Arkansas Feline Fanciers and Mid-South Cat Fanciers will host Cats are Back!, an All-Breed Cat Show licensed by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, Inc. in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Arkansas Feline Fanciers. Join the fun at Cats are Back! on February 19 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds Hall of Industry.
The cat show competition will feature six judging rings for pedigreed cats, judged on breed standards, and household pets, judged on health and appearance. Exhibitors can enter cats in four different categories including Championship (breeding cats), Premiership (for spayed and neutered pedigreed cats), Kittens (4-8 months old), and Household Pets (mixed breeds). Judges from across the country will bring expertise and insight.
Established in 1982, the Arkansas Feline Fanciers produced an annual cat show in Little Rock throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s – presenting the last cat show in Little Rock in 2001. CFA All-Breed judge Pamela Bassett took over ownership of the club at that time in hopes to one day return to producing shows in the city after the retirement of the club’s former president. Pamela has bred Persian cats since the 1980’s and currently holds the record – having bred more Grand Champions than any other longhair cattery in the history of CFA. The 40th Anniversary show will be presented in loving memory of her mother, Jean Bassett, and each judging class will be presented with a special Jean Bassett Award.
Little Rock native Kate Sain started showing Exotic and Persian cats with CFA one year ago while having some free time during the pandemic and immediately made it a personal goal to “bring back” the Little Rock cat show. After meeting Pamela at a show in Kansas, the two decided to join forces to make the historic Little Rock show happen for the 40th Anniversary of the club. Kate serves as the club’s president. “As I child, I loved attending the cat show in Little Rock every year,” Kate recollects. “It was a huge event for the city. Now that I’m involved in reviving it, I keep hearing people say how they remember the show and are so thrilled we’re working to bring it back.”
Not only will the cat show feature over 40 breeds of pedigreed cats being judged for confirmation and titles, but there will be lots of fun activities for spectators and families. Highlights will include a “Meow Mall” with vendors selling fabulous items of all types for cats and their people, a cat costume contest judged by a surprise guest and a feline rescue organization on site. “I can’t believe this is finally happening!” Kate adds. “Bringing back this cat show to Little Rock has been a goal of mine since I got involved in the organization, and I couldn’t be more excited to Bring Cats Back! for this special anniversary event.”
Cats are Back!
Saturday, February 19 from 9am – 5pm | Hall of Industry at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds
Admission: $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 5-12 & seniors, $24 for a family of four and free for children under 5 (tickets will be sold at the door)
About the Arkansas Feline Fanciers: The purpose of Arkansas Feline Fanciers Inc. is to enrich the lives of Arkansans by sponsoring cat shows and special programs to promote the interest in and knowledge of all domestic cats, to promote the interests of breeders and exhibitors of pedigreed cats, and to promote the welfare and betterment of all domestic cats including both pedigreed cats and household pets (mixed breed).
Facebook @ARFanciers | email ARFanciers@gmail.com.
