Trevathan, a globe-trotting cat judge of 30 years who is set to judge shows in Beijing and Hong Kong in the following weeks, would examine about 225 cats at Saturdays Platinum Coast Cat Fanciers Association Cat Show.
The show, held at the Fort Myers Araba Shriners Hall, continues today.
An estimated 700 people had stopped by as of noon Saturday, with organizers expecting a few thousand over the course of the weekend.
Last years show was canceled due to the economy.
Those who attend this year will be able to peruse about 25 breeds of cat under one roof, including Siamese and Persians.
Donna Guyer, who has been breeding cats for about a decade, was at Saturdays show with two exotics, cats with fat, blunt faces and thick, short fur.
Sharing a cage, the older one, My Blue Heaven, lounged in a cat hammock hanging over the litter box while the 5-month old, Cha-Cha, slept in the corner, ignoring Guyers attempts to engage her with one of her many toys.
Its her first show and shes scared to death, she said.
Guyer has competed with dozens of cats over the years and flown to shows all over the country in the process, occasionally following judges favorable to her cats.
Sometimes if youre trying to get points, you do go to the good judges, she said. Or you try to avoid tough competition at home.
Travel costs combined with vet bills and show entry fees quickly add up, she said.
I probably spend $10,000 a year, easy, she said.
While some money is made back selling kittens, its never enough to break even, she said.
I would have been retired four years ago if it wasnt for my cats.
Others, like her friend Jay Langlois, can strike it rich.
Less than a month ago, he was offered $50,000 for Augustine, a Cream Lynx Exotic Shorthair who has produced a number of show-winning cats.
But Langlois turned the offer down because he believes Augustine will be worth much more once he produces 15 grand champions – cats who beat 75 others in their class – making him a distinguished merit cat, one of the highest honors a cat can earn.
I would like $150,000 for him and I will get that, he said.