- The Cat Lovers Festival and Dog Lovers Festival will be co-located at Sydney Showground on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026, with one ticket providing entry to both events.
- A new feature for 2026 is Cat Chat, an interactive programme hosted by Brodie Young where visitors can put questions directly to leading feline experts, including media vet Dr Katrina Warren and a range of cat behaviourists, nutritionists, and veterinarians.
- The Dog Lovers Festival will feature TV Su-Paw-Stars, showcasing talented canine celebrities including a skateboarding dog, a Connect 4 champion, and a Dances with Dogs performer, hosted by dog trainer and TV presenter Lara Shannon.
- Both festivals offer a range of interactive experiences including Breed Showcases, Pat-A-Cat and Pat-A-Pooch sessions, Adoption Zones, and one-on-one veterinary advice at SASH Ask-A-Vet.
- The combined event also hosts one of Australia's largest pet shopping experiences, with hundreds of exhibitors offering products and services across nutrition, grooming, training, travel, and more, with Festival-only specials available.
Sydney is set to become the pet-loving capital of Australia next weekend, with the Cat Lovers Festival and Dog Lovers Festival returning to Sydney Showground on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, 2026.
From curious cats and canine celebrities to spectacular pool diving dogs, expert advice, adoption groups, interactive encounters and one of Australia’s biggest pet shopping experiences, the co-located Festivals will deliver two action-packed days for animal lovers of all ages.
Best of all, one ticket provides entry to both Festivals, allowing visitors to move between the feline and canine worlds and build their own purr-fect day out.
A major new drawcard for 2026 is Cat Chat, an interactive program giving visitors the rare opportunity to speak directly with some of Australia’s most respected feline experts.
Hosted by Brodie Young, the relaxed and engaging sessions invite cat lovers to bring their questions and share their experiences to receive practical advice about the issues that matter most to them.
Festival favourite and renowned media vet Dr Katrina Warren leads the line-up, alongside cat behaviourists Rose Horton and Saba Sayyed, feline nutrition experts Dr Becca Leung and Dr Meredith Wall, veterinarian and animal welfare advocate Dr Amy, and cat psychologist, social scientist and veterinary nurse Jules dos Santos.
Across the weekend, visitors can ask questions and hear practical advice on the issues cat owners care about most, from everyday behaviour problems and understanding feline body language to multi-cat households, mental health, the human-cat bond and feeding cats for lifelong health.
Dr Katrina Warren will tackle the question every cat owner has asked themself, ‘Why does my cat do that?’ before joining Rose Horton to explore what is really going on inside the feline mind. With audience questions, shared experiences and giveaways throughout the day, no two Cat Chat sessions will be the same.
Elsewhere at the Cat Lovers Festival, visitors can meet an impressive variety of pedigreed, rare and companion cats in the Breed Showcase, enjoy gentle encounters at Pat-A-Cat, discover cats looking for loving homes in the Adoption Zone and seek one-on-one guidance at SASH Ask-A-Vet.
The Breed & Adoption Stage will help visitors learn more about different breeds and finding the right companion for their family, while The Purr Trail adds a playful challenge with the chance to win cat-tastic prizes.
Next door, the Dog Lovers Festival will be bursting with high-energy entertainment. Television presenter, dog trainer and behaviourist Lara Shannon will host the VitaPet Arena, where the new TV Su-Paw-Stars feature brings some of Australia’s most talented canine celebrities to the stage at 10.30am each day.
The four-legged line-up includes Dances with Dogs star Fossey; sporting toy poodles Cricket, Lacey and Lottie; skateboarding sensation Giotto; multi-talented Cardigan Corgi Sully; Connect 4 champion Cinnamon and stylish Mini Maltese and Instagram favourite Dior.
The VitaPet Arena will also showcase the speed, skill and extraordinary teamwork of dogs and their handlers, while the spectacular Kurgo® DockDogs will see fearless competitors leap into a giant pool in long jump, high jump and speed retrieval events.
Dog lovers can meet dozens of breeds and speak directly with breeders at the Breed Showcase, enjoy one on one time at Pat-A-Pooch, learn about dogs searching for forever homes in the Adoption Zone and put their pet health questions to veterinary experts at SASH Ask-A-Vet. Dog Sports demonstrations and the Dog Sporting Legends Competition add even more action across the weekend.
Beyond the animals and entertainment, the Festivals combine to create one of Australia’s biggest pet shopping experiences. Visitors can browse hundreds of exhibitors, discover new and boutique brands, meet the people behind popular online businesses and access Festival-only specials across nutrition, treats, toys, enrichment, training, health, grooming, travel, fashion, furniture and pet services.
Whether visitors come to solve a puzzling cat behaviour, cheer on a flying dog, meet a favourite breed, receive trusted expert advice or simply spend a joyful day surrounded by fellow animal lovers, the Sydney Cat Lovers Festival and Sydney Dog Lovers Festival promises an unforgettable weekend at the one venue.
The Sydney Cat Lovers Festival and Sydney Dog Lovers Festival will be held at Sydney Showground on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026 from 9.30am to 5.00pm daily. One ticket provides access to both Festivals.
For more information visit and to secure your ticket: catloversfestival.com.au/Sydney/ | dogloversfestival.com.au/sydney/
Sydney Cat Lovers Festival and Sydney Dog Lovers Festival
WHEN: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026, 9.30am–5.00pm daily
WHERE: Sydney Showground, Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park
TICKETS: One ticket provides entry to both Festivals
catloversfestival.com.au/sydney/ | dogloversfestival.com.au/sydney/
Contact details:
Vicky De George
Media & PR
0405 151 485
[email protected]
