Recently, the Brooklyn Cat Café hosted a Kittens for Kamala event that was “aww-inspiring” in every sense of the word. This anomaly of an event united the forces of both Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz supporters in a focus on the well-being of animals. The small, cozy café and its goal of placing cats into loving homes made for a haven where like-minded political enthusiasts and cat lovers could meet and mingle.
Not a casual meet-and-greet, the over 40 donors pulled in an impressive $10,000 for the Harris-Walz campaign. Light bites and discussion about political strategy continued through the relaxed and yet purposeful scene. A special appearance by the actor Paul Giamatti-the mix of pleasure and politics all for progressive causes with a cast of adorable kittens.
That wasn’t all that was behind “Kittens for Kamala”; the idea was to make the mechanisms of politics more accessible and appealing. Events like this show that politics can be about more than speeches and rallies. This hinged on one very simple, effective approach: combining something people love-kittens-with a cause they believe in. In this creative process, an offering has been made directly to the fan base of Harris-Walz by connecting political action with something positive and joyful.
One attendee explained how this event reflected the power of involvement at the community level: “It is not just about supporting the campaign; it is about feeling connected with others who care about the same things. And, of course, the kittens just make it that much better!
The Brooklyn Cat Cafe was the perfect setting for a great example of a creative fundraiser with its mission to minimize animal homelessness. The cafe digs into the inviting ambiance, allowing guests to mingle with adoptable cats while discussing their shared commitment to progressive causes. It was a delightful mix whereby philanthropy and feline love were mixed with politics and those who deeply cared about animal welfare into some form of community.
In fact, the event’s concept was partially inspired by JD Vance’s controversial remarks about “childless cat ladies,” a comment that many felt belittled women of passionate focus on their careers or, in this case, their love for animals. So, the “Kittens for Kamala” took that remark and flipped it into something positive. It became a rallying cry for those misrepresented and/or dismissed, combining activism with a warm and fuzzy environment.
It’s about creating a space where people feel heard,” said one of the event organizers, adding that the melding of politics and pets is a natural one. “Everybody here is passionate, not just about their political stance but caring for animals. When you mix those two things together, it’s something special.
The creative process for “Kittens for Kamala” developed with inspiration from J. Morrison, artist behind HOMOCATS, a project that combines feline art and political activism. Morrison’s artwork includes prints like “Kittens for Kamala,” among others, as a method to coalesce the community within politics through cat culture. This kind of artistic approach resonates deeply with many, and hence, this event is not only a fundraiser but also part of celebrating creativity and community spirits.
As the evening wore on, attendees shared personal stories about why they support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. The room at the end felt warm and companionable; a number said how it warmed them to come together for a good cause. One attendee said, “Everybody was on their game. It’s inspiring to see so many people passionate about trying to make a difference.”
