CatCon® Announces Ian Somerhalder Foundation As Charity Beneficiary

Cat convention and foundation join forces for betterment of cats everywhere

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Nov 30, 2016, 11:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- It was announced today that CatCon®, the conference and symposium where cat culture and pop culture converge, has chosen the Ian Somerhalder Foundation as their official charity beneficiary for their 2017 event. CatCon® will donate $2 of every ticket sold to ISF, as well as a portion of money raised by all Meet and Greets during the two-day festival.

Image courtesy of Ian Somerhalder Foundation.

Founded by actor and activist Ian Somerhalder, ("The Vampire Diaries") the Ian Somerhalder Foundation works to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. ISF's Emergency Medical Care Grant provides financial assistance for the care of animals recovering from abuse, neglect, and injuries, easing the financial stress of treatment so that rescuers can focus on an animal's adoption into a permanent, loving home. The program has helped over 1000 creatures to date. "I am beyond excited to have the Ian Somerhalder Foundation participating in CatCon 2017. As a proud cat person with three rescued cats, I share the kindred spirit we all feel when we get together with other animal lovers," said Mr. Somerhalder. "Participating in CatCon marries my love for cats with ISF's initiatives to help all animals. This is a convention which breaks stigmas, celebrates animals, and gives back to cat welfare organizations. What could be better?"

ISF will be onsite at CatCon® to discuss their initiatives, and Mr. Somerhalder will be making a special appearance at the convention on Sunday, August 13th. "ISF is a wonderful addition to our growing CatCon family," said creator Susan Michals. "Our event revolves around spreading joy and goodness to cats and the people who love them, and Mr. Somerhalder and his foundation embody that message. We are thrilled to have them onboard."

CatCon® brings the internet obsession with all things feline to life over one cat-tastic weekend, with exciting activations, seminars and exhibitors. The convention promotes their mantra of 'adopt, don't shop' in their ongoing collaboration with local adoption organizations to get as many felines adopted as possible during the two day festival - which happens to be the height of kitten season in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale early 2017.

CatCon® 2017 Info:
Dates: Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, August 13th, 2017
Location: Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Hours: Saturday, 9AM - 5PM; Sunday, 10AM - 5PM

ABOUT CATCON®:
Created in 2015, CatCon® is the biggest cat-centric convention in the world. In the past two years, the company has donated nearly $70,000 to organizations including FixNation, Lil BUB's BIG Fund and Kitten Rescue. Parent company Ticket Out also runs Cat Art Show, an exhibition series that has showcased some of the biggest names in worlds of art and culture, including Shepard Fairey, Norman Reedus, Kat Von D, and Mark Ryden.