Natalie Patrick, deputy regional director of the ACT Cat Alliance, has entered two of her three pets at the weekend. Photo: Jay Cronan
Come Saturday evening, Natalie Patrick will bathe her bengal cats, trim their claws and clean their teeth and ears.
The Conder resident is deputy regional director of the ACT Cat Alliance and has entered her pets at its show on Sunday.
The ''Halloween Scary Cats'' 18th Championship All Breeds Cat Show is on at the Ainslie Football and Social Club from 10am to 4pm.
Ms Patrick said there would 45 cats on display and they would vie for several titles - the top accolade is for the best cat in show.
''The judges are looking for particular characteristics against what the ideal of the breed should have,'' she said.
''The judges are looking for cat that is first of all well behaved, that's well groomed … then it gets into the actual characteristics of the cat, the head shape, the eye shape.''
The show is Halloween themed, hence an award for the best decorated cage, which will be chosen by the public.
Ms Patrick said when a few years ago her two domestic ginger cats vanished within two months of each other she was heartbroken, but then began to consider buying another cat.
She first fell in love with bengal cats for their looks, but she said they were also active, talkative and affectionate.
''They've all got unique personalities, they're all different, but the bengals in general all do like to have a chat,'' she said.
Ms Patrick said her cats don't mind getting wet voluntarily, and even played in an in-ground pool in her backyard enclosure.
To wash them for a show she puts them in her shower so they can't jump out.
''If you bathe a cat and groom it from when it's quite young, if you get it used to getting its claws clipped and having a bath they do get used to it, and … they get better as they get older,'' she said.
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