Calling all cat lovers of Canberra to Harmonie German Club on Saturday

Too cute to miss: Ragdolls will be featured this Saturday at the Cool Country Cat Show. Photos: Supplied.

Let’s face it – cats are fancy, sassy, and downright cool. Whether or not you are a cat person, you can’t deny that our feline friends have a particular magnetism to them. But would you be able to pick the coolest of the cats out of a crowd? Well, there’s an art to being a cat judge – and indeed, being a cat breeder – and a group of dedicated cat judges are going to show you how it’s done, this Saturday at the Harmonie German Club.

Helena Sugar is one of five Canberran ladies that make up the Cool Country Cat Club – affiliated with CATS NSW Inc, members of the ACF (Australian Cat Federation). Amongst them are judges and stewards and all of them are breeders of pedigree cats. Based on the success of their massive first show, they are now back for a second round, hosting the Cool Country Cat Show on 11 August at the Harmonie German Club in Narrabundah.

Aimed primarily at cat breeders (but open to everyone), the show is a great place to witness rare breeds, ‘from the very hairy to the very bald.’ Expect Siberians (the longhaired cats from Siberia), Peterbalds from Russia (perhaps colder than Siberia since they are bald), as well as Birmans, Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Devons, Cornish and Selkirk Rex, Siamese and British Shorthairs. The highlight of the event – the cat show itself – will see 60 exotic exhibits being judged by five judges over four rings.

The majestic Nevabay Oksana.

“Each judge inspects each cat or kitten and decides according to a standard, which of those is their best. There are three different groups of cats, Group 1 Longhair, Group 2 Siamese, Oriental and Peterbald and Group 3 all other shorthair cats. The judges will pick a Top five from each section in each group and ultimately will decide from those who will be their Supreme in Show. This is the pinnacle of the event and many breeders are waiting nervously for results,” Helena says.

Besides the cat show, attendees will also be treated to stalls with lots of cat-related items and information, raffle prizes, and an overall cat-tastic atmosphere.

“If you like cats, or even if you don’t, I can guarantee there will be a cat at this show that you will like,” Helena confirms.

Doors open at 8 am but judging of the cat show will begin at 10:30 am. The event will wrap up at 3 pm.

If you’ve got an unhealthy obsession for all things feline, come along to the Cool Cat Show on Saturday and have yourself a purrfect day, you cool cat you!