By Liza Mohd
Rearing a cat should not only be seen as a form of hobby or entertainment, but we should give affection and fully commit to taking care and maintaining the feline's health and cleanliness.
This was said by organising chairperson Dyg Hjh Julia binte Chee in her speech at a cat show, which took place yesterday morning in Dewan Bandaran, Kuala Belait.
The cat show was one of the much-awaited events in the Belait District to mark the 61st birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam this year.
The competition aimed to increase people's love of cats and also to showcase different types of cat breeds.
Dyg Hjh Julia has been organising such competitions since 1983 in the hope of showing others that caring for cats can be a relaxing hobby and also a form of stress relief.
In the competition, the owners' dedication and commitment to their pets could be seen in the grooming and preparations their cats underwent for the event, the chairperson noted.
A large number of people flocked to Dewan Bandaran yesterday to admire the prize-winning cats that were also exhibited after the prize presentation ceremony.
About 40 cats competed in five categories, namely Persian, Siamese, Local, Neutered and Mixed Breed.
Cats were judged mainly on their fur, health and cleanliness. Extra categories included "Most Photogenic", "The Biggest", "Best Fur", "Unique" and "Best Of the Best", which automatically put the winning cat as the overall winner.
Dyg Hjh Julia added that professional veterinarians from the government and private sector were invited to judge the cats.
Apart from the competition, there was also a showcase of cat products and accessories by the local pet store, Petlink.
Proud owners of winning cats received trophies, cat food and other cat accessories, presented by the guest of honour, Pg Massunah binte Pg Hj Damit, wife of the Chairman of KB/Seria Municipal Board.
- Borneo Bulletin
(30th July 2007)
