4-H felines take to the runway

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Twenty-five of Putnam County's finest felines competed in the 4-H cat show in the community building on July 16.

With 18 shorthair adults, five longhair adults and two kittens competing, the competition was stiff for this year's cat show. According to judge Carol Blacketer from the Wildlife Rescue Center in Lafayette, this show was the hardest she has had to judge in 10 years.

"This is my favorite show in the state to judge," Blacketer said. "All the 4-Hers are very educated on cleaning, feeding and caring for their cats."

Elijah Williams, 9, showed his American shorthair Lucky for his first cat show competition. According to Williams, he decided to get into showing cats because his older sister Alexis liked it so much.

Elijah's grandmother Maxine Williams has worked with the cat show for several years and gave Elijah his cat as a kitten.

"My cat Mrs. Beasley had five kittens and I gave one to Elijah," Williams said.

Elijah said his cat was not happy about competing in the show. Lucky was reluctant to come out of his cat carrier and hissed at his owner.

Despite his fortunate name, Lucky did not place in the competition.

Another first time cat showman, Madison King, won Champion of the longhair division, Grand Champion and Reserve Champion for Intermediate Showmanship with her cat Tater Tot.

"This cat is just perfect," Blacketer said of Tater Tot. "He deserves all of these awards."

The judge must consider several elements in cat health to determine a winner, according to Blacketer. A cat's teeth and ear cleanliness, coat look and feel, and weight are major factors in choosing a champion cat.

Other category champions were Shea Mahoney-Sutherland in the shorthair adult division, Kelsey Anderson in the shorthair kitten division and Kyle Cunningham in the longhair kitten division.

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