Amid a year of hardships in southern California, including deadly wildfires and immigration raids, thousands of cat lovers gathered in Pasadena over the weekend for CatCon, an event described as 'Disneyland for cat people'. The two-day festival, held at the city's convention centre, offered 200 kittens for adoption, hundreds of vendors selling cat-themed merchandise, and a sense of community.
More than 10,000 attendees packed the sold-out event, which featured everything from crocheted beds to medieval-style portraits of cats. 'It's cuteness overload,' said Bianca Chapman, a four-year attendee. 'I can't stop smiling. I leave here with my face sore.'
Founder Susan Michals, a former journalist, launched CatCon in 2015 to challenge the 'cat lady' stereotype and create a real-world gathering for feline enthusiasts. 'CatCon is a place where you can close out the outside world and commune with people over our love of animals,' she said. The event has grown amid a pandemic-era surge in pet ownership.
Visitors came dressed in cat ears, tails, and costumes, with many making it an annual tradition. Sophia Zavala, attending for the third year, said: 'I think it allows the crazy cat ladies to come together. I get to hang out with my best friend without our husbands.'
For others, like mother-daughter duo Dulce Figueroa and Angely Mata, the event was a bonding experience. 'You know everybody here loves cats,' Figueroa said. 'It's just fun.' The 10th anniversary edition also saw long queues to meet famous felines Sponge Cake and Buttercream.
