The Cat Fanciers’ Association®

What sort of competitive Discover classes are there? how you and your cat What’s Happening Pedigreed Competition can join in on the fun! at the Cat Show? All pedigreed cats have a written standard describing the ideal example of the breed. Judges compare each cat against its breed’s standard. Companion Cat World The three pedigreed competitive classes are: Created for your feline companion at home! Receive savings on prod- Kitten ucts for cats, special offers from CFA The Cat Fanciers’ Association® Cats are shown in the kitten class from four to eight months of age. When they reach eight and its partners, and compete for months old, they advance to one of the two regional, national, and world titles. adult classes... www.cfa.org/ccw Championship For sexually intact cats. When these cats finish Cat Show Household Pet Competition their show career and have demonstrated that they are great examples of their breed, they You can show your wonderful kitty if it is often then become part of a breeding program. spayed or neutered and not declawed. Your or cat can compete with other household Premiership pets and earn ribbons,rosettes, and titles awarded by the judges. Guide For spayed and neutered cats. Sometimes these cats may have been former championship cats www.cfa.org/Shows/AboutCFAShows/ who are no longer breeding. Often they are cats ShowingHouseholdPets which are a good example of the breed stan- dard, but not needed in a breeding program. Youth Feline Household Pet Competition Education Program For non-pedigreed cats or pedigreed cats which do not meet their breed’s standard. They may begin Fosters growth and development of exhibiting at four months old. When they reach CFA youth through various program eight months of age, they must be spayed or activities including breed education, neutered.They may not be declawed. As there is no cat show preparation and presenta- breed standard, these cats are judged on purely tion, and community service. appearance, grooming, health/condition, and yfep.cfa.org temperament/personality. Agility Competition Cats run an obstacle course in an enclosed area. come join the fun! Their run is timed, and they receive points for each obstacle that they complete. For pedigreed and non-pedigreed cats alike. More information is available at agility.cfa.org. The Cat Fanciers’ Association® 260 East Main Street Alliance, OH 44601 (330) 680-4070 www.cfa.org Frequently Asked Questions When is a good time to talk to an exhibitor? May I take photos of the cats? about cat shows A cat show can be a very busy Yes, you may take photos at the show. environment. Exhibitors are Please ask permission of the cat’s often preoccupied with listening owner, especially if you are in close May I touch the cats at the show? for their cat’s number to be called to proximity to the cat and plan on using a ring, grooming their cat, or taking a flash with your camera. We know that it is very tempting to touch the show cats an opportunity to speak with other when they are being groomed for the judging ring. How- exhibitors. Unless they are otherwise ever, we ask that spectators occupied, the majority of exhibitors not touch the cats without will be delighted to speak with you. the owner’s permission. If a particular exhibitor is unable to May I ask a judge questions? answer your questions immediately, A lot of work goes into please revisit them at a less busy If a judge is not engaged in bathing and grooming time. the handling and evaluation the cats in preparation You can always ask an Ambassador Cat of the cats, they will be for the show and some pleased to answer any exhibitors would prefer or a Show Mentor questions. questions you might have. that spectators Just look for someone with Please remember that the not touch their cats. ’ these buttons or signs CIERS AS judge’s first priority is the AN SO F C T IA A T C I evaluation of the cats presented to the ring for O E N When you watch the judge you will notice that they H ® T judging. It is best to ask your questions from your wash their hands in between handling of each cat. Cats seat instead of walking into the ring. S ? have a very acute sense of smell and are sensitive to H R any new scents, especially from an unfamiliar cat. O O W T assador MEN Amb Cats

Best Champion or Premier What Do Those Ribbons Mean? (purple) How Can I Learn More The judges hang a LOT of ribbons while judging! When a judge evaluates each breed, some About the Breeds of Cats? Here’s a guide as to what they represent. of the cats will be champions (premiers if spayed or neutered) while the rest will be CFA has information about all of its First, Second and Third Place grand champions/premiers. This ribbon is awarded to the best of the champions/ breeds on its website (blue, red, yellow) in the color, premiers and allows the cat to earn points www.cfa.org/Breeds title-level (grand or not) sex group. towards becoming a grand champion or Cats within a given color class, grand premier. Discover more about each same title level, and of the same breed unique, its history, gender are ranked by the judge. To become a grand champion a champion traits, and personality. This is the first step in selecting must defeat 200 other champions, a grand the best cat of a given breed. premier must defeat 75 other premiers. The Ragdoll (below) and the Devon Rex Best and Second Best of Color are two of CFA’s most (black, white) Best and Second Best of Breed popular breeds All the cats within a given color (brown, orange) class are then ranked by the judge All the cats within the breed are now regardless of their gender. This is ranked by the judge regardless of their the second step in selecting the color or gender. This is the final step in best cat of a given breed. selecting the best cat of a given breed.

Household Pet Merit Award Finals Rosettes (red and white or solid green) Each judge presents his or her choice A judge awards this ribbon to 1 of the top cats in Kitten, Champion- Household Pet entries with great ship, Premiership and Household Pet personalities who are in good classes. These cats represent the “Best condition and well-groomed. in Show” for each individual judge.