We have never shown a cat before and would very much like to show our lilac boy.
Please could anyone tell me where to get information on:
How to prepare him for showing?
What vacc he will need?
What shows would be suitable?
How many classes he could be entered for?
I am going to the siamese cat club show in Milton Keynes on saturday to get the feel of a show and it would be good to have a chat with anyone else who is going.
Thanking you all in advance for any help I get.
Lois
Hi Lois
Many thanks for your enquiry.
No preparation is really required for an Oriental prior to showing, other than perhaps a quick brush and a rub down with a chamois leather, but daily stroking of your boy should really suffice.
His breeder, as I assume that you did not breed him? should have had him vaccinated at 9 weeks and again at 12 weeks before he left and you should have been handed a vaccination card which will detail his vaccinations, but basic vax should be for flu and enteritis.
You should also ensure that he is registered with the GCCF. Do you have a pink transfer slip for him? If so, he is eligible to enter GCCF shows.
You can enter your boy for all breed championship shows, or for purely Oriental breed shows, i.e. Oriental Cat Association in June each year, Havana & Oriental Lilac in May each year.
The schedule for any given show will detail the minimum and maximum number of classes that one can enter a cat for, it's usually minimum of 4 and maximum of 8. The minimum number is included in your entry fee and any others are extras which you will need to pay for.
You will also need 'white goods' which are basically a white blanket for the bottom of the pen, another blanket on which you make your cat comfortable, or fashion a bed for him to sit in, white litter tray and white bowls. As you are attending the cat show this Saturday you should be able to purchase such equipment from me.
Also engage other exhibitors in conversation and explain your situation and I am sure that some will be happy to point you in the right direction. Be aware that you will not be able to get into the cat show until about 12.30 when the Open classes have usually been judged.
You will see the Judges and Stewards who will be wearing white coats (usually). You should not engage in conversation with these whilst judging is taking place. You could always direct any enquiries to the Show Manager.
I hope that I have answered your questions, but if you have any more that you would like to ask, please do not hesitate to email me at jane@solarus-orientals.co.uk
Regards