CATS, KITTENS, AND MORE CATS: The parking lot of the JMC ice Arena was jammed Saturday afternoon with row upon row of vehicles, many from out-of-state.
Inside the arena were cages full of cats, forty different breeds in all. Some were sleeping, being groomed by their owners, or simply eyeing up the hundreds of spectators who gathered for the competition sponsored by the local Cat Fanciers' Association for the top Cat awards in the Kitten, Championship, Premiership and Household Pet classes.
Judges, vendors, breeders, cat owners, and one professional pet photographer attended the 21st Annnual All-Breed Cat Show this weekend, with one thing in common -- their love for felines! The entrance fee was nominal, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Because You Care Inc. and the Erie Zoo.
CAT FANCIERS' ASSOCIATION judges independently ranked the competing cats in color and sex. Six winners' ribbons are required to earn the title of champion or Premier. Cats were also judged for Best in Breed or Division or Color or Sex. Top Cats were awarded ribbons which earn points for CFA Regional and National ranking and awards.
All the owners I approached were more than willing to pose with their animal or encourage it to perform for the camera. Photographers were asked to check with the cat's owner before using a flash or taking close-ups.
One of the judges puts a feline contestant through its paces.
The judge sets up the cat for evaluation.
The judge measures the length of a contestant's reach.
Visitors were asked not to touch the show cats without the permission of the owners. The licensed judges washed their hands with a disinfectant after handling each cat to avoid accidentally passing germs from one cat to another. All were willing to answer questions when they were not engaged in the handling and evaluating of cats.
The owner of "Blue Eyes" opened its cage so I could take a photograph.
Red-haired "Henry" receives a loving hug from its owner after winning a ribbon.
This owner chatted on the phone while offering lap time to a relaxed contestant.
Alas, our own low-maintenance pet Kitty the Cat was ineligible to enter the Household Pet Class because she had been declawed. She didn't take offense, but instead enjoyed a quiet afternoon home alone on her favorite knitted afghan, unlike the cat above, who watched from the window of the Winnebago in the parking lot of the JMC Arena for its people to return.
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