Championship Felines Compete in Sunday Show

At long last, cats have come into their own. With more than 56 million cats in the United States, they now outnumber dogs. Many owners of these felines aren’t satisfied with a charming pet that chases rodents, walks quietly through their lives and is fiercely independent-- they want to feel the surge of pride that comes from owning a champion.

One way to achieve this goal is to join a club affiliated with the American Cat Assn. (ACA) or a similar group, such as the Cat Fanciers Assn. (CFA), The International Cat Assn. (TICA) and United Cats Federated. The oldest cat association in this country, the ACA, originally the Beresford Cat Club of England, established the first American Stud Book Registry of purebred cats in 1898.

A good place to learn more about cat clubs and championships is the Glendale Armory (220 E. Colorado St., Glendale) on Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., when hundreds of purebred and mixed cats from throughout the country will compete for awards at the “ACA National Championship Cat Safari--The 1988 Hunt for the Top Cat.”

Admission: adults $3; ages 55 and over or 12 and under pay $2.50. Family discounts. Information: (818) 763-0003.

The clubs listed below are among those affiliated with the ACA and are among the sponsors of the monthly ACA shows that are scheduled between September and April.

Especially Maine Coons--Contact: Nancy Lehrer in San Diego, (619) 487-8556. Dues: $10 per person per year. Quarterly meetings.

The cat in Rudyard Kipling’s “The Cat that Walked by Himself” might have been willing to give up his lonely life if he had run into this all-breed group. The 15 members meet, Lehrer said, “to help people who have and love all kinds of cats.” This 8-year-old group sponsors talks by local veterinarians to help members identify and cure cat ailments. It raises money for cat charities and sponsors the January ACA cat show.

Golden Future Cat Fanciers--Contact: Bob Ferraez in Sunland, (818) 353-3929. Dues: Members work on shows they co-sponsor in lieu of dues. They meet three times a year.

The Cheshire Cat from “Alice in Wonderland” would have felt right at home in this all-breed club. Generally, the 11 members hold discussions of their February “Valentine” show over barbecues or dinners. Money raised goes to the California State Humane Officers Assn. or various feline charities that encourage the adoption of orphan cats.

Halloween Cat Fanciers Club--Contact: President Randy Miller in Sylmar, (818) 362-1872. No dues. Quarterly meetings.

The Black Cat of Edgar Allen Poe’s story may come back some year to haunt the Halloween Cat Show, which is held yearly on the weekend closest to Oct. 31 and is co-sponsored by this club. In the spirit of the holiday, last year the Glendale Armory was appropriately decorated for the occasion, and 150 cats of all breeds, including household pets, paraded past the judges.

Leather and Lace Cat Club--Contact: Carl De Frain in Monterey Park, (818) 570-1829. Dues: $5 per person to join, $10 per person per year. Meetings are once a month.

An appropriate club for a Puss in Boots or even without boots (presumably leather). This club with the exotic name shows Persians, Cornish Rexes and Havana Browns, but owners of all pure breeds are accepted. Ten members from Los Angeles, Monterey Park and Whittier meet in each other’s homes to prepare for their two shows per year and discuss problems associated with cat care.

Mariachi Cat Fanciers--Contact: Jewel Crouch in Venice, (213) 392-3477. Dues: $15 per person per year. Group meets three times a year.

Like Joan Aiken’s “The Cat Who Lived in a Drainpipe,” Crouch discovered her first Abyssinian kitten in an odd location . . . her neighbor’s car. That was the beginning of a love affair with cats--a love she shares with the 15 members of her all-breed group. They sponsor a show in March, raise money for cat charities and work to educate the public about neutering and spaying. Meetings help members improve the care, feeding and grooming of their cats.

Master’s Cat Club--Contact: Alita Cooper MacNeil in Long Beach, (213) 423-2259, or Nancy Davenport, president, (213) 836-2596. Dues: $20 per person, $5 per associate in family. Meetings unscheduled.

In “The Story of Webster,” P. G. Wodehouse proclaims the real objection to cats is”. . .their insufferable air of superiority.” Three-quarters of the members of this 4-year-old group are owners of very superior cats--Master Grand Champions. The other members of the creme de la creme club come to learn what to look for in a cat and how to help their cats become champions--and then go on to win masters and grand championships.

Orient Express--Contact: Susie Lawrence in Norwalk, (213) 863-5023. Dues: $10 per person per year. One meeting in April, one in November to plan for show.

Lilian Jackson Braun’s long-legged, blue-eyed aristocratic Siamese from “The Sin of Madam Phloi” would be welcomed by the 50 members of this club, which specializes in Oriental Shorthairs. Lawrence founded the group 14 years ago; ACA recognition came in 1979. Club members fund cat charities and distribute information on spaying and neutering. They also promote interest in these graceful Tibetan-bred felines. The club co-sponsors the November ACA show.

Pacifica Cat Club--Contact: Sally Gluckman in Mira Loma, (714) 681-8555. Dues: Membership per person or family for first year $15, then $10 per year. Monthly meetings on Thursdays. Semiannual newsletter contains information about ACA shows.

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been? Perhaps to join your owner at this all-breed club that has been meeting for two years; newcomers are welcomed by the 12 members. Meetings are times to form friendships, share news clippings, swap information on breeding and grooming and help each other prepare for the show they co-sponsor in November.

Siamese Cat Society of California--Contact: Rosie Miller in Sylmar, (818) 362-1872. No dues, but contributions of time and money are accepted. Quarterly meetings.

The mysterious King of the Cats might spring from Stephen Vincent Benet’s story and join this 50-member group, which started meeting more than 30 years ago. Members are devoted to preserving the Siamese as a pure breed. No hybrids are permitted. Last year, CATS Magazine listed Miller’s Lilac Point as best in the United States and Canada. This group co-sponsors the October show.

Teacher’s Pet--Contact: Karin Edmondson in Sun Valley, (818) 768-5855. Dues: $7.50 per person, $10 per couple. Quarterly meetings, usually held on weekends, are scheduled when the need arises to arrange shows, swap information and socialize.

If he ever gets tired of appearing in the comics, Garfield might be tempted to apply for membership in this 20-year-old, all-breed club that kicks off the ACA season in September. Edmondson said: “We’re not just a beauty contest. At our shows, Pet Rescue displays cats for adoption, and we raise money for the California State Humane Officers Assn. or other charitable humane organizations.”