globe. This year the venue was the massive Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California. A number of our Black Cats Tell All book contributors were vendors, special guests or hanging out and acted as my eyes and ears.

Let’s just say the crazy cat person identity transcends gender, race, religion or politics. Yeah, we’re crazy. Crazy for love and peace. Crazy for laughs and compassion. Crazy for making a difference in the lives of animals and the planet. It’s liberating to have events where we can fly our feline freak flag proudly because what happens at CatCon stays at CatCon.

Wearing cat ears or more is purrfectly fine.

Photo credit: Rich Hardcastle

A picture tells a thousand words and a pic from legendary photographer Rich Hardcastle is double. Consider this fab portrait of Julie Newmar, the original cat woman as a sneak peek treat from tomorrow’s post.

Of all the celebricats making appearances: Nala, White Coffee Cat, Luna Rose, Oskar the Blind Cat and Pudge, Lil BUB is in a constellation of her own. There were meet and greets and her dad, Mike who participated in a Men and Cats panel and is eternally patient and kind to fans.

Mike Bridavsky and Lil BUB

Moderator Rachel DeMita, Chris Poole and Gilles Marini

BUB and BUBLOVE from fans Photo credit Rich Hardcastle

Conventions of any kind are exhausting no matter how much fun. My friend Connie snapped the money shot of the day. The four top cat men enjoying well-earned brews at the CatCon After Dark after party sponsored by NatGeoWild. These four cat men have combined total of over 3 million Instagram followers alone. I feel lucky to know three of them. And cheers, to Chris! It’s his birthday today.

Cat_men_catwisdom101 — Save Photo credit: Connie Cunningham @socalconnie. Mick Szydlowski @oskar_the_blind_cat , Michael Jensen @monty_happiness, Mike Bridavsky @iamlilbub, Chris Poole @coleandmarmalade

The vendors worked hard. It’s not easy loading up merchandise, setting up booth space, standing all day talking and staying cheerful only to repeat the next day and then break down their booth before heading home. Every vendor deserves a shoutout. In future posts we’ll shine the spotlight on a few you need to know about. CatCon visitors flocked from shopping, interactive games, meet and greets, panels, speakers, a cat film fest and the awards. If all the feline -focused fun proved too much, a gorgeously designed adoption center offered kitty playtime and chance to adopt a cat.

pdx_pet_design_hardcastle — Save PDX Pet design. Photo credit: Rich Hardcastle

You could shop ’til you drop or…

CatCon_catladies_shopping — Save Photo credit: Rich Hardcastle

If all the feline -focused fun proved too much, a gorgeously designed adoption center offered real kitty playtime and chance to adopt a cat courtesy of official CatCon 2017 adoption partner is The Pasadena Humane Society & ASPCA

cat adoption event — Save Photo credit: Andrew Marttila

It’s rewarding to see the next generation ready to embrace cat love.

CatCon_kids_aspca — Save Photo Credit Rich Hardcastle

Of course we were rooting for non-profit charitable partner of ours @Milos_sanctuary to win an award and the amazing @sirthomastrueheart won for Best Newcomer. Connie, @socalconnie s a tireless volunteer there. The shelter is the oldest in California to focus exclusively on special needs pets and they do an amazing job.

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We’re grateful for our friends and contributors for connecting on our behalf at CatCon. Purrs to @wingnutcook and Chase Holiday @furballfables and Cynthia @marcyverymuch

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Big purrs of thanks to Mick @Oskar_the_blind_cat for his awesome last minute testimonial for our book which is on the back cover. See it at our media kit (tab at top) Watch for stage 1 of our book launch for Black Cat Appreciation Day.Cynthia @Marcyverymuch is a contributor and Catcon vendor. It was so kind of her to pick-up and share our book marks. You will not want to miss part 2 of our CatCon coverage tomorrow. For added info on our book, click on to view our Media Kit

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10 Comments

The Island Cats

August 16, 2017 at 6:05 PM Reply

What a fun time. Thanks for sharing all the pics.
- Layla Morgan Wilde
  
  August 17, 2017 at 2:15 AM Reply
  
  It was a pleasure having access to top notch images. Sigh, I’m longing to upgrade my DSLR now.
Marjorie and the Dash Kitten Crew

August 16, 2017 at 4:54 PM Reply

What an event and what amazing people you saw. This looks so cool. I may never get there but you make a virtual visit a reality thank you Layla!
- Layla Morgan Wilde
  
  August 17, 2017 at 2:13 AM Reply
  
  Thanks but this was simple journalistic coverage. I’ve met most of the talent so it may feel more purrsonal.
Caren Gittleman

August 16, 2017 at 4:45 PM Reply

Catcon was sponsored by Rachael Ray Nutrish who was largely responsible for making much of what you mentioned (mainly the cat adoption area), possible.
- Layla Morgan Wilde
  
  August 17, 2017 at 2:09 AM Reply
  
  Nutrish was a naming sponsor but they teamed up with the ASPCA for the adoption.
Skeeter and Izzy

August 16, 2017 at 2:14 PM Reply

We would so adore to be able to go to an event like this one! We would fit in fur sure!
We are glad to know that there are so many out there that care.
Luvs and thanks to all those that work so hard for cats everyday!
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig & Peanut & Romeo & the Angels >^..^^..^<~
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August 16, 2017 at 6:13 AM

CatCon Cat Ladies: Happy Birthday Julie Newmar - Cat Wisdom 101
easyweimaraner

August 16, 2017 at 2:05 AM Reply

oh I love such events… and I love to see all the smiling people and the people with cat ears are pawsome too! it is great to know that so much peeps have a heart for our beloved feline friends ;o)
Summer

August 16, 2017 at 1:02 AM Reply

My human was at CatCon both days. She had lots of fun, and she was so excited that Tommy won the newcomer award! She wishes she had known about the booth with the Black Cats bookmarks – she would have stopped by and picked one up!