Judges look for 'purrrrfect' felines at national cat show

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Kristen Coughlar

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Karen Clarke with her Tonkinese cat Tanner.

Kristen Coughlar, Kingston EMC

Karen Clarke with her Tonkinese cat Tanner.

EMC Events - Cat lovers rejoice. Next weekend the Canadian Cat Association National Show will be in town at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.

One hundred and fifty cats representing anywhere from 20-25 different breeds will be competing at the show taking place Feb. 25-26.

Next weekend's show will represent the second of approximately 20 shows that will take place throughout the year under the umbrella of the Canadian Cat Association, which was established in 1960. The association's first cat show was held in Ottawa in 1961.

"Cat shows are fun because if you're a cat person that's where you're going to see the nicest cats, new breeds and so forth," said Louise Laliberté, president of the Canadian Cat Association.

The Kingston show will feature four categories of competition: Championship, Premiership, Kitten and Household.

Under the household category anyone, breeder or not, can enter a cat four months of age or older. The cat must be spayed or neutered, however, it must not be declawed. The cat will be judge on health, condition, colour or markings and temperament.

To enter one cat it is $70 for two days, (and) the cat is judged eight times. So for $35 (a day) you spend time with people who share the same interest as you," Laliberté said, noting that the show is very socially-oriented.

For those who lack the competitive spirit, there is still plenty to see and do, from watching the judging and finals to checking out some of the vendors on site.

"We did some surveys and people usually enjoy it for three or four hours," Laliberté said.

The cat show is also the perfect place for those interested in purchasing or adopting a cat, as 20-25 different breeds will be present during the competition, from the long-haired Himalayan to the hairless Sphynx.

Local breeder Karen Clarke will be entering one or two or her Tonkinese cats into the competition.

"The origins are Burmese and Siamese. They're playful, friendly, love to jump, they're very dog like," she said.

Upon retirement Clarke began breeding Tonkinese cats in 1997.

"I had a wonderful Applehead Siamese years and years ago...The Siamese have now changed. They're more elongated and aristocratic looking I think, so the closest I could come to the Applehead was the Tonkinese," she said.

Clarke began showing in 1998. She said she enjoys both the competitive and social aspect of the shows.

"Probably most of my best friends now are in the cat fancy in one way or another, and most of them are one's that have actually gotten cats from me."

She noted that the shows are equally fun for spectators.

"For the public coming, what they like the most...is that you get to see different breeds that you won't normally see." At least, that's what Clarke enjoyed about the shows prior to entering the competitive ring.

Breeders and cat lovers alike are excited for the upcoming show, as it marks the beginning of the season.

"I'm always excited. The day you're getting ready for the show mind you, you think why do I do all this work," she laughed.

For more information on the Canadian Cat Association National Show visit www.kingstoncatshow.com. There you will find show information, entry forms and an admission coupon.