How to organise a cat festival from start to finish

A cat festival needs more than stalls and decorations: you are coordinating animals, visitors, exhibitors and welfare requirements in one space. Start by securing the venue and checking permits and animal welfare rules before opening registrations. Then build the programme, confirm participating cats, arrange veterinary cover and assign people to each area. The final week is for checking equipment, sending visitor instructions and preparing a layout that keeps cats calm, contained and easy to monitor.

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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

1
Reserve venue
2
Check event permit
3
Check animal welfare requirements
4
Arrange an emergency veterinarian
5
Compile program
2 people
6
Select cat activities
2 people
7
Invite exhibitors
2 people
8
Send invitations
2 people
9
Open the registration form
10
Process registrations
2 people
11
Collect dietary requirements
12
Check cat registrations
2 people
13
Request vaccination certificates
2 people
14
Assign stalls
2 people
15
Book catering
16
Reserve materials
17
Recruit volunteers
2 people
18
Assign volunteers
2 people
19
Prepare safety instructions
2 people
20
Create floor plan
21
Check the weather forecast
22
Send visitor information
2 people
23
Collect emergency contacts
24
Check litter boxes
2 people
25
Check play materials
2 people
26
Check the shopping list
2 people
27
Do the shopping
2 people
28
Set up non-perishable supplies
2 people
29
Check refrigerated products
2 people
30
Open venue
2 people
31
Receive deliveries
2 people
32
Set up tables
4 people
33
Set up chairs
3 people
34
Set up cat zones
4 people
35
Set up cat rest area
3 people
36
Place the litter boxes
2 people
37
Set up drink stations
2 people
38
Set up play zones
3 people
39
Hang up decorations
3 people
40
Put up signage
2 people
41
Set up registration desk
2 people
42
Set up the catering table
3 people
43
Chill drinks
2 people
44
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
45
Prepare snacks
3 people
46
Portion cat food
2 people
47
Test sound equipment
2 people
48
Carry out a safety check
3 people
49
Brief volunteers
2 people

Event

50
Check off registrations
3 people
51
Safely receive cats
3 people
52
Welcome visitors
3 people
53
Explain the program
54
Assist the cat presentation
2 people
55
Host the cat quiz
2 people
56
Lead the cat scavenger hunt
3 people
57
Take care of the cats
3 people
58
Clean the litter boxes
2 people
59
Check drinking water
2 people
60
Serve drinks
3 people
61
Refill drinks
2 people
62
Serve snacks
3 people
63
Empty trash bins
2 people
64
Check toilets
2 people
65
Monitor cat zones
3 people
66
Announce the final program
67
Ensure cats leave safely
3 people
68
See visitors out
2 people

Aftercare

69
Close catering
3 people
70
Switch off equipment
2 people
71
Collect cat supplies
3 people
72
Collect waste
3 people
73
Wash dishes
3 people
74
Clean the venue
4 people
75
Clean the litter boxes
2 people
76
Remove decorations
3 people
77
Return materials
2 people
78
Return borrowed items
2 people
79
Register lost property
80
Store leftover stock
2 people
81
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

Confirm the venue, permits and animal welfare requirements before inviting exhibitors. Leave at least four weeks for approvals or changes, especially if cats will be brought by multiple owners.
Open registrations only after you know what information you need. Collect emergency contacts, dietary requirements, cat registration details and vaccination records, then set a clear deadline at least seven days before the festival.
Separate the cat areas from food service and busy visitor routes on the floor plan. Use cat pens, bench spaces, barriers, water bowls and litter trays so every participating cat has a clearly marked, supervised area.
Book an emergency veterinarian before the event date and include the contact details in the volunteer briefing. Give each volunteer written instructions covering lost cats, escaped animals, crowd control and who makes welfare decisions.
Check practical supplies the day before, not on the morning itself. Test speakers, microphones, extension cables and power strips, inspect play equipment, and place food, water and cooling supplies where staff can reach them without entering crowded areas.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to organise a cat festival?: Allow at least eight weeks for a small festival and longer if permits, exhibitors or animal welfare checks are involved. Use the first four weeks for the venue, approvals, programme and invitations, then reserve the final seven days for registrations, layout and safety checks.
What information should I collect from cats attending a festival?: Collect the owner’s contact and emergency details, cat registration information and vaccination records before confirming attendance. Set the submission deadline at least seven days before the event so missing documents can be followed up.
How many volunteers do I need for a cat festival?: Plan for at least one responsible person per active area, plus someone coordinating the whole day. Add extra cover for registration, cat welfare, stalls and busy activities, and publish the rota at least seven days in advance.
When should I send information to cat festival visitors?: Send the main visitor information three to five days before the festival. Include arrival instructions, timings, food arrangements, contact details, rules around interacting with cats and what to do if an animal becomes distressed.

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.