Award-winning kitten rescuer and internet star Hannah Shaw is set to be a feature attraction at the upcoming Sydney Cat Lovers Festival at the Sydney Showgrounds from August 23–24.
Drawing together the best of the feline world, from breed showcases to products, and the always popular WHISKAS® Stage, the event will come alive with a fantastic roster of entertaining and informative presentations from some of the biggest names in the animal world.
US-based Shaw, through her project Kitten Lady, has become a leading voice in educating individuals and animal shelters on effective methods for rescuing and caring for vulnerable kittens.
The Kitten Lady project has attracted a massive global following of over 4 million across social media platforms, including more than 1.3 million followers on Instagram. Her YouTube channel serves as a vital training tool for shelters and foster carers worldwide.
Attendees at the Sydney Cat Lovers Festival will have the rare opportunity to join Shaw for "Saving Kittens," a fun and fascinating workshop all about kitten welfare and fostering.
These not-to-be-missed sessions provide a deeper understanding of the issues impacting vulnerable kittens, share real-life rescue stories from a professional kitten rescuer, teach the fundamentals of caring for kittens aged 0–8 weeks, and inspire attendees to play a personal role in saving tiny lives.
Whether you're a lifelong cat lover or curious about becoming a foster carer, these sessions promise to educate and uplift, combining practical tips with plenty of heartwarming moments.
In addition to her stage appearances, Shaw will also take part in two intimate meet & greet sessions across the weekend, proudly presented by Hill's Science Diet.
These ticketed sessions will be limited to just 30 people each and will include a 30-minute Q&A with Hannah in a private room, followed by a photo opportunity with each attendee. Providing fans with an opportunity to connect with Hannah in a more personal setting.
The Hannah Shaw meet and greet sessions will take place on the Saturday afternoon between 3:00pm and 4:00pm, with a morning session on the Sunday between 10:00am and 11:00am. Tickets must be pre-booked via the festival's ticketing platform and will go on sale from Thursday 10 July at 9:00am.
Shaw's appearance is part of the festival's biggest program yet, with fans across Australia urged to plan early and catch her exclusive sessions live on stage.
A New York Times bestselling author, Shaw has penned multiple beloved books, including Tiny But Mighty (Penguin Random House, 2019), Cats of the World (2024), and the Adventures in Fosterland chapter book series (2021–2025). She's been featured on Animal Planet and is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the ASPCA Cat Advocate of the Year.
Shaw also founded the Orphan Kitten Club, a trailblazing charitable organisation that supports shelters, funds ethical paediatric research, and provides direct care to neonatal kittens in need. The Club has distributed millions in targeted funding to transform kitten welfare outcomes.
Outside of the WHISKAS® Stage, visitors can expect the largest Sydney Cat Lovers Festival in its history. A significant focus will be on the expanded retail Marketplace, offering exclusive products, festival-only specials, and an assortment of freebies.
Kitty Cosplay will return with Australia's biggest cat dress-up parade, alongside the Championship Cat Show, the ultimate feel-good experience with Pat-a-Cat, prize giveaways, and the fantastic Rare Breed Showcase.
The diversity of cats will be celebrated in the Feline Natural Breed Showcase, while visitors can explore catification, watch playful feline antics in the Whiskas Kitty Corner, and test their trivia skills in the CatKwiz quiz show.
Beloved TV vet Dr Katrina Warren will also return, joined by a long list of special guests.
And for those who adore all things four-legged, passes to the Cat Lovers Festival also include entry to the concurrent Dog Lovers Festival, hosted in the same venue and covering everything pup-related.
