Pampered Show Cats Work the Ring at Atlanta Cat Show

Dog shows have as loyal a following as the species themselves; pet owner or not, scores of animals lovers gear up to watch Westminster each February. But cat shows, even the biggest and most respected, have remained a pretty elusive affair.

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) International Cat Show, held over two days in "Catlanta," is a much quirkier affair than its pedigree would let on. The Western Hemisphere's largest feline judging show hosts more than 750 primped and preened cats and the adoring owners that live for them.

Just one look around the expansive show room and you'll see that most of the floor is dedicated to giving each of the adorable show critters a pimped-out place of his or her own: fifty rows of tables organized by each of the 41 different cat breeds recognized by the CFA.

But these show cats don't arrive in plastic carriers. Their owners spoil them with full-on luxury kitten lounges that are adorned with perches, pillows and beaded curtains, as well as photo frames filled with pictures of the prized cat. A few lucky felines' spaces are able to boast their cover shot on Cat Fancy.

The rest of the floor is where the action happens. Twelve rings set the stage for judges to assess around 300 cats over the two days of the show. The rings are small, just 15 crates sitting in a semi-circle, with a judges table (a podium with an overhead light and a scratching post) in the center. The cats won't take laps or be tested for temperament. The cat critics are just looking to compare each cat's body tone and fur against its breed standard.

After one judging, it's obvious you're not watching pups. Unlike their disciplined show dog counterparts, cats lose interest in the competition very quickly. The twelve or so cats in the ring are expected to sit quietly in empty crates until judging. But in their quests to find something to play with, almost every cat will end up swatting at the sign sitting on top of their cage until it falls to the ground and their doting owner is forced to run into the ring to place it upright again.

The judges at the CFA show are also less formal than their dog show colleagues. All of them have unrelated day jobs and make the trips to judge cats each weekend because they enjoy it. At the end of each judging, they give out ribbons for their top 10 or 15 cats in the ring, with remarks like "This is one hot cat!"

All owners secretly hope their cat is the hottest. Show cat keepers aren't competing for money (there isn't any awarded), but for pride. The best performing cats of the entire weekend are invited to show in the final ring, where each judge will see every cat. Then their scores are combined to crown one feline Best of Show.

But being a champion show feline doesn't make a cat any less of a cat. They're still playful, independent and mysterious. Cat shows and dog shows are about as different as the animals themselves, but the CFA International Cat Show (or any cat show, really) is worth the trip. If you're a cat lover, you'll appreciate watching the judging and learning about the different breeds. If you're not a cat lover, well, you just might become one.