POP Cats Convention Coming To Austin In Celebration Of Felines

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — It will soon be pawty time, and the fur will surely fly.

POP Cats, a two-day celebration of all-things-feline, is making its Texas debut from Aug. 25 – 26 at Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd. The immersive feline universe will offer a place for cat lovers to shop, learn, adopt, show off their "cattitude" and connect with the passionate feline community, organizers said in a press advisory.

POP Cats 2018, presented by Austin-based natural pet food brand, Nulo, will feature more than 70 "cat-centric" vendors, eight cat welfare organizations and a "pawsome" roster of cat influencers and speakers, the pun-happy organizers added (we approve). All involved will join together "...to celebrate the magnificence of cats and the humans that love them in a fun, festive environment," according to the advisory.

Organizers noted guests will be able to bring along their own pet cats to the convention, where they will enjoy a custom-designed playground. More information about cat attendees can be found here.

A variety of central Texas cat welfare organizations will be onsite offering education and advocacy, volunteer opportunity information and adoptable cats, officials said. Participating organizations include Austin Humane Society, Bastrop Animal Rescue, Emancipet, The Leisure Cat Animal Rescue, Shadow Cats, Street Cat Rescue, Texas Humane Heroes and Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter – each of which will receive a portion of the event proceeds.

Live presentations and performances will take place throughout both days of POP Cats – offering guests up-close, interactive opportunities to engage with some of the cat community’s most notable influencers and expurrts. The lineup includes:

• iAmMoshow, the Cat Rapper: Performance and meet and greet with the famed Portland, OR hip-hop artist. iammoshow.com.
• Amanda Brennan, Senior Content Insights Manager at Tumblr: “From Caturday to Catspotting, a Brief History of Cats on the Internet.” memelibrarian.com.
• Chelsey Schmidt and Turbo Two Legs: Austin-based tuxedo-cat-turned-Instagram-sensation with rear leg paralysis, shares the stage with his human to offer insights about raising special needs kitties. instagram.com/turbotwolegs.
• Betty Rose of Betty Rose Tattoos: Brooklyn and Austin-based “cattoo” artist and illustrator, Betty Rose, will offer onsite tattoos in addition to selling her popular cat illustrations. bettyrosetattoos.com.
• Theresa Furrer, Founder of Nine Lives Twine: Fiber Artist and cat enthusiast, Theresa Furrer, will present a live demo spinning pet hair into funky, heartfelt keepsakes that celebrate and honor four-legged friends. ninelivestwine.com.
• Brandon Zavala, Founder of Apollo Peak Beverages: “Shark Tank” entrepreneur and founder of cat wine company Apollo Peak Beverages, will share his touching story of the loss and recovery of his cat, Apollo, and the importance of microchipping. apollopeak.com.
• Bexy McFly, Founder and Publisher of Pussweek Magazine: Founder and editor of Pussweek Magazine, Bexy McFly, will present a humorous look into the feline world with her presentation, “The Devil Wears Purrada: A Cat’s Guide to Feline Empowerment.” pussweek.com.
• Dr. Katrina Breitreiter, Owner of South Austin Cat Hospital and Texas Co-Director of the Paw Project: “Dr. Kat the Cat Doctor” will offer insight into alternatives to cat declawing.

Tickets are on sale now at popcats.org. So, cat lovers: Do not paws but click on the link right meow and just go fur it! That was the last time, we promise. To make up for it, here's a cute kitten pic:

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>>> Photos courtesy of POP Cats