As I have received a lot of questions regarding what is happening in the shows with homecat, I decided to make a small guide for you. This is based on FiFe rules.
To begin showing your cat, you must be a member of breed cat organization. It does not matter really what organization your membership comes from, you can make your own pick.
You can find a list of available shows at http://fifeweb.org/wp/shows/shows.asp . In good times prior to the show you have to register your cat to enter the show. Remember, the cat has to have valid vaccinations, microchip and a housecat over 10months old has to be sterilized and you should have a document to proove this. Signing up to the show can happen with various ways, depending of the organizer. Either by mail, email or webform. You should have your confirmation paper signed and stamped by your club to proove your membership. The fee for the show has to be paid to the organizers bank account by the last available date.
For housecats, you do not need to worry about things like color numbers. What you need to know is :
- Category is 14. This stands for housecats.
- Mark your cat as longhair (HCL) or shorthair (HCS)
First of all, you arrive to the show area and after vetenary check (this is to see that your cat is healthy and has vaccinations + microchip in order) you can pick up your number and find your cage. Before releasing your darling from the box, you should decorate the showcage. For the first shows there is not much need for anything fancy and expensive, even old towels/bedsheets will suit. You can easily fasten them up with safetypins. The cage should have 3 sides decorated and only front left open, so people can see your cat. We prefer using plastic/thin mosquitonet infront of the cage front to prevent people poking me while inside the cage. The viruses and bacteria and other not so nice things spread very fast if people are not desinfecting their hands between touching cats.
Also would be very nice if you can find some place for your cat to hide inside the cage. The first shows can be quite stressful, so every cat is happy for their own "cocoon" inside the cage.
We are using SturdiBox as litterbox. Why ? since it is very easy to fold up to take little space and it can be even machinewashed to get it clean.
After you have put your cat to the cage it is time to take a look when the time comes for your cat to enter the ring. Depending of the cat (and this is what you learn with experience only!) take your cat to the ring in good time before it is time for evaluation. Mommy likes to take me next to ring ~30mins before it is my time, so I get to see things and relax.
The cats are called in with number order (usually) and you go and present your cat to the judge. Place him/her on the desinfected table (the stewards take care of this) and the judge can then start his/her evaluation. During this evaluation, the judge makes markings to a paper. For housecat there is no specific standard, as we come in all colors and varieties. What matters more, is that the cat will let the judge touch him, is not too scared and is balanced in proportions as well as that his coat is well kept and nails are trimmed.
After all the cats of the category are evaluated (this comes with males/females & longhair/shorthair) the cats are placed in order by the judge. The winner (1) can receive a nomination for best in show (NOM). This means that the cat will be called to the best in show competition against other nominated housecats and can receive BiS or BoS from there. (Best in Show housecat, Best of Sex housecat). If your cat gets nominated, prepare him for the BiS competition in good times. It is held at end of the showday. Arrive to the ring early and place your cat to a cage where his number is present. You will not be showing your cat in the panel, this is the job for stewards. The judge(s) make their selection for BiS and then you can get your darling back.
A showday ends after BOB (Best of Best) has been awarded and you are free then to clean your cage and go home, unless you plan to come on the second day. It is usually good to have a small lock to lock up the cage where you can keep your belonings over the night. Remember, you should never ever leave your cat to the cage overnight.
Good luck, and I hope to see you all in the shows !
If you have more questions, do not hesitate to contact us by posting a comment. We are more than happy to answer all your questions :)
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