Latest news with #StevenMeserve
ITV News
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
A bitter row erupts in the world of cat shows, leaving customers demanding refunds
A growing dispute between rival organisations has shaken the UK cat show scene. There have been cancelled events, refund complaints and calls for calm, in what some are describing as 'catty' drama. Cat shows are becoming increasingly popular, offering owners the chance to exhibit their pets and compete for prizes. But recent cancellations and online rows have raised questions and left some customers feeling frustrated. Steven Meserve runs Loving Cats Worldwide (LCWW), an organisation that hosts cat shows in fourteen countries. But three of LCWW's UK events were recently cancelled, leaving customers asking for refunds, but getting little responses. Dozens of people who were scheduled to attend events in London, Bristol and Belfast contacted ITV News to say they hadn't received their money back. Meserve says the shows were called off due to an online campaign against him, which he claims caused reputational damage and financial strain. Meserve told ITV News, 'We are refunding on a rolling basis and to the best of our ability. 'But we don't have any revenue. There's no revenue. 'I'm doing everything I can to rebuild what I built after I was decapitated.' Earlier this year, Kate Sheppard bought tickets to attend the LCWW show in Bristol, only to find the show had been cancelled, and her refund still hadn't arrived four months later. Kate told us: 'The tickets were £30 each, there's two of us so £60. 'That's not a small amount, especially with the cost of living crisis 'You put your trust in people and for it then to be just taken away and not returned, it's not fair, it's not right.' She's one of more than a dozen people who contacted ITV News to say they were still waiting for refunds following the cancellation of three UK events run by LCWW. Kelly Makdissy, a former colleague of Meserve's, is now among his critics. She says she too is owed money by LCWW. Makdissy now runs her own cat shows, but denies that her own events are designed to copy the format. She also denies any involvement in an organised campaign against LCWW. 'It depends how you look at it, for me it's not a copy cat because all the show rules are different. 'To be fair I wouldn't want to copycat LCWW, here we have actual members that are cat breeders from all different aspects of life.' 'I think cat shows should really continue,' she said, 'It's an upcoming thing and people are learning about it.' Meserve strongly denied any mismanagement, and says attempts to discredit him are part of a coordinated effort to undermine his work. With around a quarter of UK households owning a cat, the potential audience for cat shows is large. But the sector has yet to reach the profile of dog events like Crufts. 'Dogs get all the money, dogs get all the accolades, Crufts is huge.' Meserve complained. 'There is no Crufts for cats. 'We are the equivalent to that - and that's where we will be. 'We're growing one city at a time.' The charity Cats Protection has warned that while many owners enjoy showing off their pets, the events can sometimes be stressful for animals. For now, though, the tension seems to lie more with organisers than the cats themselves.
Perth Now
31-05-2025
- 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:
