APRIL 5 WILL BE ALL ABOUT CATS AT PETERBOROUGH’S MORROW BUILDING

Source: The Peterborough Examiner (Extract)
Posted: March 12, 2020

Peterborough cat owners will have a chance to appreciate cats and kittens of all shapes and sizes at the Canadian Cat Association’s Championship and Household Pet Cat Show on April 5.

More than 125 cats and kittens will be competing for top awards, titles and points toward national and regional titles at the April 5 event at the Morrow Building.

Attendees will also get the opportunity to talk to breeders about specific breed of cats as well as find out information about feline nutrition, litter products, grooming and cat care.

Elaine Gleason, an international all-breed judge, said one of the bonuses of the show is for breeders to receive direction on what they’re doing.

“To know how well you’re doing with your breeding program, cat shows are a tool to do that because your cats are evaluated by trained judges,” Gleason said. “They’ll decide, among the exhibits, which cats are the best. It gives direction to breeders.”

Owners who place their cats in the competition strive to earn titles, Gleason said.

“The main objective for the cats, at the show, are to either obtain titles or add to their point count toward the end of the year.”

At the end of the year, the 15 cats with the most points will win awards at their annual banquet that will be happening in St. Catharines this year.

Gleason said her favourite part of the show is the hands-on experience she gets while judging the cats.

“I have the good fortune of being able to handle each cat being entered in the ring. I’m one of the people who get to decide who is the best,” she said.

“My favourite part is judging because it’s all hands on and you get to appreciate everyone who brought their cat, and their cats as well.”

Making friendships is a benefit of the shows, she said.

“The best part about exhibiting is developing friendships and friendly competition,” Gleason said. “Just enjoying your cats and hopefully your achievements.”

The event at the Morrow Building on Roger Neilson Way, next to the Memorial Centre, runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 5.

Admission for adults is $8, $5 for seniors and children under 12, $6 for students and $20 for families. Attendees can also get a discount coupon at the club’s site at catshow.ca

Gleason said she urges everyone to come out and enjoy this unique event.

“It’s not something you’re going to come across two or three times a year,” she said. “It’s unique, unusual and something interesting to visit and have fun.”