<figure id="attachment_3132551" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3132551" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3132551" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/edd348a5-grace.webp" alt="GRACE" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3132551" class="wp-caption-text">Grace Chong says every cat, even stray cats like hers named Bella, deserve to compete in cat shows. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)</figcaption></figure>
AMPANG: She wowed every judge she met. With her chonky frame, big doe eyes, and neatly groomed fur, Bella was impossible to resist.
The nine-year-old cat chased the feather teaser like a pro, climbed the cat pole with impressive athleticism, flopped on her back to show off her patterned belly, and was on her very best behaviour from start to finish.
So, it was no surprise when Bella clinched one of the most coveted prizes at the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) International Cat Show 2025 in Orlando, Florida, this June. And you’d be forgiven for thinking she came from a prized pedigree.
Bella was born to a stray cat rescued by Grace Chong nearly a decade ago. Her historic win &#8211; taking home the prestigious Best Household Pet (International) title &#8211; proves that “there is no difference between pedigree and domestic cats. Every cat is the same,” said Chong.
<figure id="attachment_3132557" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3132557" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3132557" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/164a51f9-winners-lifestyle-emelpic-120825.webp" alt="winners" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3132557" class="wp-caption-text">Loh Wai Leong (left), Chong, and Lai Howe Chuan (right) with Patrick Chin (second from right), Pet Universe Nourish&#8217;s CEO at the award ceremony in Florida. (Pet Universe Nourish pic)</figcaption></figure>
The 25-year-old Puchong-based groomer enters cat shows to prove that “stray cats can also shine” when given the chance.
“Pedigree is just a certificate and the breed. Every domestic cat must have some genes from different pedigrees. To me, they are all just cats,” Chong said.
Bella joined 13 other Malaysian cats who brought home titles across three major categories this year. Among the winners: Akiko, crowned Best Kitten (International), and Joker, who bagged 8th Best Championship (International).
“It was unbelievable when they announced Akiko as the winner. I was thrilled &#8211; not only was it my first time winning, it was also a first for a Malaysian,” said Loh Wai Leong. “I was shocked because when I got her, I never thought she’d be able to go this far!”
Lai Howe Chuan, Joker’s pawrent, said: “I feel very happy for him, and myself … all the hard work paid off. This is obviously a very good achievement for him.”
<figure id="attachment_3132550" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3132550" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3132550" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/5f8b8bda-bella.webp" alt="BELLA" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3132550" class="wp-caption-text">Bella, once a stray cat, is a naturally playful kitty who loves belly rubs. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)</figcaption></figure>
The CFA cat show, held annually since 1994, is a series of mini-competitions called “rings”, each with its own judge. Cats are handled, assessed, and awarded ribbons, with points building toward national or regional titles.
Loh, a 33-year-old pet distributor, said Akiko, a Selkirk Rex, is no stranger to the cat competition circuit, having competed in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. When he first brought her home, Loh said she was shy, “but after a few weeks, she became playful, and that’s why judges like her.”
Training, however, isn’t like with dogs. “I constantly turn on the TV or radio at home so she’s used to noise. Competitions can be a very loud environment,” Loh explained.
“But she’s dog-like in one way &#8211; she clings to me and is so affectionate. She’s family to me,” he added.
<figure id="attachment_3132549" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3132549" style="width: 2560px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3132549" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2a4f6419-akiko.jpg" alt="AKIKO" width="2560" height="1706" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3132549" class="wp-caption-text">Akiko is a real charmer with her big, round eyes. (Loh Wai Leong pic)</figcaption></figure>
Lai said he never had to train Joker, a black Devon Rex, because “he instantly reacts to teasers. He’s hyperactive, maniacal, and not afraid of anything. He is naturally playful.”
The 47-year-old laughed that Joker will eat “anything he sees”, including vegetables, food on the table, and even food offerings to the deities at his house altar!
Even with his altar-raiding habits, Lai’s story shows a cat’s quirks don’t stop them from shining in the ring. Chong agreed, adding that owners shouldn’t feel discouraged from joining competitions.
“You have to give it a try because when I first joined cat shows, I didn’t think my cat would win anything since she is a stray. But she did. So, if you’ve never tried, you’ll never know,” Chong said.
Lai agreed: “Don’t think of winning first. Just try it. You’ll meet new friends, exchange tips, and give your cat a chance.”
“If you don’t win the competition,” added Loh, “you’ll win knowledge, friends, and connections. It’s something you should try at least once &#8211; you may not like it, but you won’t regret it.”
Find out more about the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) International Cat Show <a href="https://cfa.org/catexpo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

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