SHOW-STOPPING FELINES
Pretty kitties all the rage during first day of show at Monroeville Convention Center
More than 200 cats preened and purred, working to capture the eyes of judges and the hearts of spectators at the Steel City Kitties show on Saturday at the Monroeville Convention Center.
As a Devon rex named Stevie waited impatiently for her turn on the judging table, she stretched her paw through the bars of the holding cage and batted the top of it until a piece of paper with her entry number fell to the ground. The crowd loved it.
Judge Kenny Currle of Fairfax, Va., also liked the little 6-pound cat, whose full name is Ready or Not Sweet Emotion.
At Cat Fanciers’ Association Inc. shows, judges keep up an informative patter, telling spectators about the 42 breeds and what they like about each cat.
Stevie “is a sweetheart to handle,” Mr. Currle said. “Devon rex sort of look like ET,” he said with a chuckle. As he held up a big rosette in front of her, Stevie batted at it.
“She really wants it,” the judge said, as he gave her the rosette, designating her “my fourth best cat of the day.”
Stevie’s owners/breeders are Kristin Nowell and Carolyn Jimenez of Wallingford, Pa. Stevie “loves to show” and loves to be the center of attention, Ms. Nowell said. Her personality is typical of Devon rex — friendly, playful and social. Though only a year old, she’s already a champion.
The color descriptions of show cats are often rather complicated to the uninitiated. Stevie, for instance, is “silver patched mackerel tabby with white,” her breeders said.
Occasionally the color descriptions are more straightforward.
Judge Currle, whose patter was witty as well as informative, held up a big fluffy cat and elicited chuckles when he solemnly intoned, “We call this color ... black.”
On Sunday, 194 cats and six judges will be back at the Monroeville Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a second day of showing. Admission is $8 adults, $7 seniors and $6 for children ages 6 and over. Younger kids get in for free.
Most of the cats are purebreds, but no pedigrees are needed in the household cats competition.
Skye Runzel, 14, traveled from Columbus, Ohio, with her family and four pets “three of them rescues,” she said. The fourth, the blue-grey colored Woody, walked
into the family’s garage one day. They walked the neighborhood looking for his owner, and when no one stepped up, they kept him.
About 2,500 to 3,000 spectators attend each day, show officials said. Spectators especially enjoy the areas where cats rest between being judged. People often pose for selfies with cats and kittens.
Maine coon cats Tyler and Meggie and kitten Elmo were especially popular with spectators. Their owner/ breeder Alice Schepp of South Fayette, president of Steel City Kitties, often lets people pet her cats.
Meggie was having a better-than-expected show day, earning her champion title. Her official name, Kramden Coon Markle Sparkle is a nod to the fact that she was born May 19, the day American actress Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in England.
Nearly 30 vendors were selling cat toys and products, including many items not found in big box pet stores.
The $7 Flying Bunny Bird sold out quickly at the tables of Karraway Toys. Most of the cat toys are handmade, including Old Fur Coat Mice for $3. The vendor from Dry Ridge, Ky., who did not want to give his name, said he and his wife buy old mink coats at auctions and resale stores. They cut the coats into little squares and attach a skinny leather tail to produce a toy that is irresistible to most cats, he said.