Anyone who's lived in Richmond long enough knows that we are an animal-loving city, from precious household pets to scruffy alleyway friends and quintessential shop cats.

Just take note of the thousands of people who have leaped into action to pursue and petition the search for our community's missing "Lowes cat" — @wheresfrancine.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, starting at 11 a.m., RVA Cat Tour will give Richmond's cat-loving community a chance to connect, raise money for a local animal rescue, and spotlight the neighborhood cats that make our world go 'round.

We hope dearly that Francine will make her homecoming by then.

Some cats will make their grand debut outside the front door; others may say hello from the window. | Photo via Tiny Paws RVA

What is RVA Cat Tour?

To give you a brief origin story, RVA Cat Tour is the TikTok-inspired passion project of Richmonder Sara Kendle, who says she "fell down the rabbit hole of loving cats" after adopting two of her own in 2024.

Benefitting local animal rescue nonprofit, Tiny Paws RVA, the tour is a ticketed fundraiser event that leads participants through a guided Museum District stroll, celebrating the residential cats in charge.

Last year's tour routed the Fan. This year's tour will include two simultaneous groups, each routed through ~15 cat-sighting stops in the Museum District.

Last year, many tour stops featured posters with drawings, photos, and fun facts about their cats. | Photo via Tiny Paws RVA

All cats spotlighted on the tour were previously registered with names and addresses, allowing Kendle to create a map leading from one stop to another.

“It’s up to the owners’ discretion how much interaction their cat has," says Kendle. "They can take them outside. They can stand at the door or the window. They can be on a leash. If someone wants to put their cat in a backpack and join the tour, they can."slay

If you see a stray or a window-cat along the way, that's just a lucky bonus.

Here's a look at the haul of pet goods RVA Cat Tour collected last year. | Photo via Tiny Paws RVA

How do you get tickets?

Tickets will be released via an online sale on Wednesday, Oct. 8. Kendle will update this page with the link at 7 p.m. on the sale date. Tickets sold out within minutes last year, so be sure to set a reminder for the sale.

Reserving your spot is totally free, but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged on the day of the tour via online links, mobile money apps, and cash. All donations will benefit Tiny Paws RVA. You can also bring canned pet foods to help support the RVA Free Pet Pantry Project.

Will my neighborhood have a cat tour?

Kendle is hopeful to keep RVA Cat Tour an annual tradition. She has her sights set on a potential Church Hill tour next year — regarding her final decision, the cat's still in the bag.yessssss perfect pun placement