Felines strut their stuff at Q-C cat show
Despite the “Siberian freeze” that has descended on the Quad-Cities, about 170 show cats and their humans are converging this weekend at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Moline for the annual Quad-City Cat Club Show.
At this weekend’s show, there are four categories: championship, premiership, kitten (4-8 months), and household pet. The difference between champion and premier contenders is that the latter have been spayed or neutered.
Eight judges will individually look at every cat registered for the show.
Ribbons can be earned for color class and best of breed or division.
Within the rows of fancy cages, visitors and breeders alike cooed over breeds such as the Somali, Japanese Bobtail and American Curl. Breeders came from many neighboring states and as far away as Tennessee, and are happy to explain their breeds to visitors.
Siberia may have sent the current cold temperatures, but it also brought forth a new, robust cat breed, shown here for the first time.
“The Siberian is new to the CFA (Cat Fancier’s Association),” said Shelly Finley of Oconomowoc, Wis., who said the breed was only recognized last spring.
“You get personality plus,” she said, holding Raja, a male kitten who promises to be quite large when fully grown.
Finley said that this affectionate long hair feline with round face and round eyes “comes in any color under the sun.”
She also brought from her cattery Heavnzsent a female kitten named Trinity.
Why breed cats? “There are only about 400 registered Burmese kittens worldwide each year — not as many as you’d think,” said Renee Weinberger of Waukegan, Ill. She and her husband J.D. Blythin brought their kitten Emily, also known as Sarmicel OMG! of Catizen. They explained to visitors that Emily is a champagne color, one of four recognized Burmese colors.
This was Alyse Moelter’s first show. She brought Deebows Bentley, a black smoke and white Persian, from their home in River Falls, Wis.
“It’s an amazing experience,” said Moelter. “There is so much variety here.”
Moelter is currently a college student but has recently registered her cattery, Arch of Faith Persians, for breeding.
The show is open to the public. “A lot of people like to come to see different breeds,” said Quad-City Cat Club secretary Gary Amundson. “You can also find products you can’t find in the normal course of shopping.”
Vendors at the weekend event are selling everything from large scratching trees to catnip toys that look like sushi. Bob Farber is seeing interest in his X-O Plus, a product that neutralizes animal odors, including skunk. “It’s natural and organic, and can be applied on everything,” said Farber, “including babies and animals.”
The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.
If you go
The Quad-City Cat Club is at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 6902 27th Street, Moline, with open hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission charge is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and children ages 11 and under, and $10 for families.