The Vancouver (Fe)Line-Up
Kitty Celeb-Purrties
These cats are a Purr-ty BIG deal, and we’re not kitten!
Check out our Meet and Greet VIP’s.
SNAPPLE
Meet Snapple, an extraordinary cat who defies expectations with his loving spirit and unique condition. Born with Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), or wobbly cat syndrome, Snapple faces challenges in mobility but exudes joy and resilience. Despite being unable to sit up or walk on his own, Snapple finds ways to move using his hind legs, a lift harness, or a custom cart. His story proves that cats with disabilities, like Snapple, can bring immense happiness to a forever family and live fulfilling lives alongside their feline companions.
Snapple and his owners are passionate advocates for special needs cats, aligning with meowfest's mission to promote feline welfare. They aim to raise awareness, dispel misconceptions, and encourage others to consider adopting cats with disabilities. Snapple's condition, although limiting his motor skills and balance, does not cause him pain or worsen over time.
Snapple is an @campwobblycat alumni! The account was created for Snapple and showcases wobbly fosters while educating us at the same time!
Come see Snapple at his FREE Meet & Greet!
TEddy
Meet Teddy: a 5-year-old tabby cat from Toronto and currently living in Vancouver. Known for his endearing grumpy expression, Teddy has earned the street name “Grumpy Teddy” due to his display of dissatisfaction, particularly around other feline companions.
His typical day revolves around indulging in frequent napping sessions, embracing his lazy indoor lifestyle. However, when the weekends roll around, Teddy eagerly embarks on exciting adventures alongside his devoted human companion, which often entail road trips, camping excursions, and exciting hikes in nature. Teddy’s spirited outings provide a delightful contrast to his usual laid-back demeanor, allowing him to explore the great outdoors and create amazing memories with his beloved human.
Come see Teddy at his FREE Meet & Greet!
BODHI
Introducing Bodhi, the Adventure Cat who constantly inspires outdoor enthusiasts. Bodhi has an incredible talent for exploring vast distances, whether it's climbing mountains, kayaking, biking, backpacking, or even skiing. There's no adventure too challenging for Bodhi.
This brave feline has gained significant media attention, making appearances on CTV national news and captivating audiences with their incredible escapades. Bodhi's owner, a skilled problem solver, uses their expertise to encourage other cats to embrace adventure and live their best lives.
Currently, Bodhi's owner is working on a comprehensive training book that covers a wide range of topics. Their ultimate aim is to inspire and empower more cats to venture into the great outdoors and enjoy thrilling experiences.
Come see Bodhi at his FREE Meet & Greet!
BenBen
You might know BenBen as the saddest cat on the internet, or his story of how he turned into the most spoiled orange boy in the world!
His days are filled with cozy cat naps, outdoor adventures and “Benanigans” with the rest of his furry family. With an iconic strut in his step, BenBen never fails to brighten any room he’s in.
Come see BenBen’s iconic frown at his FREE Meet & Greet!
More Kitty Celeb-Purrties to be announced…
Purrsenters
Michael Sheldrake
Meet Michael, a cool dad who's all about saving cats! He's a foster hero and even sits on the board of directors for the amazing Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA). You can catch his amazing cat adventures on YouTube and TikTok, where he's gathering a massive following of almost half a million fans. Seriously, this guy's videos, photos, and live streams will melt your heart!
But that's not all—Michael has also been killing it in the real estate game since 2009 as a residential real estate agent with RE/MAX All Points Realty. Talk about versatility! Whether he's finding the perfect home for his clients or finding the purr-fect home for his foster kitties, this guy does it all with style and passion. Give it up for Michael, the cat-saving, house-hunting superstar!
Come get to know Michael during our Cat Daddy Panel on our purrformance stage.
ADAM AKA BENBEN DAD
Introducing Adam, also known as BenBen CatDad, a true aficionado of special needs cats for over a decade. With a house bustling with adorable feline companions, he finds immense joy in embarking on outdoor escapades with them. The soundtrack of his life is a constant chorus of meows, always signaling someone's desire for snacks and adventures.
