Felines fancy 'Best in Show' title

Author: Kelly Janis

Cat lovers pounced on a purr-fect opportunity to bond with some of the finest of the fuzzy creatures in question at the 11th Annual Vermont Fancy Felines Cat Show, held Jan. 5 and 6 at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington. The show - which each year attracts animals and owners from across the United States and, in some cases, the world - is one of several similar to it organized by the Cat Fanciers' Association, "dedicated to the preservation of the pedigreed cat, and to enhancing the well-being of all cats."

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At the Sheraton this weekend, visitors milled around energetically, proudly displaying the blue paw print stamped on their hand to signal admission as they mingled with row after row of 30 distinct feline breeds. Some of the crates in which the cats rested as they awaited their turn with the judges were plastered with ribbons boasting of such accolades as "7th Best in Premiership" and signs announcing "Kittens for Sale!", while others sounded such grave warnings as "do not touch - your kind affection may spread infection!"

Meanwhile, vendors were on hand to furnish cat lovers with their every need, no matter how obscure - from a woman wearing black clothing and a sober expression, standing at a table of pet tombstones and speaking in hushed tones to a sparse selection of passers-by about "your cat's final arrangements," to purveyors of the more ordinary combs, brushes, litter, catnip, books, furniture and obligatory "I love my cat" bumper stickers.

In addition to the show, Vermont Fancy Felines held a Saturday night auction of homemade Vermont crafts to benefit the Humane Society of Chittenden County.

At the heart of the weekend for many, however, was the accumulation of the ribbons necessary to attain - or maintain - "champion" status in subsequent shows.

According to Brian Moser, who traveled from Oregon to serve as a judge, each breed of cat is rated on the basis of unique criteria, though factors such as structure, color and eye and ear shape are typically paramount.

The top 10 cats in a given category then converge to be presented to the audience, in commentary about each competitor's "sleek coat" and "long body," interspersed with spontaneous, cooing side conversations with the animal under scrutiny: "you're doing so well for your first show!" to the kitten whose proud owner announced that she was a newcomer to the scene, and "you sure like to talk, don't you?" to the silver long-hair cat who would not stop meowing into the presenter's microphone during the Parade of Breeds.

Win or lose, cat owners reap valuable benefits from such shows.

"It's a great thing for anybody to get into," said Susan Bowers, who had been showing cats for the past eight years. "It's a lot of fun. It's an expensive hobby, but it's worth it for the love of the cats."

"This little Siamese is the pearl of my life," said Elaine VanAvery as she peered into the crate in front of her. She described her pastime as a welcome diversion from the daily grind. "You forget all of problems you have during the week in your real world, in your job. And it's nice chatting with people who share a common interest."

But do matters ever turn, ahem, catty?

"There's a higher level of competition than people want to openly admit," VanAvery said. "We have a competitive instinct. It's there."

When asked whether a spirit of camaraderie or competition prevails, Moser was quick to concur. "It's a great community, and they have their social events," he said. "But there isn't a person here who doesn't want to become a champion."