Cats on campaign trail to prepare for 31st annual Cat Fanciers show

And you thought the campaigning would go on till November.

But it ends next week - at least if your candidate is a cat.

"Campaigning" is the word cat-show enthusiasts use for the competition for points that go toward winning the annual regional and national awards in the national Cat Fanciers Association. April 26-27 is the last chance regionally for those pedigreed darlings to campaign for the awards as the Rocky Mountain Cat Fanciers holds its 31st annual cat show at City Auditorium.

The new show year starts in May for the national association. So cats from all across the country will be at the Colorado Springs show to grab their last possible points. More than 200 cats are expected, representing 30 breeds, says Dian Darr, president of the Rocky Mountain group.

You'll probably admire the owners a lot more than the cats when you ponder this: They have to bathe their animals for the show. "You clip their nails first - and then bathe them," Darr says dryly.

She says show cats usually tolerate baths - gentle spray washes, actually - because they have endured it since they were kittens.

Unlike human campaigners, these cats cannot show any aggression, though. Biting, scratching or wrestling with the judges won't do.

Most show cats eat special diets. Darr's chow down on raw ground turkey and rabbit, and top-notch wet cat food.

"They don't get dry food. With all the carbohydrates, that's like giving them a bag of potato chips," she says.

Darr, who breeds ocicats (a cross between a Siamese and Abyssinian), will have several in the show. She also plans to enter a house cat.

Yes, there is a house-cat category. Deadline to enter your pretty baby in the show is Sunday. To enter, go online to rmcf.org.

But be warned. The cats have to be really laid back.

"Most household cats can't take it," Darr says. "Even if they are nice at home, they don't hold up well." Besides handling the crowds and other cats, they have to be calm when the judge examines them head to tail (and what's under it).

"Most house cats don't want to go to the show," she says.

DETAILS

What: Rocky Mountain Cat Fanciers 31st Annual Cat Show
Where: City Auditorium, 211 E. Kiowa St. When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., April 26-27
Also: There will be cat supply vendors, and cat adoptions from rescue groups
Admission: $5 general, $4 seniors, $3 children, $14 family
Information: 471-2887