Help, please! Need ideas for activities for my Cat Lovers' Club!!!

I joined a Cat Lovers' Club, but the organizer--a longtime cat lover and super gal--is stuck for ideas as to activities to keep the group going.  Anyone have any ideas for us?

So far, we have gone to a Cat Show, but I think only 4 people showed up even tho 9 were supposed to be there.

We also had 4 go to a bowling event for a local shelter.  I couldn't make it myself so might have been more or less there.

Another thing we did is have a get together at a restaurant to just talk about our cats.  Again, 9 signed up but 5 showed. However, it was fun to see the photos of everyone's kitties and brag...I mean talk...about ours...LOL!

Then the last event was she got us into a local shelter where we were told we could play with the kitties.  I think 12 signed up and everyone showed, so you can see there ARE cat lovers out there.

But we can't go to the same or even a shelter everytime, and we do need to mix up ideas as to things to do.  I really want to help her, because 1. I love cats myself and 2. she is a super gal and I want to help her and 3. I'd love to see more groups start like this across the nation, but we have to get this one going in Phoenix first.

Can anyone help with suggestions here?  Let's get some Cat Lovers' groups going out there, eh?

Depending on your areas of interest, you could volunteer to help trap cats for TNR or work in the spay/neuter clinic.  Those are pretty hands-on activities, so they may not be of interest to all members of your group.

You can also volunteer to work at PetSmart, showing off cats and kittens who need homes.

I know we are always looking for volunteers to man tables at various events and talk to people/give out brochures about our S/N programs.

There is another group that does TNR, so we would not want to step on their toes.

However, I have thought of PetSmart, but would they take us as volunteers if it were just for a day?  

I would think the TNR group would welcome your help. One day spent trapping would mean a lot of cats would be helped. I am not sure about PetSmart - they may need you help with a one-time event but the shelter working with PetSmart is where to find that out. The TNR group may need help at it's events, too.

If brought up I can't see them turning down help to either trap watch and let out tipped cats/wild animal.  If that is not your thing see if they need rides given-cover trap as they pee sometimes!  Or shelters/rescues may need transport to and from vet or shelter.  You never have to take cat out of cage.  

Some shelters do out of state adoptions and need an hour or two of driving or waiting for the next person to show up for next part of trip.

If you go out to eat make sure it is a cheap enough place so that one can get just a snack and drink and not feel out of place.  Maybe look into doing one of the benefits for local shelter where anyone who shows up that night and mentions the shelter gets a certain percent off bill donated to shelter.

Go on petfinder.com and see local places and what they do maybe be part of something they have already in place or give you ideas for shelter you want to support.

How about getting together to make cat toys, e.g., crotchet balls stuffed with catnip, that local shelters can sell to raise money? Your own cats could have fun with the first attempts.

Why does it always have to be cat related activities?  Why not just get together as a group of people who share a common interest (cats), and do things like go to lunch, or the museum, or an art gallery, or a nature hike. Just basically an excuse for friends to get together once a month.

Great ideas..thanks!

~~Need activities for cat lover club? If you want to stick to a cat theme, there are several activities you can do. Not all meeting have to strictly be a cat theme, but why not? Remember to make sure to get club pictures at each meeting to put into the club scrapbook! In no particular logical order, here are some ideas:

Cat movie night. Several goodies to pick from like The Adventures of Milo and Otis, The Aristocats, Puss In Boots (2011), That Darn Cat, Homeward Bound, Born Free, The Cat in the Hat, Cats & Dogs, The Cat From Outer Space, Oliver & Company.. and there are several other movies with cats in them, but maybe not as the main character. If the adults don’t want to watch the movies, these would be good movies to have showing for the kids at the Club’s annual summer BBQ!

Cat musicals Big Broadway musicals or the local high school theatre club.. the classics like CATS and The Lion King are sure to come around. Local public television will air these sometimes as well. If all else fails, someone in the group will probably have one of these performances on DVD..

Cats in music. Have a dance. Have a potluck. Have karaoke night. Have cat songs fill the air. Can you NOT sing along with Tom Jones’ “What’s New Pussycat?” Or what about Stray Cats’ “Stray Cat Strut”, Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s In The Cradle” or Ted Nugent’s “Cat Scratch Fever”? Have the group suggest cat themed songs and then ask for a volunteer to put together a MP3 cat song list they can then bring to the cat music party. Don’t forget to print out the lyrics for everyone!

Cats in literature. Cat stories (fact or fictional). Cats in comic strips. Cat care books. Start a library within the club. Members wanting to participate can bring books to the meeting for others to borrow. If you do borrow a book, be sure to return the book at the next meeting, or designated date..

