Lane County Cat Show Attracts a Crowd

 Lane County Cat Show Attracts a Crowd 

EUGENE, Oregon – “Beauty pageants ain’t got nothing on us,” said John Cruikshank as his wife powdered their Maine coon’s face.

On March 16-17, the Cat Fanciers’ Association held their annual event at the Lane County Event Center. The event showed over 120 cats and more than 35 different breeds. The energy buzzed as people excitedly looked at cat breeds they had seen hundreds of times and breeds they had never seen before. 

The event featured competitions such as a costume contest, best of breed, an agility competition and so much more.  

Mike Slivinski proudly showed his rare and expensive cat the Egyptian Mau. The Egyptian Mau is the fastest breed of cat with a running speed of up to 30 mph. They are also the only naturally spotted cat and are one of the oldest breeds dating back to the pharoah time. 

“Cleopatra definitely had this cat,” said Slivinski. 

“A show cat of this breed can cost more than $7,000.”

                                                                                                      Slivinski holding his prized pet                

                                                                                           

The preparation for cats competing may be more than you think.

Carl Cacho said he gives his cats weekly baths with special shampoo specific to the color of each cat – white enhancing shampoo for Jack, his white Persian, and black-on-black shampoo for his black Persian, etc. 

Cammie Pedersen leaves a color-enhancing shampoo on for several minutes before brushing and blow-drying her 7-month-old 11-pound Maine coon the night before a show.

 Jack the 3-year old Persian 

Cacho said, “In 1998 my ex-girlfriend’s mom had a Persian cat so now I’ve been getting Persian cats for over 25 years.” 

Cacho has several Persian cats and was showing three of them at the event. He came ready with dozens of cat toys, catnip spray, and quite a few brushes and combs.

The costume contest was a crowd favorite. People cheered and clapped as a sphynx cat dressed as an elephant took first place. 

The second and third place for the costume contest was a Maine coon dressed as a leprechaun and a Persian wearing a doughnut costume.

   Most of the people who show their cats are also cat breeders who are happy to show off the litters they have sold. Most of the tables holding the cats had business cards scattered all across. So if you are ever in search of an exotic cat breed to own, a cat show would be a great resource.

Pictured above on the left is the first-place winner of the cat costume contest and on the right is

the third-place winner

 

This picture shows John and Patty Cruikshank powdering their Maine coon before her competition. 

At a Glance

What: Cat show 

Event organizer: Cat Fanciers’ Association 

When: March 16-17

Where: Lane County Event Center 

Slivinski’s cat breed: Egyptian Mau

Cacho’s cat breed: Persian 

Pedersen’s cat breed: Maine coon

Next CFA Northwest Event: June 8-9 at the Linn County Fair Expo,Albany