By the time the day was done, each cat competed in six different judging rings where they earned points that help them earn various levels of distinction, said Ginger Gunlock, show manager.
Jerry and Debbie Allgire traveled from Grand Rapids, in northwest Ohio with Siamese cats, Mia, an 8-year-old female and Beau Gest, an 11-month-old male.
Beau Gest is a rookie in competition, having completed his first show in November. Mia competed as a young cat, took years off as a house cat and now is back in the ring.
During a mid-day judging session, both cats sat in cages, waiting to be evaluated. Previously easygoing Beau Gest looked around nervously.
“I think they feel kind of naked in there,” Jerry Allgire said.
Another cat won that session, but the Allgires aren’t there just for the competition.
“I get to know people,” Debbie Allgire said. “Some people I remember from seven years ago.”
In addition to the judging rings, there are cat health products, cat carriers, beds and all sorts of other things to purchase. One vendor sold catnip in the shape of sushi.
The cat show also featured booths by rescue groups, giving information on adopting purebred and other cats.
Proceeds from the show go to cat welfare agencies, Gunlock said.
Like dog shows, the cats entered are purebred animals of accepted breeds, such as Norwegian Forest Cats, Tonkinese, Egyptian Mau, Ragdoll and Maine Coon Cats, which were the most represented at the show with 37 entered.
Also like dog shows, the cats lineage is listed and the competitors sport those fancy long names like, Sarako Snow White of Towlerroad and Bodyguard’s Stolichnaya.
But unlike dog shows, cat shows include animals who have been spayed or neutered due to the serious problem of cat overpopulation.
“We’re proactive about neutering,” Gunlock said.
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