Many of the feline fanciers in attendance were dressed in animal prints that mimicked the exotic coats of the hybrid breeds, such as ocicats and Bengals.
Christine Watts of Willow Grove wore her love for her eight cats, and one Shih Tzu dog, in the form of tattooed portraits across her shoulders and on each ankle.
The cat closest to her heart right now, a neutered, 9-year-old, fluff-ball Persian named "Muncy," is a supreme grand champion, the highest title awarded to show cats. He is a pampered, show-stopping beauty who travels with his own kit of brushes, combs, and grooming powder to touch up water stains around his chin. Between rounds of judging, he lolled in his cage under the breeze of two battery-powered fans.
"He gets hot with all that hair," said Watts, who worked for a breeder at a cattery for 17 years.
Winning cats are the ones judged closest to the physical ideal for their breeds in terms of fur color, eye color, muzzle shape, ear shape, coat pattern, and other variables. Each stage of the judging may add points, prize ribbons, and ceremonial titles to the cat's overall record in competition.
Top purebreds can sell for $3,000 to $4,000, owners said. Neutered and spayed cats compete in the "alter" category and sell for less. The minimum age to compete as a kitten is four months. The cat category begins at eight months and has no upper limit.
The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, and Jersey State Animal Rescue were on hand to arrange some adoptions of common strays.
