Cat festival checklist: plan it in the right order

A cat festival needs more than stalls, activities and food. You also need to check permits, animal welfare rules, emergency veterinary cover and vaccination records before registrations are confirmed. This checklist puts the work in a workable order, from booking the venue to checking litter trays and play equipment on the day. Use it to coordinate exhibitors, volunteers, catering and visitor information without leaving animal safety until the last minute.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Reserve venue
Check event permit
Check animal welfare requirements
Arrange an emergency veterinarian
Compile program
2 people
Select cat activities
2 people
Invite exhibitors
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Open the registration form
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Check cat registrations
2 people
Request vaccination certificates
2 people
Assign stalls
2 people
Book catering
Reserve materials
Recruit volunteers
2 people
Assign volunteers
2 people
Prepare safety instructions
2 people
Create floor plan
Check the weather forecast
Send visitor information
2 people
Collect emergency contacts
Check litter boxes
2 people
Check play materials
2 people
Check the shopping list
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Set up non-perishable supplies
2 people
Check refrigerated products
2 people
Open venue
2 people
Receive deliveries
2 people
Set up tables
4 people
Set up chairs
3 people
Set up cat zones
4 people
Set up cat rest area
3 people
Place the litter boxes
2 people
Set up drink stations
2 people
Set up play zones
3 people
Hang up decorations
3 people
Put up signage
2 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Set up the catering table
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
Prepare snacks
3 people
Portion cat food
2 people
Test sound equipment
2 people
Carry out a safety check
3 people
Brief volunteers
2 people

Event

Check off registrations
3 people
Safely receive cats
3 people
Welcome visitors
3 people
Explain the program
Assist the cat presentation
2 people
Host the cat quiz
2 people
Lead the cat scavenger hunt
3 people
Take care of the cats
3 people
Clean the litter boxes
2 people
Check drinking water
2 people
Serve drinks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Check toilets
2 people
Monitor cat zones
3 people
Announce the final program
Ensure cats leave safely
3 people
See visitors out
2 people

Aftercare

Close catering
3 people
Switch off equipment
2 people
Collect cat supplies
3 people
Collect waste
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Clean the litter boxes
2 people
Remove decorations
3 people
Return materials
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Register lost property
Store leftover stock
2 people
Inform exhibitors

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
Lounge sofasqty 4
Cat cratesqty 12
Cat enclosure panelsqty 24
Barrier postsqty 20
Blanketsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Small bowlsqty 30
Serving boardsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4

Kitchen

Cat food bowlsqty 24
Water tubsqty 24
Feed scoopsqty 6
Cool bagsqty 4

Decorations

Cat garlandsqty 8
Balloon archesqty 3
Tableclothsqty 12
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Directional signsqty 12
Program postersqty 10

Sports equipment

Cat tunnelsqty 8
Scratching postsqty 8
Cat toysqty 30
Feeding puzzlesqty 8
Play matsqty 8

Cleaning

Litter boxesqty 18
Waste binsqty 10
Hand sanitizer dispensersqty 8
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broom setsqty 3
Dog waste bag holdersqty 6

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Start with the venue, permit requirements and animal welfare conditions before inviting exhibitors. Rules about the number of cats, enclosures or public access can affect the layout and programme.
Set a clear deadline for cat registrations, vaccination records and dietary requirements. Leave at least one review period before the festival so incomplete registrations can be followed up.
Create the floor plan around cat welfare, not just visitor flow. Leave room for cat pens, bench areas, litter trays, water bowls, walkways and separated activity spaces.
Assign volunteers to specific shifts and duties rather than keeping one general pool. Include people responsible for registration checks, stall support, safety instructions and contacting the emergency vet.
Do a final equipment check on the day before opening. Test speakers, the microphone, extension cables and power strips, and confirm that water bowls, food bowls, litter trays and play materials are ready.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I start organising a cat festival?: Start at least 8 to 12 weeks before the festival. Venue availability, permits, welfare requirements, exhibitors, catering and veterinary cover all need to be confirmed before you open registrations.
What should I check before accepting cats for a cat festival?: Collect the registration details and vaccination records for every cat before final approval. Set the checking deadline at least 7 days before the event, so missing information can be resolved before the programme is published.
How many volunteers do I need for a cat festival?: Plan at least one assigned volunteer for each active area or shift, including registration, stalls, activities and safety support. Add a coordinator and keep one or two people available for breaks and unexpected problems.
When should I send visitor information for a cat festival?: Send the practical visitor information 3 to 5 days before the festival. Include arrival instructions, the programme, what visitors should know about contact with cats, and a way to reach the organisers on the day.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.