Troy Lowder sported a leopard-print dress shirt Saturday for the special occasion.
"My wife's at the swim meet with the kids," said Lowder, 38, of Portland. "I'm at the cat show."
Lowder and about 80 other Portland-area cat owners auditioned with their beloved furballs for a chance to become one of eight contestants in the "Meow Mix Think Like a Cat Game Show." The four-round show, set to air Nov. 15 on the Game Show Network, will test the owners on general feline knowledge and how well they can predict their cat's actions. The winner could potentially go home with $1 million and $100,000 for a local feline charity.
"I've been told I act like a cat, and I walk like one," said Robin Paulissen, 52, of Salem, who auditioned with her Siamese cat, Shiva. "I can hunt like a cat because I have to catch what they bring in -- mice, a bird, rabbit, bat."
(Human) contestants first waded through a 20-question quiz on cat anatomy, health and nutrition, behavior and popular culture. Then a cat behaviorist analyzed each pet to make sure it would be comfortable on camera.
Read more in Sunday's print edition.
"Meow Mix Think Like a Cat Game Show"
When: Auditions for the Game Show Network program will continue 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Red Lion Hotel, 1021 N.E. Grand Ave.
Who: Auditions are open to all cat owners 18 and older. Cats must be transported in carriers. No preregistration is required.
Information: www.meowmix.com
Yuxing Zheng; yuxingzheng@news.oregonian.com