Conference misery::feline_v1

    Pat,
    
    They will supply you with a cage for the show.  If you've ever been to
    a show, then what you get with your entry is 1/2 of the large cage, or
    cage space that's approximately 22 x 22 x 22...If you want more space
    than that, then you should opt for the Double Cage, which would give
    you 22 x 44 x 22 space.  If this is your cats first show, a double cage
    might make her more comfortable.
    
    Nancy DC will be going to the Hudson NH show, she's already entered, so
    maybe she could help you out during the day.  Ask to be benched with
    her.  It's okay, right Nancy??  
    
    You should bring some type of covering for the floor of the cage, and
    the sides.  24" curtains work well, with towels or rug scraps for the
    floor and top.  You can also make do with a large sheet.  Bring some
    type of clips to attach the curtains to the cage....Curtain Clips work
    well for this.  You may also want to brinng something familiar from
    home to put in the bottom of the cage....a favorite bed, or toy is
    always good.
    
    Then you should bring your grooming supplies....here, it really depends
    on your cat, and what you have found works best for grooming.  Brushes,
    combs, chamis, or whatever.  Cotton balls and q-tips often come in
    handy, as do tissues or paper towel.  You should also bring a pen to
    mark your catalog with your wins....we know your going to win!!!  Nancy
    will show you how to do this....right Nancy!  You may also want to
    bring some water from home, and maybe a couple jars of meat baby food
    as a treat.  
    
    It's really fun.....
    
    cin
    

    Thanks, Cin, so much for all this info.  I do think the double cage
    would be good for her and that would be $25 for both days plus entry
    fee.  I've also found out from Bobbi's husband thatthe HHP is held on 
    both days.  I figured with a litterbox in the cage she'd need more room
    so the double sounds ideal.  I drive past a carpet store on the way
    home so I'll stop in and see about some pieces for the floor and top of
    cage.
    
    I also plan to visit the show in Salem next weekend to check on the
    setups again.
    
    Thanks again.
    
    Pat
    

Subj:	answers to cat show questions

    This is left over from last year - if the answer you are looking for
    isn't here, just ask !!
    
Keep the questions commin' !  That's how we all learn.

1.  Double Cages can be either:  21"deep  x 23"across x 21" high
                                             or
                                 23"        25"         23"

    You will be safe to get 3 yards, which will go all the way around.
    Closer to the exact amount is 2 2/3 yds. - don't forget the piece
    for the top, which needs to be 23" x either 46" or 50" and the
    piece for the bottom (same size as the top) but make the tops
    and bottoms more like  27 x 60 so it will overlap on all sides
    like a roof.

2.  End-of-Row - welll, in some show halls, it helps and in others
                 it doesn't - if the hall is crowded, and the isles
                 are narrow, being on the end doesn't help much.

                 In a larger hall if it is crowded, the end works
                 well. you have the space on the end of your cage
                 and it seems like more space.  If you get a double
                 cage, and there are only one or two people sitting
                 in front of it, you won't need an end-of-row unless
                 you feel like it.

3.  Listing Fee - is just for kittens for show or sale.  If an
                  exhibitor is going to enter an unregistered
                  kitten born to a CFF mom, in order to have
                  the kitten listed in the catalog, they must
                  pay a listing fee.

4.  Registering Household Pets - Yes, you CAN register household pets.
                  If you would like to do so, let me know - it only
                  costs $5.00 for life.  I would suggest waiting 
                  until after your cat's first show to see how she
                  likes it before registering her.  When you send
                  in her entry, under the space for the CFF registration
                  number, put Pending - she will be scored by the
                  Household Pet Scorer anyway.  If she is registered
                  it makes her eligible to be scored for the season.

5.  YOU MUST BRING YOUR CAT HOME SATURDAY NIGHT AND BRING HER BACK SUNDAY
    MORNING, UNLESS YOU ARE STAYING OVERNIGHT IN THE SHOW HOTEL.  CATS
    ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE LEFT IN THE SHOW HALL OVERNIGHT !!!  You must
    also check in again Sunday moring with the Entry Clerk at the door
    same as Saturday morning - just sort of get in line !!

6.  If you want to be benched with or next to someone, make sure you
    mark it right on your Entry Form in the Benching Request section.

7. The announcer will call "Household Pets to Ring 1" and so on....
   The rings will all have signs with numbers on them - you will
   not have any problems finding your ring.  The announcer will
   say, "Household Pets 175 through 185 to Ring 1. If your entry
   number is 183, off you will go to Ring 1 with Thunder all
   spiffy and groomed.  On the back of your catalog, there
   will be a judging schedule.  It will show you which rings
   will be coming up in what order.  Thunder will show in ALL 12
   rings.  Six rings on Saturday with 6 Judges and 6 more rings
   on Sunday with 6 different judges.  You and Kate will be busy
   people!!!!

8.  Entering 2 cats vs. 2 cats in one cage
    If you enter one cat and DO NOT pay extra for a double cage you will
    have your one entry and a single cage.

    If you enter TWO cats you automatically get two singles cages, which
    are really ONE DOUBLE CAGE.  You will not have to pay extra for a
    double because the 2 entries by default give you a double.

