Conference misery::feline_v1

    I can only tell you about the judging criteria for CFA.  Household
    pets are judged on their health, grooming, temperament, and personal
    appeal to the judge.  There is no written standard for household
    pets in CFA.  They must be completely clean, with nails clipped,
    no fleas, clear, bright eyes, clean ears, etc.  CFA will not allow
    declawed cats to be shown.  
    
    The cat must also be amenable to handling, if the judge cannot put 
    the cat down on the judging table, then the cat can be disqualified 
    in the ring.  A cat that acts in a recalcitrant or threatening manner 
    can also be disqualified from that judge's ring.
                                             
    Showing household pets is very fun and rewarding.  Just make sure
    that your cats are scrupulously clean and healthy.  I would recommend
    showing in another association (other than CFA) since the other
    associations do more for household pets.  Especially in the east.
    Seems that the CFA shows out there are giving HHP's less and less.
    
    Jo

    Well, that would take cloud out of it--but I knew that already. He
    won't stay still when he feels threatened, and that seems to be most of
    the time, but Opus is such a sweetheart, she might just be able to do
    it!
    
    Thanks,
    Michelle

    just what would you do to prepare yourself and your household kitty
    for showing?  it sounds like a great way to "practice"--like if
    someday you'd like to purchase a purebred.  my ash-face couldn't
    show (bleh) because she's declawed, and poor old bones is just not
    in scrupulous shape and never will be (chronic skin and teeth problems
    along with arthritis), but the idea of showing a pet appeals to
    me.  i would just never know how to get started....is there a note
    that covers that already?
    
                                                              ---kim

    Kim, Freeway would be perfect to show!  I have already been working
    with him on it.  You should see him do the "show cat stretch"!
    
    One of the things that you could do is have lots of people handle
    or hold your cat.  Your cat will be held and handled by at least
    four strangers (in a one day show) at the show, and he should be
    able to allow that.  Whenever anyone comes to your house, ask them
    to hold your cat.  Show them the ways that judges hold cats and
    ask them to do that.  Take you kitty on car trips to places other
    than the vet.  Alot of first time show kitties have never been in
    the car except to go to the vet, so they arrive at the show very
    stressed.
    
    Get your cat used to being bathed.  They must be very clean to be
    shown.  Most exhibitors bathe their cats before every show.  That
    is alot of bathing.  Your cat must be up to it.  You must also trim
    the nails on all four paws.
    
    You will also need to make some type of covering for your cat's
    benching cage at the show.  Show rules require that the top, bottom,
    and three sides be covered.  You can make fancy cage drapes, or
    use sheets, towels and bathrugs.  It is up to you.
    
    That is all I can think of for now.
    
    Jo

    And if you do decide to get a purebred, I highly recommend Scottish
    Folds.  They have a very sweet, laid-back disposition that is a
    definite advantage in a show.
      Nancy DC

    Of course we are all biased about our breeds, but since the topic
    came up.... I recommend you get a Birman, for the same reasons.
    
    ;^)
    
    Jo

    I've also been thinking of showing either Oscar or Elmo.  Is there
    an age limit for showing?  Oscar will be 2 this month, Elmo just
    turned 1.  Or is this the perfect excuse to get another kitten?
    
    What about size.  Oscar and Elmo are both on the small size, though
    Elmo keps growing.  Oscar is remaining a midget.
    
    And Pennie, what do you do about DDEW?  At times, Elmo looks like
    he poured wet tar in his ears, and I'm hesitant to stick anything
    in his ears to clean them.  You know the old nothing smaller than
    your elbow rule.
    
    Do you have to bring any health or shot records?
    
    	-Nancy

    The only age limit is that if they are older than 8 months, they
    must be spayed/neutered.
    
    Size is no object.  Judges preference prevails here.
    
    I don't remember about DDEW (what it stands for) but isn't it very
    dirty waxy ears?  Have your vet clean them before the show.  If
    it can't be cleaned, don't show that cat since the judges may think
    the cat has mites.
    
    There are no requirements to bring health or shot records, but the
    CFA show rules recommend that the cats be innoculated prior to starting
    his show career (or in your case, keep up your boosters).  Most
    shows today are not "vetted" shows.  Vetted shows actually require
    your cat to be examined be a licensed Vet prior to entering the
    show hall.  The HHP show in December (in California) takes 225 cats,
    and requires each and every one to be checked out by one of the
    two vets present prior to entering the show hall.  If your cat doesn't
    pass the exam, then you are sent home.  You should also test your
    cat for Leukemia before entering him in a show.
    
    Jo

    DDEW = Pennie's acronym for Disgustingly Dirty Ear Wax
    

    jo (hah, i'm SURE it's you this time!--i think), actually i was
    thinking about your kitties at one point cause i thought, god, they
    are nice looking cats for long hairs (i'm the one who doesn't like
    persians much, remember), and besides, i thought, well, i already
    know a good breeder close by (you).  but of course, this isn't
    sometehing that's going to happen until i get a place where i can
    have more than a few pets, and to be quite honest, the one cat i
    saw that really caught me eye was a somali.  gorgeous, gorgeous,
    gorgeous.  :)
    
    (and yes, nancy, i think scottish folds are adorable too!)  ;)
    
                                                              ---kim

    oh, and re: the suggestions.
    
    bathing is not a problem--i have always bathed a cat (and sure,
    i've my share of major squirmers, but my two are pretty calm.  they
    don't like it, but they don't claw me to death either and don't
    even hide afterwards (of course, it's lick lick lick until everything
    is JUST right!)
    
