Stillwater to host The International Cat Association cat show Feb. 10-11
Feb. 5—Stillwater will host The International Cat Association Cat Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Payne County Expo Center.
Nearly 60 breeds will be present for cat lovers of all ages, and 150 entries are expected, said Marty Young, co-chair and entry clerk for the event.
Ticket prices for the event are $9 for adults; $6 for children 12 years and younger; $8 for students, seniors and veterans (must show an identification card); and $30 for a family of four (two adults and two children).
Tickets may be purchased at the door or at oklahomacatshows.ticketleap.com/feb2024/.
Vendors will be on site — both cat related and non-cat related, at least one food truck will be available and there will also be a raffle.
A Cat Costume Contest will be held noon Sunday, which Young said can be enjoyable for guests.
"It's a way to get people to relax and laugh and have fun, because people get pretty competitive sometimes (at the show)," Young said.
Tiny Paws Kitten Rescue will also be on site with kittens available for adoption. A portion of the show's profits will be donated to Tiny Paws.
"When you realize what their mission is, it just breaks your heart," Young said. "... If you've ever dealt with newborn puppies or newborn kittens, you know how helpless and vulnerable they are."
Young said she was impressed with all she knew about Tiny Paws.
"We've been looking for a rescue (shelter) of some kind to support, because that's part of our mission not only to (work with) pedigreed cats, but (also rescue cats)," Young said.
Young started working with rescue cats 25 years ago. Since then, she has competed in cat shows, been involved in breeding cats and managed cat shows.
"It's an addiction," she said.
The International Cat Association is one of the biggest registries of cats. Stillwater has hosted the show for about five years, Young said.
The list at the Cat Show includes breeds such as Bengal, Savannah, Main Coon and Ragdoll, in addition to hairless and curly-haired breeds, such as the Sphynx, Devon Rex and Cornish Rex.
Competitors come from at least eight states, competing in categories such as Championship Kitten (four months to eight months) and Championship Adult (eight months and up), Household Pets (kitten), Household Pets (adult, neutered/spayed) and Alter Cats (neutered/spayed).
"The Household Pet class is where you get all sorts of different kitties that compete against each other, and in those classes, it's not really about a specific type," said Charles Nell, co-chair and treasurer for the Cat Show.
He said the Household Pet class is judged on temperament, coat upkeep and playfulness.
"There's people that go all over the country just with their household pets," Nell said. "It's a big thing, too."
Nell said there will also be new breeds shown — preliminary and advanced — as well as pedigreed and non-pedigreed cats.
"(There) will be a little bit of fun for everybody," Nell said.
The Cat Show will also host a Junior Exhibiting Program in a separate ring, where contestants can meet with judges — which Young said has been successful.
"We'd love it for everybody to come on out and see us," Young said.
For more information, contact Young at 405-213-5612 or email cattrekker@gmail.com.
