SOUTHERN ALBERTA CALGARY CAT FANCIERS SPECTATOR’S GUIDE SPRING 2010 CHAMPIONSHIP & HOUSEHOLD PET CAT SHOW ARBONNE© The Arbonne Promise: To deliver pure, safe and beneficial products in line with our botanical tradition Arbonne offers products that are inspired by nature and enhanced by science.They are botanically based, PH correct, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, have NEVER been tested on Animals and are formulated without animal products. They have a great variety of Health and Wellness products including anti- aging skin care for men and women, Detox Spa, cosmetics, nutritionals and many other phenomenal products that would benefit your entire family. You deserve Arbonne. View Arbonne’s entire product line at ccampbell.myarbonne.ca Cheryl Campbell Executive District Manager ID#: 115053250 Ph#: (780) 831-8165 Email: [email protected] The Arbonne Difference … Premium Skin Care Products This directory has been published to: • provide informative information on the various breeds in order to assist the general public when selecting that new ‘furry friend’ • furnish a ready reference for Pet Specialty shops and Veterinary clinics when queried about the different breeds and their availability in our immediate area • make available a ready guide on how to select your new family member and how to care for your new kitten • alert the public on upcoming cat shows, along with information on what to expect when you get there in order to make the show a more enjoyable experience The breed information has been assembled from a number of areas which include “The Legacy of the Cat” by Gloria Stephens, “Eyewitness Handbooks - Cats” by David Alderton and the “TICA Breed Standards”. As well, much information was obtained on the Internet. We would like to thank our advertisers and the many breeders who have shown an interest by participating in this issue - without their financial assistance there would have been little or no incentive to take on a project of this magnitude. There is a subsequent list of breeds at the end of the guide as well, that have not subscribed to this directory. This Guide was compiled by the members of the Southern Alberta Calgary Cat Fanciers. www.saccf.ca What is a Cat show all about…. WHAT IS A CAT SHOW? The show consists of individual judging rings and the cats entered in the show. Each judging ring consists of a judge, one or more clerks, and one or more stewards. The clerks keep track of the judge’s decisions and the stewards clean the cages after each cat is judged. This show is governed by the rules set forth by The International Cat Association (TICA). TICA is a genetic registry, recognizing hundreds of different colors and patterns. CLASSIFICATIONS: Cats are classified as Kittens, Adults, Alters (spayed or neutered purebreds), Household Pet Kittens, Household Pet Adults, Preliminary New Breed, Advanced New Breed, and New Traits. Kittens must be 4 to 8 calendar months of age and adults must be 8 calendar months of age on the opening day of the show. The show committee may permit cats or kittens 3 months of age or older to be entered for exhibition and sale. PEDIGREED CATS: Each pedigreed cat has a Standard of Perfection. The judge must evaluate each cat, placing awards based on which cats best represent their own Standard. Points awarded in the judging rings are used to gain titles and awards with TICA. HOUSEHOLD PETS (HHP): TICA welcomes Household Pet exhibitors. HHP's are judged primarily on body condition, beauty, grooming, and show presence. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and colors or patterns are often a whim of Mother Nature. HHP's have their own unique titles and awards, which are comparable to pedigreed cats. ALL ENTRIES: The claws of each cat must be clipped prior to benching in the show. Failure to do so may subject the cat to disqualification. Cats or kittens that are obviously pregnant are ineligible for competition. Cats that have been declawed shall not be penalized. A cat not having all physical properties, such as eyes, ears, legs, tail (except as specified in breed standards), are ineligible for entry except in the alter classes or household pet classes. HOW TO ENTER A SHOW: Obtain a "show flyer" and entry form from the cat club hosting the show by contacting the show's entry clerk. The Show Management provides a singe-benching cage for each cat entered. Double cages and grooming spaces may be available at an additional cost. Cage sizes vary, so check the show flyer. Cage curtains are required and are important to give your cat some privacy. They may be simple or elaborate but should be designed to fit