22nd July 2023
Old Bus Depot, Kingston
9am to 4pm
A festival to celebrate our feline overlords
Cat Fest 2023 is bigger and better than last year's event with more space, more stalls, more attractions, more activities! Last year was great, but this year is going to be FABULOUS!
Tickets includes a multi game pass for use at the activities within the Kids and Adult Zones (kids tickets include 5 x free games, adult tickets include 3 x free games).
An awesome selection of local market stalls with an amazing display of cat and human related products are available for sale. Something for everyone, both human and furry companion.
Come dressed as your favourite feline character, bring your feline friend in his/her favourite costume and win some amazing prizes in our Best Dressed Competition (children's, adults and feline categories).
Kids Zone is bigger and better and sure to provide hours of entertainment for the kids! There is FREE face painting, FREE entry to the best dressed competition, FREE craft area, FREE lawn games area for family fun.
Stray Cat Alley has more fun games available and LOADS more prizes!
There will be kittens and cats for adoption from local rescues (applications will be accepted on the day), product demonstrations and community organisations to chat with.
And we haven't forgotten the adults this year either with some totally incredible activities on offer.
Black Cat Cocktails will be running fun cocktail classes where you get to create, and drink, your very own cocktail (additional fee applies through the vendor). Participants MUST BE over 18 years of age.
We have beginner macrame classes by local artisan Julie Odonnell who will teach you the basics of this trendy art by making a cat toy for you to take home (additional fee applies to cover cost of materials).
Centre stage will host a number of local vets and organisations offering talks on their services, cat behaviour, feline nutrition and enrichment activities.
We also have a fabulous raffle with so many amazing items kindly donated. Early bird bookings will go into the draw to win one of eight personal kitten cuddle sessions! Be sure to book your tickets before 15 July to be in the draw for this heavenly prize!
And you can relax in the lounge or dining areas while enjoying some of the yummy food offerings from our food vendors.
Kiddy Kat Zone
Let the face painters transform your little ones into a feline before they scamper off to be delighted by the fun activities in Kiddy Kat Zone.
This year we have an area with lots of FREE fun activities such as Cats and Towers (inspired by the fun game of Snakes and Ladders), Catscotch (inspired by the popular game of Hopscotch), Connect 4 and other lawn style games and a craft table where you kidlet can create their own cat mask to take home.
Market stalls
You are bound to find something to delight you and your feline friend! We have a great array of market stalls from local small businesses with gorgeous items for both cats and their loving owners.
Kitten Wonderland
Kitten Wonderland will feel like you are living the dream!
This year we will have three gazebos with LOTS of kittens to entertain you as they delight you with their innocent and cute kitten antics!
Please note, for the welfare of the kittens, there will be no access to the Kitten Wonderland gazebos. There may be an opportunity to pat the kittens when they are taken out of the enclosures by CSCA volunteers, however the welfare of the kittens will be our main focus.
Best dressed competition
Bring your feline in for the best dressed competition to win some fabulous prizes! Or if your cat is not really a social butterfly, why don’t you come dressed as your favourite cat character for your chance to win an amazing prize??
Local breeders
There will be an array of gorgeous breeds on show. Come along and discuss the suitability of one of these divine breeds for your household. Speak first hand to the experts on these magnificent creatures!
Food and drinks
After playing the games in Stray Cat Alley, sit down and enjoy something from one of the local food vendors supporting our event. The team from Canberra Street Cat Alliance will also be holding one of their amazing bake sales so take something yummy home for later.
Local rescues and animal welfare organisations
Fabulous local animal rescues and animal welfare agencies will be in attendance. Learn more about the wonderful organisations and how they assist the local community
Stray Cat Alley
So many fun games in Stray Cat Alley with some new games added! We have Purr Purr Golf, Copy Cats, Pill the Cat, Chasing Tails, Lucky Litter and new games of Catpin Bowling and Cat-astrophe!!
Win ‘Meows’, the currency of Stray Cat Alley to buy yourself one of the awesome prizes on offer! Loads of laughs and loads of prizes!
Frequently asked questions
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Absolutely if you feel they will be ok in a busy environment! It is a condition of entry that all cats are securely contained in a suitable carrier or harness. Attending the event with your cat is at the owner's risk and CSCA is not liable for any injury or accident relating to your cat.
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The fancy dress competition will be held at centre stage and commences at 1pm. Simply bring your feline friend dressed in their best attire to centre stage for judging. The judge's decision as to the winner of the best dressed feline is final.
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Yes! But the welfare of the kittens will be our first priority! To keep our kittens safe, there will be no access to the enclosures for kitten cuddles. However, we hope to be able to have kittens out for pats if they are settled enough.
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Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
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Yes! We will have a great range of food vendors serving a great range of products. A seated dining area will also be available to patrons.
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EFTPOS facilities will be available however forms of payment accepted are the responsibility of the individual vendor. There will be ATM facilities available at the location.
Schedule
9:30am Domestic Animal Services: Legal requirements for ACT cat ownership
9:45am Canberra Street Cat Alliance: What we do and how we do it
10:30am Sunset Vets: Senior pets and palliative care
11:00am Test your endurance -Win 40kg of cat litter!
11:15am Street Cat show -Judge Jenny Weekes
12:00pm Ava and Archer Cat grooming demonstration
12:15pm Dr Eloise Bright, Cat Behaviour Vet
12:45pm Dr Eloise Bright ACT Pet Crisis Support & The Tiny Clinic
1:00pm Fancy dress competition
1:30pm Test your endurance - Win 40kg of cat litter!
2:00pm Walk In Clinic for Animals:How to introduce a new cat to existing cats
2:30pm Canberra Veterinary Emergency Services What constitutes an emergency?
3:00pm Test your endurance - Win 40kg of cat litter!
3:30pm Walk in Clinic for Animals: How to keep an indoor cat happy
Canberra Cat Fest is organized by Canberra Street Cat Alliance, a local not for profit rescue. All ticket proceeds go to Canberra Street Cat Alliance.