"This year's Best-in-Show represents the Persian in all its glory -- from a superb flowing coat to its bright copper eyes. That's probably why they call it 'Shine On,'" said Donald J. Williams, president of the CFA. "The quality of the competition at this year's show was one of the best in the 15-year history of the show."

Often described as the Rolls Royce of cat shows because it features only top cats of each breed, the CFA International Cat Show is also the largest cat show event in the Western Hemisphere. Feline competitors must have qualified at one of nine international events held in mid-October in order to vie for top feline honors.

The "Best-in-Show" cat, a longhair Championship entry, was named from a field of the show's top six longhair and shorthair felines in three categories: Championship, Kittens and Premiership (neutered males/spayed females).

The five other finalists were:

Best Longhair Kitten Jadon Flyin High of Goliada Blue Persian Female

Best Shorthair Kitten Shomra's Reverse Decision Ruddy Abyssinian Male

Best Shorthair Championship Grand Champion Purrmatix Everyonewantstobelikemike Seal Point Balinese Male

Best Longhair Premiership Grand Premier Jeannel Apple Jack of Krimpurrs Brown Mackerel Tabby Persian Neuter

Best Shorthair Premiership Grand Premier Katskans Prism Odd-Eyed White Manx Spay

Judges also selected the Best of Breed in each of the 40 pedigreed breeds in competition. As well, each breed had a extensive breed booth displaying the history and past winners of their individual breed. This year's winner of the breed booth competition was the Oriental breed booth (photo, left, links to a larger view).

The CFA International Cat Show benefits the Winn Feline Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the support of feline health-related studies.

Related Link

• Top Five Winners - Kittens, Championship & Premiership