Meow! A Feline Frenzy Descends on Raritan Expo Center
The Jersey State Feline Fanciers cat show brought in exhibitioners from all over the East Coast over the weekend.
Kittens and cats of every breed and variety filled up the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center Sunday, as part of a weekend-long exposition for cat lovers sponsored by the Jersey State Feline Fanciers.
Spectators brought their feline friends, who both enjoyed the event and the welcoming atmosphere. Exhibitioners, in turn, loved the keen interest spectators conveyed.
"I like talking to cat spectators and educating people about the breeds," said Lisa Steegmueller, who traveled from Landsdale, Pennsylvania for the event.
Steegmueller, an active participant in cat shows who also breeds rag-doll cats, said she has been partaking in cat shows for thirteen years and counting.
Many exhibitioners came from even further away to have their pet in the show. Steegmueller's friend, Judy Milling, came all the way from Troutman, South Carolina. Milling expressed the same love and admiration for cat shows as many of the other participants. "I really enjoy being around other cat people. It's nice to get away," she said.
Milling's cat - creatively named “Hershey Truffle” and lovingly called “Hershey Kissy Kissy” - is a seal bi-color rag doll and is also the half-brother to Steegmueller's cat, “Ali Ali Alijandro,” who is named after the Lady Gaga's hit song.
But still it is competition - albeit a friendly competition - with judges and prizes. Most cat "campaigners" compete May 1st to April 31st, and they can place regionally and even place internationally.
About 75 percent of campaigners do more than two shows a month; a heavy campaigner goes to a show every weekend, the cat lovers said. Campaigners travel to multiple shows a year to see how many points they can pick up. When someone comes in first, it means that they defeated 49 other cats, and thus acquire 49 points. Sometimes, exhibitioners will fly in to do shows so they can pick up more points and possibly compete on the regional or international level.
"Naturally, you want to win, but if you don't win, you want your breed to win. It's most exciting when you see your breed up there getting a ribbon,” Steegmueller said. As for the friendly competition, she said, "there is usually great comradery among everyone."
The love for cats and cat shows is evident in each participant, whether it's through all the years that they have been participating or the sparkle in their eyes. Spectators, competitors of the human or feline variety, and judges seemed to wholeheartedly enjoy what they were doing.
"Everyone claps when any breed or any cat gets a ribbon. This is a passion, there is no money that comes with it," Steegmueller said.
Jersey State Feline Fanciers (JerseyState.org), the sponsor of the event, is an animal rescue located in South Jersey. Following this tradition of giving love to abandoned or homeless animals, many of the cat owners had adopted their cats from a rescue shelter.
Keli Ray, from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and her six-month-old kitten, Landon, were participants in the cat show. Ray adopted Landon from a rescue shelter. "I love cats, I have six at home, they are my favorites," she said.
Ray, like many of the participants, has been traveling and partaking in cat shows for a long time. "I have been doing this since I was thirteen years old, and I have been everywhere, from Maine to North Carolina. What I love most is the relationships you develop with all the people at the shows," she said.
The award for Number #1 Household Pet went to Awwesome Amber of Careycats. Awwesome Amber is just one year old and travelled all the way from Jackson, Mississippi to participate in the show. She was adopted from the Petsmart in that town.
Her owners, Tanya Carey and Al Walbrun, have been doing cat shows for 15 to 20 years. "Through these shows, we've made lots of friends who like the same things," said Walbrun. Aside from prizes and ribbons, at the end of the day, it’s really all about their cat, he said.
"It’s fun showing Amber because we see that she has a lot of fun, and it's nice to see her enjoying herself," Carey said.
Patricia Cooper
3:27 pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Lisa Steegmueller is wonderful and devoted breeder of "Exceptional Ragdoll Cats and Kittens."
I have 5 of her babies, all possessing awesome temperment, beauty, size, and intelligence.
I have known Lisa a little over 4 years and have always gotten more than I expected from Lisa and her kittens. All of my babies arrived healthy, calm, and beautiful, with very endearing personalities. These beautiful kitties possess a very healthy appetite for food and life!
Litter trained, scratching post trained , and extremely affectionate, they came willing to play hard and "be friends' with the resident cats and bird. It is fun to watch how their friendships have developed with each other, and other family members. They love to play!
These docile creatures make wonderful additions to my family and greet me at the door whenever I arrive at home.
I have worked with many breeders in the past and know I will always get an honest anwer from Lisa.
