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Post by lotsofcats on Jan 8, 2018 10:40:31 GMT
I have entered my cat Blackberry in a cat show on Saturday 27th January. I hope that she will be on her best behaviour and that she will win some of the classes I have entered her for. On Saturday when I went to visit my mother in law I took Blackberry with me to see how she behaved in her carrier. She was a very good girl. I got her out of the carrier twice while I was there and sat her on my lap and my sister in law, who was visiting and who is afraid of cats, was smoothing Blackberry. I think she's been converted into a cat lover, especially when Blackberry started purring.
I have bought the white show kit ready which consists of a white blanket, white litter tray, white water dish and white food bowl. I must remember to buy some stools or fold up chairs to sit on by the cage. It will be a long day. We have to be there early as cats are all checked by a vet before they are allowed in.
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Post by cia on Jan 8, 2018 12:58:30 GMT
Im sure she will woo the judges Jenny, as shes such a beauty. The white will certainly show her off - good luck.
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Post by scallywag on Jan 8, 2018 16:11:46 GMT
Ooooo good luck Jenny x
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Post by tonib on Jan 8, 2018 19:59:56 GMT
Fingers crossed lotsofcats . It's a GCCF show isn't it? The food bowl doesn't need to be white as it only allowed in the cage before the show's judging starts & then can be put back once the show has been opened to the public (after the main classes have been judged & usually after most of the side classes). I'm sure you already know all this anyway. By the way is the water bowl one that can clip on to the pen walls as it saves it from being knocked over during the day. I know if I was exhibiting I'd be double/triple..... checking everything especially the documentation you need. Ajax always takes copies of the entry form(s) as well as the vaccination certificate - it's the last I'd be panicking about forgetting as without it you can be vetted in & bearing in mind I took Osiris to the vets for vaccinations in December & forgot to take the certificate with me (not a major issue as they could have added it later but there was a long delay so I was able to go home & pick it up) I'd not be trusting my memory Don't forget to clip Blackberry's claws beforehand as the vets are now tasked with checking they are clipped & can reject a cat on this although they should to allow you to clip them & then check them again. Had a look at the schedule but I don't recognise the name of any of the HP judges although I do recognise one of the Breed class judges. Enjoy the day & I look forward to hearing what a star Blackberry was on the day & was rewarded as she rightly deserves to be.
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Post by cazypops on Jan 8, 2018 21:04:02 GMT
Good luck lotsofcats and Blackberry. Such a gorgeous girl like you should walk it in my opinion.
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Post by lotsofcats on Jan 9, 2018 9:44:12 GMT
Thanks for the tips tonib. The water bowl is one that clips onto the side of the cage. I sent a stamped address envelope with my entry form so that I could have a receipt and it came back with just a note written on the back that Blackberry is entered and she said Blackberry has lovely colouring and wished me luck. Nothing inside the envelope? Can you please ask Elaine if they send anything before the show? I can't remember. I would have thought I'd have a slip of paper with details on it to hand in to gain entry to the show? I was panicking when I was checking Blackberry's GCCF registration form, they had put the wrong date of birth for her and had her down as being born 23/05/17 instead of 23/05/11. I knew it was their mistake as I had the copy of my entry form for it. I phoned them up and a woman was able to change it while I was on the phone and I then went online and checked it had been changed. I've made a note to do Blackberry's claws the day before but I won't be bathing her, she is such a clean cat and her white is always spotless so I think a good brushing will be enough and check her eyes and ears are clean too and the bottom of her feet.
