SHAH ALAM - A total of 120 cats of various breeds have participated in the International Cat Show 2022 to charm visitors and judge with their talents.
The two-day event which started on Saturday was organised by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) and the Malaysia Cat Club (KKM).
Over 20 cat breeds competed in four categories during the event held at the Central i-City mall, here.
KKM president Khalid Rashid said FIFe judge Martin Kabina flew from Czech Republic to judge these cats during the weekend.
He said the event aimed to spread public awareness on the caring of cats by getting local cat exhibitors to participate in the international level cat show.
Winners, he said received a trophy, supply of cat food as well as a certificate.
Among the competing cats were the British Shorthair, Bengal, Kurilean Bobtail, Korat, Ocicat, British Longhair, Burmese, Persian, Exotic, Birman, Turkish Van, Ragdoll and Himalayan breeds.
He said visitors swarmed the event to admire the cats of various breeds and the disabled cats and at the same time help the stray cats find a home.
"More than 20 types of cats have competed in four categories in the cat show for two days.
"Visitors regardless whether they are cat owners or not joined the event and participated in various fun activities with their families.
"Batik colouring, talks, cat adoption programme and many more,” he said on Sunday.
Khalid said Sinar Harian’s Rasuah Busters cat character Agent Meow also made an appearance to enliven the event.
He said the event was held in conjunction with the independence day on Aug 31.
Cat owners who participated in the event had waved the Jalur Gemilang and sang Negaraku, he added.
A participant, Siti Nuraini Abd Wahab said this was not her first time joining a cat show, but it was her first time participating in one organised by FIFe.
"I brought my seven-month old Persian cat named Princess and she participated in the first category.
"I am a cat breeder and I actually have more cats at home. For me, this is actually a very good event and gives us exposure and get a certificate for my cats," she said.
Sharing more about Princess, Siti Nuraini said they went to Johor Bahru for a cat show last week and Princess had won the Best in Visual.
As for white Maine Coon cat owner Muhammad Izzat Syazwan Zahidi, he said he too has experience participating in cat shows.
He said he enjoyed seeing all types of cats at the event and that it was a good exposure for new cat breeders.
On top of that, he said, he learnt many things about cats such as how to care for them and the foods that were good for them.
"Overall, the event was very smooth and fun.
"I brought my seven-month old cat named Junior. Despite his size, he is actually still growing,” he said.
Meanwhile, a visitor Siti Zalifa Abd Aziz who came with her cat said she was thrilled to join the event as she was a cat lover.
"When we have this kind of engagement between the public and cats, it could develop the love between them and also raise awareness on the importance of adopting cats.
"It is also a good opportunity for cat owners to learn how to take care of the different types of cats,” she said.
Siti Zalifa added that being a cat owner actually required a huge commitment in terms of caring for the animal and financial management to avoid the cat from being abandoned.
Another visitor Mun Mee Van, 50, said she was liked cats although she did not own one as she lives in a condominium.
She said the exhibition was a good initiative in spreading awareness on the caring of cats as taking care of a pet was not an easy task.
Cat owner Siti Rasnasera Sierra, 31, who came to the event said she and her husband have adopted three stray cats.
"My husband adopted them when he found them in a drain and also in the garbage bin.
"This is our first time watching a cat show in a mall. We usually visit the rescued stray cats at the adoption centre. So, it is a wonderful experience for us,” she said.