All cats are champions - however the official Lakeland & District Cat Club championships takes place later this month.

Held at Kendal Leisure centre on June 17, proud owners have entered their pets into the all-breed cat show. 

An HP (Household Pets) section is included in which the cats are treated the same as in the Pedigree Sections in terms of titles and class qualifications.

Judges are looking for standards for each breed which can include factors such as coat colour and texture, head shape, bone structure, eyes and overall health as well as temperament. Cats are split into Adults, Kittens and Neuters.

The felines are awarded points according to GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) criteria and the prestigious Best in Show winner will be awarded at 3.30pm.

The Westmorland Gazette: Alfie, the Olympian Persian Cat

Alfie, a red and white bicolour Persian cat, has won Best Persian at the Lakeland show many times and retired after he won his Gold Olympian title - only achievable after winning many certificates and awards at different shows.

His owner, Candice from Preston, said: "Alfie is nine years old and retired from showing prior to the pandemic once he reached his Gold Olympian title.

"He is a large, hefty cat underneath all that coat with beautiful copper eyes and a super laid back personality. During his show career he has travelled all over UK and Europe winning not only UK GCCF titles but many International awards. 

"Even in retirement he is bathed and dried every two weeks to ensure his coat is clean and matt-free - persians are high maintenance!

"A show bath would take around 2.5 hours as the coat must be free flowing and straight.  Some people think cats don’t like water but Alfie loves all the pampering purring away whilst I dry him.

"He has won many Overall Best in Show awards and at his last show gained his Olympian Gold title with a final Best in Show win - talk about going out with a bang!"

The Westmorland Gazette: Alfie at the Lakeland Cat Show

The cat club promotes the care and welfare of felines and there will be plenty of stalls to buy pet goodies along with raffles and tombolas.

The show will run from 12.30pm to 4pm and is £3 for adults and £2 for children and OAPs. Entrants can pay with cash at the door of the hall. 

For more information, please visit the Lakeland and District cat club website.