Georgia Magazine - September 2022 - 33

1. Rene Cardona holds Jesse, the winner of the household pets competition at
the 2011 Cotton States Cat Show.
2. Mimi on the Mantel, C.A. Folds' tortie-smoke Persian, is examined by a judge
at the 2017 Ocicat International Show in Oakwood.
3. John Grecco's black Persian cat Digit Luciano leaves
the ring with his winner's rosette at last year's Cotton
States show.
4. Sasha, a Siamese companion cat, doesn't seem
impressed by the rosette he won at the Cotton
States show.
5. Copperfi eld, Cyndi Lewis' white Persian, has grown
from a kitten, as shown here, to a grand premier
adult. Grand premier is the highest show status that
a neutered/spayed cat can achieve.
4
cats-just the range of sizes and the amount of
breeds [are] totally new to most people. "
5
Concern for cat welfare
What is a cat show?
The first cat show on record was held in London's Crystal Palace in
1871. And in 1895, New York's Madison Square Garden hosted the first
national cat show in the United States.
While many of the cats in these late-19th-century shows were from
purebred lines, a lack of breed standards often led them to be graded based
on judges' personal preferences.
In the early 1900s, organizations such as the CFA began to publish
breed registries and develop international standards for cat shows. Today,
the CFA licenses about 400 shows worldwide and has more than 600
member clubs, including Georgia's Cotton States Cat Club.
The CFA and its member clubs have developed an exhaustive list of
standards for 45 cat breeds. These include things such as coat and eye
colors, body proportions and the shapes of ears, noses and paw pads. The
more standards a competing cat fulfills, the better he or she will score in
the show ring.
What's in it for humans?
The cats may be oblivious to their pedigrees and awards, but their
owners gain more than just bragging rights. CSCC President Cyndi Lewis
of Acworth has been showing cats for more than 40 years and has helped
solidify the cat fanciers community in Georgia.
solidify the cat fanciers community in Georgia.
" Certainly, first and foremost, it's about the love of the cats and cat
welfare, " she says. " I have found that people who care about their cats to
this extent are generally the kind of people you want in your life. "
Club Vice President C.A. Folds, who specializes in Persian cats, agrees
that camaraderie and diversity are major draws to the cat-show community.
" It's such an interesting group of people, " Folds says. " We all have our
love for cats in common, but we come from just about every kind of background
you can imagine. "
In addition to building community, all cat shows function as an
educational opportunity-not just for breeders but also for spectators
simply interested in seeing something out-of-the-ordinary.
simply interested in seeing something out-of-the-ordinary.
" If you're coming to the show, you're going to see breeds of cats that
you didn't know existed, " Strople says. " You'll see cats with no hair, like the
Sphynx, or cats with a whole lot of hair, like Maine coons. Huge cats, little
Some animal-rights activists have voiced
concerns about cat and dog shows, with a common
issue being overbreeding. And while it's true that CFA
cat shows feature selectively bred cats, members and
breeders must adhere to strict guidelines regarding
litter sizes and how often they breed their cats.
" Responsible breeders do not randomly breed
their animals, " Folds says. " They love their cats, and
they're very conscientious about how often they
breed them. "
Folds notes that kittens that are not up to show
standards are always placed in loving and secure
homes. And in addition to their specialty cats, most
breeders also own rescue pets.
" This is not a business, " she says. " If anybody
thinks that you're gonna get into the business of
raising cats, then you've got a lot of disappointing days
coming. Because this is not a way to make money. "
In recent years, CFA cat shows have included a
household pet category, created so non-pedigreed
companion cats can compete for grand champion.
There are no breed standards, and the judging is more
open-ended, yet it's a growing part of the CFA circuit.
Another way the CSCC supports animal welfare
is by working with rescue and TNR (trap, neuter,
release) organizations. The CSCC show's expo
typically features more than 50 vendors, including
cat-food and toy manufacturers as well as shelters and
rescue groups. Nonprofit organizations are provided
with free booths and the chance to promote adoptions
and secure donations for their causes.
Cameron Whitlock is a Douglasville-based
freelance writer.
For more information
The 84th Annual Cotton States Cat Show, Nov. 5-6,
Gas South District, Duluth. cfa.org.
www.georgiamagazine.org 33
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Georgia Magazine - September 2022

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