CAT SHOW Feline fanatics gather

More than 30 breeds are represented at the event.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
NILES -- There are big cats and little cats, black cats and white cats and every color and size in between.
The annual show of the Cat Fancier's Association Great Lakes Region started Saturday and continues today at the Eastwood Expo Center.
More than 30 breeds are represented at the show that attracted everyone from the everyday cat lover to the hard-core cat breeder.
"I've never seen many of these breeds before, and it makes me want to go out and buy more cats," said Marcy Chizmar of Champion, the owner of four cats she found as strays.
Chizmar and her friend, Kathy Ulrich, also of Champion, were checking out the judging and the different breeds Saturday when they decided they like the Maine coon cats best because of their large size -- some are more than 20 pounds.
Barbara Gibbs of Cortland has been breeding Maine coons for about seven years and Egyptian Maus for about 20 years.
Gibbs, who works at a veterinarian's office, said breeding and showing cats is something she truly enjoys even though it is a great deal of work.
"It's wash and brush and brush and brush," she said as she was preparing Summermagic Whiskey, a one-year-old Maine coon for judging.
Competition details
The "show ring" consists of a series of cages where cats are pulled out individually by judges who check to see which ones best represent their breed standards.
A fluffy toy to attract each cat's attention and a spray bottle of water to clean off the table between each cat are the main tools for judges including Loretta Baugh of Rochester, Mich. Baugh is regional director of the Great Lakes Region of the association and co-director of the Niles show.
She said the average cat lover will enjoy the show because it's a chance for people to become aware of the hobby of cat breeding and showing.
Breeders attending the show came from as far north as Canada and as far west as Wisconsin, said Ron Pastor of Latrobe, Pa., Baugh's show co-director.
The competition is much like other animal shows with cats competing in divisions.
One large difference from other competitions is that the cats can be spayed and neutered and still compete, he said.
"It's nice for the person who doesn't want to be a breeder but still wants to compete," he said.
The Cat Fancier's show will continue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Tickets are available at the door and cost $6 for adults, $5 for children and free for those 5 and younger.
cioffi@vindy.com