In the world of cat shows, Average Joe is my cup of Friskies. At the Shoreline Conference Center [1] on May 10, more than 60 household pets (strays, rescues, formerly ferals--any and all pre-registered comers) will compete in categories including Softest Fur in the West, Longest and Shortest Tail, Mr. or Mrs. Personality, Scruffiest Looking, and even Best Decorated Cage. It's a blue-collar exaltation of the little non-pedigree features we love about our cats, and it sounds like no one goes home without a ribbon.
Make a day of it (10 a.m.-3 p.m.): There will also be vendors selling cat paraphernalia, representatives from cat-centered nonprofit orgs, vegan and vegetarian people snacks, cats and kittens for adoption (maybe future Average Joe champs), and a silent auction. Also, if you track down Joy Turner [2], you can ask why Princess keeps peeing in your loafers. A long-time animal communicator, Turner goes direct to the source for her answers.
Tickets run $5 per person or $12 per family. It's all for a good cause to support Purrfect Pals in Arlington, one of the largest cat-only, no-kill sanctuary/rescues in the Northwest. Purrfect Pals found homes for about 2,000 cats last year, helped 4,000 others through assistance, such as spay-neuter surgery, and provided a sanctuary for between 200 and 300 cats, many with special needs.
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