Menai transformed into cat community on Sunday, for a popular annual exhibition of purring pussycats.
Each one strutted out of its cage in proud posture, with shiny coats and pointed ears. With a confident flick of a tail, they swiftly stepped up to the judge's block.
It was meow central at Club Menai for the 22nd annual ANCATS show, an event organised by Australian National Cats Inc, with partners Cat Protection Society of NSW and Sylvania Veterinary Hospital.
Hundreds of cat lovers and curious observers alike showed up to the arena, which was fluffed up with primping and slicking ahead of contest time.
ANCATS president Brian Edwards said the suburb was the ideal choice to show-off some champion felines.
"Menai is a really good area for pets - everyone has a fish or a goat, or even a horse, so lots of animal lovers were there," he said.
"We had masses of kids around the Ragdoll kittens, and stalls selling catty things were very successful."
All eyes were on which kitty would reign supreme. Competition was sharp - with international judges casting a watchful glance over each claw and white whisker.
From Siamese to Orientals, and a rare Elf - the only one in NSW, were show highlights.
"There are standards for each breed - big, small, tall, eye shape, long fur, no fur, tail length," Mr Edwards said.
"The Elf cat is like a Sphinx, but its ears go back the other way - it's a natural mutation. It's the only one in the country that has been shown so that attracted quite a bit of interest.
"A British Shorthair was the big winner, taking three out of six rings, which was pretty startling."
The stars of the show were all well-behaved, with not a cat fight to be seen.
"Our shows are different to most because people are among the cats all day," Mr Edwards said.
"If one was looking a bit unhappy, the owner gave it a cuddle and put it back in the cage as judges moved around the hall.
"The visitors were funny. A judge would get a cat out and start judging, and people would come up and give it a pat. But they don't mind that setting. If you make it miserable for visitors, it's not much fun."
