The main difference between Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) cat shows and American Kennel Club (AKC) dog shows is philosophical. An AKC dog show is held to evaluate breeding stock. Males and females compete and are evaluated separately. Animals that are spayed or neutered cannot compete. One of the ways that AKC judges make their evaluations is through watching the dogs move, and that's why handlers lead the dogs around the ring.

The CFA, on the other hand, was formed as a way to appreciate all cats; in fact, the CFA's constitution calls for “enhancing the well-being” of all cats, whether purebred or not. The CFA even has a special category for neutered cats called premiership. Cats in a CFA show can compete if they've been spayed or neutered, or in the household pet division if they're not pedigreed animals. And, while cats are not led around the cat show ring, they can compete in Feline Agility—it's open to all cats entered in a show, whether they're purebred or not.

While both CFA and AKC recognize Champions and Grand Champions, the way these categories are determined is different. The AKC uses a point system to evaluate dogs against the standard for their breed. To become a champion, a dog competes against other dogs of its breed; only the best dog in the breed receives championship points, and it takes 15 points to become a champion and an additional 25 to become a grand champion.

In the CFA, Championships and Grand Championships are awarded based on ribbons instead of points. In a cat ring, there are no handlers, and the only person that touches the cats is the judge. The judge awards ribbons (red, white, and yellow) for first, second, and third-place cats of a particular color grouping. Sometimes the first-place cat in a color group is also given a winners ribbon, which is striped red, white, and blue. Collecting six of those winners ribbons makes your cat a Champion. If your cat is neutered, collecting six ribbons makes your cat a Premier, and if you're showing in the household pet division, your cat can take home a red-and-white Merit Award.

When all cats within a single color have been evaluated, judges award ribbons based on Best of Color, Best of Breed, and Best Champion (for cats that are entered for the Grand Champion title). Only the cat that receives the Best Champion ribbon qualifies for points toward its Grand Champion title. At the end of the show, rosette ribbons are awarded to cats, kittens, or premiers within a particular ring.

In the metro Detroit area, cat shows are sponsored by area clubs such as the Just Cat-In Around Cat Fanciers, the Anthony Wayne Cat Fanciers, and the Midwest Persian Tabby Fanciers. For more on the differences between cat shows and dog shows, click here.