Cats are always welcome in 4-H

By Marty Metzger
Correspondent

Only one Larimer County Fair project has nine lives: Cat 4-H.

This little-known category had an inauspicious beginning with a mere seven members. Founder Gloria Ogdahl, along with daughters Kelsey and Kirsten Wolf, diligently worked to establish their pet project. Now, 10 years later, what began as a kitten-sized program has grown into a pretty big cat.

Kirsten Wolf, who has served as Cat 4-H project county superintendent for the past three years, said that 85 members participated in 2006, and 52 of them showed their felines at the county fair.

Cat candidates for a project must be at least 4 months old. Pedigreed (which can be intact) or household pets (preferably altered) are all accepted. Wolf said that a three-legged, a one-eared and some Manx individuals have been shown, along with more ubiquitous varieties. All feline temperaments are welcome, even cattitude-flaunting potential winners of the annual Grumpy Cat Award.

Any 4-H club can include cat projects. Project or organizational leaders can refer members to Wolf's clinics, which begin in March. These are introduction to 4-H, showmanship, grooming, record books and cage decoration. A practice show helps hone newly acquired skills.

Cage decoration offers youngsters an opportunity to demonstrate ingenuity and creativity while insuring proper security for their cats. Each enclosure must be metal or wire, 22 inches tall, 22 inches wide and 46 inches long and contain food, water, litter box, cat bed, toys and, of course, a cat. Cages must have a bottom piece and solid coverings, usually fabric, on three sides and on top.

Clean cats

One surprising skill comes into play in the grooming aspect of the project, and Wolf teaches the refreshing class: bathing cats. Here, the common misperception that cats hate any H2O deeper than their water bowls is dispelled. Proper introduction to baths produces happy, squeaky-clean cats.

Wolf said the sudsy proposition is a two-person job that can be conducted in a sink, tub, shower or large bucket. Feline formula shampoos and conditioners are used for normal coat types, while Wolf recommends Ivory soap for greasy kitties. She stressed the importance of getting all the soap out. Further, she warned, getting water on kitty's face is inadvisable because a scared cat can be a bombshell to work with. If a cat has extremely matted hair, or if the owner is leery of attempting the bath, a professional groomer should be used.

Long-haired cats can be bathed once every two or three months, short-hairs once or twice a year.

Frightened or agitated cats shed, so most shed at least a little at the county fair. Proper brushing and patient reassurance, however, can help alleviate flying fur. The fear factor is why cat 4-H judging precedes actual fair dates. Competitors strive to avoid any hissy-fit moments. Keeping kitty calm is a project priority.

Conformation classes at the fair are divided into kitten, long-haired household pet, short-haired household pet, senior and purebred.

A written test that was given the first four years and then dropped is returning for the 2007 fair.

Showmanship, cage decoration and other cat items (handmade toys or scratching posts) will also be judged.

The cat show usually lasts eight to 10 hours. Champion and reserve champion entries each receive a trophy. All participants receive ribbons.

Very few Colorado counties offer the cat project so, as yet, there is no state fair competition. But Larimer County's 4-H program offers members, ages 8 to 18, many getting-to-know-you ways to better bond with their favorite felines. Wolf, owner of three, thinks it's absolutely the cat's meow!

For information about Cat 4-H, call the Larimer County Cooperative Extension office at 498-6000 or access www.larimer.org/ext.