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Cat lovers show support in 41st Annual Tenn. Valley Cat Fanciers Cat Show

Organizers welcomed more than 2,000 people to the cat show Saturday and Sunday.

Cat lovers from across the nation visited the 41st Annual Tennessee Valley Cat Fanciers Cat Show this weekend.

More than 2,000 people showed up with 205 cats entering into the shows to strut their stuff for the judges. Folks from even Texas, New Jersey and California came out to participate in the show.

Credit: WBIR

Organizers of the cat show want to include more breeds and types of cats for competitions, not just pedigree cats, to encourage more people to adopt shelter cats.

"We have cats for adoption because this fancy is for all cats, not just pedigree cats," Laura Barber, a member of the show management team, said. "And there are so many cats that need homes and that do not need to be euthanized."

Local shelters came out to the Jacob Building and brought cats up for adoption. The Jefferson County Humane Society had all of its cats adopted during the event! Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee and several other local shelters came out to the event to encourage folks to adopt a friendly feline.

Last year, the event welcomed 1,500 people to the event. Organizers said they were able to surpass that this year, tallying more than 1,400 people only on Saturday. On Sunday, the show had more than 2,000 people attend the event.

Credit: WBIR

People with cats in the shows also mention their cats are good sports for show, but some of the owners can become a little catty with each other as it is a highly competitive event.

"There are definitely some cat fights between the owners of these kitties because it is very competitive within your breed or your color," Barber said.

Some of the donations received from the cat show will go to the Winn Feline Foundation, an organization that studies feline health and diseases.

The event will continued into Sunday at the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park.

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