Latest news with #OzFelineFair
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Feline fanatics take over Perth for first-ever cat fair
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 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.'
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Where to find Perth-first expo celebrating cats this weekend
For the first time ever, Perth will play host to the Oz Feline Fair in a spe-cat-ular showcase celebrating all that is weird and wonderful about cats. Billed as a meeting place for cat lovers and owners, the event — held at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre this weekend — will feature a host of feline-inspired festivities, products, experiences and expert advice. World-renowned cat judge Steven Meserve will be in Perth this weekend. Credit: Oz Feline Fair Attendees are encouraged to perr-use Vendor Village and meownder through Purr-Creations Alley, with prizes on offer at the Cosplay Catwalk for best dressed. The star of the show will be international cat judge Steven Meserve, who will host CATstravaganza — his Loving Cats Worldwide International Cat Competition. The charismatic TikTok star has hosted 70 similar competitions globally over the past two years and will be joined by five international judges. Up to 130 felines will compete, with the titles of Best in Breed and Best in Show available to both domestic and pedigree entrants. Competitors must be registered with a recognised Australian cat governing body. The event has already graced Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne, with Sydney to follow Perth in June. More info and tickets can be found here:
Sydney Morning Herald
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I love my cats': All's fair for feted felines at curious new cat expo
The famous adage goes that dogs have masters, and cats have staff. A phalanx of felines basked in the slavish, open adoration of fanciers who flocked to Melbourne's newest cat expo on Sunday. And for an inaugural event, there was enough to see at the Oz Feline Fair to tickle cat lovers' fancies, including a hairless elf-breed cat riding a skateboard, Bengal cats with leopard-like fur, and Persian cats with enough hair to make a small rug. Even attendees like Zoe Jackson, 9, of Thomastown, who already had pet moggies queued for the popular 'pat a kitten' stall. Zoe wanted 'to pat a different cat'. On the stage, charismatic Portugal-based American cat judge Steven Meserve held court, talking about the characteristics of Persian cats. Charmayne Hales, of Enfield, near Ballarat, said she didn't have three of her cats judged at the fair for the money. The prize for 'supreme exhibit', won by Lil Winnie, a Singapura cat owned by Fiona Sullivan, of Grantville, was worth about $1500. Hales said she enjoys showing off the rare breed Australian mist, which was developed 50 years ago and blends Burmese, Abyssinian and domestic breeds. Hales said she, husband Gary and daughter Emma, 12, love chatting to the public at the 20 shows a year they attend with their cats.
The Age
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘I love my cats': All's fair for feted felines at curious new cat expo
The famous adage goes that dogs have masters, and cats have staff. A phalanx of felines basked in the slavish, open adoration of fanciers who flocked to Melbourne's newest cat expo on Sunday. And for an inaugural event, there was enough to see at the Oz Feline Fair to tickle cat lovers' fancies, including a hairless elf-breed cat riding a skateboard, Bengal cats with leopard-like fur, and Persian cats with enough hair to make a small rug. Even attendees like Zoe Jackson, 9, of Thomastown, who already had pet moggies queued for the popular 'pat a kitten' stall. Zoe wanted 'to pat a different cat'. On the stage, charismatic Portugal-based American cat judge Steven Meserve held court, talking about the characteristics of Persian cats. Charmayne Hales, of Enfield, near Ballarat, said she didn't have three of her cats judged at the fair for the money. The prize for 'supreme exhibit', won by Lil Winnie, a Singapura cat owned by Fiona Sullivan, of Grantville, was worth about $1500. Hales said she enjoys showing off the rare breed Australian mist, which was developed 50 years ago and blends Burmese, Abyssinian and domestic breeds. Hales said she, husband Gary and daughter Emma, 12, love chatting to the public at the 20 shows a year they attend with their cats.
