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Award-winning cat returns home to Raleigh

A 1-year-old Raleigh resident, who was voted the best cat in the world at an international competition, will be appearing locally this weekend.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — A 1-year-old Raleigh resident, who was voted the best cat in the world at an international competition, will be appearing locally this weekend.
Kuorii Santos of Cuzzoe, a black Persian, will be competing at the “Paws for Thanks” show at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Santos took "Best in Show" honors at the Cat Fanciers' Association International Cat Show in Atlanta, Ga. this past weekend. He beat out 750 other competitors.

The CFA’s International Cat Show is the largest international pedigreed cat show in the Western Hemisphere, according to the show’s Web site.

Brandon Moore, one of his co-owners, said Santos has won "Best in Show" in 39 of the 40 shows he has been in.

Santos lives with Moore and his other co-owner, Justin Pelletier, 30, in north Raleigh. Both men work at veterinary hospitals.

Pelletier said judges look at the cat’s ears, the shape of their eyes and body and their coats to determine a winner.

Preparing for a big show requires grooming. Pelletier said Santos’ baths can last up to 45 minutes, followed by more than an hour under the blow dryer.

“We clean his eye everyday, which is a chore,” Pelletier said.

Being a prized show cat isn’t all work. Santos sleeps on a silk bed and plays with soft toys.

“He prefers to be hand fed because he is spoiled,” Pelletier said.

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