An event described as the UK’s first-ever non-competitive cat show is to be staged in September.
The Cat Show Live will take place at NEC Birmingham on September 14 and is expected to welcome 3,000-5,000 cat lovers on the day, organisers maintain.
The event will be hosted by Olympic medallist Iwan Thomas and attendees visiting the 250-capacity theatre will hear from speakers discussing topics including grooming, behaviour, health and the latest trends in cat care.
Breeders in attendance will be showing off more than 250 cats from 50 different pedigree breeds and the show will also feature a retail space of 1,500sq metres and 100 trade stands. Eden Holistic Pet Foods was one of the first brands to secure space.
Visitors will also be invited to delve into the world of cat rescues and adoptions through ‘Hope Alley’, which leverages a digital rehome app to support and streamline the rehoming process. In addition, The Cat Show Live will be joined by members from the World Cat Congress (WCC) in a combined event.
The Cat Show Live was founded by husband-and-wife duo Peter Banbury and former Maine Coon cat breeder Samantha Marsh.
Marsh said: “The Cat Show Live is not just an event: it’s a culmination of our love for cats and our commitment to responsible, educated cat ownership
“We plan to establish The Cat Show Live as an annual event that celebrates feline excellence whilst also giving back to support cat charities and rescues across the UK.”