In addition to his responsibilities of caring for six special needs cats alongside CatMom, Adam manages to juggle a full-time job while exploring a newfound passion for filmmaking. This exciting venture allows him to capture heartwarming cat content and preserve precious moments with their beloved FamJam. Life is anything but ordinary with this crew!
Cat daddy Dan
Meet Cat Daddy Dan, the ultimate servant to his royal feline highnesses! He's clawed his way up the social cat tree by sharing relatable and hilarious stories of his life as a cat dad.
Meet the rulers of his kingdom: King Rufus, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Angelica. Cat Daddy Dan's existence revolves around fulfilling their every whim. But his latest obsession? Building mind-blowing projects in their kitty domain and sharing them with cat lovers all over the globe.
Believe it or not, Cat Daddy Dan started off as an electrician. But he quickly realized that his true calling was to win the hearts of his moody yet lovable overlords using his "paws-on" real-life skills.
This cool cat is making waves in the social media universe. His daily updates about his adventures have his followers hooked. And get this – he's gearing up to be a VIP guest at meowfest! Get ready for some meow-velous tales of feline servitude and jaw-dropping DIY exploits. It's going to be paw-some!
Dr Tiffany Jagodich
Dr. Jagodich is a veterinarian who achieved her veterinary degree at the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College. She then went on to complete a rotating medicine/surgery internship at Tufts University. Dr. Jagodich returned to the University of Guelph for her residency in emergency and critical care, specializing in helping animals in critical situations. She also pursued a graduate degree focused on studying respiratory physiology.
Currently, Dr. Jagodich holds the esteemed position of being the founding criticalist & medical director for the ECC service at Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Additionally, she heads the BBVSH Blood Banking service at the hospital. Dr. Jagodich's areas of expertise and interest encompass respiratory medicine, mechanical ventilation, transfusions, trauma, and many other aspects of veterinary care.
At home, Dr. Jagodich has a delightful feline companion named Seraphina "Finn." This wonderful cat holds a special place in her heart and is secretly like a Labrador retriever in disguise. Dr. Jagodich's dedication to veterinary medicine and her love for animals make her an invaluable asset in providing exceptional care to her patients.
Dr Mansum
Dr. Mansum Yau is a compassionate veterinarian originally from Hong Kong and raised in Syria and Lebanon. Graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2010, her love for animals led her to dedicate her life to their care. Apart from helping cats, dogs, and small mammals, she is an avid reader, writer, and artist. Dr. Mansum finds immense joy in cuddling with her cat, Boo, who is known for giving the best hugs. Passionate about providing valuable advice to cat owners, Dr. Mansum encourages them to ask their veterinarians about gabapentin. This medication can be beneficial in certain situations, and discussing it with a vet can help improve the well-being of their feline companions. Additionally, she is a nature enthusiast and an advocate for endangered animals. She enjoys exploring the wonders of the natural world alongside her adventure cat Boo and one-eyed dog Penny. They currently reside near the Pacific Ocean, where they embark on exciting outdoor escapades, creating cherished memories together.
More about Dr Mansum
Alyssa Gonzalez
Alyssa Gonzales is a self identified “crazy cat lady” and a compassionate Registered Clinical Counsellor associated with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Specializing in working with adults and adolescents, she offers support in areas such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationships, stress management, self-esteem, and identity exploration. Alyssa’s person-centered approach, grounded in curiosity and compassion, helps clients challenge negative thoughts, cultivate mindfulness, deepen self-understanding, and manage emotional distress. With her guidance, clients find healing, growth, and self-discovery. Alyssa will be talking on meowfest stage about the impact that cats have on our mental health, both negative and positive.
ERIN GREEN
Erin Green is an illustrator and art educator with over 12 years of teaching experience.
Erin’s work can be seen on album covers, children's books, posters, magazines and most recently in a mural at the Royal Centre.
Erin is currently instructing a cat-life drawing night at Catfe, and is an educator at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, where she emphasizes creating a positive learning experience through inclusion, freedom of expression, reflection, connection, and support.
More Purrsenters to be announced…
Headliners may be subject to change.