Friday, February 22, 2008

Carnival Time!

The Friday Ark is up at the Modulator. Loads and loads of critter goodness.

Also don't forget:

From the Daily Southtown

Cat lovers pack Oak Lawn Pavilion

February 21, 2008

Nearly 1,700 feline fanciers walked through the doors of the Oak Lawn Pavilion over the weekend to contemplate the kitties gathered for the Lincoln State Cat Club's 48th annual All Breed Cat Show.

More than 160 cats representing 21 breeds were entered in the show, which has been held at the pavilion the past three years running. Visitors got a look at long-tailed Maine coons, the nearly tailless Japanese Bobtail, the curly-coated Selkirk Rex and the big-eared Abyssinian, familiar from Egyptian art.

Hairless Sphynxs, wild-looking but thoroughly domesticated spotted Ocicats and ultra-fluffy Persians were among the most popular cats with the crowds.

Not every cat on hand was a purebred: one competition category is reserved for ordinary mixed-breed house cats, so long as they're neutered if over eight months old, have their claws and are "well-groomed, healthy and don't eat the judge," said Dayle Marsh, vice president of the club and a breeder of Russian Blues.

Veterinarians were present to answer questions. Breeders advertised their work from booths. A raffle and silent auction raised money.

"We're more than just a cat show," Marsh said. "Our bylaws basically state that we are to promote the purebred cat and to educate the public on proper cat care and welfare. Basically our cat show is a means of doing that."

Proceeds from past shows have helped to fund studies of feline respiratory diseases, asthma, heart ailments and, most recently, the mapping of the feline genome, according to Marsh.

Unlike in a dog show, there is no single best-in-show winner at cat shows like Lincoln's, which is licensed by the national Cat Fanciers' Association. Instead, each judge picks their own top kitty. A female Russian Blue and a chocolate-spotted Ocicat were among those that took a top prize.

And while canine shows feature a trot around the ring, less amenable felines are simply lifted from their cages and evaluated by a judge on a range of qualities, with points being allotted for everything from eye-shape to paw-pad color.

Marsh said one thing unites cat lovers. "We're all crazy," she laughed. "Not all the cats are in cages."

Nathaniel Zimmer can be reached at (708) 633-5994 or nzimmer@southtownstar.com.

Scenes from the Show - 2008

Lovely, lovely Tonkinese!

You don't find this eye color...

... in any other breed!

(Click on photos to embiggen.)
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P.S. -- Click here to help provide free food and care for rescued cats and dogs. Stop by daily. Every click counts!

(Via Grouchy Old Cripple.)

Monday, February 18, 2008

It's Coming!

Lincoln State Cat Club's 48th Annual Allbreed Cat Show takes place February 16th and 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Oak Lawn Pavilion. Click here for $1 off the regular $7 admission.

What'll you see at the cat show?

Judging!


Cat goodies for your home...

... for your cat...

... for gifts!

Feline agility trials.

Breed booths offering loads of information about...

... different breeds' personalities and grooming requirements.

More judging!

Join us, won't you?