Was cat show win by City Shelter a fluke?

During an internationally sanctioned cat show last October, adoptable felines from the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter competed against professionals – and were big winners. So when the shelter was invited back to last weekend’s Jazzy Cats show, there was concern that the October outcome was an unmatchable, one-time-only fluke.

Perhaps the particular cats chosen to participate in October were especially attractive, had unique qualities or had received better-than-average treatment at the shelter?

Actually, the October and January animals were no different than others at the City shelter; they were simply healthy and well-socialized cats and kittens.

The good news – last weekend’s show proved that October was no fluke; once again the City shelter cats rocked the house. Twelve adoptable rescue cats and kittens competed in the three-day show and won a total of 46 awards.

The best news – Jazzy Cats show director Gloria Mahan allowed additional rescue felines to come as adoptables without competing. By the end of the show 19 cats and kittens had been adopted into loving new homes.

Lovely calico shelter cat Cleo won second “best in show” for her category; the first place position was won by “Feral Faucet”, who was adopted during the October show.  Feral’s new owner Ken Kershaw has continued to show her because she enjoys the attention and environment so much; two months after leaving the shelter Feral was named the number one kitten in her class in the world.

Two other City shelter cats adopted in October also competed last weekend, and won 9 awards between them.

Matilda and Prince Harry, an adoptable brother and sister from the City shelter, won 15 spots and the hearts of everyone at the show. The long-haired kittens were adopted together into a wonderful family who would have probably never met them if not for Jazzy Cats.

As during the October event, the City shelter received plenty of positive feedback from judges, Jazzy Cats’ members and the public. Mahan says she“always get wonderful comments about the volunteers and the kitties”.

Judge Alex Chisholm told a crowd of spectators about Caden, the cat she adopted during the October show. She praised the City shelter for giving Caden so much attention and socialization that he is very comfortable around people and pets. Chisholm noted that when she first took him home he had to be introduced to quite a few other animals, but that he had no problem fitting in.

According to Chisholm, there was “never a hiss or a spat or anything; just like that he was part of the group”.

The next Jazzy Cats show will also feature adoptable cats and kittens from the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter.

• Jazzy Cats March Madness” Cat Show
• March 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2012
• Cal Expo Fairgrounds
• Click here  for more details

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City shelter cat wins top spot in the world

A small white kitten with black spots was abandoned at the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter in late spring; a frightened, lonely little girl without much hope. Today shelter staff learned that the same kitten should now be the poster child for a true rags-to-riches story.

In October the kitten, named Butters, was adopted by a wonderful man from Santa Clara. They met at the two-day Jazzy Cats Cat Show in Sacramento, where several of Ken’s show cats were competing in various categories. The show is a sanctioned event by The International Cat Association.

Butters and other adoptable City Shelter cats and kittens were also there competing in the Household Pet (HHP) categories, on the invitation of Jazzy Cats show manager Gloria Mahan. Competing in the show allowed them to be seen by a large number of people – more than 1,000 members of the public visited the show – thereby increasing their chance of adoption.

What increased their chances the most, however, was the treatment they received at the City Shelter. Like all other animals at the shelter, the cats and kittens had received top-notch treatment, vet care and socialization from shelter staff and volunteers.

Ken Kershaw stopped in at the City adoptables area before the Jazzy Cats show started on the first day and immediately fell in love with the now bubbly, playful and happy Butters. He filled out her adoption papers even before seeing her in action in the competition.

Butters and her fellow City kitties surprised everyone by performing like real pros in the competitions; they earned a total of 50 awards during the two-day show. One kitten even won “Best HHP Kitten in Show” and they all seemed to enjoy the process.

Butters is now named “Feral Faucet” and has been competing in shows across the West Coast since Ken adopted her in October. Kershaw says she loves showing off and strutting her stuff in front of the judges and crowds, and is the happiest and most friendly feline around.

Today Kershaw let City of Sacramento Animal Shelter acting manager Gina Knepp know just how well things have been going for the formerly frightened and lonely little ragamuffin kitten.

“Currently” says Kershaw, Feral Faucet is the “#1 International” Champion in her category, as well as being in the first place position within the Mid-Pacific region.

Knepp is proud of how her shelter staff and volunteers treat the animals in their care. She says that Feral Faucet is living proof that “extraordinary pets can be found in shelters.”

The next Jazzy Cats show is coming up on January 6-8 at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. More adoptable Sac City shelter cats will be there, and Feral Faucet herself will return for her first showing as an adult cat. Click here for more information about the show and a coupon for $2.00 off the admission price.

Want to see Feral and the other City kitties during the October show? Click here to see the You Tube video of their Jazzy Cats weekend.