Nearly 5,000 pounds of cat litter reaches Central Indiana foster homes following PurrCon at PopCon

In the weeks following PurrCon's return inside PopCon at the Indiana Convention Center, nearly 5,000 pounds of cat litter donated by Dr. Elsey's is being distributed to approximately 20 foster homes across Central Indiana through the Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership (ARPO).

The distribution addresses one of the more persistent supply challenges facing foster networks: consumable goods that disappear quickly and are rarely the focus of donation drives.

"For fosters, litter is one of those essential needs that disappears incredibly fast," said Marie Salemi of ARPO. "Food feels easier to justify because you can see the kittens enjoying it. But litter is something you constantly have to replace and literally throw away. Donations like this make a huge difference for foster families."

According to ARPO volunteers, the litter has been prioritized for homes caring for kittens in the four-to-six-week age range - a critical developmental window when young cats are first learning litter box habits.

See what 5000 pounds of litter and love look like!

The donation originated from Dr. Elsey's participation as a sponsor of PurrCon. The three-day event brought together cat rescue advocates, veterinarians, content creators and pet owners for programming that included educational sessions and Kitten Therapy experiences. Those Kitten Therapy sessions raised nearly $5,000 in support of rescue and foster care initiatives.

Receiving and storage logistics for the donation were coordinated by Smith Expo following the close of the event.

"This is more than just moving freight for a convention," said Mike Smith of Smith Expo. "The animals are benefiting, and it's wonderful seeing the community come together so quickly to pick everything up and get it where it's needed."

Dr. Elsey's, a Wyoming-based company specializing in cat health and litter products, cited alignment between the event's programming and its broader organizational mission.

"PurrCon's cat-focused event experience brought together an amazing community of cat lovers, rescue advocates, creators and pet parents, and Dr. Elsey's was proud to be part of it," said Aaron Westcott, CEO of Dr. Elsey's. "From kitten therapy sessions to educational experiences that empowered cat parents, PurrCon created meaningful opportunities to celebrate and support cats. Supporting events that connect adopters, advocates and the feline community aligns closely with our mission."

"My hope was always that PurrCon would be more than a gathering of people who love cats - that it would actually make a difference for them," said KJ McGlinn, founder of PurrCon. "Watching people in the Kitten Therapy sessions learn to read a kitten's mood, understand what they need. And, then seeing ARPO leave with supplies going directly to foster homes - that's exactly what this event was meant to be. None of it happens without partners like Dr. Elsey's, who came to PurrCon because the mission mattered to them."

The third annual PurrCon is planned for March 26-28, 2027 inside PopCon once again at the Indiana Convention Center.

See the behind the scenes of the litter pick up HERE.