Cat mania in St. Norbert

St. Norbert

St. Norbert

Bridgwater Forest

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/04/2025 (349 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If Sabrina Naayen’s upcoming cat-focused community event is as successful as her inaugural one last fall, things should purr along nicely.

The Meow Mania Spring Market & Adoption Fair will be held Sunday, April 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Norbert Arena (3450 Pembina Hwy.).

The event will feature a cat adoption fair, featuring several local rescues, at which visitors can meet potential new family members, more than 35 vendors showcasing cat-related products, and a craft area at which guests can create their own kitty bookmarks or catnip toys — glitter tattoos will also be on tap. The first visitors through the doors will receive swag bags.

Six local feline celebrities with growing social media accounts will also be in attendance for meet-and-greet sessions, said event organizer Naayen, who owns Pawparazzi Pet Photography and is a self-confessed “crazy cat lady.” She said she began noticing different dog events popping up, but not so many for cats and wanted to help redress the balance.

“My first event last year at Deer Lodge Community Centre was wild,” said Naayen, who lives in Bridgwater Forest. “People were lining up an hour early, and were flying past us to see the cats and the vendors when we opened.”

“The cat community spoke loud and clear, and we felt a bit like sardines in a can. This year, we knew we needed more space for the event.”

Naayen, 37, said she came up with the idea for Meow Mania because it’s a good way to connect members of the city’s cat community.

“I just thought it would be really fun — a way to meet local cat celebrities, support local rescues and businesses, and help our feline friends,” she said.

She said her pet photo business has helped her become something of a cat whisperer, enabling her to photograph furry felines for their owners and keep them calm during the process (although the age-old debate about who owns who in that equation remains).

Naayan funded the inaugural Meow Mania herself, and said she is grateful for the support of Global Pet Foods on Grant Avenue and Central Veterinary Services this time around.

Naayen said she’d like to try and hold two events a year, “and bring a different experience to each show.”

Visit www.meowmaniaexpo.com or email hello@pawparazzipetphoto.com for more information, including ticket prices.