We recently attended a cat show and were delighted by the strange sights. We saw breeds we never knew existed, interacted with the most obsessed cat people ever (who travel with shrines to their cats - shown below the jump), and browsed a selection of cat home accessories, toys and furniture. You can also adopt a cat. Shown is a new cat craze: feline agility! See more crazy cat show photos below the jump...
We're cat-obsessed too but don't (yet) have a shrine for out cats. Watching the judging was a fascinating experience. Cats are judged on criteria like their playfulness, and how they scratch poles and respond to petting.
If you want to attend a cat show, the Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. has a listing of upcoming shows around the world. If you go, please send us your "Best in Show" photo picks!
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Comments (19)
Looks like the agility cat has thumbs. I love polydactyls!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydactyl_cat
I really don't like the tone of this post. It seems unnecessarily mocking, and out of place on this site. It also strikes me as really immature. "The most obsessed cat people ever"? "who travel with shrines to their cats"? If those cat pictures were replaced with child pictures, would you have mocked those people for having a "shrine" to their children?
"See more crazy cat pictures"? If an AT writer is not going to a report on an event respectfully, and with an open mind, then I'd rather not see that even described on this site.
ok, i like pets and all, but i find the picture of the "shrine" to the cat creepy as hell.
it looks like the dollar store threw up all over that cat's cage...
none the less i don't really agree with dog shows and now cat shows and other things like that. Seems like people without really life talent and skill trying to live vicariously (is that the right word?) through their animals. Same idea with the 5 year old beauty queens with the moms who are way too in to it.
Showing dogs and cats actually does take skill, plus a lot of work. A good breeder will carefully plan a breeding to produce certain traits that they hope will better the breed. Sometimes it takes several generations to achieve this. Then the breeder works hard to ensure a safe delivery for mother and babies and take care of the kittens or puppies, make sure they're properly socialized, and in the case of puppies, show prospects need to be trained on how to act in the ring. Handling a dog at a show is often done by a professional handler, but sometimes the owner does it too. The purpose of shows is to determine that a dog or cat is an ideal representation of the breed before it is bred. That's how pure breds are created and breed standards maintained. I'm sure some people get too into it, and I can't completely endorse the practice, but breeding and showing are serious endeavors.
The shrines are just creepy though. I guess if it helps someone deal with their grief over losing a pet, there's nothing really wrong with it. Different strokes.
I'm sure the OP meant to say "sights" instead of "sites"... there IS a difference between the real world and the internet. And I must agree, the tone of this post was insulting to those of us who appreciate feline company.
so.. why was this posted?
did the internet run out of high-priced pillows or something?
i would just like to point out that as soon as i posted that comment and was returned to the main page, there was suddenly a post about pillows.
DO LUXURY GARDENING ACCESSORIES NEXT!
I love pets, but I come to this site because it is devoted to the home, not for posts of ephemera that are posted without any consideration to the topic of the blog. I realize that September is pet month, but I don't see how a cat show is related to having a pet in your home?
man, why are you guys being SO negative?? lighten up, people!
She used words like "delighted" and "fascinated" - sounded to me like she found it fun, interesting, and just plain old curious. I don't see insulting in any of that. This is one post in many. If you don't like the pet posts, just skip them. Geez.
I hate to jump on the negative bandwagon, but I think a post like this one should focus on the "selection of cat home accessories, toys and furniture" seen at this event [mentioned in the post but not pictured], rather than on showing the wackiness of this event or of the humans involved. This does fit the pet theme but doesn't have anything to do with the home, on any level whatsoever.
Not a terrible post but I don't get it and it's relationship with Apartment Therapy.
Oh man, there is a show about 20 minutes from my house is October... you better believe I'm going!
If we think this post is bad now, wait until it shows up again next week and the week after!
The original post has been edited, and the tone softened, since I made my original comment.
I love animals and especially cats; therefore, these shows scream animal abuse to me. Sorry, folks but I won't be there to witness it.
ecosmo, i'm with you. when they do this to kids i find it disgusting - a la jonbenet - and i do put kids and animals in the same category as "not something to be exploited...ever."
What's allegedly wrong with this post?! I find it neither irrelevant nor sarcastic! In fact the whole show thing sounds rather creepy... "judged by how they respond to petting"...
rina, in response to your question:
Yes I would.