The Cat Fanciers’ Association premieres its 18th Annual International Cat Show on November 18-20 at the San Mateo County Expo Center Event showcases the world’s finest pedigreed felines with judging of more than 800 cats representing 41 breeds (San Francisco, CA) ” September 6, 2005 ” Marking its first appearance in the San Francisco Bay Area, the 18th annual Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) International Cat Show takes place on November 18-20, 2005, at the San Mateo County Expo Center. The three-day event showcases more than 800 felines representing 41 breeds. The CFA International Cat Show is the largest pedigreed cat show in the Western Hemisphere and features competitors from around the world vying for “Best in Show.”
“The Cat Fanciers’ Association International Cat Show brings out the finest examples of each breed,” said Allene Tartaglia, assistant show manager and CFA public relations director. “Year after year, we see hundreds of top cats compete for the coveted ‘Best in Show’ title and spectators come from far and wide to attend this prestigious event. Whether viewing, competing, shopping or eating, there’s something for everyone at this feline-friendly event.”
The show features 12 judging rings where judges evaluate the feline contestants in Kitten, Championship and Premiership categories. The judges award the top honor, the “Best in Show” award, on Sunday afternoon—the last day of the show. Also presented are the top five highest-scoring longhair and shorthair kittens; longhair and shorthair cats in the Championship category; and longhair and shorthair cats in the Premiership category. The event attracts cat fanciers from the United States and around the world including Europe and Japan.
A feline agility course showcases cats’ athletic prowess during the weekend’s competition. Not part of the judging, but a crowd favorite, the course contains several obstacles for non-show cats to run as they compete against other cats and the clock.
In addition to the judging, which takes place throughout the three days of the show, the CFA International Cat Show features more than 50 vendors with items ranging from cat supplies and premium cat food to jewelry, giftware and artwork, as well as cat exhibitors with information about each specific breed of cat represented at the show. Artists exhibiting at the show include award-winning, Sonoma County, California-based Jamie Schaffran Perry, whose colored pencil cat drawings enchant cat lovers and collectors with their wit and whimsy; another Sonoma County based-artist, Claudia Sanchez, whose vibrant watercolors capture the personality of felines belonging to her family, friends and people she has met since she began painting cats in 1994; and internationally-renowned artist, designer and author Laurel Burch based in Novato, California, who creates boldly colorful jewelry, paintings, prints, clothing and accessories inspired by her appreciation of the earth and desire to promote happiness through her art. Jamie Schaffran Perry was chosen to design the cover for the 2005 edition of CFA’s annual yearbook, the first artist ever to be featured on this publication. More information on Jamie Schaffran Perry, Claudia Sanchez and Laurel Burch can be found at www.jsperry.com, www.claudiasanchez.com and www.laurelburch.com.
Hours for The International Cat Show are:
Friday, November 18, 2005 10:00 a.m. ” 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 19, 2005 9:00 a.m. ” 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 20, 2005 9:30 a.m. ” 4:00 p.m.
The San Mateo County Expo Center is located at 2495 S. Delaware Street in San Mateo, CA, just off the Delaware Street exit of Highway 92.
Admission for one day is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors (62+) and children (6-12); children under six are free.
Sponsors for the event include The IAMS Company, Royal Canin, World’s Best Cat Litter, Cats Rule Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cats, Pet Ecology and Bowtie Publications. Proceeds from the International Cat Show are donated to the Winn Feline Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the support of health-related studies benefiting the health and well-being of all cats. Projects funded by The Winn Feline Foundation have provided much of the information that is used every day in all aspects of feline veterinary medicine.
In support of the Bay Area community, CFA will grant free booth space to local humane societies for the show. CFA also partners with local organizations to provide animal adoption opportunities at the event.
Previous CFA International Cat Shows have been held in Houston, TX. Kansas City, KS; St. Louis, MO; Ft Worth TX; Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; and Anaheim, CA. The 2004 CFA International Cat Show “Best in Show” winner was Grand Champion Budmar’s Beyonce of Inthewind, a Dilute Calico Persian female cat owned by Maurice Ruble, Jr., and Linda Fisher of Parkville, MO.
Information about the International Cat Show can be found at http://www.cfa.org/intl-show/.
About the Cat Fanciers’ Association
The Cat Fanciers’ Association is the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats with more than two million registered throughout the world. Founded in
1906 as a non-profit association of member clubs, the CFA is compromised of more than 650 clubs in North and South America, Europe and Asia. The association’s mission is to preserve and promote the pedigreed breeds of cats and to enhance the well being of ALL cats. For more information, visit http://www.cfa.org/.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Hi-res images of the CFA International Cat Show and cats are available. For photos, interviews or to media admission to attend the event,
contact Kevin Lewis at 415-561-0888, x2318 or Kevin@landispr.com.