How do you decide if you want to show a cat? What kind of cat do you show? How many cats are you going to show? Once you have the cat or cats lined up, how do you decide which show or shows to go to? What is the best criteria for deciding something so important? Whether you are a new exhibitor or an old hand at the game, the decision to show a cat is never simple. There is so much more to a showing a cat than just registering for the show, bathing the cat, and showing up. There are a number of decisions to make. Registering for a cat show is probably the easiest part about showing a cat. You fill out a registration form and send it, with your entry fee, to the entry clerk for whatever show you are going to attend. With more and more clubs using online registration, it's even easier! Deciding on what show to attend -- now, that's different a different story all together. What is your criteria for selecting a show? For some people it all boils down to where and how much. For campaigners, this decision may be made based on who the judges are and what the count cat is going to be -- where and how much are only incidental considerations.

For those who are new to the show circuit, the cost of showing a cat can be a shock. There is the basic registration fee, plus the cost of an extra half cage if you are only showing one cat or two kittens, and the optional cost of grooming/"office" space. If there is more than one cat showing, these fees start adding up in a hurry and the total may be a little intimidating. Cage coverings are a requirement for any cat show and in case you're wondering why, just imagine what it would be like if cats could reach into each other's cages, grabbing toys, food, and other cats! And I shudder to think what it would be like if whole males had easy access to each other. You can use bed sheets, make your own curtains, or buy a set (or two or three). I've even seen bath towels used in a pinch. This is frequently a one-time cost and doesn't really seem to bother people since they have to spend the money prior to the first show (unless they find a "better" set at the show itself -- the cat fancy has some very talented and industrious people). Then there are necessary expenses like food, parking (every once in a great blue moon), and gas. If you're showing out of town, you'll need to add the expense of a hotel for at least one night. It's easy to see how the cost factor can affect the decision of whether or not to show. And, oops, I neglected to mention spending cash for the show itself -- you know what I'm talking about -- those other "little" expenses like new cat teasers, cat beds, toys, food/drink bowls, special shampoos and powders, combs, cat trees for climbing and lounging, cage shelves/beds, jewelry, photographs, a security cage for the next time, "stuff" and, not to be left out or forgotten, raffle tickets! Let's break down the decision making process for a closer look.

How do you pick the shows to attend? If cost is a primary factor, then distance is going to be also. Unfortunately, some travel is a forgone conclusion when showing cats unless you live in or near a REAL popular city that hosts lots of cats shows. When I first started showing, I would have said "what's to wonder?" If the show was within driving distance (no more than a couple of hours) I showed. If a show was farther away than that, my attitude was more along the line of "drats -- oh well, maybe another time." I soon discovered, however, that the more finals I made, the farther my acceptable driving distance seemed to extend. Suddenly, a trip of four or five hours didn't seem to be too much. I finally reached a decision -- if the show was in my home state and I could be there by midnight on Friday night (leaving after work of course), it was close enough to attend. Funny, how we rationalize these things, isn't it? And then it happened. I "knew" I had a real winner -- a cat that was going to be a top contender. It's amazing how fast a person can adapt to the concept of flying to a cat show! Making the decision to fly to a cat show requires some serious consideration due to the cost of airfare, not to mention which airlines are willing to fly cats in the cabin as carryon luggage to under the seat for a "small" additional fee. And we mustn't forget the cost of visiting the vet for a current health certificate either. How long did it take me to convince myself the cost was justified? About fifteen minutes while I was on hold with the airline waiting for reservations to answer. Fortunately, my cat enjoys flying -- that or he figures I'm crazy enough for the both of us and it wouldn't do him any good to complain.

If you're talking about distance, then lodging is going to be a natural part of the conversation. When the show is more than a couple of hours away, you have to decide where to stay. With very few exceptions, cat shows offer a "show" hotel. These are hotels that are either easy to get to, closest to the show hall, or have offered the best rates for exhibitors. Many people will opt for the show hotel because it means less work preparing for the show. Think about it, you already have the cost, location, and reservations phone number handy on the show flyer. Another reason for staying at the show hotel is because the people you traveled with are doing so or because you can get transportation to and from the hotel and show hall. The show hotel is frequently a place of cat fancy comradery where exhibitors get together for dinner and visiting and swapping "war" stories. It's always nice knowing that there are others of your "kind" staying close by (a single voice in the night is NOT going to be noticed in the midst of a possible symphony). You're biggest worry is likely to be whether or not to arrive on Friday night or get up in the wee hours on Saturday morning and go directly to the show hall first, registering at the hotel at the end of the day. I tried the driving to and from the show hall thing when it was only a couple of hours away. I was exhausted, my husband was exhausted, and my cat was upset and exhausted -- and that was on Saturday! My next out of town show, I tried arriving on Saturday morning and checking into the hotel that evening. No one, and I do mean NO one, in my house was happy about getting up and packed at the wee crack of dawn and driving staight to the show hall. I must say, it only took two shows to teach me that arriving on Friday night was well worth the extra expense.

While distance, cost, and lodging affect all exhibitors, campaigners have other decisions to make. For those of you who don't recognize the term campaigner, I am referring to those individuals who are seeking regional and international titles. These individuals give distance and cost minor consideration when selecting a show to attend. Their concerns are centered more on who the judges are going to be and how many cats are likely to be there. Campaigners keep exhaustive data on what breeds are more likely to be finaled by what judges and what their placements are most likely going to be. A campaigner is not as likely to attend a show where most of the judges are not likely to final their cat or not place him in the top five. They will also prefer a large cat count since the number of cats judged at a show can offset the cat's place in the final. Since it is not uncommon for more than one cat show to be scheduled for the same weekend, campaigners frequently have more than one show to choose from. If particular judges are their criteria, a campaigner can often be found following the judges from one show to the next. They will pick shows where the largest number of judges will be that predisposed towards their cat. Where cat count is considered a major factor, campaigners will play close attention to the various bulletin boards and Internet lists since many clubs post and update their cat counts the week before the show and right up until registration closes. Often a campaigner will wait until the last minute to register their cat when they are more concerned with cat count. Both types of campaigners may check archived shows from previous years, looking for cat counts and finals. They may also be keeping abreast of their closest competition and second guessing if and where they will be showing on the same weekend.

You’re ready for the next round of decisions. Next month we’re going to explore the pros and cons of grooming before traveling to the cat show versus after arriving at the hotel.