Cat Show

So last month I went to a cat show.   I should have blogged about it then, but hey I’m not used to blogging yet.  (Though I don’t know if I’ll ever be used to going in same day.)  Anyway this was Sunday, February 19.    I had found out about the show earlier in the week.   I was googling info on showing household pets and ran across the information.

So I decided to go to see what it was like and if anyone could help me kinda re-socialize my two newest kitties so I could show them. (I’ve always wanted to try.) 

It was interesting.  Now I knew pedigreed cats had to be shown in a ring… but I honestly thought that since household pets wouldn’t have a “standard” that they would just be left in their cage/crate and judged on color.  Nope – you have to bring them to a ring as well. 

I met with someone I had contacted prior to the show and he introduced me to a couple who have shown their household pets for years.  They actually had one household and one pedigree (a Sphinx) cat with them.  About five minutes after meeting and talking with them, the guy announces that *I’m* going to show his cat!  I’m like “uh… what?”

So he had me carry his kitty up to the showing area.   You put the cat in the cage with the cat’s assigned number on it.   Then go to the seating area and wait while the judge goes around and checks each cat.   The Judge takes out each cat and examines them on a raised platform.   They play with the cat, pet the cat and generally examine the cat for health and cleanliness.   – Yes you have to bathe the cats a few days before the show! 

Normally in these shows, the top 10 win a prize.  In this case there were exactly 10 household pets – so each one got a ribbon and were announced right away.   I think 10^th through 6^th place got a paper ribbon and a cat toy.   1 through 5^th got a “rosette” type purple material ribbon.  

What would have happened if there were more than 10 in the category is that the top 10 would have been called back later to be judged.    There still could be a cut off of call backs – For example if there are 11 or 12 they may do the whole thing without a call back.    I think there were 12 or so cages.   Now if there were enough cats that they would not have enough cages, then they would be called up in groups and then the top 10 called back. 

The place the cats stay while waiting to be called up to the various “rings” is called the benching area.   You cannot keep your cats in a carrior.  The show provides cages for them.   Most of the cages are double, so if you enter one cat you either have to pay for the double, or your cat will be set up on one side of the cage, and another’s cat will be set up on the other side.   There is a dividor between the two, and it’s a good idea to have extra cloth to pin up so the cats cannot see eachother.  

You need to have something called “show curtains” , this can be as simple as a blanket or sheet.   The cage should be covered back, top and two sides.   You also need something for the floor (which is open) so the cats are not on a hard table.    You can cover the inside of the cage as well.  

A lot of people there bought their own soft side “cage”  which appear (to me) to be oversize carriers – but these are approved for showing.  They are about the same size as cages (which vary from show to show, but a double would be 44x22)  and don’t need curtains because they are already covered. 

You can also buy an extra area for grooming, as you will need to do that periodically throughout the show.    It’s not necessary though, you can use a chair or your stacked carriers…  I think I’m going to get the grooming area.  

           

Since I went to the show, I’ve been trying to set up situations to help Onyx and Jay (the new guys)  deal with lots of people.   When they were in the shelter they were surrounded by other cats and had constant contact with people.   However, after a few months with me- the hermit – they are developing shyness around others.   I want to try to fix that so I don’t have a cat try to escape at the show.   And hey – this may not work out.  I want to at least try.  

First, it was suggested I go to petsmart.   I lined up a time with a groomer, so I can see if others will be able to hold my cats without them going nuts.    I did that, and both were held by the groomer, but there were two dogs being groomed and I think that’s why they were nervous.  It’s hard to tell.   I don’t know if I can find a time to go there without any dogs around.   Onyx ate some canned cat food but Jay didn’t want any.  

Onyx was also a bit easier to deal with when I had a handyman over.  Ironically, Jay is the one I wanted to show – because of his coloring.   But it looks like so far that Onyx is more relaxed around others. 

 I will continue to work with them and we will see. :)