Cats can outdo dogs on agility courses -- if they want to

Just for kicks, Betty Schilke tried running her Bengal cat Monsoon through a competitive obstacle course filled with tunnels, hoops and jumps.

To her amazement, Monsoon navigated the course "like nothin' " and took second place in a cat agility competition.

Schilke, a veterinarian in Winfield, will try it again with dozens of other cat owners this weekend at the TICA Cat Show and agility competition at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

"Being cats, you never know what they're going to do," she said. "They may run through the whole course or they may say, 'This is dumb,' and just sit there."

Such is the fickle world of cat agility, a sport officially born just four years ago when The International Cat Association held its first championship competition.

Dogs have been at it a while longer, but they've shown far more willingness than cats to do what their owners ask of them.

Agility courses are filled with jumps, steps, ladders and hoops, though (alas) none of the flaming variety.

Cat owners coax their pets through using toys or commands, but not food (because it could spread health problems).

Cats win by being the fastest to make a clean run with no obstacles missed or refused. The fastest cat in the sport so far, a Bengal named Packer, zipped through a 15-obstacle course in 14.5 seconds, setting a world record.

A beginner course has only five obstacles, while organizers are also developing an advanced course that features a 2-foot-high jumping hoop and double- and triple-jump platforms.

The competition is a sidelight to cat shows, but it's drawing increasing interest. People are surprised to discover that cats will even attempt it, but find they're impressed by the animals' athleticism.

"It draws the crowds," said Gene Baturin of Carpentersville, who ran a show last month in Oak Lawn.

Two years ago, he won the national title for best Russian Blue cat in the Cat Fanciers Association more traditional cat show. Now, he helps organize cat-related events.

To get a cat through the course, owners use a red laser light, a feather or a clicker, or simply call the cat's name.

Vivian Frawley leads her cat, Sir Linus, by crawling through the course on her hands and knees, whistling "Red River Valley" and rewarding him with kisses whenever he makes it over an obstacle.

The story of Linus' meteoric rise to second place at one cat agility event is the stuff of Hollywood fantasy.

Discovered as a 3-month-old kitten of a feral mother behind a pancake house in Addison, Linus was taken in by Cat Guardians Shelter, displayed at The International Cat Association show in Villa Park and adopted by Frawley, who lives in Milwaukee.

And like a Hollywood star, he needs the right motivation to get him to work.

"He knows the word kisses like he knows his name and will kiss when he hears that word," Frawley said. "Not bad for a feral kitten."

Every cat responds differently to the idea of competition.

Geri McKerlie of Palatine has a high-energy Havana named Fullofpurr Caturra of Javahut (for its coffee color) who cruised through the course, but when she tried her domestic shorthaired house cat, "She was like, you want me to do what?"

One of the founders of the cat agility movement, judge Vickie Shields, hopes the events will help improve the image of cats. They're often portrayed as aloof -- especially when compared to dogs -- but cats can be affectionate companions.

While dogs respond to an owner who acts as a pack leader, Shields says cats act as if they're in a colony, which is more like a buddy system.

Cats have their own language. When they come to you with their tails up straight, that means they're ready to play, which is all the owners ask.

"That is what it is all about after all," Frawley said. "Quality time with your companion animal."

Cat agility competition

When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont

Cost: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children 6 to 12, under 6 free

Information: (517) 694-9507 or www.glaceshow.com (Entries are closed but spectators are welcome.)