by Charlene Ugent 

Hosted by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) and Royal Canin, a worldwide dog and cat food company, the world championship cat show took place on November 17th and 18th at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Ohio. In the 2012 show, more than 1,000 contestants competed for top marks in an array of categories. Judges assessed cats and kittens from 41 different breeds scoring them according to head size, body shape, and personality. 

After two days of competition, a male chocolate spotted Ocicat kitten named Wild Rain Let's Dance of Dotdotdot won Best in Show. Owned by Roger and Nancy Brown and David and Carol Freels, the champion feline caught judges' eyes from the beginning of the competition. Runners-up included a male black and white Persian, a female blue tabby and white Persian kitten, and a male cream spotted tabby and white exotic feline.

About the author: The head breeder at Suyaki Siamese Cattery, Charlene Ugent has bred and sold Siamese kittens and cats for more than 15 years. Ms. Ugent, who resides in Miami, Florida, maintains ties with the CFA and her cattery has earned the organization's Certificate of Excellence.