REPORTS FROM EARLY CAT SHOWS AROUND THE WORLD
INDIA
[CALCUTTA DOG AND CAT SHOW] Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore), 2nd January 1880
There is every prospect of the dog and cat show at Calcutta proving a success, especially as regards the dogs, of which nearly one hundred have been already entered. The owners of cats do not seem to come forward so readily, though from our experience of Calcutta we should have thought that there were more cats than doge. A new and more simple classification of the dogs has been prepared, the first one having been found too elaborate. The Honorary Secretary will be happy to give all necessary information to intending exhibitors.
CALCUTTA DOG AND CAT SHOW, CALCUTTA Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore), 13th January 1880
The endeavours of the honorary committee for the management of the zoological gardens to get up a dog and cat show must, considering this to be their first attempt, be pronounced successful. The object which the committee have had in view in getting up such a show has been to encourage the acclimatisation, domestication, and breeding of these animals, and was one of the great practical aims in view when the original prospectus was issued in 1875 under the sanction of the Bengal government. Some little difficulty was felt, no doubt, as to the classification of the animals; but this was overcome by the committee adopting, in the case of dogs, the classification of Stonehenge [pseudonym of a writer about dogs], and in that of our feline pets that of Dr. Stable. Precluded as we are from expressing any opinion as to the respective merits of the animals, we may state that the total number of dogs exhibited was 152 [. . .] Of cats there was an exhibition only of eighteen - five being English, four Bengalee, three Persian, and five of other countries . . . amongst the cats Captain Scurr's "Tommy" (English), the zoological garden's "Billy" (Persian,) and Captain Miller's Black Manx, were most admired.
[According to the Bangalore Spectator, 15th January 1880, 21 cats were entered, but they may have reflected some cats being entered in more than one class.]
MUSSOORIE SHOW Friend of India and Statesman, 16th June 1880
There was a horse, dog, and cat show at Mussoorie on the 5th instant.
THE CUBBON PARK FAIR [BENGAL] Bangalore Spectator, 29th July 1882
The Maharajah of course opened the Fair in the morning and the proceedings commenced with the Dog and Cat show. From all I am told Bangalore is famous for its canine and feline tribes, but [. . .] the cats (four in number) were not even possessed of lungs capable of raising the caterwaul. [. . .] I have rather a good thing to tell about the cats. One Pussy was spotted like a leopard, and was pronounced at once, quite a rare and novel specimen of her species. But it occurred to one of the Committee to try whether Pussy’s coat would stand brushing, with the result that the dye which her owner had touched her up with, came away under the process. That cat was “up a tree” immediately afterwards, and her owner was not slow in following.
[OOTACAMUND – INDIA - GYMKHANA, DOG AND CAT SHOW] Madras Weekly Mail, 11th October 1882
The last Gymkhana of the season took place on Saturday last, and the programme was the best we have had. . . . You will see from the enclosed card the dog show was the first event and a very fair number of entries for some of the classes . . . Class B. cat show, seven entries. The judges being unable to decide, a Committee of ladies was formed who unanimously decided Mrs. Tennant's "Tizzy dear" was the best.
DOG AND CAT SHOW] FANCY FAIR AT THE ZOO, CALCUTTA Friend of India and Statesman, 9th January 1883
[. . .] The feature of the Fair was undoubtedly the dog, cat, and bird show. [. . .] Of the cats, a handsome English specimen, exhibited by Mr. B. Raymond, took the prize from eleven other competitors.
MURREE [INDIA] Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore), 21st August 1893
The annual Horse, Dog and Cat show was held this year, as usual, on the Depot parade ground; the addition of cats was an innovation, though they did not muster strong.
A CAT SHOW. Madras Weekly Mail, 24th December 1908
Mr. Annasawmy Moodelliar is organising a big function at the extension on the 7th January, when he intends inviting the public to be present at the opening of several new houses built by him in the new village. In connection with this function there is to be a Cat Show, when the Hon'ble the Resident will offer prizes for the best cats. The idea is obviously to encourage the keeping of cats so that the nuisance in the locality may be reduced to a minimum. I believe it is to be stipulated that the cats are not to be fed at home; so that they may be more efficient as rat-catchers. The prizes will be for rat-fed cats.
HONG KONG
[HONG KONG CAT Show] Overland China Mail, 6th July 1909
A committee has been appointed to make arrangements for the cat show which in being promoted by the Sanitary Department. It includes both sections of the community, Europeans and Chinese.
[HONG KONG CAT SHOW] London and China Telegraph, 3rd July 1916
A successful dog and cat show has been held in Hongkong.