"4"^^ . "2"^^ . . "2016-05-29T00:00:00"^^ . "2"^^ . "My review is about both the Shriners and the Superstition Cat Fanciers show / cat rescue adoptions experience:\n\nI spent Memorial Day holiday at the CFA-licensed cat show at this auditorium yesterday-instead of having/attending a BBQ. I must love cats this much ;) The cat show was located inside the auditorium, while the rescue/adoption was set up at the main lobby (near the door(!). Admission (for show only) was $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $1 off if you brought a can of cat or dog food. Show catalog was $3. There were cat-themed vendors. There was commissary-style food where you ordered at a big roll-up 'window' in the wall where you can see a kitchen like a cafeteria. Not cute architecture that made it look like the food in there's junk (didn't eat, already had a full meal at home beforehand anyway). The ambiance and temperature at this location were at a comfortable range, especially for the adorable cats/kittens present. While this spacious building is pretty much located at an old neighborhood that runs the risk of being called a dump, it appeared well-kept and even the restroom was modern and clean. I wonder why it's not located right by the street and yet, you'd have to enter a dead-end long winding curved street to get to the fairly big parking lot- and, also, what's with the exotic name of the building...\nThe building's name was originally at the former location of 15th Avenue and Washington Street in 1921 and relocated to this location in 1989. The former building was renamed Polly Rosenbaum that's standing today. The name \"Shriners\" is based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. Of course, the building is leased for various small events.\nThe people at the cat show were nice (in Arizona fashion- must be the ick hot weather out); yet, All About Animals Rescue volunteers(?)- not so much. They wouldn't let potential adopters or attendees handle the cats/kittens, they stood there talking among themselves without much approaching people to assist (unless they were doing something \"wrong\"), they also weren't identifying themselves properly (and looked disheveled), and they didn't bother give out their business cards or adoption applications (without somebody pulling teeth just to get them to give them)- just \"adopt\" spam handouts. The cats & kittens were pretty much anti-social and didn't truly belong there due to needing more foster-care socialization :( I looked up the group online and saw that they pull e-list animals and treat them medically and place them at various Petsmart locations- I don't see \"foster homes\". My breed specialty is a Persian, and I felt bad playing with the 3 show Persians having fun inside the hall while the 2 rescue Persians (1 fluffy, 1 exotic/zot) were classified as \"moody, timid\". Even the kittens were anti-social. I had tears in my eyes :( I did have the opportunity to pet those 2 rescue Persians and hold the exotic that the one nice volunteer handed to me, but another volunteer approached her to admonish her that it was not allowed. They also told me the fluffy Persian was a biter & scratcher. I asked said nice volunteer what some of those cats/kittens doing there if they're not clearly ready for adoption, and she wasn't sure what to reply and was apologetic in her gesture. I felt sorry for her because she was clearly uncomfortable being a volunteer for them. I certainly hope I misread and that there are actually foster homes socializing them but, regardless, they were at the Shriners location too soon. Overall, I'm not sure what that rescue group intended for the cats/kittens at the show- perhaps, just to look at? Part of the reason I attended the event was to check out this rescue group because it's said they partnered with an entity who's planning to open Arizona's first cat cafe, where foster cats for adoption will hang around at the eatery with the diners like a pet and you know, cats need social skills first beforehand. I even asked the group if they'd heard of the cat cafe plan and they said they'd never heard of it. Such oddity. Not fair to the cats/kittens and not polite towards interested adopters by making them look/feel like criminals for wanting to adopt and/or hold the cats/kittens to decide whether they wanted to adopt. For shame. Something's off-putting, and I think they were way over their heads business-wise (they also rescue dogs), which reminds me of hoarding-type rescues that I often hear about in Arizona. In concluding, if/when I'm looking to adopt a rescue someday, I will look elsewhere. I just remind myself that I have a dog (Shih Tzu) and a cat (Persian) at home so I am not looking to adopt. I hope and pray that those cats/kittens are truly okay and just needed more socialization- they had a sad moment in life and deserve big loves and loving homes! I am a huge animal lover and will always be vocal for all creatures, big & small, and be on their side- always!"^^ . . "2"^^ . .