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SAN JOSE — These cats aren’t kitten around.
More than 140 cats participated in the 35th Annual “Tails and No Tales” Cat Show, hosted by a local club of the same name, at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.
Cats of a variety of breeds, from fluffy Persians to the petite, large-eared Cornish Rex, were examined by a panel of judges throughout the weekend. For each cat they beat out, contestants received a point toward a score that accumulates throughout their career.
The show is part of a network of shows held across the country by affiliates of the Cat Fanciers’ Association.
Constance Stamas only started showing cats one year ago but has long been an enthusiast of Cornish Rex cats, a breed originating from Cornwall, England with an egg-shaped head and a short, curly coat that falls in ripples across their lean bodies.
At home, Merlin, her 10-month-old Cornish Rex, is talkative and has a talent for perching precariously on top of lamps. In the ring, he’s “still a bit unsure of himself,” said Stamas, who has owned four Cornish Rex cats despite a mild cat allergy.
“It’s really a lot of fun, and I’ve learned a lot from looking at other cats (at shows),” said Stamas.
Cats are judged based on written standards for breed-specific physical features, which judges commit to memory, according to show manager Jo Cordes Brown. Every cat is examined by each of the ten judges.
It can take four or five years to complete the training required to become a judge, said Carolyn Osier, a judge and Southern California breeder for nearly 50 years.
Osier traveled from San Juan Capistrano to show her one-and-a-half year old Abyssinian, a breed that resembles ancient Egyptian cats with their large ears, muscular body and almond-shaped eyes.
“Abys are kind of non-stop cats. They have two speeds, fast-forward, and asleep,” said Osier.
Sharon Rogers, also from Southern California, has traveled all over the world in her 40 years of exhibitions.
“The wonderful thing is, after you’ve done it for a while, you can go anywhere in the world and make friends,” said Rogers.
The shows are a magnet for cat lovers, but since the last recession, shows happen less frequently than they used to, Osier said. She sees fewer young people participating in exhibitions each year.
“We used to see young parents, and there’d be children sleeping under the tables,” said Osier. “But they can’t afford to do this anymore, when it takes two incomes (to support a family.)”
Breeders like Shelby Friemoth, who traveled from San Diego, also attend shows to meet other cat lovers who may be potential clients.
“People don’t just knock on my door daily and ask for cats,” said Friemoth. “You have to vet people … people who come here tend to be truly invested in cats.”
Osier tends to breed cats a litter at a time. Some participate in shows and some do not. But all are beloved pets, she said.
“You like to show off what you’ve done. But, the love is for the tiny babies,” Osier said about raising kittens.
The “Tails and No Tales” cat show is an annual event. Proceeds go to nonprofits like the Santa Clara County Spay and Neuter Trust Fund, and patrons can also meet and adopt cats from local rescues at the show.
Contact Thy Vo at 408-200-1055 or tvo@bayareanewsgroup.com.
