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There's a New Cat in Town -- Make That More Than 800 New Cats!

The Cat Fanciers' Association Premieres Its 18th Annual International Cat Show on November 18-20 at the San Mateo County Expo Center

Event Showcases the World's Finest Pedigreed Felines With Judging of More Than 800 Cats Representing 41 Breeds

Marking its first appearance in the San Francisco Bay Area, the 18th annual Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) International Cat Show takes place on November 18-20, 2005, at the San Mateo County Expo Center. The three-day event showcases more than 800 felines representing 41 breeds. The CFA International Cat Show is the largest pedigreed cat show in the Western Hemisphere and features competitors from around the world vying for "Best in Show."

"The Cat Fanciers' Association International Cat Show brings out the finest examples of each breed," said Allene Tartaglia, assistant show manager and CFA public relations director. "Year after year, we see hundreds of top cats compete for the coveted 'Best in Show' title and spectators come from far and wide to attend this prestigious event. Whether viewing, competing, shopping or eating, there's something for everyone at this feline-friendly event."

The show features 12 judging rings where judges evaluate the feline contestants in Kitten, Championship and Premiership categories. The judges award the top honor, the "Best in Show" award, on Sunday afternoon--the last day of the show. Also presented are the top five highest-scoring longhair and shorthair kittens; longhair and shorthair cats in the Championship category; and longhair and shorthair cats in the Premiership category. The event attracts cat fanciers from the United States and around the world including Europe and Japan.

In addition to the judging, which takes place throughout the three days of the show, the CFA International Cat Show features more than 50 vendors with items ranging from cat supplies and premium cat food to jewelry, giftware and artwork, as well as cat exhibitors with information about each specific breed of cat represented at the show. Artists exhibiting at the show include award-winning, Sonoma County, California-based Jamie Schaffran Perry, whose colored pencil cat drawings enchant cat lovers and collectors with their wit and whimsy; and internationally renowned artist, designer and author Laurel Burch based in Novato, California, who creates boldly colorful jewelry, paintings, prints, clothing and accessories inspired by her appreciation of the earth and desire to promote happiness through her art. Schaffran Perry was chosen to design the cover for the 2005 edition of CFA's annual yearbook, the first artist ever to be featured on this publication. More information on Jamie Schaffran Perry and Laurel Burch can be found at www.jsperry.com and www.laurelburch.com.

Hours for The International Cat Show are:

-- Friday, November 18, 2005       10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
-- Saturday, November 19, 2005     10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
-- Sunday, November 20, 2005       10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The San Mateo County Expo Center is located at 2495 S. Delaware Street in San Mateo, CA, just off the Delaware Street exit of Highway 92.

Admission for one day is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors (62+) and children (6-12); children under six are free.

Sponsors for the event include The IAMS Company, Royal Canin, World's Best Cat Litter and Cats Rule. Proceeds from the International Cat Show are donated to the Winn Feline Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the support of health-related studies benefiting cats. Proceeds from the show are donated to the Winn Feline Foundation for the health and well-being of all cats. Projects funded by The Winn Feline Foundation have provided much of the information that is used every day in all aspects of feline veterinary medicine.

In support of the Bay Area community, CFA will grant free booth space to local humane societies for the show. CFA also partners with local organizations to provide animal adoption opportunities at the event.

Previous CFA International Cat Shows have been held in Houston, TX; Kansas City, KS; St. Louis, MO; Ft Worth TX; Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; and Anaheim, CA. The 2004 CFA International Cat Show "Best in Show" winner was Grand Champion Budmar's Beyonce of Inthewind, a Dilute Calico Persian female cat owned by Maurice Ruble, Jr., and Linda Fisher of Parkville, MO.

Information about the International Cat Show can be found at http://www.cfa.org/intl-show/.

About the Cat Fanciers' Association

The Cat Fanciers' Association is the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats with more than two million registered throughout the world. Founded in 1906 as a non-profit association of member clubs, the CFA is compromised of more than 650 clubs in North and South America, Europe and Asia. The association's mission is to preserve and promote the pedigreed breeds of cats and to enhance the well being of ALL cats. For more information, visit www.cfa.org.

CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:

WHAT:

The 18th annual Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) International Cat Show is held on November 18-20, 2005, at the San Mateo County Expo Center. Marking its first appearance in the San Francisco Bay Area, the three-day event showcases more than 800 felines within 41 breeds. The largest international pedigreed cat show in the Western Hemisphere, cats from around the world compete in three categories for "Best in Show." Categories for competition are Kitten, Championship and Premiership.

The International Cat Show also features dozens of vendors with products ranging from toys to magazines to jewelry, as well as information about each specific breed of cat represented at the show.

CFA partners with local humane societies to provide animal adoption opportunities at the event. Proceeds from the show are donated to the Winn Feline Foundation, which is a non-profit organization devoted to the support of health-related studies benefiting cats. Sponsors include The Iams Company, Royal Canin, World's Best Cat Litter and Cats Rule.

For information about the CFA International Cat Show, visit: http://www.cfa.org/intl-show/. For information about the CFA, visit: www.cfa.org.

WHEN:

-- Friday, November 18, 2005             10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
-- Saturday, November 19, 2005           10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
-- Sunday, November 20, 2005             10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(The "Best in Show" winner will be announced at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday)

WHO:

--  Award-winning, Sonoma County, California-based artist Jamie Schaffran
    Perry, who uses colored pencils to create whimsical drawings of cats

--  Internationally renowned artist Laurel Burch based in Novato,
    California, who creates boldly colorful jewelry, paintings, prints,
    clothing and accessories

--  More than 800 pedigreed cats from around the U.S., Europe and Japan
    

WHERE:

The San Mateo County Expo Center
2495 S. Delaware Street (Take the Delaware Street exit from Highway 92)
San Mateo, CA

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

--  Photo opportunities of more than 800 pedigreed cats
--  Photo and interview opportunities with cat owners and judges
--  Photo and interview opportunity with winning cats and owners,
    including "Best in Show"
    

COST:

Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors (62+) and children (6-12); children under six are free.

FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION:

Call toll free 877-232-7469, or contact Allene Tartaglia at 732-528-9797, x26.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Hi-res images of the International Cat Show and cats are available. For photos, interviews or media admission to attend the event, contact Tami von Isakovics at 415-561-0888, x2313 or tami@landispr.com.

Distributed by Market Wire