Cats on Mats Yoga Fundraiser

How It Started

The concept for Cats on Mats grew from a simple idea: pair calming yoga with the natural joy of kittens. The result was an event that exceeded all expectations, bringing together approximately 30 participants of all ages for a class unlike any other—where 11 adoptable kittens served as the most delightful assistants anyone could imagine.

Why Kitten Yoga Works

Our instructor Colin Murphy, who led the inaugural class, described the experience as transformative in ways he never anticipated. As NJ.com reported, he burst into laughter barely a minute in as the kittens began their own version of practice—crawling over participants, weaving through legs, and climbing onto backs with fearless curiosity. The mood was playful yet grounding: a reminder that presence can be lighthearted.

The kittens, eight to twelve weeks old, were rescued by Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S., healthy, vaccinated, and ready for adoption. Their presence created an atmosphere of delight and spontaneous laughter that reminded everyone of yoga’s deeper purpose: to connect us with joy, presence, and the simple pleasure of being alive in our bodies.

What made this fundraiser special was how the kittens naturally embodied qualities yoga seeks to cultivate: being fully present, exploring new experiences, finding rest with ease, and playing without self-consciousness—living demonstrations of mindfulness in motion.

Class Highlights & Quotes

The sequence was adapted to our feline guests, with no downward-facing dog (for obvious reasons) and plenty of floor-based postures that allowed for maximum kitten interaction. Participants practiced around sleeping kittens, gently moved tiny paws off mats, and discovered that their presence actually made it easier to stay present and enjoy the moment.

Laura Narcum of Exton, Pennsylvania, embodied the event’s spirit when two kittens napped on her mat early in class. Rather than disturb them, she worked around them, smiling as she navigated poses while serving as a very patient human cat bed.

Safety & Welfare Protocols

Because the kittens’ well-being came first, we coordinated with Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S. to ensure all animals were healthy, vaccinated, and comfortable with gentle handling. Mats were spaced to give kittens safe “runways,” and instructors briefed participants on respectful interaction, hand hygiene, and how to move slowly when a kitten chose their mat as a nap spot. A volunteer from the rescue team stayed on site to monitor stress cues and offer quick breaks for the kittens as needed.

Adoption Outcomes & Community Impact

All proceeds supported Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S. in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray and abandoned cats throughout Cape May County. Each year, this dedicated organization helps save hundreds of feline lives with medical care, spay/neuter services, foster placement, and adoption.

What began as one class became a tradition, with new kittens, new participants, and new stories of connection. The event regularly sold out, drawing yoga practitioners from South Jersey and beyond looking for a playful, animal-assisted wellness experience. Many attendees stayed connected with the rescue afterward—donating supplies, fostering, or adopting.

Research supports the benefits of animal-assisted activities: reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and increased feelings of happiness and well-being. Combined with yoga’s mental and physical benefits, the experience addressed multiple facets of health for participants while giving rescued kittens much-needed socialization.

Media Coverage & Awareness

Our Cats on Mats event was proudly featured by NJ.com and Cat Country 107.3, highlighting our commitment to community wellness and animal rescue as golden buddha yoga. This coverage helped raise awareness for both the therapeutic side of yoga and the ongoing need for animal rescue support, bringing new visitors to our studio and new supporters to Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S.

Seasonal Timing

We scheduled Cats on Mats to align with peak kitten season, when rescues are overwhelmed with young cats needing homes. By hosting events when demand for foster and adoption is highest, the fundraiser maximized impact—both financially and in real adoption outcomes.

Photos

Learn More & Support

Want to support the rescue that inspired this event? Visit Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S. or browse adoptable cats on their Petfinder page. For our current community initiatives, explore our About page, our support for sexual violence survivors, and our environmental initiatives.

Explore Our Community Wellness

Cats on Mats reflects our commitment to community-driven wellness. Learn how we continue this mission with our guide on Sustainable Yoga Practices in Ocean City, offering ways to practice yoga mindfully and support local initiatives.