2025 CFA International Show and Cat Expo

Stand out and sell out with a booth at the 2025 CFA Cat Expo!

Whether you’re a small pet brand, a big name in the pet industry, a new pet business, a pop-up shop, or a talented artist, there's a place for you here.

We prioritize vendors offering pet-related products and services, ensuring attendees experience the best of the best when it comes to their beloved cats.

Food product vendors are welcome; however, please note that prepared food sales are not permitted, as the venue manages a designated food court. All food vendors must be approved by the venue as well. (We will handle that step!)

For non-pet-related items or services, applications will be considered after all pet-focused vendors have been curated and placed and application window has ended.  

A cattery booth is an incredible opportunity for CFA-registered catteries to shine and connect with cat enthusiasts at the CFA Cat Expo. Think of it as your cattery's showcase—your chance to have a dedicated space to present and sell your beautiful cats and kittens in the same way cat-product makers promote their goods.

To participate, cattery's must:

• Have a CFA registered cattery name
• Have been responsible for the individual registration of at least 10 cats/kittens under your cattery name in the past 2 years.
• Not be under suspension with CFA.
• Register all attending kittens/cat prior to the event and be prepared to show proof of registration.
• Supply own Sturdi shelters or similar type.
• Supply items needed including but not limited to: litter box, food bowls, water bowl, bed or blanket for cats, toys, anything to make cat comfortable. Cattery signs, breed signs, brochures, business cards, flyers, etc. (Litter will be supplied.)

Participation Rules

• Only CFA-recognized breeds are permitted to be in cattery booths.
• Only CFA- registered breeders are permitted to be in cattery booths.
• No kittens under 4 months are permitted to be in a cattery booth.
• Only a maximum of four kittens (under 8 months old) or two cats (8 months or older) are permitted in each double space measuring 24" D x 42" W x 24" H, as outlined in show rule 10.05. A double space is the size of a Sturdi (or other similar brand) double show shelter.
• Only cats which appear healthy, without evidence of fleas, ear mites, or any contagious or infectious illness, are eligible for presentation in a cattery booth.
• All cats or kittens be inoculated by a licensed veterinarian against feline panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, calici viruses and rabies. It is also strongly recommended that cats and kittens be tested and found negative for FeLV.
• A minimum of one person 18 or older must be in booth at all times.
• Except when on display for the public, cats must be properly secured in table-top show shelters (provided by cattery.)
• Cats are NOT allowed to be stored on the floor or on a table in carriers in the booth
• If there is more than one breeder/cattery in a booth, both must apply separately.
• Cats may not remain in the cattery booth overnight.

By signing, you also understand that failure to adhere to these rules may result in immediate dismissal from the assigned cattery booth and no refunds will be issued.

CFA is seeking cosplay cats or feline fursuiters to entertain and engage with an expected crowd of 15,000 cat lovers. The chosen participants will work the crowd, spread joy, take photographs, and create an exciting atmosphere.

Requirements:

• Costume MUST be obviously resemble a cat.
• No other animals, except maybe a mouse or a fish :)
• Costume MUST not be suggestive in any way. This is a family friendly event.
• Costume MUST be complete.  We won't be able to approve any costumes that are not fully constructed and wearable at the time of application submission.

Preference will be given to:

• Applicants that do not require the reimbursement of travel expenses
• Applicants who can come entertain in a group of 2 or more
• Applicants with experience interacting with a crowd

Once the application period ends, we will select the cat characters we find most appealing. While we aspire to accommodate every applicant, our budget limits us to a specific number of opportunities.

The event will run each day for 6-8 hours, during which you will be provided with regular breaks and a private area to relax, take off your costume, dress, or change as necessary.

Are you from the media, an influencer or writer that is passionate about cats?

If so, you may qualify receive a pass for yourself and two guests (e.g. camera crew and friend) to attend both days of the CFA International Cat Show and Expo in exchange for promoting The Cat Fanciers' Association's annual event on your social media channels.  Review the criteria, then fill out the application.

WHO CAN QUALIFY?

• Producers, editors or film crews working on Cleveland or cat related projects.
• Self-published writers or anyone who can demonstrate a link to a credible news outlet or proof of readership or viewership on the topic of the city of Cleveland or cats.
• Public relations, advertising or marketing professionals (agency or company based) writing for a news outlet, company website or personal blog on the topic of the city of Cleveland or cats.
• Writers for company newsletters and websites on the topic of the city of Cleveland or cats.
• Authors and journalists who write on the topic of the city of Cleveland or cats.

All bloggers and social media influencers must be pre-approved prior to the 2025 CFA International Cat Show & Expo and may not register on-site without prior approval.

Are you a feline or feline influencer on social media?

The CFA Expo is the place to be every October to meet over 15,000 potential new fans, big and small feline product/service brands looking to collaborate and other influencers who are making their way, or already made their way, to the top.

Feline Influencers will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on traffic, content relevance and quality, engagement on social media channels, frequency of posts, etc.  All criteria is taken into consideration for approval.

MEET & GREET CRITERIA

Nano – Micro Feline Influencers (0-50k):  
The CFA Cat Expo is a fantastic IRL platform and provides significant value to these groups.  With that said, we typically do not provide financial guarantees for these groups of influencers unless a good case can be made.

Medium – Macro Influencers (50k-500k) with proven high engagement rates:
Financial guarantees for travel may be possible and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Brands may also sponsor influencers at these levels.

Mega Influencers (500k and up) with proven high engagement rates:
Financial guarantees for attendance may be possible and are determined on a case-by-case basis. ROI is carefully considered and if ticket sales are thought to increase because of mega influencer participation, guarantees may be made by the CFA Expo marketing or entertainment budget.  Brands may also sponsor influencers at these levels.