Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Showing your cat in the UK

GCCF

TICA in the UK

Cat shows are a good day out even if just visiting.  There are usually many stalls selling cat food, toys and bedding, many a bargain can be obtained at a cat show and often items you do not see in the everyday high street pet shop.  Should you decide to enter your cat winning a rosette or two is fun but whatever the result always the best cat you take home is your own !  Should you decide to have a go and enter below are some brief notes which may help.

The registration document will say which organisation your cat or kittens has been registered in.  You should also have transferred ownership to your name.  You should always check with the breeder of your kitten/cat to see if there were any obvious show faults that would preclude any awards being made.  

GCCF

The GCCF have quite a few shows around the country, often every two weeks.  The GCCF website will have a list shows and links to the clubs.  Once you have decided which show to enter you can either send an A5 size self-addressed stamped envelope for the show manager to return the schedule to you or it may be possible to download the schedule and entry from from the club website.  Schedules are normally available 3/4 months prior to the show date. Often the closing date for entries to shows are 6-8 weeks prior to the show date.  Your schedule will normally contain all the instructions and rules for entering.   If you are unsure of which class to enter your cat into I would advise checking with the breeder of your cat/kitten.  Always remember to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your completed entry form  so that the show manager can acknowledge receipt of your entry.  You need to enter the 'Open' class, plus three other miscellaneous side classes.

FIFe

Details on how to enter shows are available on the Felis Britannica website. Here you will find all the show dates where you can download entry forms and schedules.  Shows are about once a month, check the Felis Britiannica website for diary of events for dates.  With the FIFe you enter the Open class, additional classes are sometimes available and will be listed on the schedule.  Remember that if showing your GCCF registered cat in a FIFe show you need to write to the GCCF office to tell them.  A standard letter can be used, with the cat's name, registration number and shows to be entered.  The GCCF 13 day rule will apply, please ensure that you do not enter a GCCF show the weekend before or after the FIFe show.  You can enter your GCCF registered cat into FIFe shows under the open doors policy.  You will need to register the cat with FIFe to claim any titles gained.

TICA

There are full details on the TICA UK website about showing with them.  These shows are ring style and there can be five plus rings per day.  It is possible for your cat to gain a title in one day.  If your cat is registered in the GCCF you will need to inform them that you have entered.

Vetting-in

At all shows your cat or kitten will be checked by a vet before being allowed into the show.  Checks will be for any signs of disease or parasites.  Before leaving for the  show you should ensure your cat/kitten is in the best of health, is clean and that your have trimmed the claws.  Most importantly all vaccinations/boosters must be up-to-date at least 7 days  for the GCCF and 15 days for FIFE prior to the show date.

Finally, if you need any advice on entering and showing your cat then please contact me.  

Have a good day out, remember you always take the best cat home !