Hannah Shaw Announced for the 2026 Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival
One of the world’s most influential voices in kitten rescue and feline welfare is heading to Melbourne – and she’s bringing two unforgettable workshops, inspiring rescue stories and plenty of kitten expertise with her!
We’re thrilled to announce that Hannah Shaw, better known as Kitten Lady, is returning to Australia for the 2026 Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival at Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October.
Following her hugely popular appearance at last year’s Sydney Festival, Hannah is bringing her passion for vulnerable kittens, practical rescue knowledge and infectious enthusiasm to Melbourne for an incredible weekend of feline inspiration.
Meet Hannah Shaw – Kitten Lady
Hannah Shaw is an award-winning kitten rescuer, humane educator, advocate and New York Times bestselling author who has dedicated her life to protecting the world’s most vulnerable felines.
Through her work as Kitten Lady, Hannah has helped transform the way people understand kitten care, rescue and fostering. Her educational videos, workshops and training resources are used by animal shelters, rescue organisations and foster carers around the world, making life-saving knowledge accessible in a fun, engaging and practical way.
With a global social media following of more than 4 million cat lovers, Hannah has become one of the most recognisable voices in feline welfare. Her content combines adorable kitten moments with essential advice, inspiring people to get involved in rescue and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable cats.
Hannah is also the founder of Orphan Kitten Club, a charitable organisation working to improve kitten welfare in the United States through shelter grants, ethical research and hands-on care for orphaned and vulnerable neonates. The organisation has provided millions of dollars in targeted funding to shelters to help develop innovative programmes that save little lives.
As an accomplished author, Hannah has written a range of books for children and adults, including Tiny But Mighty, Cats of the World, Kitten Lady’s Big Book of Little Kittens and the Adventures in Fosterland chapter book series. She has also been recognised for her advocacy work, including receiving the ASPCA’s Cat Advocate of the Year award.
Now, Melbourne cat lovers will have the chance to see this remarkable educator and advocate live at the festival.
Two exclusive workshops. Two completely different experiences.
Hannah will be appearing exclusively at the Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival, presenting two unique workshops across the weekend. Whether you love a good rescue story or want to learn more about the first crucial weeks of a kitten’s life, there’s something special in store.
Tiny but Mighty: My Life as a Professional Kitten Rescuer
Saturday 17 October | 11am–12pm
Ever wondered what life is really like for a professional kitten rescuer?
In this captivating workshop, Hannah takes you behind the scenes of nearly two decades of kitten rescue, sharing wild adventures, heartwarming stories, adorable videos and unforgettable characters from her extraordinary journey.
From tiny orphans needing round-the-clock care to the unexpected challenges of rescue, Hannah will share the experiences that have shaped her life and work – offering an honest, entertaining and inspiring look at what it takes to protect the tiniest and most vulnerable cats.
Expect incredible stories, plenty of kitten moments and a fresh appreciation for the people who work tirelessly to give vulnerable kittens a second chance.
From Tiny to Mighty: A Kitten’s First 8 Weeks
Sunday 18 October | 11am–12pm
What happens during the first eight weeks of a kitten’s life? And what does it take to help a tiny, vulnerable kitten grow into a healthy, socialised and adoption-ready cat?
In this educational and practical workshop, Hannah explores the key stages of early kitten development, from those first precious days through to the milestones that prepare kittens for their next chapter.
Drawing on her extensive experience in kitten rescue and care, Hannah will share insights into the needs of young kittens, their development and the important role that carers and foster families play in giving them the best possible start.
Whether you’re an experienced foster carer, a dedicated rescue supporter or simply fascinated by kittens, this workshop offers an opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading voices in kitten welfare.
Two workshops. Two completely different experiences. One incredible weekend with Kitten Lady.
Get your questions answered at CatChat
Hannah will also be making appearances at CatChat across both days of the festival, giving visitors the opportunity to hear more about her work in kitten rescue, welfare and advocacy.
CatChat is the place to connect with leading feline experts, ask questions and discover practical insights into the topics cat lovers care about most. With Hannah joining the conversation, visitors can look forward to more stories, expert advice and inspiration from her years of experience helping vulnerable kittens.
The full festival programme will be announced in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for more details about Hannah’s appearances and other special experiences.
Breakfast with Hannah Shaw Proudly Sponsored by Wee Kitty®
Want to spend a little more time with Hannah beyond the festival floor?
An exclusive Breakfast with Hannah Shaw, proudly sponsored by Wee Kitty®, is also available on Sunday morning, offering a rare opportunity to join Kitten Lady for an intimate breakfast and Q&A.
Hannah will share stories from her work in kitten rescue, welfare and advocacy, with plenty of opportunity for guests to ask their own questions and learn more about the work behind her global mission.
Breakfast details
- Date: Sunday 18 October 2026
- Time: 8am–9am
- Location: Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds
- Includes: Breakfast, coffee and tea, plus an exclusive Q&A with Hannah Shaw
- Cost: $85 per person + booking fees
- Places: Strictly limited
A Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival ticket is required, in addition to the Meet & Greet Breakfast Add-On.
Book your Breakfast with Hannah Shaw ticket
Don’t miss Kitten Lady in Melbourne!
With her inspiring rescue stories, practical kitten care advice and global impact on feline welfare, Hannah Shaw is a very special guest for the 2026 Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival.
Whether you’re passionate about rescue and fostering, love learning about kitten development or simply adore all things feline, this is your chance to see Kitten Lady in action and learn from one of the most influential voices in the world of kitten welfare.
The 2026 Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival is the place to be this October!
đź“Ť Melbourne Showgrounds
đź“… Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 October 2026
And remember – your Cat Lovers Festival ticket also gets you into the Dog Lovers Festival, so you can enjoy two huge events across one unforgettable weekend!