Patricia Cooper
Naples, Fl
Judith Milling
7:38 pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2011
I too have 4 Ragdolls from Lisa Steegmueller. They are awesome cats and Lisa is a terrific person to know. When I first met her I knew nothing about the breed. She also has mentored me on the specifics of these beautiful cats. I got back into showing after 30 years because her friendship and experience showed me how much I was missing.
Lisa is an honest, caring individual who loves her cats and wants others to appreciate their babies as well. I feel very blessed to be owned by 4 of her babies and have her as a special friend.
Judi Milling
Troutman, NC
Stephanie Martin
8:41 am on Friday, March 11, 2011
I am also extremely impressed by Lisa Steegmeuller and her Magnificent Cats! I cannot begin to THANK her for the two Beautiful boys that have become such a part of my life. I not only got the kitten of my 'dreams', I also unexpectedly came home with Ali Ali Alijandro! He is the Big Beautiful BiColor Male that Lisa presented at the Cat Show, and I now have the honor of making him part of our family. I can never thank you enough! I instantly fell in love with this big, smart,and beautiful boy ! He has such a calm and loving nature, and his intelligence, immense size and beautiful fur coat, were all that I could have asked for. I consider myself more than Lucky that Lisa considered me for him! And even more pleased that 'he' considered me for him!
There is a unique quality in both Lisa and her cats that I didn't see anywhere else. We enjoyed our visits to her home where she and her husband shared some wonderful stories with us. It was evident that these cats had a caring and loving environment from the start!
You can also easily see all the time and effort that Lisa puts into her Cattery. 'The proof is in the puddin'! And you can see all the star qualities in her cats and kittens. In addition to taking your incredible Ragdolls home, Lisa also provides you with a big bag of goodies! These pampered kitties go home with food, their own little bed and some toys!!!!! Along with a wealth of information and a lifetime of friendship! THANK YOU!
Barbi M
10:30 pm on Monday, March 21, 2011
We have 7 gorgeous Ragdolls from Lisa with the sweetest personalities. When we first met Lisa in 2004, she made us feel comfortable because she was easy to talk to as well as knowledgeable. Her home is always clean and presentable and the cats are all well taken care of. Lisa & I became friends immediately and to this day, she means the world to me. We presently have a Seal Point, Blue Point, Seal BiColor, Seal Mitted, Flame Lynx Mitted, Blue BiColor and a White which we call our fur-children.
Each of our kittens were trained to use the litter box and clawing post which unfortunately, a lot of breeders won't take that extra step to claw post train for their customers. Lisa is very knowledgeable and takes pride in her Cattery as well as in her cats. She's also devoted to her Cat Shows which I think is great and she always has a beautiful Raggie to show. We could have gone to any Ragdoll breeder but chose Lisa for each of our cats and will continue doing so. She is truly a blessing to the Ragdoll community and her friendship is valued immensely. Your baby will also go home with a goodie bag which I find to be very thoughtful.
I just wanted to say thanks Lisa for all of your hard work, devotion & friendship. I'll always recommend you to anyone who is interested in a Ragdoll not only because your kittens are happy and healthy but also because they're coming from a lovely home and a beautiful person.
Thanks and God Bless!
Barbi M
(Southern N.J.)
Debbie
1:13 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
I was so happy when I had the opportunity to talk with Lisa in October,2010. I had had a negative experience with another Ragdoll breeder that left me discouraged. From my 1st contact with Lisa, I felt that I had found someone who could mentor & encourage me with obtaining a Ragdoll kitten. My 1st Dollinska Ragdoll is a mismarked blue mitted female, Merryweather. Her markings may not be perfect, but she is perfect in my heart. Having had such a great experience I asked Lisa for a show quality Seal bi-color girl. Dollinska Hershey Hugs N Kisses joined my merry group of fur babies in April. She went to her 1st show on July 16 & 17. She got a 10th Best Kitten and a 4th & 3rd Best Long Hair. When picking up Kissie, I mentioned to Lisa that I would like a white female. As white's in general are rare, I was supprized when Lisa called me 2 weeks later to tell me that someone had backed out of taking a white girl. Dollinska Czarina Belosnezhka (Snow White) joined my fur family. Snowie also went to her 1st show and got 12 best New Traits. I don't know if this is it, but if & when I decide to expand my Ragdoll family, I will be calling Lisa. In addition to being my mentor, she has become a friend.
Thank you Lisa.
Debbie =^..^=
Doylestown, PA