Cat Fanciers show this weekend
A weekend event will showcase more than 100 felines and nearly two dozen breeds.
Hosted by the Platinum Coast Cat Fanciers and Miami Florida Cat Fanciers, the CFA Allbreed Cat Show will be held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Araba Temple in Fort Myers. In its 22nd year, the show will feature two days of competition, as well as exhibitors, raffles and more.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12, with a coupon available online.
“We have 136 (cats) entered,” Charlene Campbell, a show manager and member of the Platinum Coast Cat Fanciers, said. “I’m thinking we have at least 22 different breeds. We have 10 rescues coming.”
She noted that the club pays the fee for each rescue organization to enter one of their cats.
“They get to introduce their favorite kitty to the public,” Campbell said. “And it almost always get adopted before the end of the show.”
On Saturday, there will be four judging rings viewing groups of cats that have been separated into the categories of championship, premiership or fixed, kittens, and household – rescue or non-show.
The top 10 in each grouping will be ranked and recognized.
“We get four brand-new judges and it starts all over again,” she said of Sunday.
“They get four more chances to be the best cat,” Campbell added.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, there will be a costume contest and parade.
“It’s open for all of our entered cats,” she said. “The public get to vote on it.”
The first place winner will receive a gold-tone crystal cat watch, while the second and third place winners will get to go home with gift cards from Starbucks.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, students from Caloosa Middle School will pick this year’s “royal couple.”
“We’re going to have the crowning of the household pet king and queen,” Campbell said.
Both days, about a dozen vendors and exhibitors will be on site.
“There’ll be lots of pet vendors with supplies,” she said.
There will also be a book signing with Shawn Maureen McKelvie, author of “Bed 39.”
Attendees have a chance to win prizes daily between 2 and 3 p.m.
“We have a wide variety of things,” Campbell said.
Some items include wine baskets, pet supplies and food, and gift certificates.
Last year, approximately 900 people showed up each day.
“We’re hoping for a bigger turnout,” she said. “We would like to see about 1,000 people.”
The show serves as a fundraiser for the organization so it can help support the WINN Feline Foundation, Southwest Florida rescue agencies, the Cat Fancier breed rescue and more.
“Last year, we were able to raise about $1,200 after expenses,” Campbell said.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and parking is free.
“It’s great for grandparents and grandchildren. They have a lot of fun looking at the kitties,” she said. “It’s a fun family event.”
It also serves as a great resource for people with questions about a certain breed.
“It’s a great way for pet owners to get information,” Campbell said.
A Cape Coral resident, Campbell participated in shows for about 15 years.
“I was very blessed to have a lot of winning cats,” she said.
Her proudest accomplishment – Gucci winning best blue-cream in premiership at nationals.
“It’s a lot of work,” Campbell said. “You get bit by the little competition bug.”
Some enter one cat, while others enter three. Those picked must have an outgoing personality, like to travel and be fond of people. And then there is the nail trimming, bathing, blow drying and more.
“That gets your cat physically ready,” she said.
Upon getting to the competition, there are more hurdles to jump.
“They’re judged on their physical structure, and they have to meet a breeder standard in order to qualify,” Campbell said, noting that it is not uncommon for a cat not to meet the standards.
“The shows are very important to the exhibitor because this is how they gather their points throughout the year, so they come up with their national and regional winning cats,” she said.
For more information, visit online at: www.flcatshows.com or call (239) 810-3424.
The Araba Temple is at 2010 Hanson St. in Fort Myers.