When summer rolls around, some folks fancies turn to cats the cats in town for the Sunkat Feline Fanciers (SFF) Muscle Beach cat show, that is. The show will feature around 20 different breeds of hairy ones wholl strut their stuff Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22 at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center. Doors will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If youve never been to a cat show, youre in for a treat. Breeders bring their amazing felines from all over the country to compete. See the elegant Persians with their flat faces, big eyes and incredibly luxurious coats or look for a Selkirk Rex for whom every day is a bad hair day as their fur is curly and sometimes long enough to hang in ringlets.

Its a cat lovers dream, a chance to ooh and aah at wonderfully exotic felines, meet and talk with breeders, and watch the judges as they evaluate cats within four main categories:

Kitten Class: for cats between 4 and 8 months old;

Championship Class: for Cat Fanciers Association registered adult cats older than 8 months;

Premiership Class: for CFA registered altered cats older than 8 months;

Household Pet: for unregistered cats older than 4 months.

Over two days, therell be a number of separate, concurrently running, individual shows held in judging rings throughout the convention centers first floor. Each is presided over by a different judge, who presents his or her own awards independent of other judges decisions. The excitement mounts, with every breeder seeking the thrill of seeing their cat held aloft and proclaimed Best Cat. In vying for Best in Show, cats collect points from each ring, and the one with the most points wins.

If youd like help finding your way around the show, look for someone wearing an ask me badge. These designated ambassadors will help tell you where the action is. They can, for example, direct you to a judge deemed top-notch when it comes to describing whats best about a cat, who is good with the audience and brings the most experience to bear. They can also point you in the direction of those activities you most want to take in, such as kitten competitions if thats your fancy.

Household Cat Competition

If youve got a show-stopping mixed-breed charmer at home, you can enter him/her in the shows Household Cat Competition on the second floor. Kitties will be evaluated without regard to sex, coat length, age or color (they cannot be declawed, and if they are older than 8 months, they must be neutered or spayed). They will be judged for their uniqueness, pleasing appearance, unusual markings and sweet dispositions. An entry form may be found online at www.sunkats.org

Feline Agility Competition

New this year will be a demonstration of a Feline Agility Competition. Perhaps you believe cats are too independent and wayward for such shenanigans. Not so. They are definitely trainable, and most are willing to follow a feather or dangling toy anywhere. SFF hopes to offer this competition to the public and their cats at subsequent shows.

Portrait of a breeder

Cheery, cat-savvy Peggy Smith is a Sunkats member. She makes her home in Tacoma, Wash., and has been a cat breeder for 20-odd years, having taken a break in between to raise a family. Her cat of choice these days is the hairless sphynx a marvelous-looking creature who loves people and makes a great companion. Petting this breed of feline has been compared to stroking a warm peach or perhaps a velour-covered hot-water bottle. They can be high maintenance, though, as they can sunburn, are subject to skin rashes and get cold easily.

Smith will be showing her cat, Good Morning Cocoa, at the show, a chocolate tortie variety of sphynx. When asked about how show cats feel about cat shows, Smith replied, Some love it; others hate it. It needs to be fun for both the owner and cat.

Sunkat Feline Fanciers mission statement says it seeks to promote the welfare of all cats. Its a chapter of the Cat Fanciers Association, the largest registry of pedigreed cats in the world. Unfortunately, times seemed to have changed a bit for cat shows. According to SFF President Don Abing, Very few cat shows are left. With the economy being what it is, theres been low club interest and dwindling memberships. Weve been able to maintain our show because our membership is unique and eclectic. Plus, the area has other attractions which draw folks. They can take in the show and then walk to local restaurants and shops.

This is Sunkats 14th year. The group was among the first to hook up with local cat rescue groups such as local nonprofit Clatsop Animal Assistance Inc., formed to help provide volunteers and raise money for the animal shelter in Warrenton. Were happy to partner with CAA. When donating money to this organization, we know it goes directly to help shelter animals rather than into some governments general fund, Abing said.