Cats in pictures / videos. Dedicate a few minutes of each meeting for each member to share their cat pictures or videos or cute/funny pictures or videos they found on the internet. You may have to limit to 3-5 minutes, or 3-5 pictures per member. Ask for a computer savvy member to be in charge of the slideshow for each meeting and have members email this officer with their pictures before the meeting. At the meeting, everyone can either follow along on their personal devices, or if someone knows how to hook up the big screen television to their laptop computer (usually via HDMI cord) then everyone can gather round and watch together.

Cat Treats. Have a baking party and make cat safe cat treats. Or for those that don’t want to bake, bring a bag of treats to share with the group. Someone will also need to bring the empty goodie bags. To finish out the meeting, everyone gets to make a goodie-bag with the treats, to take home to their cats. Decide in advance if the group will make/bring enough treats to fill one goodie bag per member, or one goodie bag per member’s cat.. Cat Toys. Host a toy exchange (make sure used/not wanted toys are properly cleaned, and in good condition, prior to bring to the exchange). Everyone buys toys toys toys only to have the cat play with the wrapper. When their cat DOES decide to play, most cats tend to have a favorite type of toy and ignore the rest.. so exchange toys with other members! Another idea is a sewing event and have the group machine or hand sew and stuff kitty toys. If there is an abundance of extra toys – set up another group meeting to meet at a shelter to donate those toys and socialize and play with the cats of the shelter.

Rescue / Shelter Cats. Meet at a rescue or shelter and volunteer.

TNR / Community Cat Programs. TNR groups / programs can always use volunteers to monitor traps and take cats to and from their appointments. These groups usually also maintain these cats in Community Cat Programs and these cats need to be fed and have fresh water provided daily. These cat communities also need to be monitored for new comers that will need to be added into the TNR program.

Projects for Community Cat communities. Several of the community cat feeding stations will have cat housing set up near the feeding stations.. or will be in need of small cat housing especially if they are in a climate that gets cold in winter or hot in summer. Ask the group members if anyone is handy (or has a family member that is and is willing to help) be in charge of the group building activity and everyone pitch in supplies (or funds) to build cat houses. Black and Decker has an awesome ‘dog house’ plan that, scaled down, would make a wonderful cat house. If not a cat house, these community cats could use little covered feeding stations as well (the same dog house plan but without all four walls would work beautifully).

Cat Blankets & Beds. Spring cleaning time means cleaning out closets and drawers and hopefully finding old blankets and jackets that no longer fit or are wanted. Have the group meet and bring these items to repurpose by cutting them up into cat-sized blankets and beds. Volunteer some sewing savvy members to tidy up the rough edges (quilt binding is fairly inexpensive and a quick and pretty method). These new cat size blankets and beds can be taken home by the member that brought the material, or auctioned off within the club or donated to a cat shelter / rescue, etc.

Cat TV. Another project party idea is to make bird feeders. No this is not to provide cats with a buffet table, but to set outside in view of a window for the indoor cats. (Make sure bird feeder is not too close to a window to avoid birds flying into the window and getting hurt).

Cat Harness / Leash. Hopefully all members have indoor only cats or indoor cats with access to enclosed outdoor areas. With that said, those indoor cats love the opportunity to take walks outside! A group project could be to make cat harnesses for each member to take home and use. 

Catio. An enclosed outdoor place for indoor cats to go! Member by member, have the group meet at each members house to help brainstorm where / how to build or decorate, or to actually help build, or decorate that member’s catio. A catio fieldtrip of existing catios can provide a lot of inspiration!

Cat Fencing. If a catio is out of the budget or just will not fit into the existing house plan, then maybe cat fencing would be an option for some members. Another field trip to check out existing fencing options could be in order. Members can ask the existing cat fencing owners their opinions and see in action how the fencing works. As with the catio, a member activity may just be members bringing in (or emailing in pictures) of cat fencing or catios they find inspiring to share with the others.

Volunteering. A member activity could always be a volunteering project. There are several volunteering opportunities with cats. Almost any shelter / rescue will need help cleaning their building or help socializing and / or grooming the cats. Cat adoption agencies could use help on adoption days at adoption events or transporting cats to and from the events. The elderly citizens of your community could use help in caring for their cats or need help getting their cat to a veterinary or grooming appointment. Volunteering does not need to be a group project either. Put out a volunteering challenge at one club meeting and then next meeting have everyone tell about their individual volunteering experience!

T-Touch. Have a lesson on how to use the animal massage technique of t-touch. If the club is up to a vacation together, a T-Touch workshop at Best Friends Animal Society would be worthwhile!

