Reptile & Amphibian Forums

1) What supplies are needed for showing, please include everything, even if it seems obvious.
2) What is the appropriate style of dress/hair/makeup for the handler?
3) Do you have any grooming tips beyond the obvious clean and well combed?
4) What is the process for getting a cat GCed? It's a matter of points, isn't it?
5) How about show etiquette? Do you talk to the judges, other handlers, or keep quiet?

Sorry if some of this seems obvious, but I've never been to a show, and don't know what to expect.
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Jennifer

My alley cats: Annabel Lee, Othello, Helena, Vladimir, and Maxwell.

My Bengal: Razzle Tazzle.

My Himalayans: Krueger, Jinx, Dumplin', Dervish, Angel, and Precious. Thank you, Jennifer, Sandy, and Rita for trusting me with your babies!!!

Jennifer, below is a link to CFA's Mentoring program. They also have a webpage for new exhibitors. Look at the left column under Cat Shows. Also, make sure you are familiar with the organization's show rules. It's no fun to go and show if you wind up losing all your points on a breach of the rules.

There are so many things... cage covers if you use the standard cages provided and binder clips, safety pins or other means of fastening cage covers to the cage, tho many people today use the pop-up show cages now. Disposable litter pans (either the cardboard ones or even an 8x8 foil pan). Most shows provide litter courtesy of one manufactuer or another, but this info should be in the entery flyer. Cat food or treats, water from home and a small water dish. Grooming stuff. If you have longhairs, you may want to request a grooming space, otherwise you're doing it on a chair or your lap. Check the show flyer for info on human food and water availability. At most shows you can bring your own, but some show venues don't allow you to bring in your own stuff. Remember you may be there for 8 to 10 hours... one or more days. Pens and pencils for score keeping and keeping track of the show schedule. A camera as it is always fun to have pics of your kits at a show. I'm going to include a few shots another host took at a cat show a couple of years ago so you can see what it looks like.

Cat shows, unlike dog shows, have the cat judged by several judges independently. As a rule, two allbreed rings and two specialty rings. Each cat is assigned a number based on class, breed and sex, it's important to listen for the numbers to be called, usually by group - such at kittens 25 to 35 to Ring 1. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to get their cat to the appropriate ring on a timely basis and into the judging cage.

Shows are a lot of fun, but it is a long day and it is much easier if you have a mentor or make some friends to help you learn the ropes.

CFA Mentor Program

Thank you! I have actually already emailed CFA about the mentoring program, but they haven't gotten back to me, so I emailed them again. That was a moth ago and still nothing. Thankfully though, the women, who I am buying my Himis from are all taking me under their wings and they do show. I'll probably be going with one of them, when the time comes. I appreciate all the info.
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Jennifer

My alley cats: Annabel Lee, Othello, Helena, Vladimir, and Maxwell.

My Bengal: Razzle Tazzle.

My Himalayans: Krueger, Jinx, Dumplin', Dervish, Angel, and Precious. Thank you, Jennifer, Sandy, and Rita for trusting me with your babies!!!

I'm a member of the CFA Mentoring Program myself. It's very hard to get placed with a mentor, particularly if you are not in an area where there are lots of shows or breeders.

However, the CFA Mentoring group/list is a good source of information and an excellent forum for asking questions.
CFA Mentoring Group List