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The aCATemy Awards

Acatemy Awards - cat wearing 3D glasses

It's time to celebrate all things cats! Is your cat a massive drama queen? Are they implicated in an intricate revenge plot against the family dog for no apparent reason? Have they convinced your parents that you don't feed them ever? Well now's the time to submit those cat videos we know you've been hoarding! Follow the instructions below for how to submit your cat video for judging and your cat might just win an aCATemy Award! Even if you don't have a video to submit, you can still enjoy some cat-related events throughout the month of April!

 

aCATemy Awards Ceremony

Monday, May 8, 2023 | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Central Library, Neil Morgan Auditorium (1st Floor) | Register Here

Schedule of events

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Cat Information Panel and Symposium. Visit our community cat partner's tables and learn from our panel speakers.

6:30 - 8:00 p.m. - aCATemy Awards presented by the San Diego Public Library and various Community Partners.


Meet Our Judges

 

Cat with glasses in picture frame

Judge #1: Blue


Blue is very friendly to strangers and is very energetic.

Cat tilting head

Judge #2: Ike


Ike enjoys judging people, but is interested in using his discerning taste to critique cat videos. He likes treats, and not his brother, Phil.

Cat in hobbit costume

Judge #3: Hamish


Hamish's favorite meal of the day is second breakfast.

Cat laying down

Judge #4: Ari


Ari doesn't like her belly rubbed, but she likes to bite hands.

Cat in pot

Judge #5: Flury


Flury is a living plant.

 

Even More Cats (Honorable Mentions)

If you are looking for more cute and fun images of cats, here is just a handful sent in by our SDPL staff.


Cat Calendar

Inspired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Diego Public Library staff dared to dream about what library life would look like with cats...We dreamed SO BIG, in fact, that we had to break some of the usual calendar rules and created a 14-month calendar that begins in May 2023 and ends in June 2024.


Programs

Dr. Curry with lions in background

 

Lions at the Library: Dr. CJ’s Not So Sci-Fi Tale about Lion Genetics

Monday, April 10, 2023 | 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Central Library, Virtual Travel Center (5th Floor) | Register Here

Join us to hear scientist Dr. Caitlin Curry tell her not-so-sci-fi tale about her research into the genetics of lions across space and time. This engaging lecture on genetics and conservation will be followed by a Q & A period where you can learn even more about these majestic felines.

Cat with reading classes on top of an open book

 

Wacky Weekend: aCATemy Award Edition

Saturday, April 15, 2023 | 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Central Library, Denny Sanford Children's Library (1st Floor) | Learn More

Get your weekend started with a special cat themed storytime in honor San Diego Public Library's aCATemy Awards!  Enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and a craft to celebrate cats and early literacy!

Cat wearing sunglassesKane's K9s logo

 

Cool Cat Club

Thursday, April 27, 2023 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Ocean Beach Library | Learn More

Hey all you cool cats and kittens! Spend your purrsday afternoon at the Ocean Beach library hanging out with adoptable kittens that were rescued by Kane's K9s and Animal Rescue. They can't wait to meet you! Take this opportunity to learn about cats and cat care and do a cat-themed craft or activity.

Illustrated cat playing with hand crafted cat toys

 

Make It! Cat Toys

Friday, April 28, 2023 | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Central Library, IDEA Lab (4th Floor) | Register Here

Create fun for your favorite pet with recycled cardboard, felt, yarn, and more! Materials will be provided. All ages welcome. 

Black and white cat stuffed animal

 

aCATemy Awards Stuffed Cat Show

Saturday, May 6, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Central Library, Denny Sanford Children's Library (1st Floor) | Learn More

In celebration of San Diego Public Library's aCATemy Awards, join Denny Sanford Children's Library for a special stuffed cat show! 

Bring your stuffed cat, or other favorite stuffie, to compete for a number of tiles! Show off your cat's puuurfect style with fun costumes and let them strut their stuff on our "catwalk", or show off their agility and coordination in our obstacle course. The day is sure to be the cat's meow!


PURRfect Reads


Community Cat Partners

Purrs and Whiskers Logo

The Cat Lounge LogoLove on a Leash LogoSan Diego Humane Society logo

Helen Woodward Animal Center logoSan Diego Cat Fanciers logoSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance logo


For more information or questions about the aCATemy Awards, contact Pauline at pbronstein@sandiego.gov.