around the outside back, sides, and the top of the cage. The bottom of the cage should be covered as well. More elaborate curtains can cover the inside of the cage but are not necessary. You will also need to arrange to bring a litter box, dishes, food, grooming supplies, bedding and toys. SHOW TIME: Try to arrive early as the check-in line may be long (check the flyer for check-in time). The check-in table is usually at the show hall entrance. Have your entry confirmation form available for the person at the check-in table. You will receive your cat's catalogue number and the location of your cat’s benching space. Buy a catalogue if one is not included as part of your entry fee. Check your entry information immediately. If anything is incorrect, contact the Master Clerk immediately, as this information is what is used in scoring your cat’s points from the show. Find where your cat is benched and set up your cage curtains, litter pan, water dishes etc. You will want to make your cat as comfortable as quickly as possible. You and your cat will then be able to relax and enjoy the show. Look in your catalogue for a judging schedule. Locate your cat’s category on the schedule to find out which order you cat will attend the judging rings. RIBBONS: The cats are called up to the judging rings one class at a time. Each class is arranged alphabetically by breed and then each breed is further broken down by division, and color/pattern. TICA does not give Best of Breed ribbons; nor are any title points given for breed awards. Judges will, however, announce their best, second best, and third best of breed and they will record that information in their Judge's Books.. Best of Color (BOC): The judge will choose 1-5 Best of Color Awards. EXAMPLE: Seven black Persians present; the judge awards 1-5 Best of Color to five of the seven competing. Best of Division (BOD): From the BOC winners, the judge will select the best, second best, and third best of division. EXAMPLE: Our seven black Persians belong to the Solid Division. Other solid colors of Persians, (white, blue, red, etc.) may also be entered in the Solid Division. The judge will select a best, second and third best of division from the BOC winners in the Solid Division. Best of Breed (BOB): The Persian Breed is accepted in categories Traditional, Mink and Sepia and all divisions (Solid, Tabby, Tortie, Silver/Smoke, and Particolor). The judge will select the best, second and third best of breed. FINALS: This is the Big Moment!!! Finals are awards given to those cats that the judge believes best represent their breed in that class. Final numbers are not announced; the clerk will announce "kitten finals in Ring 4" and exhibitors must go to Ring 4 to see if their cat(s) numbers are up in that ring. Final awards are selected from the breed winners, although it is possible to have a cat that was awarded a fourth place color award in the finals, provided the first, second and third place color winners are ranked above him. In the finals of an Allbreed ring, the judge will select their top cats, with longhair and shorthair cats being combined. In the finals of a Specialty ring, the judge will select their top cats, but longhairs and shorthairs are judged separately and have separate final awards. If there are 25 cats competing in a class, then a top ten group of cats will be selected for the final. If there are only 24 cats competing, the top nine cats are selected; if 23 are competing, eight are selected; if 22 are competing, seven are selected; if 21 are competing, six are selected; and if there are 20 or less cats, five are selected. Finals are awarded to Cats, Kittens, Alters, Household Pets, and Household Pet Kittens. One Merit Rosette is awarded in each of the Preliminary New Breed, Advanced New Breed and New Traits classes. (The cats in these classes are not separated into longhair and shorthair for judging.) SPECTATORS: It is very important that spectators behave responsibly. Loud noises upset everybody, especially the cats, so please view the cats quietly and keep your children under control. Fingers, toys, feathers or anything else should never be placed in or near the cats’ cages. Cats can be scared or injured and diseases can be transmitted this way. The cats in the judging rings are off limits completely, however spectators are welcome to view the cats from the seating areas in front of the judging rings or in the benching areas of the show hall. Enjoy the Show!!! Adapted from Copyright © 1997 TICA, Harlingen, TX THE HOUSEHOLD PET IN TICA When TICA was formed in 1979, the ordinary household cat found his place in the world of cat showing.