Portland’s ‘It’s Reigning Cats’ show spotlights pedigreed breeds, adoption messaging, and cat-care education

A weekend cat show built around competition, public access and education

Portland’s “It’s Reigning Cats” has drawn attention as a recurring, multi-day cat show format that brings pedigreed cats, judges and the public together under one roof. The event is typically staged at the Holiday Inn Portland-Airport (I-205) on Northeast Columbia Court, using a schedule that spans Friday afternoon through Sunday, with admissions structured by day and discounted categories for students, seniors, children and families.

The show is designed around an “allbreed” competition model, meaning multiple recognized breeds appear in the same program rather than a single-breed specialty. Public-facing elements emphasize access: attendees can watch cats presented in judging rings and visit vendor areas marketed toward routine feline needs such as food, grooming tools and accessories.

What the competition format looks like

Cat shows in this format typically rely on repeated judging “rings,” where different judges evaluate cats in sequence. Organizers have promoted large ring counts across three days, a structure that increases the number of evaluations and helps determine placements within categories such as kittens, adults and altered cats. Promotional materials have also described the presence of dozens of breeds and, in some editions, close to 200 cats entered in competition, underscoring the scale of the exhibitor side of the event.

• Three-day public schedule (Friday through Sunday), with set open hours each day.

• Allbreed competition model with multiple judging rings.

• Public viewing of judging alongside vendor booths.

How it fits into Portland’s wider “cat culture” moment

The cat show arrives in a city that has recently hosted high-profile cat-themed public programming. In 2024, downtown Portland displayed a temporary public art trail featuring 31 large cat sculptures inspired by the film “Coraline,” installed for a limited run and later auctioned to raise funds for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The project drew substantial foot traffic and was promoted as part of downtown revitalization and fundraising efforts, illustrating the broader appeal of cat-centered events in the region.

Cat-focused public events in Portland have recently ranged from competitive exhibitions to large-scale outdoor art installations tied to fundraising.

Public health and animal-welfare considerations

Event notices have consistently instructed visitors to leave personal pets at home. That guidance reflects common show practices intended to reduce stress for animals on display and to limit health risks in dense environments where cats from many households and catteries are present. While adoption is frequently referenced in cat-event promotion nationally, the “It’s Reigning Cats” branding has highlighted both competition and public education, with messaging oriented toward responsible ownership and practical care.

For Portland-area residents, the show functions as a concentrated, in-person view of breed diversity, grooming standards and handling practices—paired with the consumer marketplace that typically follows the cat-show circuit.