Lots of questions about showing Household Pets

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

I started researching cat shows when several people told me that Lion would be a good cat to show as a Household Pet. Lion has found a new home, but I'm still interested in the possibility for some of my other kitties.

I attended a CFA show and was able to talk to a judge and a couple of the organizers to get some information. I've checked out the CFA and TICA websites, read the rules and entry forms, etc. but I still have some questions.

Is there a limit on the number of cats you can enter? Shareena and Miss Patchwillow are both gorgeous cats IMHO

but I don't think they'd do well in a show. When Shareena is done with being handled she lets you know by biting and Miss Patchwillow is a scaredycat. She'd go nuts in a show hall. That leaves Goldy, Iris, and Cali.

There is no limit to how many you can enter here in NZ. At the end of the day you're paying the big money to enter them, so we don't mind.

Assuming I can enter three cats, would I be able to have all of them in the same cage? I know I would have to pay for bench space for each of them, just wondered if it would have to be three separate cages.

One of the rules said a cat bed is required in the cage. Does it need to be a regular bed, or could I use a folded up blanket? My kitties don't have their own beds, they sleep on mine.

Here in NZ the rule states "Bedding is required" meaning there must be something for the kitties to sleep on - it doesn't have to be a kitty bed - a folded up blanket would do fine.

Would I be able to put up a sign saying the kitties are available for adoption? On at least one of the entry forms I saw a place to request a sale cage. Is this for breeders only, or could I advertize for adoption?

Can't really comment on this one as we don't have sale cages at our shows in NZ but you would probably have to ask permission to put a sign up.

Do I have to register my cats with CFA or TICA in advance? I'm confused on this, especially for TICA. It looks like I either need a registration number or a pending number, I'm just not sure how to go about getting this.

There is a TICA show in April and a CFA show in June, both in Tucson which would work for me because I have family there. The TICA show is three days. Since it would be the first show for both me and my kitties, would it be better to take them for just one or two days, or should I go ahead and plan for all three days?

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Originally Posted by GoldyCat

I started researching cat shows when several people told me that Lion would be a good cat to show as a Household Pet. Lion has found a new home, but I'm still interested in the possibility for some of my other kitties.

I attended a CFA show and was able to talk to a judge and a couple of the organizers to get some information. I've checked out the CFA and TICA websites, read the rules and entry forms, etc. but I still have some questions.

Is there a limit on the number of cats you can enter? Shareena and Miss Patchwillow are both gorgeous cats IMHO

but I don't think they'd do well in a show. When Shareena is done with being handled she lets you know by biting and Miss Patchwillow is a scaredycat. She'd go nuts in a show hall. That leaves Goldy, Iris, and Cali.

I would only show the ones that you feel will do the best - you don't want the cat to be biting the judges! The only limit is your pocketbook. I've seen some people with 6-7 entries - they must be nutz

Assuming I can enter three cats, would I be able to have all of them in the same cage? I know I would have to pay for bench space for each of them, just wondered if it would have to be three separate cages.

Technically you get 1/2 cage per cat - so if showing 3 cats you would have one double cage and one single cage all together. Up to you if you want to decorate 2 cages or one. Because this is a first show for you all, I'd set up both cages in case you need to separate one of the cats.

One of the rules said a cat bed is required in the cage. Does it need to be a regular bed, or could I use a folded up blanket? My kitties don't have their own beds, they sleep on mine.

Use a few towels and roll them up to form a bed. Must be TICA with the bed rule, cause its not in CFA or ACFA that you have to have one. You can always bring some extra money and buy a cat bed at the show.

Would I be able to put up a sign saying the kitties are available for adoption? On at least one of the entry forms I saw a place to request a sale cage. Is this for breeders only, or could I advertize for adoption?

Technically the breeders are the ones with "sale" cages. I would not really advertise as such but have a small sign saying "ask about adoption" and put it on the cage.

Do I have to register my cats with CFA or TICA in advance? I'm confused on this, especially for TICA. It looks like I either need a registration number or a pending number, I'm just not sure how to go about getting this.

Unless you will be showing a lot and want to earn titles/points, then you don't have to register HHP's.

There is a TICA show in April and a CFA show in June, both in Tucson which would work for me because I have family there. The TICA show is three days. Since it would be the first show for both me and my kitties, would it be better to take them for just one or two days, or should I go ahead and plan for all three days?

Click to expand...