The lust for glory in the catfancy

Every year, every show... the same story happens all over again and again. We, the cats, are just objects for some owners, like a nice vase or piece of art, that is being dragged even thousands of kilometers from home, to be placed on the table and be evaluated by the judge. Few minutes and it is all over - unless nominations come.
Some of us actually do enjoy this, but some... they should have been left home in the first place, to enjoy their life as happy pets instead of being forced into a mold of a showcat.

Some of these cats turn aggressive, some try to go hiding, some stress in other ways - and the show just keeps going. Have their owners not stopped to think even once, that is the cat happy at the show? Or do they just see the elegant, hairy statue and travel to the shows to get their moment of glory.

We, the cats, do not care what kind of trophy is given, or does the judge give us excellent 1 without certificate or nominate us to compete again in the big rings. Such things are just beoynd of any interest for us, it is You, the humans, who care about it.

Show must go on ?

When did we, the cats, become only objects for humans to satisfy their lust for glory? When did some humans forget, that we are also living and feeling beings and might not enjoy being poked by total strangers, seeing and hearing and smelling the weird cats around us?
I can admit, some cats do like it in the shows, some do enjoy the travel and being presented... but some... I can just feel deep sorrow seeing my feline friends being forced to such treatment.
Imagine yourself, you are afraid of talking in public. Then suddenly, you are stripped naked, thrown in front of thousand people and few other naked persons, and someone with authority comes over and starts telling "This one is otherwise beautiful, but she has bit too short body and is in plump condition. On the otherhand, it has extremely beautiful feet and markings". How would you feel about it ?

Before you take your cat to the shows, remember, not all cats are showcats. Some, even having excellent character at home, might turn out to be the demons of the depths of the hell and torment the judges and the stewards with their claws and sharp teeth. Or they might just become extremely stressed and react by other means. Not all cats, not even the most beautiful ones, are meant as showcats. This catshow business was made by humans - for humans, not by cats for cats.

Agares - the most beautiful homecat of our home - but never to be taken to shows due her character, she is afraid of the world and taking her to the shows would be just... stupid.

Sometimes questionable means have been also used, just to get the results needed. Cats are brought to the show sick, or even drugged to appear calm on the table. Sometimes, when there is competition, the competing cats performance has been altered by giving it drugs or catnip... I am... speechless... about all this. It is a shame, that a hobby, created by humans, has to be ruined by such behaviour of some humans, and we, the cats, are the ones to suffer from it all.

Next time you are planning to take your cat to the show, sit down for a moment and think, how your cat is feeling about it, instead of just charging to the show to get your moments of glory!

~ Lilith The Mighty Minikitten