Feline fanatics take over Perth for first-ever cat fair

Perth Now

2 days ago

West Aussies have driven far and wide to be part of Perth's first-ever Oz Feline Fair hosted by social media sensation Steven Meserve who said cats are riding the popularity train closer to dogs than ever.
Feline fanatics lined up outside the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday morning eager for the festivities, cat-themed experiences and cosplay competition to begin.
The Watkin family woke up at 5am and drove from Northam to Perth for 5-year-old Fifi and 3-year-old Willo to look at cats despite mum, Antonia, not being a fan of the animal herself.
'Fifi has been obsessed with cats ever since she had a rainbow kitty dance party for her birthday... I'm not really a cat person but you gotta do what you gotta do for the kids,' Ms Watkin said.
Boom Court and her daughter Leona were cat shopping at the fair despite her husband having a strict no-cat rule at home.
'We are not going to get a cat today but we will surprise him with one once our home renovations are complete...he will learn to love it,' Ms Court said.
About 130 felines competed, with the titles of Best in Breed and Best in Show available to both domestic and pedigree entrants. The winners will be announced on Sunday. Boom Court with her daughter Leona, 9. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The Sunday Times
International cat judge and charismatic TikTok influencer Mr Meserve was the star of the show on Saturday and the host of the CATstravaganza competition.
Mr Meserve, 52, has been a cat judge for 25 years despite studying marketing and public relations in university.
He started Loving Cats Worldwide, the host of the CATstravaganza show, three years ago with a dream to convert people into 'cat people'.
'I think cats are having their moment finally and I will say thanks to me,' he said.
'The first cat show happened only 12 years after the first dog show... I think why it's never been celebrated is because it's never been cool and now it's becoming cool,
'I think finally, they're getting their moment and at Loving Cats Worldwide we convert a lot of non-cat people into cat people and it is bringing cats to the same level as dogs.' Social media personality Steven Meserve. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The Sunday Times
Mr Meserve has 15 cats and two dogs living inside his 10-bedroom Portugal home with him despite growing up in a dog-only household.
Sphynx cat breeder Angela Irvine and the social media star said cat ownership is on the rise because they are low maintenance.
'People can't afford big houses anymore and they are opting for apartment living and it's so much more convenient to have a cat in an apartment than a dog,' Ms Irvine said.
The event has already graced Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne, with Sydney to follow Perth in June.
Cat show manager Judy Coish said there were thousands more attendees in Perth compared to the previous fairs over-east.
'Perth VIP tickets sold out first, and the ticket sales were more than any other state, even big states like New South Wales and Victoria,' Ms Coish said.
Perth's epic turnout has secured the city will be on the CATstravaganza show list next year.
'We'll definitely be back in Perth because I think the turnout here has been the best ... our last stop is Sydney, so even for the biggest city in Australia, I don't think it is even going to touch the capacity that came to Perth.'