Helping Paws & MysTICATS Cat Show

Helping Paws and MysTICATS Cat Club brought cat lovers together for a cat show September 22 and 23. Endorsed by the International Cat Association, Inc., the show brought exhibitors from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio and all over New England showing more then 200 cats.
Some of the uncommon breeds included Munchkin, Savannah, Ragdoll and Abyssinian. Though judging categories were not limited to the pure breeds. The TICA-affiliated judges, who came as far away as from Washington state, judged household cat and kitten categories as well. Regular categories included "Cats" – purebred, registered cats that have not been spayed or neutered and are over 8 months of age. And "Alters" – purebred, registered cats that have been spayed or neutered and are over 8 months of age. All cats are assigned a number and kept in their home cages until called. Throughout the day each cat is judged by each judge.
The judges inspect their health and presentation. They must be clean, well groomed, in good health and in excellent physical condition. The cat is then judged based on the written standard for its breed. The standard explains its ideal physical proportions, coat lengths, color, head shape, etc.
Preliminary awards are given in comparison to its peers as well as Best, Second Best and Third Best of that breed and then the cats are returned to their home cages. Final awards are given after all cats have been judged.
The show also featured vendors with cat related products and gifts, a raffle, and the CT Humane Society Mobile Adoption Unit, who offered many cats for adoption.
Helping Paws, a nonprofit rescue group, helped organize the show. They are dedicated to saving neglected and abandoned cats. Their members find foster and forever homes for their rescued cats. A unique aspect of the group is that they also work with low-income families, getting them vouchers to assist in the cost of keeping their cats. They also have a special program that brings senior citizens and mature cats together.
The cat show is an excellent way for Helping Paws to educate the public about their group, while also a great fundraiser for their cause. This is the second year that the show took place in Norwich and plans are already undergoing next year’s event.
For more information on Helping Paws call 860-267-0496 or visit www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/. For more information about the International Cat Association and MysTICATS Cat Club visit www.tica.org and www.twocatsweb.com/mysticats/