Serenah is a freelance writer with a bachelor's degree in communication and 20 years of experience writing for print and online media. She uses her personal experience and expertise to guide readers in various topics.
Thanks to television, you're probably familiar with dog shows; however, cat shows, like cats themselves, are a bit of a mystery to most people. Peek behind the scenes at a cat show, and you'll see a few similarities and some significant differences.
The cat show season runs from May through the following April. Shows can be one or two-day events, and often draw large crowds. In November 2015, the Cat Fanciers' Association's International Cat Show drew 5,000 people and more than 700 cats, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Before the Show
Cat owners should submit their entry forms early, since the information goes into a show catalog and judges' book used at the show for awarding points. In the weeks leading up to a show, a cat may get a weekly bath to make its coat soft and shiny. On the day of the show, an owner will generally groom her kitty before leaving home. However, a savvy cat owner will bring along a comb for touchups just before showtime. Also, show rules require that cats' claws be clipped.
Behind the Scenes
Backstage at a cat show, each kitty relaxes in a cage that's been outfitted with show curtains. These can be as simple as towels pinned around the sides of the cage, but many exhibitors go all out with fancy curtains of satin or velvet in colors that flatter Fluffy. The curtains serve a practical purpose, though, by keeping the cats from seeing each other and possibly getting overly excited before the show. The cage also has food and water, a bed and a litter box.
Spectators are allowed into this staging area to see the beautiful, exotic contestants up close and chat with their owners. Cat owners and breeders also take the opportunity to meet or reconnect with one another.
Competition
After the owner gets her cat settled into its cage, she waits for the cat's assigned number to be called over the loudspeaker. Then it's time to head for the show rings.
Show Rings
The show hall is set up into several stations called rings. A judge, trained and certified by the sponsoring association, is stationed at a table in each ring to examine and handle the competitors. At smaller shows, which typically have between 100 and 200 entries, cats are judged in at least two rings. At larger events, which can draw more than 400 entries, cats will have to be judged in at least four rings. Rings for both long-haired and short-haired cats are called allbreed rings. Rings that are for only one particular coat length are called specialty rings.
Judges' Duties
The judge takes each cat, one at a time, out of its cage, stands it on the judging table, and looks for characteristics outlined in the written standards for each breed. These include head shape, bone structure, and coat color and texture, as well as overall health and condition.
The judge also looks for a calm, happy personality. She picks up and holds each cat, and may dangle a teaser toy in front of it to see how it reacts. The ideal cat is alert and playful. On the other hand, uncooperative or threatening behavior is grounds for disqualification.
Scoring Points
Judging takes place in all the rings simultaneously. The judge in each ring awards points to each cat. When she has judged all the cats in a class, she selects her top 10 and Best in Show. The cats in that ring then move on to the next one. After every cat is judged in every ring, each cat's points are tallied. In a grand finale, the presiding judge announces the overall winners.
Classes
At shows sponsored by the Cat Fanciers' Association, which maintains the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats, kitties compete in one of seven classes:
Kitten: Pedigreed kittens between four and eight months old
Championship: Unaltered pedigreed cats
Premiership: Altered pedigreed cats
Veteran: Pedigreed cats more than seven years old
Household Pet: Non-pedigreed cats
Provisional: Breeds not yet fully recognized by the association
Miscellaneous: Breeds that haven't attained provisional status
The International Cat Association, an organization that recognizes many of the newer breeds, uses a different class structure:
Championship: Pedigreed kittens, adults, and altered cats
Household pets: Unpedigreed kittens and adults
New breed or color: Pedigreed kittens and adults
At shows hosted by the American Cat Fanciers Association, cats are judged in five classes:
Kittens: Pedigreed kittens 4 to 8 months old
New breed or color: Pedigreed cats whose breed or color is not yet accepted for the championship division
Championship: Unaltered pedigreed cats
Alters: Pedigreed cats that have been spayed or neutered
Household pets: Mixed-breed or pedigreed cats not eligible for entry in any of the other classes
Awards
Ribbons
Cats who claw their way to the top of the show receive ribbons or rosettes in colors corresponding to the titles won. The many titles available include:
First, second and third place
Best and second for best of color
Best and second for best of breed
Best long-haired championship and premiership
Best short-haired championship and premiership
Household pet merit award
Best cat
Best kitten
Going National
In all three of the main cat associations, a cat's points from each show are added up for the entire show season. At the end of the season, the associations honor their top-scoring cats and award titles such as Best of Breed and Best of Color. In addition, each region in an association names its top regional winners.
Unaltered cats that accumulate many ribbons in the course of their competitive careers are highly desirable for breeding in hopes of producing future champions. Their kittens may sell for hundreds of dollars.
