MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FELINE FESTIVAL SET TO BE A HUGE HIT
2003 WHISKAS National Cat Show arrives Queen’s Birthday weekend
Wellington, 17 April – Cats of all shapes, sizes, colours and personalities will be vying for top honours at the 2003
WHISKAS National Cat Show taking place in Wellington over Queen’s Birthday weekend. The event is expected to draw more
than 8,000 cat lovers from all over the country.
Unusual and rare breeds including Manx, Maine Coon, Bengal and Sphynx will all be on display, strutting their stuff
against the best moggies from households around the country.
Judges from France, Australia, Israel, the United States and South Africa will join New Zealand counterparts in
assessing the qualities of as many as 600 pedigree and domestic cats. The 28 classes cover long and shorthaired cats and
include prizes for Best of Colour, Veteran, Child’s Pet (for owners under the age of 16), Unusually Marked and Rescued
Cat. There will also be a Grand Challenge for previous cat show winners – the ‘Top Gun’ of categories at the 2003
WHISKAS National Cat Show!
WHISKAS spokesperson Janine Chamley says the show is a good family day out. “The show is always popular nationally.
There are thousands of cat lovers around New Zealand, and people enjoy seeing the different and unusual breeds, as well
as entering their own much-loved pet,” she says.
It’s not just the weird and wonderful cats that get a lot of attention at the show. There will be a designated Cat
Cuddle Corner, where ten local cats will do their dandling duty! “The Cat Cuddle Corner is always a hit, especially with
children, and no cat dislikes a pampering and chin-scratch!” says Ms Chamley.
Ms Chamley says the 2003 WHISKAS National Cat Show’s main goal is to promote healthy, responsible cat ownership. “You
can tell from the people that show their cats that they really care for their pets. Pet ownership requires love and
attention, as well as responsibility and accountability. Cats are fantastic pets – independent, loving and cute! So we
should all be doing our best to look after them to the best of our ability,” she says.
Entries close on 24 April 2003 and interested cat owners can call Marion Petley, Entry Clerk, on (06) 364-6314 after 4pm
or email pertals@atrix.co.nz for further details.
What: 2003 WHISKAS National Cat Show
When: Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June, 8 am – 5pm
Where: Indian Cultural Centre, Kemp St, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Cost: $8.00 for adults, with one child under the age of 13 free with a paying adult. All other children pay $2.00 and
Senior Citizens $4.00.
ENDS