New Vision Cat Club, the Cat Fanciers’ Association’s original Bengal breed club and a licensed club within the association to hold shows in Central Florida, held their most recent CFA Cat Show in Plant City this past weekend.
The most recent show was the club’s fourth held at the Expo Hall, with each one getting easier and getting better according to show manager Rich Nolte. New Vision Cat Club has also held shows in conjunction with Rebel Rousers Cat Club in Georgia and one in conjunction with a TICA (The International Cat Association) club in Orlando.
New Vision Cat Club began in 2016 when the Bengal breed was accepted to compete in the CFA. They are a non-profit organization that holds competitions for all breeds included in the CFA, from household cats to pedigree breeds. The organization then uses proceeds from each event to supports other non-profits that include animal rescues and animal shelters, in addition to hosting rescue animals at their events.
“We love to use these events to bring people to the [Cat Fanciers’ Association] as well as supporting your local rescues,” New Vision president Rich Nolte said.
The Cat Show took place on Saturday and Sunday, with 151 cats in attendance and 29 different breeds being judged. Patrons and cat owners alike walked through the Teco Expo Hall on the Strawberry Festival Ground to get a glimpse at the four-legged contestants or purchase cat-centric wares from any of the multiple vendors offering products that ranged from toys for your furry friends to cat-themed tableware and clothing.
One aspect of the show that New Vision Cat Club is looking forward to bringing back with their next installment is their popular cat agility competition. After the COVID-19 pandemic halted much of the club’s activity, the agility competition has yet to return along with the shows.
The New Vision’s Cat Club will also be holding their end of season show the last weekend in April at the Expo Hall where they plan to reach their maximum attendance of 225 cats.
“I love the Cat Fanciers’ Association because it helps me bring up my son and my daughter in a wholesome, family friendly environment,” Nolte said. “I grew up showing rabbits in 4H and FFA and this is something that my daughter really wanted to get into. So this provides some of the same family fun and fellowship that 4H and FFA does, this just happens to be the Cat Fanciers’ Association branch of that animal showmanship.”
For more information on the Cat Fanciers’ Association, visit www.cfa.org.