how to get into showing your cat

Most everyone starts out with their house cat that they think is the prettiest one on the planet If they wind up doing well and enjoying things, the person usually starts looking at the purebred cats and moving to that area to show. And most of us usually will alternate between showing purebred and household pets depending on what we have.

For me, I started with my domestic blue tabby & white male in the HHP classes in CFA and ACFA. Then adopted a stunning odd-eye black & white mix off the streets who won tons of rosettes/trophies.

During this time I was looking for a purebred that was like my tabby Mitten. Fell in love with the Russian Blue breed with the same green eye color that Mitten had. My ex wanted a cat and chose the Cornish Rex, so I got into showing and breeding them for about 8 yrs. Now I've retired from breeding but not showing - have an Ocicat that is granded and will be getting another Oci kitten by next year some time.

HHP classes are almost as competitive as the purebreds now - you don't just take a cat off the streets and expect to win that weekend. The basic requirements in the associations are spayed/neutered if 8 months or older and not declawed. CFA bans all declawed cats, ACFA and TICA accept them but don't encourage the procedure. Also your cat will need to be well groomed and given a bath before the show.

If you need links to the associations to check out show calendars, then let us know and we'll help you out.

It's usually better to start when they are young, so long as your Savanah is over the age required - I think 4 months in the US? - I'd get her in sooner rather than later. Of course you need to have the breeders permission to show the cat.

I don't think you can show Savanah's with CFA.

Agree with mews, it's good to go along to see a show before entering. Most people are friendly and will chat with you (at least over here), just make sure to choose a quiet moment for the breeder/owner.

I think TICA is the only association that allows Savannahs in the show hall or to be shown. I know CFA will not allow any of the wild cat crosses in the show hall - not even as a HHP. ACFA doesn't allow Savannahs either - just the Bengals.

Well if he's not the right pattern for championship classes, then you can only show him in the HHP classes in TICA.

Would be the same for the non-spotted Ocicats - they can't be shown in any classes other then in the household pets. In CFA there was a ticked Ocicat being shown in HHP and did quite well taking a few finals home.

You can show declawed household pets in TICA.