PurrCon returns to Indianapolis PopCon with celebrities and cat rescue story

By AI, Created 10:45 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – PurrCon is back at Indianapolis PopCon May 8–10 at the Indiana Convention Center, bringing feline health programming, celebrity guests and adoption-focused events. The convention also spotlights a local rescue story that turned a planned photo op into a cat adoption and now ties into a new charity partnership.

Why it matters: - PurrCon is using PopCon’s big crowd to mix cat education, rescue outreach and entertainment in one place. - The event puts adoptable cats, health experts and local rescues in front of attendees who already show up for fandom and family-friendly programming. - The adoption story at the center of this year’s event gives the rescue message a personal hook.

What happened: - PurrCon returns May 8–10, 2026 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis as part of PopCon. - Jacob Bartlett of Circle City Ghostbusters adopted Marshmallow from Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership, or ARPO, after meeting the kitten at PurrCon at PopCon last year. - Bartlett will share that story on stage at PurrCon this weekend. - Circle City Ghostbusters has named ARPO its official charity for PopCon 2026.

The details: - PurrCon 2026 includes programming from EveryCat Health Foundation, VEG ER for Pets and Dr. Elsey’s on feline health, emergency care and behavior. - Steve Dale joins the speaker lineup. - A celebrity panel with Joey Luthman, Allisyn Snyder and Dylan Snyder will discuss their campaign to raise $1 million for cats. - PopCon celebrity guests include Sean Astin, Patrick Warburton, Diedrich Bader, Alan Lee and a My Hero Academia 10-year reunion. - Last year, Skylar Astin and Famke Janssen took part in kitten therapy sessions on the convention floor. - Event activities include kitten therapy with adoptable cats, Musical Cat Boxes, Feline Fact or Fiction trivia, Cozy Cat Chats, bracelet making, cat origami and enrichment activities. - Dixie the Praying Dog serves as PurrCon’s official roving reporter. - McGlinn will record a new season of The Cat Conversation podcast live at the event. - The live podcast programming also includes the Cat Heroes Roundtable and SuPURR Stories, featuring rescuers and community members. - Local partners include Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership, Indy Neighborhood Cats and Animal Outreach of Shelby County. - Local businesses and vendors will also be represented. - PurrCon is created by KJ McGlinn, who is a local media personality and Kitty Correspondent on Pet Pals TV. - PopCon is locally owned and operated by Carl Doninger and Kris Keys. - A sizzle reel is available here. - Event information is available at purrconindy.com and popcon.us.

Between the lines: - PurrCon is positioning cat welfare as both a community cause and a fan-friendly experience. - The rescue story adds a human angle that can help turn casual attendees into prospective adopters or supporters. - The mix of national experts and celebrity names suggests PurrCon wants broader reach than a standard local pet event.

What’s next: - PurrCon runs throughout PopCon’s May 8–10 schedule in Indianapolis. - Bartlett’s on-stage appearance and the live podcast taping give the event fresh content across the weekend. - The ARPO charity partnership gives Circle City Ghostbusters a fundraising and advocacy angle for PopCon 2026.

The bottom line: - PurrCon is betting that cats, celebrities and a real rescue success story can make animal welfare feel like must-see convention programming.