Training Challenge. Challenge each member to teach their cat a new trick before the next meeting. Have the members video their cat doing (or learning) their new trick to show at the next meeting. Training could be anything from a fun new trick, a behavior modification, to even toilet training! Remember to limit the time each member gets to show their video so all members get a chance to show off their kitty’s new talent!

First Aid. If you are lucky enough to live in an area that the Red Cross or a local veterinarian, veterinarian school, etc, offers pet first aid classes, then grab that opportunity! If you do not have a local instructor available, then have the members pitch in to buy the Pet First Aid DVD from the Red Cross and set up a date to all watch it together. Another group activity is assembling pet first aid kits.

Cat Grass / Catnip. Have members of the club donate or pitch in to buy the planters and the supplies and have a planter decorating contest. The planters could be decorated, for example, with paints or mosaics. If the club is particularly crafty and has access to the tools and supplies, then making planters from scratch could be a fun activity. Planters could be made of wood or clay or even cement! Don’t forget to fill the planters with soil and either seeds or plants of cat grass or catnip before the club meeting ends!

Cat Arts & Crafts. If one of your club meetings falls near the local craft fair date – then have the members pitch in to secure a space at the craft fair! Members can then sign up for times they want to be at the fair to sell their cat themed arts and crafts! If someone is not crafty, they can still participate that day by keep the other members company while at the booth, doing lunch runs for those who cannot leave the booth, etc. Members can decide to keep all proceeds for the items they sell, or donate a percent to the club or to another cause.

Appointment Day. If planned far enough in advance and club members go to the same veterinarian clinic, then appointments can be planned together or back to back. Sometimes it is nice to have emotional support at appointment time, even if it is only a regular check up visit. The members could even car pool or volunteer to take an elderly citizens pet to the clinic.

Product Review. New kitty toys are exciting! But were they as exciting as they looked? Make sure to include a few moments of each meeting for any members to give a product review of any new toys or items they purchased since the last meeting. Also, it is always a good idea to keep the club email and contact list up to date in case a member finds a fantastic limited time deal to share with the other members before the next meeting. Members can also bring in their extra coupons to club meetings to share with the other members.

Club Logo. Have a logo contest or nominate a talented member to come up with a club logo. The members can pitch in to buy or ask a local printer to volunteer their services, and have t-shirts, tote bags, hats, or pins made. Members can choose to wear their club items at every meeting or field trip or volunteer opportunity! Presenting new members with club items could be made into a very fun club event!

Club Newsletter. Club newsletters can be passed out at each meeting listing the upcoming member birthdays and anniversaries and their cat’s birthdays and any upcoming events, contests or challenges. Newsletters can also include the photos from the events, etc, from the last meeting, any product reviews or other information covered from the last meeting.

Cat 4-H project. As a possible short term side project, have members take turns hosting a 4-H club for kids to learn about cats. This is an excellent way of getting a new generation interested in the wonderful world of cats!

Cat Presentations. A club activity that gets the club out of the meeting room and introduces new audiences to cats would be giving talks at schools and to other clubs about cats. The talk could be on first aid, the importance of indoor cats / catios, to show their cats (or videos) doing amazing cat tricks, etc!

Guest Speakers. Ask all members if they have a family member or friend that is in a cat profession and if that person would come give a presentation for the club. There are many cat professions out there! Kennel owners, Pet Hotel employees, groomers, Veterinarians, Cat Whisperers, Animal trainers, Pet Sitters.. even students in school for a cat profession can come talk about the things they are learning. Many places of pet businesses will also have a stack of business cards for cat professionals in the area. An expert on cat aromatherapy or natural healing cat health would be fascinating to listen to!

Yard Cleaning. Going back to the cat fence idea, the club could take turns at each members residence and spend an hour or two cleaning up the fenced in yard area. There are many hazards to the outdoor cat, even one confined to a fenced in yard and a good cleaning will uncover, and hopefully fix, those potential hazards.

Cat Service Trade-Offs. Have the club come up with a directory of the member’s specialties and offers. Members can then request specialty trades (photography session exchange for gourmet dinner for example), or specialty trades for cat services (plumbing leak quick fix in exchange for cat sitting weekend for example).

Cat Birthday Parties! Depending on the number of cat members, the club could celebrate at a cat birthday party outside of the regular club meetings, or if there are too many birthdays each month, make the celebration part of the club meetings.. complete with birthday hats for the human members (cats can choose not to partake in the festivities, it IS their party after all, they can do what they want!)

Cat Convention. Once a year or once every three years, whatever the club can afford, have a cat convention! A wonderful place to visit is Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab UT where members can enjoy a volunteer vacation at the sanctuary! A quick internet search for ‘cat sanctuaries’ or ‘cat rescue’ or something along those lines is sure to turn up a wonderful destination to visit.

