CatCon wrapped up its 11th year in Pasadena, California, bringing together 12,000 fans from across the country for the world’s largest event at the intersection of cat lovers and pop culture. Attendees dressed up, collected freebies and shopped. Everyone seemed happy—quite an accomplishment for any gathering of humans. The greatest achievement was a convention record: 222 kittens adopted, thanks to the Pasadena Humane Society.

NO CATS ALLOWED

That is the rule every year at this cat-centric convention, at least for pets brought from home. Attendees could wear cat costumes, buy cat toys and discuss their cats with people who actually wanted to hear more. But their own cats had to stay home. Cats don’t always play well together.

A shared celebration

This was my eighth CatCon, as my sister-in-law and I again made the seven-hour trek from Phoenix to Pasadena, and we have concluded that every year is better than the last. The organizers outdid themselves, expanding into a third massive hall at the Pasadena Convention Center, where “America’s Got Talent” is filmed. It’s a popular Los Angeles venue conveniently located outside Los Angeles—a huge plus. As a reporter, I give CatCon an A++ for accommodating  the public, the vendors and the media. Coordinating  appearances, activities and crowds takes work visitors may never see.

The CatCon mastermind

Behind it all is Susan Michals, a former TV producer who told me, “CatCon was created for cat fans the world over to come together and celebrate the human/animal bond, and this year did not disappoint!” By 2026, CatCon had attracted more than 125,000 attendees from all 50 states and 33 countries.

Merch and freebies

Want a new hair-do for your cat? You can buy a mohawk extension.

More than 200 vendors offered luxury cat beds, cat trees, cat health insurance and AI-powered litter boxes. For people, there were cat dresses, jewelry, books, artwork and more than you could imagine. At $35, CatCon tickets are well worth it. The free merchandise alone far exceeds the ticket price.

Vendors showcase groundbreaking products for cats and their people, encouraging owners to try them. Churu was especially generous this year, giving away boxes of cat treats. Other giveaways included kitty litter, stuffies, cat food, pens, stickers and toys.

My favorite vendor was Meowpy, which sold artificial Christmas trees with a place for your cat built in. Let’s face it, the cat is going to climb the tree anyway. Why not make it easy?

Celebricat meet-and-greets

Among the internet cats and animal influencers appearing were One Eared Uno, Cat Named Calvin, Gareth Reynolds, Steven Ray Morris, Nathan the Cat Lady, and Squirrel & Chipmunk.

We again met Calvin the Cat, the social media adventure cat from Austin, Texas, known for jumping up to eight feet, agility tricks and viral videos. His athletic performances have attracted hundreds of thousands of followers and help explain the popularity of celebrity cat appearances.

Calvin the Cat

Emerging from the green room, his cat parent, Airel Hsieh, told me she started working with him as a kitten. He rides on her shoulder and in a stroller and sits and stands on command. That’s impressive for a species equally celebrated for remaining motionless on a sofa all afternoon.

The UT connection was missing

Our friends Adrienne Lefebvre and Jae Kennedy, vendors known as The Two Crazy Cat Ladies, are originally from Alcoa and both attended UT. They’re always our first stop in the convention hall, where we greet each other with a loud “Go Vols!” They couldn’t attend this year because they’re hard at work on their forthcoming book, “The Herbal Cat.” Adrienne promised we’d see them next year.

The real success – the kittens

The merchandise was entertaining, the costumes creative and the celebrity cats attention-worthy. But the kittens headed home were the real success story.

The record adoptions took place at the Paw Promise Adoption Village, sponsored by Nexgard® COMBO, with the Pasadena Humane Society. Every time a cat found a forever home, a bell rang and the crowd cheered, giving the weekend an especially joyous ending for returning visitors and newcomers alike.

Pasadena Humane Society official Kevin McManus told me the kittens came from 12 surrounding service areas, where the need for adoption was great. Almost two years after the Altadena fires, families and their pets are still feeling the effects. Kevin and his 15 volunteers worked tirelessly for two days, rewarded with the smiles of kids and adults holding their new fur babies.

12-week-old Dena from Pasadena, one of 222 kittens adopted at CatCon, flies home to her furr-ever home.

At a convention where visitors had to leave their cats at home, 222 kittens gave some of them feline company on the return trip. I was one of them. I’d intended to adopt only from a Knoxville rescue organization, but in a roomful of more than 200 kittens, I lost control. I was overpowered by cuteness. Cat (and dog) lovers will understand. Dena from Pasadena traveled home by car, airport shuttle bus and airplane, with stops at two hotels and my sister-in-law’s house in Arizona. She was purr-fect.

Melanie Staten is a public relations consultant with her husband, Vince.

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