Photos by Maegan Monico
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Catsbury Park Rescue announced that its Catsbury Park Cat Convention, held October 11-12, 2025 at Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ, sponsored by The World's Best Cat Litter, brought together more than 2,500 attendees and raised $30,000 for Catsbury Park and its partnered charities.
The organization also announced that the next Cat Convention will return to Bell Works on October 10-11, 2026, and the Adopt and Shop Market is announced for March 14, 2026, at Bell Works.
From the moment attendees walked through the doors, it was clear that Catsbury Park Rescue, located in Asbury Park, reflects the work of its founder and Jersey Shore native, DJ Bornschein. What began in 2016 as a small foster-based rescue in his home has grown into a community dedicated to giving cats and kittens loving homes. That commitment was evident throughout the weekend as attendees learned, celebrated, and supported cats in need.
Photo by Maegan Monico
During the two-day event, 30 cats and 2 guinea pigs were adopted, and attendees packed Jackson Galaxy's talk, forcing walls to be moved to fit the crowd. Rescuers even traveled from as far as Ohio to take part in Hannah "Kitten Lady" Shaw's intensive neonatal care class.
"The Catsbury Park Cat Convention this year once again exceeded our expectations," said Bornschein, founder of Catsbury Park Rescue. "It was heartwarming to see people from all walks of life come together in a positive and welcoming environment. Everyone was there to support rescue efforts, adopt cats, educate themselves, and, most importantly, have fun. This experience reminds me of why we started Catsbury in the first place."
The Cat Con lineup featured over 70 vendors, including Over the Moon Art Studios, local cat artisans, and specialty pet product makers. Attendees enjoyed special showings of the documentary 25 Cats from Qatar, interactive cat photography sessions, and collective animal blessing ceremonies led by psychic medium Sarah Potter. Educational programming included presentations from City By The Sea Vets on feline health, emergency care, and annual exams. Fans also participated in CatMan Bingo, a cat tattoo contest, and visited the pop-up Cat Café, creating a weekend full of connection, learning, and celebration.
Hosted by Catsbury Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Asbury Park, NJ, the Cat Convention directly supports the organization's mission: "helping to save the lives of cats and kittens in need through rescue, TNR, and education at the Jersey Shore and beyond." All proceeds benefited Catsbury Park and its rescue partners.
Catsbury Park was founded in July 2016 in Asbury Park, NJ, by Jersey Shore native DJ Bornschein as a foster-based rescue. DJ brought over 25 kittens into his home, got them vetted, spayed & neutered, and eventually adopted. That summer, DJ had the vision to expand Catsbury Park, open NJ's first cat cafe to help find homes for even more cats, and increase Catsbury Park's visibility. Inspired by his visit to Cat Town Rescue and the cat cafe in Oakland during his time in San Francisco, DJ brought this innovative idea to New Jersey. Catsbury Park's vision is a world where no cat or kitten has to go without a home or affordable access to spay and neuter. They invite the community to join them in their mission to save the lives of cats and kittens in need. Whether through adoption, volunteering, fostering, or donations, all support makes a difference.