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Post by tonib on Jan 9, 2018 22:45:10 GMT
As far as I'm aware Elaine just gets a confirmation of entry but no details, which is what you got. I'd meant a copy of the entry form you'd sent off (or at least make a note to take with you) so you know which classes to check the results for. I will check with Elaine though lotsofcatsWhen we get to a show Elaine gives her name & gets an envelope which lists the cat(s) names & which pen they are in. It also contains the vetting-in slip for the vet to sign off (can't remember if they keep it or you get it back). You should also get some sort of sticky label which will be an exhibitor's pass for the show. You automatically get one unless you requested more on your entry. All shows we go to charge non-pass holders for entry (OAP's & children usually get a discount). Its always best to check anything from the GCCF, they don't seem to be very organised, from what I've heard from Elaine. Glad you found the error in plenty of time. did you get an actual registration certificate if so presumably you'll get a corrected one not just see it online. I don;t know how it works with the online process. Oh & don't forget to check the show's catalogue for correct information on Blackberry & her classes before judging starts, show secretaries have been known to get things wrong!!! If you haven't ordered one then you may be able to get one or ask someone to have a look at theirs. The shows we go to there is a queue for the catalogues when the show hall is cleared for judging - which I must admit makes it difficult to check beforehand - but a quick look at Blackberry's description etc. & classes should be possible, any issues seek out the show manager (or their assistants). I'm making it sound worse that it is but we've had the odd hiccup. If you've got a printed copy of the schedule then take it with you as it contains some useful information about how the show runs you might want to refer to, especially as its your first show for quite a while. I don't think Elaine bathes her cats before a show as they are clean anyway. Good idea to take her brush & some wipes/kitchen roll or the like to clean her if she's had any accidents travelling or need a last minute spruce. It might be an idea to take some of the water that she normally has - tap water at the venue can be different to yours. Elaine always takes her own but others fill from taps - your choice, also useful if you need to spruce her up.
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Post by spider on Jan 10, 2018 9:59:27 GMT
Best of luck uv a star there anyway isnt there a lot of to do at these shows i know its how it is but i couldnt see darling moonbeam allowing all that fussing and clipping and pople looking at him there must be a lot or noise also cats need to start young i would think best of luck but most of all enjoy the day
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Post by lotsofcats on Jan 10, 2018 10:19:06 GMT
Best of luck uv a star there anyway isnt there a lot of to do at these shows i know its how it is but i couldnt see darling moonbeam allowing all that fussing and clipping and pople looking at him there must be a lot or noise also cats need to start young i would think best of luck but most of all enjoy the day Yes, it's a good idea to start them young to get them used to it. I always intended on showing both Blackberry and Willow when they were young but after I'd had them both spayed they had the shaved bit on their sides and it hadn't grown back in time for the show. I'm hoping Blackberry will be okay as she loves to be admired whenever I show people my cats in their pen, she runs up to the front and laps up all the attention.
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Post by dutchkitties on Jan 11, 2018 12:24:51 GMT
That's a lot of work but worth it when you can show your star. Can you clip the nails yourself? Mine don't even allow me to spread their toes.
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Post by lotsofcats on Jan 11, 2018 15:24:56 GMT
That's a lot of work but worth it when you can show your star. Can you clip the nails yourself? Mine don't even allow me to spread their toes. Unfortunately I can't clip the nails so I will take her to the vet for the nurse to do it and I will pay attention and hopefully can do it myself another time.
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Post by boxerluver30 on Jan 12, 2018 9:02:10 GMT
Good luck at the show lotsofcats, I'm sure blackberry will do great as she is a lovely looking cat . Out of interest (and this is a question for tonib as well) how do the cat shows work? Are they similar to dog shows in that they have breed classes and the cats are all looked over by the judges? Also what does GCCF stand for?
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Post by lotsofcats on Jan 12, 2018 10:22:44 GMT
Good luck at the show lotsofcats, I'm sure blackberry will do great as she is a lovely looking cat . Out of interest (and this is a question for tonib as well) how do the cat shows work? Are they similar to dog shows in that they have breed classes and the cats are all looked over by the judges? Also what does GCCF stand for? GCCF is the cat equivalent of the Kennel Club for dogs. It stands for The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. Cat shows are similar to dog shows but with cats they are all in rows of cages and the judges come along and get the cat out and put in on a trolley and look it over and then put it back in the cage. Cats are in breed classes like dogs but the show also has a section for Household Pets (moggies) and Pedigree Pets (cats that are pedigree but unregistered). All classes are divided up into colour groups. Blackberry's is longhair or semi longhair ginger of any pattern or any colour tortie or tortie tabby cat. There are lots of different side classes that a cat can be entered in. The ones I have entered for Blackberry are: Cat/kitten living in Wales, Cat/kitten never been shown before, Prettiest cat/kitten, Cat/kitten with the brightest eyes and Cat/kitten with the most distinctive coat pattern.
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Post by scallywag on Jan 14, 2018 7:43:26 GMT
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Post by lotsofcats on Jan 22, 2018 14:25:45 GMT
Not long to go. I've bought a new cat carrier which is front and top opening. The show notes recommend a top opening carrier and my others aren't. I bought it from Amazon and I am really pleased with it. I shall try it out when I take Blackberry to the vet on Friday to have her claws clipped - another recommendation for the show.
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