Instagram's most famous feline comes to Edmonton Cat Fest

Some would say the internet is made for cats, but in a realm where tabbies and toms reign supreme, there is one four-legged feline that stands out.

Nala the cat — a doe-eyed Siamese mix — is a veritable media darling.

Her adorable looks and impish antics have captured the hearts of people from around the world. She has nearly three million Instagram followers and another 2.3 million on her personal Facebook account. 

"She loves the attention," said Nala's owner Pookie Mephachittiphan during a Friday morning interview on CBC Radio's Edmonton AM program.

"I posted her photo back in 2012, actually just to share her photo with my family back in Thailand, and people just fell in love with her, just started following her." 

Managing Nala's public image is now a full-time job for her owner. 

"Yeah, she's my boss," said Mephachittiphan. 

Nala has toured around the world. Her latest stop is in Edmonton, where she's headlining the third annual International Cat Festival this weekend.

"Her big blue eyes and she wears bow-ties and other outfits, so that probably helps (with her fame). But it is crazy. I watch what they post, and in a second there are suddenly 20,000 likes and 500 comments," said festival founder — and self-proclaimed crazy cat lady — Linda Hoang.

"People all over the world are in love with Nala and we are lucky here in Edmonton that she's here to meet Edmontonians at the festival."  

The event which celebrates cats and the ladies and gentlemen who love them, is the only event of its kind in Canada.

The Saturday expo aims to leave cat lovers purring with more than 30 vendors, adoptable rescue cats and kittens, unusual and unique show cats, a cat cafe and even pop-up cat yoga.

"Each year, more cat lovers come together to celebrate these fantastic felines in our lives and most im-purr-tantly, we raise money to help cats in need," said Hoang in a statement. 

One hundred per cent of event proceeds will be donated to local animal rescue organizations. The event has raised more than $39,000 for local agencies since 2014.

The festival takes place on Saturday, May 28 at NAIT (11762 106nd Street).

You can find the schedule here.