I have been owned by Burmese since I was a child - a seal named Mỹ lệ was my first cat. We also owned a Bluecream Persian and had several moggies over the years.

Mỹ lệ was entered into a show in my hometown of Gisborne, I can’t remember his placings other than “The cat with the longest whiskers”, which of course I thought was wonderful!

It wasn’t until around 20 years later, when wanting to see what this showing thing was really all about, we entered our neuter Russian Blue into the Kapiti cat show and from there, was hooked.

My husband Mushfik and I registered the Cairistona prefix in 2003, with our first litter of Burmese and Mandalay kittens being born in 2005. Our foundation queen was from Sashima Cattery – Brz Db Gr Ch Sashima Lace, who is now a spritely 18 years old and very much enjoying the retired life!

We continue to Burmese and Mandalay, with our Mandalay under the prefix of Mỹ lệ. We have also bred the odd litter of Tonkinese. We have two Dobermanns, which are very much owned by the cats too!

My particular interest is in genetics and safeguarding the wellbeing of all breeds which includes advocating the use of valuable tools such as health screening and genetic testing. These tools facilitate us to make informed decisions within our breeding programs.

I’ve been involved since 2003 with Palmerston North cat Club at a number of levels from committee member to President, and almost as long with the Burmese Cat Club of NZ having also been involved at all levels with being the North Island region’s current Chairperson and Life Member.  In addition, I am presently the NZCF Breed Representative for the Burmese breed group and served as a member of the NZCF Breed Standards Advisory Council from 2016 to 2021. In 2015 I qualified as a NZCF Shorthair Judge, gaining my Senior (international) status in 2018, and Supervisor status in 2021.  In 2021 I qualified as a NZCF Longhair Judge l where I look forward to meeting many more cat fanciers, learning about their beautiful longhair cats and working my way through to gaining my All Breeds status.

In my professional life, I am a Business Analyst working in the area of People and Culture and have previously been a Veterinary Nurse, for which I still hold professional registration.

For me every day is a learning day and I hope that by judging at shows, I can gain experience, learn more about each breed and along the way meet interesting and like-minded people.

I very much look forward to seeing your beautiful cats on the show bench!

>

>

>