Alex de Vos
There’s no room on stage for a timid lap cat at this year’s Geelong All Breeds Cat Club’s annual championship show, according to Abyssinian breeder Melissa Mitchell.
“It’s important that cats have a good temperament because the judges take them out of the cages, hold them up in the air and check their paws,” the Herne Hill resident told the Independent.
“A timid cat isn’t much good – the judges like to see them alert.”
Fortunately, Ms Mitchell’s cats tick all the boxes.
“My cats generally do very well,” she said.
“They’re very outgoing, friendly and active and tend to steal the show. They have no fear and want to speak to everybody.”
Known for their playful and intelligent characteristics, Ms Mitchell said Abyssinian cats were made for the stage.
Little effort was required to groom them to purrfection, she said.
“They’re short coated cats – just one brush and away they go,” she said.
More than 200 cats and kittens will be on display at Sunday’s 24th annual championship show.
The show would also feature a variety of Siamese, Oriental and domestic cats.
“It’s great to check how your breeding is going and to compare your cats to other cats,” Ms Mitchell said.
She expected the competition to be fierce.
“A lot of people take it very seriously.”
Geelong All Breeds Cat Club will run its championship show at Vines Road Community Centre.
The show is open to the public from 1.30pm.
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