Now Booking: Peggy Gavan, NYC's Leading Animal History Speaker

Book Peggy Gavan for your next event. The author of The Cat Men of Gotham presents on NYC animal history for libraries, museums, podcasts, and corporate events.

For years, audiences on our walking tours have asked the same question: "Can Peggy come speak at our library?" or "Does she do virtual events?"

The answer is now officially yes.

Peggy Gavan, author of The Cat Men of Gotham and creator of the Hatching Cat archive.

Peggy Gavan is the author of The Cat Men of Gotham: Tales of Feline Friendships in Old New York (Rutgers University Press) and The Bravest Pets of Gotham, a licensed New York City tour guide, and the creator of the Hatching Cat — a decade-long research project documenting the forgotten animal stories of old New York.

She has presented for the Center for Brooklyn History, the Greater Astoria Historical Society, the New York Adventure Club, the Seaport Museum, and dozens of libraries across the tri-state region.

Her research has been featured in The New York Times, The New York Post, Atlas Obscura, Untapped Cities, and on NY1.

Peggy offers a rotating roster of illustrated presentations, each drawing on original research from historic newspapers, city records, and archival collections:

- The Cat Men of Gotham — Tales of Feline Friendships in Old New York - The Seafaring Cats of Gotham — Tales of Nautical Felines of Old New York - The Dog Days of Gotham — Tales of Pampered Pooches in Old New York - True and Unusual Animal Tales of Old Brooklyn - Amazing Animal Tales of Old Queens - Christmastime Animal Tales of Jolly Old Gotham - The Bravest Pets of Gotham — Four-Legged Firefighters of Old New York - Femme Fatales and the Myth of the Crazy Cat Lady — Tales of Felines and Feminism in Old New York - Famous Feline Mascots of Old New York - The Eccentric Wendels and Their Million-Dollar Dog Yard on Fifth Avenue

Custom presentations are available based on your organization's needs, time limits, or specific borough or animal focus.

Peggy is available for:

- Virtual presentations via Zoom — available nationwide - In-person programs in the New York City metro area, including northern New Jersey and the Hudson Valley - Podcast and media interviews on NYC animal history, urban wildlife, and the research process

All presentations are designed for adult audiences and are kid-friendly.

Watch Peggy present True and Unusual Animal Tales of Old Brooklyn for the Center for Brooklyn History:

Watch the presentation on YouTube →

Book Peggy for Your Event

Ready to bring NYC's hidden animal history to your audience? We handle all booking coordination.

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