Two Lewis County rescue kittens earn international honors

Triple AAA and Tortuga, two kittens rescued from bushes in Lewis County by Kay Hanvey, went on to earn the top two international Household Pet Kitten honors in The International Cat Association (TICA) during the 2025-2026 show season.

Triple AAA was named International Household Pet Kitten of the Year, Northwest Region Household Pet Kitten of the Year and the Northwest Region’s 10th Best Household Pet.

Tortuga earned International Second Best Household Pet Kitten, Northwest Region’s Second Best Household Pet Kitten and the Northwest Region’s Ninth Best Household Pet.

Their journey highlights an important message for cat lovers: non-pedigreed cats, including rescues, can compete and succeed at TICA cat shows, a news release from TICA stated.

The Household Pet category celebrates cats without requiring a pedigree.

“Every cat deserves the chance to be seen for how special they are, regardless of whether they have a pedigree,” Julie Laney, president of Kootenai Kats Cat Club, said in the news release. “Triple AAA and Tortuga started life hiding in the bushes, and today they are international award winners. Their story reminds us that a cat’s beginnings do not define what they can become. We want families to know that the cat they rescued, adopted or welcomed into their home could shine in the show ring, too.”

Kootenai Kats Cat Club will host the “Gobble Til You Wobble” TICA International Cat Show Nov. 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds, 32 Elma-McCleary Road, Elma.

The two-day event features a 12-ring alternative-format show, with both pedigreed cats and household pets.

Admission is $8 per day or $15 for both days; seniors, veterans, students and children ages 5 to 12 are $5; families of four cost $20; and children age 4 and under are free.

Kootenai Kats Cat Club is collecting canned cat food at the show to benefit the Cats Meow Spay and Neuter Project in Chehalis. Visitors who bring a can of cat food to donate will receive $2 off admission.