# Convention-Exclusive Hobby Shops Real-Life Cats and Cat Lovers Inspired Friskies' Cat-lectibles By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-08-20 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cat-lectibles References: [newscenter.purina](https://newscenter.purina.com/2026-08-19-Friskies-Debuts-Cat-lectibles) & [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/friskies-debuts-cat-lectibles-a-hobby-shop-built-for-the-cat-obsessed-302855485.html)  Friskies' Cat-lectibles is a convention-exclusive hobby shop featuring collectibles inspired by real-life cats and the comic fans who love them. Cat-lectibles debuts at Anime NYC in August, followed by stops at Rose City Comic Con, and FanX in September. This extension of the Certified Frisky campaign is a celebration of [feline fandom](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mofusand), spotlighting cat-loving creators and Friskies World stories and stamped with the Certified Frisky seal of approval. At the Cat-lectibles Trading Card Station, attendees can upload a photo of their cat and create a free [custom trading card](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diecast-collectibles) and take home a [collectible blind box](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gacha-catch) filled with Friskies samples. As part of the experience for the feline-obsessed, one lucky winner will get a custom Cat-lectibles collection featuring their cat, complete with a 3D-printed figurine, a hand-illustrated poster, and a retro tin lunchbox. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.3/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 92% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Interactive](https://www.trendhunter.com/interactive) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Pet Fandom Collectibles:** Brand-owned collectibles tied to real pets blend fan culture with personalization, creating new value around emotional identity and limited-edition merchandise. - **Convention-exclusive Retail:** Pop-up hobby shops at fan conventions turn experiential marketing into a scarcity-driven channel for sampling, engagement, and community building. - **Custom Pet Merchandise:** Photo-based trading cards, figurines, and illustrated keepsakes signal growing demand for personalized products that transform pets into collectible characters. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Pet Food:** Pet food brands can expand beyond functional nutrition by using entertainment-led experiences to deepen loyalty and make product discovery more memorable. - **Fan Conventions:** Comic and anime events are becoming fertile spaces for non-endemic brands to connect with niche audiences through immersive, fandom-native activations. - **Collectibles:** The collectibles market is being reshaped by user-generated personalization, where everyday consumers and their pets become the source material for limited-run goods. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Playful Coffee Merch Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-x-mofusand.md) - [Cat Fur Candy Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/necoichi-delicious-cat-fur.md) - [Immersive Cat Lover Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whiskas-purradise.md) - [Sculptural Cat Scratchers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/purr-and-play.md) - [Anime Collectible Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-anime-collectibles.md) - [Goal-Matched Cat Food Giveaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frisky-on-the-field.md) - [Screen-Free Toy Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luki-lab.md) - [Book Series-Inspired Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warrior-cats.md) - [Cat-Like Attitude Certifications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/certified-frisky.md)