    and i also try to acclimate them to the car--they are not bad, just
    meow a bit and sit in my lap (i don't presently own a kitty cage,
    working on that one).  so i guess that's two of the probs licked
    (i mean, i don't have to try anything new).  the claw clipping i
    do, but just to square them off so bones's toes don't hook into
    my sofa, my chair, my bed comforter, my skin....
    
    thanks for the tips!
    
    kim

    Kim,
    
    (Its Jan this time)  I'm planning on entering my 2 household pets
    in the show on May 27 & 28th at the San Jose Convention Center.
    Actually, Dave will be agenting them on Saturday since my sister,
    Jaci, is graduating from college.  But, if you're interested in
    tagging along on 1 or both days you're certainly welcome.  You'd
    get a good idea of what you have to look forward to when Freeway
    is ready to show and you'd get to see how a sweet, overweight
    cat (Amelia) and a grumpy gus (Bailey) do in the show ring.  I'll
    be bathing Bailey on Thursday 5/25 and Amelia on Friday 5/26 if 
    you want to come get some experience with grooming for a show ;^)
    (ya gotta try and find help where ya can, ya know).
                              
    Jan

    Jan (hah--I looked anyway to be sure this time!), I have school
    on Thursday nites, and Friday I generally work late, so I can't
    make promised to help kitty-bathe.  however, i did plan on (there
    goes the caps again i know) to go to the show one or both days
    (probably sunday i think) so i am bound to see you there.  otherwise,
    if my weeks weren't so spoken for already, i would be glad to help
    you out!  :(
    
                                                               ---kim

    Well, it was worth a try anyway.
    
    Hope to see you there on Sunday at least.  I haven't entered either
    cat yet (have to do that soon) but look for us in the catalog under
    the household pet section.  They'll be listed as:
    
    	Bailey's Irish Cream
    	Amelia Earhart
    
    At least then you can get our cage numbers.  If you can't find me
    in the hall go to the announcer and ask them for the owner of cat
    #... and I'll come find you.
    
    Jan

    Jo and Jan,
    
    Come next January, you may see us at some of the shows, thanks to Linda
    Donaldson and her Japanese Bobtails.  (I'm not sure yet; we're still
    discussing.)  How much does it cost to enter a cat in a show?
    
    Jill
    

    Jill, an 8 ring Allbreed show costs about $45-50 per cat.  If you
    are only showing one cat, you should ask for a double cage and pay
    the extra $10-15 for it.  Also, you may want a Groom space which
    will run about $10-20 depending on the show.
    
    A one day 4 ring show can run anywhere from $20 per cat to $30 per
    cat depending on the club.  Clubs set their own fees, so there are
    variations.
    
    Basically, it costs Ken and I about $120 a weekend to show our cats.
    It is a great hobby if you have a lot of disposable income.  That
    $120 only covers the entry fees, doesn't even touch transportation,
    lodging, meals, etc.
    
    Jo

    Thanks, Jo.
    
    Linda is doing her best to get me into three shows with one of her
    mi-kes.  She's sending me pictures, and Jim and I are "discussing". :-)
    She even offered to show her for me.  Can't ask for much more than
    that, huh?  Since we've been thinking about entering Gandalf at least 
    once anyway, this seems like a good way to go.  Is there a book I can read
    about cat shows and judging?  Linda offered all of her help (believe
    me, I know nuttin' about showin' no kitties) but I would prefer to
    learn what I can on my own.  She's got lots to do already.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jill

    The best way to learn is to go to a show and watch.  Not just walk
    around and see all the pretty cats, but watch what the exbibitors
    do, watch what the judges do, etc.  
    
    Most cat books have a section on showing, but the information is
    mostly outdated, and isn't always aplicable to the association you
    are showing in.
    
    The other way to learn is to enter your cat and find out.  That
    is how I did it.  You can ask to be "benched" near Linda so that
    if you have a question she is there to answer.  Each exhibitor gets
    one benching request, and the club will usually honor that request
    unless circumstances are such that they can't (for instance, if
    20 people said they wanted to be next to Linda).
    
    You can order show rules and show standards from CFA.  The show
    rules won't really tell you much about what goes on, it is more
    of an outline of everyone's responsibilities at the show, how points
    will be awarded, who is eligible for entry, etc.  Actually, if you
    plan on showing, you should get the show rules.  The standards are
    a absolute MUST!  They outline the characteristics that each cat
    must have in order to compete, and also which characteristics each
    cat cannot have.  Just send a check for $4.00 to:
    
                     	CFA
                        1309 Allaire Ave.
    			Ocean, NJ 07712
    
    Be sure to ask for the show rules and standards.
    
    Jo
    
    PS- I will be at both of the upcoming May shows and would be willing
    to answer your questions.
    

    Jo, 
    
    Thanks for the info.  I'll order the rules and standards.  We're going
    to visit Linda this weekend to see the kitten.  Her pictures are
    ADORABLE!!  Linda said she has a sweet, outgoing personality, too, and
    that she doesn't mind being held in Superkitty fashion like they do in
    the shows.
    
    < PS- I will be at both of the upcoming May shows and would be willing
    < to answer your questions.
    
    *Both* shows?  I only know of the one on May 27-28.  Where and when is 
    the other one?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jill

    The other show will be May 20-21st at the Hall of Flowers in Golden
    Gate Park, San Francisco.  Show hours for spectators, 9-5.
    
    Jo