Cat lovers (including my niece and myself) and cats from all over the world were present at the Western PA Cat Fanciers' Association Cat (CFA) Show held at the Iceoplex at Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA.
The Canonsburg show, one of dozens held yearly by the CFA globally, awarded ribbons and titles to over 200 cats in Four main categories:
- Kittens- unaltered or altered, pedigreed kittens between the ages of four and eight months.
- Championship-unaltered pedigreed cats over the age of eight months.
- Premiership-altered pedigreed cats over the age of eight months.
- Household Pet*- not declawed, and if they are over eight(8) months of age they must be neutered or spayed.
The sub-categories for all categories but Household Pet are:
- Long Hair
- Short Hair
- Allbreed
*There is no standard for the Household Pet and all are judged regardless of coat length, breed or gender. They are judged instead for uniqueness and pleasant disposition.
Competing cats took up most of the hall and were nestled in cozy tents or sat quietly being groomed or fretted upon by spectators as they waited their turn to be judged.
Along with the competing cats were adoptable cats from various catteries across the U.S., vendors with cat toys and gifts, and several local pet organizations dedicated to animal rescue and rehabilitation.
The far wall was partitioned off into six stalls and manned by six judges. Each cat and category was judged six times. All six rings ran simultaneously. The Allbreeds are then further judged in the Top Ten Best in the final.
My niece Tori and I spoke to dozens of owners/handlers. Most were more than accommodating to our questions and picture taking. Many took their cats out of their tents so we could get a closer look.
Lynn, owner to four entries in the Household Pet category, including the winner in rings 5 and 6, Ziva, allowed us to pet the very docile 5yr old brown tabby Snookie, who has been competing since the age of 8 months.
Macho, a year old ginger tabby competing in the same category, was at his very first show, and his Mom had to zip him in her vest to calm him while they waited.
The Allbreed categories were quite fierce, with many Persians, Maine Coons, and Siamese in competition.
A personal favorite was Perry the Maine Coon whose white with brown tabby markings made his toe tufts and long hair that much more striking on his large frame.
Many other breeds were in attendance, though not in such great numbers.
Kiev, a 6 month old silver tabby American Short Hair just landed in the U.S. from his former home in the Ukraine the previous day.
There were two of the very rare Scottish Folds in competition, one being the petite white Rosie, who placed third in the Allbreed final by Judge Karen Lawrence for her sharply tucked ears.
The hairless cat, the Sphynx, was also available for spectators and they drew quite a crowd. The pair of unique felines came from Tennessee and were being groomed often. A bystander asked the handler if the cats would get more hair when they were older, and was quite perplexed when she told him that they were not going to get any.
It was a very busy day for CFA, the applicants and their handlers. Many awards were given and each cat went home with at least one for their effort.
I will post all of the days results as soon as they become available.
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