Frome cat wins top honours at Somerset Cat Show

A Frome cat has won multiple awards, including Best in Show at the Somerset Cat Show, held in Thornbury last month. 

Peggy Soo, a Maine Coon, won the Best Pedigree Pet and Best of Breed categories before going on to win the coveted Best in Show, at the annual event which is organised by the West Country Cat Club and Somerset Cat Club. 

Peggy Soo, 16, competed against other cats from across the country. She is a veteran of the show circuit and has won over 100 rosettes competing against cats from all over England including some from Wales, Birmingham and Newcastle. 

At the Somerset Cat Show, cats are judged for their temperament, structure and coat, among other criteria. 

Speaking about the competitions, Peggy Soo’s owner, Carole Neale, said, “Preparation is key. Three hours of grooming take place the day before a show, involving two types of shampoo, a blow-dry, a pedicure and on the morning of the big day I do powder her up a little to make her even more fluffy. 

“Maine Coons are known as the ‘gentle giants’ of the cat world. They have a lion’s mane, tufted ears and ‘huge’ paws and tails; they can weigh in at 25 pounds. They are friendly, playful, vocal and loyal.”