Miers with her current Bengal stud and show cat, Thunder

Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Judy Miers

Judy Miers, resident of Knight’s Bridge, loves her cats. Her humble home is also currently home to nine Bengal cats and a new litter of Bengal kittens that Miers cares for. Coordinator for Bengal Cat Rescue of the Rockies, owner of Aspengold Bengals Cattery, and active member of the Colorado Cats, Inc. cat club, Miers has devoted a lot of time and attention to her feline friends.

After retiring from the health care profession in 2000, Miers started a pet sitting service since her passion was always the love of animals.  Miers says, “One of my clients had two Bengal cats and when I saw them, petted them, and played with them, I was totally hooked!  I had to have one! Since then, I have always had multiple Bengal cats in my home; some to show, some to breed, and all to love!”

Miers shows her cats at The International Cat Association (TICA) shows because they allow exotic cats as well as the more common purebreds.  The shows also have a household pet category for all the mixed breeds out there. Miers has had many winning cats and her ultimate goal for breeding is to produce a more perfect Bengal cat which is judged against TICA standards in regards to anatomical structure, health pattern, and temperament.

Along the way, Miers has bred pet quality kittens that she sells so families can enjoy the breed.  Bengals cats are the most popular cat breed ever according to TICA registries. 

Colorado Cats, Inc. is putting on a TICA show March 12 -13 at the Colorado Springs City Auditorium, 221 East Kiowa Street. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children with families never more than $15 total. If you bring 1 or 2 nonperishable food items, you will get $1 or $2 off of the admission price. The donations will benefit Care and Share Food Bank of Colorado Springs.  With the theme “A Pot of Gold” there will be a $100 gift certificate given away as well. 

“We will have many gorgeous cats there including cats many people have never seen before; Bengals, Savannahs, Peterbald, Munchkins, Pixie Bobs, and American Bob Tails, and Ocicats to mention a few.  We are also featuring two first generation Bengal cats for exhibition who were the result of breeding a Bengal cat with an Asian Leopard Cat, which is the foundation cat of the Bengal breed,” Miers remarked.

All the cats in attendance will be judged and will win ribbons.  There will be kittens for sale and there will also be vendors present that sell cat related items as well as fun feline crafters. Home cooked food will be available for purchase, there will be raffles, fund raising for rescuing cats, and even adoptable cats courtesy of Safe Place, Siamese Rescue, Look What the Cats Brought In, and also a rescued female Bengal.

Says Miers, “It is a wonderful family event and just a wholesome good time!”