KUCHING: The “City of Cats” truly lived up to its name on Saturday as the Kuching International Cat Festival (KICF) 2025 kicked off with a spectacular Cat Parade.
The parade, stretching from the Chinese Museum to the Waterfront stage, was officially launched by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Held from 7.45 pm to 9 pm, the parade thrilled spectators as 44 cats and their owners transformed the streets into a whimsical runway.
Feline participants wowed the crowd in a wide variety of imaginative costumes, including Harry Potter robes, royal-themed gowns, and traditional attire such as Melanau, Bidayuh, kebaya, sari, and cheongsam.
Amid the colourful spectacle, one seven-year-old contestant stole the show.
Mochi, a seasoned show cat owned by 27-year-old Jordan Arkin from Serian, claimed two top prizes, taking home RM1,800 in total.
She was crowned Champion Best Dressed Cat (RM800) and Champion Most Look Alike Pair Award (RM1,000), parading in a majestic royal-themed gown.
Despite her stage presence, Jordan described Mochi as reserved.
“You could say Mochi is an introvert. While she’s affectionate, she usually prefers to be alone.
“Thankfully, she has grown accustomed to the rigours of outdoor shows,” he said.
Jordan hopes the parade will become an annual fixture.
“Since Kuching is the City of Cats, people might wonder why there isn’t a cat event every year.
“If it’s held annually, it could attract more visitors and strengthen the love for cats,” he noted.
Organised by Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), KICF aims to promote Kuching’s distinctive feline identity on the international stage while encouraging compassion for animals and strengthening bonds between pets and owners.
The event’s strong turnout from local and international cat enthusiasts reaffirmed Kuching’s status as a vibrant city with a unique feline-centric culture.
