Lil Bub Is Coming To Asbury Park In April

ASBURY PARK, NJ - Mention the name "Lil Bub" to cat lovers and they will probably respond with an "aww."

The tiny dwarf cat was born with an extreme case of dwarfism and was dubbed a "perma-kitten." Bub was the runt of her litter and had a doubtful future ahead of her, until her owner Mike Bridavsky got his first glimpse of her and took her home.

Bub also was born with no teeth and a small lower jaw, so her tongue hangs out. She has a very rare condition known as osteopetrosis. The disease causes Bub's bones to grow denser as she ages and makes it hard to move around. Fortunately, a new therapy was found several years ago and Bub is mobile again, according to her Facebook page.

The rest, as they say, is history. Lil Bub is now an advocate for homeless and special needs pets all over the world. She has her own Facebook page and website.

And she will be coming to Asbury Park in April, a special guest at Catsbury Park's first Cat Convention, which will be held on April 7 and April 8 at Convention Hall. Bub will hold a meet-and greet appearance on April 7.

The Catsbury Park Tea House and Cat Lounge began in the summer of 2016. It's a safe way for the public to interact with cats in a unique, social, non-shelter environment. All of the cats in the cat lounge are available for adoption.

Catsbury Park is a New Jersey non-profit corporation with a mission to help as many kittens and cats find forever homes. The cats up for adoption are cafe residents until they find new homes.

"By November of 2017, we had adopted 90 cats out in total, and the number is rising," according to the organization's website.

The convention will also feature other feline-related stars, including Oskar the Blind Cat, Paul the Cat Guy and the Kitty Lady, information sessions, seminars, vendors and cat yoga sessions.

Convention tickets are $20, or $12 for kids under 12, with weekend passes $35 for adults. Kids under 3 are free, and meet-and-greet tickets will be announced at a later date.

For more information, go to the event's website, www.catsburyconvention.com.

Photos: Courtesy of Lil Bub Facebook page, Catsbury Park, video from youtube.