Great American Cat Show and Great American Dog Show

Great American Cat Show

The International Cat Association Great American Cat Show is headed to Chicago at McCormick Place, August 25 to 27. Listen HERE to Dr. Liz Brown on Steve Dale’s Pet World, WGN Radio. She  explains what cat shows are generally all about and how it’s possible that this cat show will be held in the same place (more or less) as the Great American Dog Show.

Clearly, cats in a cat show don’t run around a ring like dogs do. Dr. Brown explains how the judges then judge the cats, and do so based on a written standard for every breed. And many of these breeds may be new to many onlookers. Unlike dog show judges, cat show judges typically explain to the crowd why they’ve chosen their top cats.

Each cat has a benching space, and in the cat world many of those show cat breeders will decorate these spaces.

In addition to the show itself, a highlight will be the therapy cat program; speakers will answer questions on various topics in the education ring and you will see cat toys and cat treats not readily available elsewhere.

Pedigree cats are bred for looks but greatly also for temperament, she says. For every household, there’s a cat breed for you from the hairless Sphynx cats to the so-called Vampire cat, the Lykoi.

Great American Dog Show

David Frei, legendary dog show announcer, will be at the Great American Dog Show, August 25 to 27 at McCormick Place. Listen HERE to David on Steve Dale’s Pet World, WGN Radio. He is so very excited that this event will be the return and re-imagination of the one-time International Kennel Club of Chicago dog show.

There will be over 200 breeds at this event. A special event will move into the old Arie Crown Theatre with the Chicago Challenge Cup on Sunday night.

The American Kennel Club meet the breeds is a part of this show, and you can meet the individual athletes – David points out that you can’t do that at a Bears or Cubs game.

Among the special events, dock diving, dog agility and scenting exhibitions. And a vendor village.

Tickets for the events HERE.

Domestic Violence and Pets

Comments on an upcoming Domestic Violence committee meeting with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, and how Purina and others have talked now for years about the association between domestic violence and animal welfare.