Spring Clean For a Cause. Set a club date for a group yard sale to benefit the club or another charitable organization. Members could also decide to keep whatever funds they make for themselves – that is up to the club to decide. Or if the idea of sittings outside and selling all day is not pleasing, then have the club gather their best donation items and have a group field trip to one of the many thrift stores where proceeds will benefit local cats. Check with the Humane Society or Four Paws, etc, to see where / when they will accept donations for their thrift stores.

Bake Sale. Don the club T-shirts and set up a booth and have a bake sale. The baked goods can be for humans or can be goodies for cats! (Make sure the cat goodies are approved cat-safe recipes!)

Car Wash. Another good club event to wear those club T-shirts! Have another club join in the fun and split the proceeds at the end of the event!

Club Swapping. Do you know of another club in the neighborhood? It doesn’t have to be a cat lovers club – it can be any kind of club – and ask them if they would be willing to provide the “hired help” at the next cat lovers club annual holiday party. Of course, your cat lover’s club members will gladly do the same for their club too! The other club’s members can set tables, serve food, clean up, etc. so all your members can relax and enjoy the evening! The “hired help” can of course enjoy the food as well and they get to hear any presentations your club does that night. They may learn something new and wonderful about cats and could end up being a new club member! This also gives your members a chance to go to the other club’s holiday party to be the “hired help”, get a free meal and see presentations and learn something new too!

Plant Sale. Do the research on cat safe houseplants and cat safe garden plants. Have members who have these cat-safe plants make starts from them and put them in inexpensive containers to sell at the annual club plant sale. Or have a plant exchange among the members.

Cat Holidays. There are several National, International, Local and unofficial cat holidays listed on numerous websites that are dedicated to listing all the possible holidays to celebrate each day. Have a cat holiday party outside of the regular club meetings or make sure the club meeting that does fall on a cat holiday is decorated for the cat holiday theme!

Cat Memorial Day. Cat Memorial Day will be listed under the Cat Holidays but I feel it is one that should be celebrated if the other holidays are not. Every one grieves differently and that is perfectly acceptable and this club event should not try to force anyone into any specific way of doing things. This club event should allow each member a few moments to share thoughts, pictures, poems etc of their loved one who is now waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. If a member chooses not to say anything, that is fine too. There will be some sad moments at this meeting but this is a place where true cat lovers are together and understand fully the importance of the day and no one need feel ashamed or explain their sadness. If the club does feel a project is necessary for the day, then I would suggest a wind-chime project – as it is said that when a wind-chime is making music it is because of all the wind being kicked up by our beloved pets playing in heaven.

Animal Blessing. Check the calendar and with your local church or place of worship to see when they will be holding their annual Blessing of the Animals Day. (Usually in September or October)

Cat Crafts for Kids. You have already made cat toys for the cats, and made cat crafts to sell at the Arts & Crafts Fair, now it is time to make cat-themed toys and blankets for those children in need of a hug. There are children at homeless shelters, hospitals, abuse houses, at-risk houses, and many other locations that, even if they won’t (or can’t) say Thank You, would probably love to have a soft warm blanket or quilt (with cat designs) to keep with them or a soft warm handmade stuffed animal cat to hold tight. Knitted slippers and hats with kitty paw print designs, a tiger striped tote bag.. the list is endless on what can be made and donated to these kids in need. (Adults may want/need them too!)

Cat Club Scrapbook. Digital or 3-ring binder – whatever form it is, make sure to keep a Cat Club Scrapbook up to date! Include member pictures, member’s cat’s pictures, pictures from club meetings, activities, field trips, etc. Recipes for cat safe cat treats, lists and pictures of cat safe houseplants and cat safe garden plants. Inspirational pictures of catios, club logo designs, funny cat comics and cartoons, training and volunteer challenge results.. etc. etc. etc.!

hope some of these ideas work or spark an idea for you! Good luck with your Cat Lovers Club!

~Daisy Field Cat Sanctuary

OMG...this is FANTASTIC!!!  I cannot thank you enough for all the ideas and creativity!  I am so grateful that someone would take the time to do this....thank you so very, very much!!!  

Hello everybody I love cats and I have amazing one will love to join club ,and share experience whit cat lovers.

I am not sure if this is in the expansive list above

but how about a Scavenger Hunt? People find things to make into cat toys, then all meet up to make them. After they're made, donate them!

I'm a relatively new member who just recently formed a local cat lovers group. Three years after this post was originally started, I found it and used it to propose a ton of suggestions to our group. Our group thanks everyone here for all your ideas!