Meet Fernwood’s fluffy felines at the second ever kitty stroll
Photo by Leanne Gummersbach.
On Saturday, May 30, fans of felines will flood the Fernwood neighbourhood for the second annual Fernwood Cat Walk. The whimsical event made its debut in 2025, attracting crowds of cat-lovers to meet friendly pets along an organized route.
The cat walk started when three strangers connected through Facebook over news of Minneapolis’ Wedge LIVE! Cat Tour. Eager to start a similar celebration in Victoria, Jessica Girard, Alexandra Whitman, and Jeannine Chudzik met in the iconic Fernwood Inn to plan the quirky promenade.
United by a common vision centred on cats, community, and fun, the three began recruiting pet owners, additional volunteers, and business sponsors. The trio’s expectations remained tame — Director Jessica Girard recalled anticipating a turnout of 40 to 100. When the day finally arrived, organizers were shocked to find nearly 500 attendees gathered in Fernwood Square for the stroll.
Armed with printed maps and “cat-herder” signs, the small volunteer team directed traffic and led crowds through the route, pausing at participating homes where cats were spotted through windows and on porches. Occasionally, kitties absent from the route, affectionately coined “bonus cats,” attracted their own adoring crowds.
Though volunteers helped guide attendees, attendees were also welcome to meander to each “cat-stop” on their own, where they could find an information placard on the pets, complete with photos and fun facts like favourite toys.
Jeff and Eden Poynter, owners of 2025 star George Michael, spoke in an interview with the Martlet. Jeff said that back in 2016, “whenever anybody asked me what I wanted for Christmas, my only answer was a kitten.” That holiday season, Eden answered his wish, taking Jeff to the shelter to adopt a kitten of their own.
A saxophone player and UVic music graduate, Jeff had previously seen singer George Michael perform in Vancouver. When news broke that the pop star had unexpectedly passed away that same Christmas, the new kitten’s name was a no-brainer.
In the nine years since, the chatty tuxedo has taken after his namesake, meowing in tune with music and curling up for the occasional nap in an instrument case (his favourite being that of a double bass). In 2025, the Poynters caught wind of the very first Fernwood Cat Walk and were eager to sign up as a stop on the route.
After a photo shoot with the event photographer, George Michael made his debut in the spotlight, attracting a crowd of fans on the family’s porch. During this year’s walk, you can spot the Fernwood feline backed by a soundtrack of the British singer’s hits.
But it’s more than just music and furry friends that bring onlookers together. As Girard puts it, walking “gets you talking,” and since people get to meet not just cats, but their neighbours and fellow cat admirers, the event breaks down barriers in a way few can.
“You can’t help but make friends,” said Girard.
The inaugural walk has managed to forge lasting community bonds.
In a statement to the Martlet, 2025 attendee David Low described the walk as “an incredible experience” featuring “a huge enthusiastic crowd with a dedicated team of cat herders leading a virtual mob to the celebrity felines of Fernwood.” People mingled along the route, with some even bringing along their own cats.
That camaraderie extends to more than just attendees. The Fernwood Cat Walk has collaborated with several local businesses and organizations. As Girard said, “A rising tide raises all ships.”
This year, the walk has partnered with the Strawberry Ichigo Market and Fernwood Art Stroll, encouraging people to attend each event on May 30. The cat crew is also engaging in philanthropic efforts by partnering with the Victoria Humane Society to showcase a litter of month-old kittens up for adoption during this year’s walk.
The event has also expanded to include a vendor market in the Little Fernwood Gallery, sporting new cat-walk merch like t-shirts and totes. Thanks to the creative hub MakeSpace for Art Society, Girard said, people can also bring along shirts and bags for free screenprinting of the Fernwood Cat Walk logo, creating one-of-a-kind swag.
The upcoming Fernwood Cat Walk is expected to be more purr-fect than ever, with a growing route of cat stops and fun activities. On May 30, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m., stop by the Little Fernwood Gallery to pick up a map and visit the market, then set off to meet new fluffy friends!
