Maxx is an eight-month-old bengal with an extra 'x' in his name "because he's a little extra," said owner Kat Walsh. (Billy Penn)

Bengal, ragdoll, sphynx, and Scottish fold were among the breeds vying for top titles at the Philadelphia Catstravaganza, held for a second year this past weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks. 

The event is one of several hosted across North America and the UK by Loving Cats Worldwide (LCWW); its founder Steven Meserve also heads the Meserve Foundation, which promotes responsible pet ownership. Besides the competition, Philadelphia’s Catstravaganza featured stands and adoption stations by local organizations like the SPCA, Project Meow, Furrever Friends, and Stray Cat Blues, Inc.

Held over two days, the competition was for best kitten, cat, alter (neutered or spayed), household pet, and household pet kitten, evaluated by a panel of five certified judges including Meserve. More than 60 cats were in show this year, with the event attracting  “easily over 5,000 [attendees]” throughout the weekend, estimated Damian Hilton, LCWW’s Global Operations Communicator.

“It was a wild one, for sure,” he told Billy Penn toward the second day’s end.

Get a glimpse of the action below.

Preparing for judgment. (Billy Penn)
Over 60 cats were entered in this year’s competition. (Billy Penn)
A bengal at a judging station. (Billy Penn)
Owners move their cats through different rings, or judging stations, throughout the competition. (Billy Penn)
The competition featured categories like best cat and best alter (neutered or spayed). (Billy Penn)
“I’ve never had a cat that just makes me laugh on a regular basis,” Terri Braud said of Walter, her 18-month-old blue point bicolor ragdoll. “He’s in your business and in your face.” (Billy Penn)
Archie gearing up for the competition. Owner Tatiana Sofranova has previously entered the three-and-a-half-year-old Scottish Fold in shows in New Hampshire and Cape Cod. (Billy Penn)
Tatiana Safronova said she prefers Scottish Fold cats, like Archie, because they’re “friendly, very calm, very kind.” (Billy Penn)
Darla, a nine-month-old seal point ragdoll, with owner Christine Lupo. “It’s her first time in show,” said Lupo. “So, she’s a little antsy.” (Billy Penn)
Darla gets a better view of the crowd. (Billy Penn)
Pharaoh Ramses, with owner Paris Larrabee. (Billy Penn)
The Philadelphia Catstravaganza is Pharaoh Ramses’s second cat show, after being previously entered in a competition in Boston. (Billy Penn)
A Scottish Fold strikes a pose at a judging stand. (Billy Penn)
Steven Meserve, founder of Loving Cats Worldwide, the lead organizer for the competition. (Billy Penn)
On the catwalk at the Philadelphia Catstravaganza. (Billy Penn)
Within the competition’s categories, cats are judged against others of the same breed. (Billy Penn)
Franklin, an American short hair, shortly before making an attempt at a plate of hotdogs. (Billy Penn)
The competition also featured categories for Best Kitten and Best Household Pet, Kitten. (Billy Penn)
The Philadelphia Catstravaganza also featured kittens up for adoption. (Billy Penn)
Ragdoll kitten Yuki is “very outgoing,” said owner Devante Klaver. “He loves to play around, he’s very needy for attention. So, this is meeting all his criteria.” (Billy Penn)
Skittles, a female domestic short hair, up for adoption from Stray Cat Blues, Inc. (Billy Penn)
Joey Tribiani, Dr. Ross Geller, and Parshnip (who has a “lisp” due to an overbite), available for adoption through Furrever Friends. (Billy Penn)
Emily, a “senior lady with a zest for life,” available for adoption through Furrever Friends in Woodbury, New Jersey. (Billy Penn)

For more information on Loving Cats Worldwide, and how to enter your cat in an upcoming competition, visit their website.