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CatCon: A Weekend for Cat Lovers

Pet Age Staff//August 16, 2017//

CatCon: A Weekend for Cat Lovers

Pet Age Staff //August 16, 2017//

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The third annual CatCon, presented by Rachael Ray Nutrish, brought 15,000 cat lovers together for a weekend of feline frenzy at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, August 12, and Sunday, August 13. Attendees participated in experiential activations, explored new products and fashion for both themselves and their four-legged friends, and met with some of the most famous internet cats in the world. Over 150 cats and kittens were adopted in the 4,000-square-foot adoption lounge created by Nutrish with felines provided by Pasadena Humane and SPCA.

This year also brought the first ever CatCon Awards, recognizing winners in five different categories, including Biggest Newcomer, which was won by Sir Thomas Trueheart, of Milo’s Sanctuary. Actor Ian Somerhalder presented the Advocate of the Year Award to ‘Kitten Lady’ Hannah Shaw, who has dedicated her life to helping neo-natal kittens.

Celebrities—both human and feline—were in abundance, including actor Gilles Marini, model Tess Holliday, Lil BUB, Tricia Helfer, Addison Riecke, Shrinkle, Jackson Galaxy, Cats of Instagram, Pudge, Nala Cat and siblings White Coffee Cat and Luna Rose, Lizzy Greene, and more.

Over 140 vendors showcased their cat-centric products in the areas of art, furniture, clothing, accessories and design for cats and their people, with many returning exhibitors exceeding sales from the year prior and many completely selling out of merchandise.

Highlights:

Jackson Galaxy from Animal Planet’s My Cat from Hell made a surprise appearance at the PetSmart booth

Cat rapper MoShow (@iammoshow) gave two exclusive performances to the crowd

Actress Julie Newmar held court all day Saturday meeting fans and signing autographs

The Rachael Ray Nutrish booth offered attendees their very own ‘Caticature’ mash­up (that’s a caricature of themselves melded with one of their cat) as well as provided a 360 photo opp

Gilles Marini, renowned DJ Catstradamous, Lil BUB and her dad Mike Bridavsky and Chris Poole (dad of Cole & Marmalade) spoke with Rachel DeMita in the seminar, “Men and Cats: A Love Story.”

(Photo courtesy of CatCon Worldwide/Rich Hardcastle)

See more photos from the event here.