During the first weekend of June, something incredible happened: the first annual CatCon [1] took place in Los Angeles. Described as "like Comic-Con . . . but for cat people," the convention attracted feline fanatics from all over the country, including celebrity cats (Lil Bub [2] and Sauerkraut [3]) and humans (like 30 Rock's Jack McBrayer and The Big Bang Theory's Mayim Bialik) alike.
Filled with kitty-themed wares, a "cat-icure" booth, special panels, and even a cat adoption center, the convention proved hugely successful. While there's no way to understand the full extent of CatCon's weirdly wonderful atmosphere without attending, these Instagram snaps from the Con almost get the point across. Enjoy, crazy cat ladies and gentlemen.
Also known as heaven on earth.
Cat man-kinis are the only acceptable man-kinis at CatCon.
There were even kitty robots at the convention!
No photo booth is complete without giant cardboard cutouts of cats!
Sunglass Cat hung around the Con in her typical laid-back style.
You know you're a crazy cool cat lady when you match the decor at CatCon, ears and all.
The famous Lil Bub made an appearance at CatCon, raising over $27,000 for animals in need. Go Bub!
Street art around the convention featured felines, keeping the festivities going even after the event ended.
If only CatCon could happen every month of the year! (With these cat calendars, it can.)
LOOK AT THE LIL KITTY NAIL ART!
Cat fanatics dressed up from head to toe in their best feline finery.
What good is a cat-icure that doesn't attract feline friends?
Well, tigers are just big cats.
If you're looking for custom cat gear, the Con is your dream come true. Look at these kitty silhouettes!
Free cat hair? What a steal!
There were cats of all types represented at the Con, from sphynxes to exotic shorthairs.
Adopted! (Insert cat heart-eyes emoji here.)
If you don't dress like a cat and pose with cats, what are you even doing at CatCon?
Ummm . . . OK, CatCon art. OK.
Just a giant cat head, NBD.
Attendees weren't allowed to bring their pet cats, so some brought them along in spirit.
A ball gown constructed entirely out of toy cats? Totally normal at CatCon.
Forget caricatures, only cat-catures are worth posing for.
Best Friends LA Animal Society [4] helped over 70 cats find forever homes at CatCon.
30 Rock's Jack McBrayer hosted panels at the Con and even created his own cat-spirational posters.
The founder of the United States' first cat cafe [5] met Lil Bub at the con.
Branded! #CatLadies4Life
People even cosplay at the event! I can haz cheeseburger?
This sweet photo of a woman adopting a kitten at CatCon perfectly sums up what we love about the event — it raises money and awareness for cats in need and gives the people who love them a place to express themselves.