9.  Litter and pans are usually provided - sometimes food and water cups.

10.  P.O.P Scoring = Parade of Perfection Scoring - it means that the
     P.O.P. points are scored and maintained cumulatively for the entire
     show season - the cat with the highest POP score becomes CFF
     National Best Household Pet of the Year, sigh hope !!  The scoring
     is as follows:  If there are 21 cats showing for that show, and
     your cat gets a Best Cat (first place) in a ring (keep in mind
     that there are 12 rings) you figure the POP points for the best cat
     to be 20 because your cat beat 20 other cats, not counting her/himself,
     which is the 21st cat.  You will only have to worry about POP points
     if you are going to show for the entire season or next season.  The
     points you should think about are the ring points for this show and
     they are figured a little differently.  They are as follows:  if your
     cat gets a best cat in a ring, your cat will have 10 points, 2nd best
     9 points, 3rd best 8 points, 4th best 7 points, 5th best 6 points, 6th
     best 5 points, 7th best 4 points, 8th best 3 points 9th best 2 points,
     10th best 1 point.  The points for all the cats are added up for the
     day and the cat with the highest ring score wins Best of the Best for
     that day.  The same for Sunday.  Then, the 2-day cumulative ring 
     scores are added together at the end of the day Sunday, and the
     cat with the highest 2-day total wins the Morris Award Trophy.
    
11.  Nails - yes, all nails on all four feet must be trimmed.  Yes, so that
     when the judge takes your cat in and out of the judging cage he won't
     scratch the judge.  Actually, it also indicates good care of the animal
     to have their nails trimmed on a regular basis not just for shows.

     You will bring your cat to the ring and put him in the cage with his
     entry number on top of the cage.  The judge takes him out and puts
     him on the table and goes over his fur,etc.  When the judge is 
     finished looking at your cat he/she will put your cat back in the
     cage.  When he has written his judging comments in the book, the
     Ring Clerk will walk up to your cat's cage and take the card with
     your cat's number on it, and turn it face down on the top of the
     cage , and usually the ring clerk will say, "Cats with their 
     numbers down can go back."  This means you can go into the ring
     and take your cat out of the cage and take him back to his home
     cage in the benching area - then you get ready for the next ring.
     Then after the judge has seen all the cats that are entered in the
     household pet class, the judge will decide upon which 10 cats will
     be brought back up to that ring for finals.  When Finals are called,
     The annoucer will say, "Household Pet Finals in Ring "3"" you go up
     to the ring WITHOUT YOUR CAT and check to see if your cat's entry
     number is on the top of any cage - if so, go comb his hair and 
     bring him back up to be placed in the finals.  The judge then pins
     the rosettes starting with 10th best household Pet up to Best HHP.
     Now is the time to be nervous to see if and where your cat will
     place in the final - this is repeated 12 times - 12 rings 12 finals!
    
              WEAR COMFORTABLE WALKING/RUNNING SHOES/SNEAKERS

     We are sometimes up in two or three rings/finals at the same time.
     It's fun!

12.  Listing Fee- not applicable to Household Pets.  It's for unregistered
     Kittens.

13. Early Bird Fee - it's fine if you can enter early - you save a few $$$$.
    Yes, the single cage is included with your entry fee early bird or regular.
    It's additional for a double cage.

14. Your cat, when you enter this show is a Novice.  I can send you more
    information for claiming HHP wins if you are interested.  You can
    on claim Companion Wins if your cat IS Registered with CFF.  So, if
    you are planning on going to more than this one show, you may want
    to register your cat.  The cost is $5.00 .

15.  You don't need to arrive at 7 am - if judging starts at 9 am, it's
     best to be there at least one hour to 1 1/2 hours ahead.  This gives
     you time to dress your cage, store your stuff, feed your cat, have a
     cup of coffee and spend a few minutes checking out the show hall to
     find out where each ring is and worry about what you will screw up
     today !!  oh well...  

     You can take your cat out of her cage any time you want to - if she
     is sleeping, you should let her rest though - ASK if have questions.

16  Class to Enter - Your Cat is A Novice, Household Pet 

17.  No proof for shots being up to date.  If any judge thinks a cat
     is sick, the judge calls for the owner and the show manager will
     ask that the owner and all her cats be removed from the show hall
     immediately !!!  Don't worry - we ALL care about that and watch
     every cat very carefully.

18.  If you only enter one day, you will not be eligible for the Morris
     Trophy.  But, whatever you think is best for you.  Also, you will
     only get points for the day you show.

19.  Household Pets are judges on temperment even though some judges
     say that they are not.  If a cat hisses and spits all the time,
     it means that the cat may not be too happy.  If the judge can't
     handle your cat at all, it's a problem.

Hope this helps,

E.T.

    Thank you so much, Elaine, for your helpful info. too.  I think I'll
    plan on the 2 days then.  I'm glad you mentioned we'd have to take our
    cats home overnight.  With my others at home needing to be fed, boxes
    cleaned, I didn't want to stay overnight - especially since I'm not too
    far from Hudson.
    
    
    Cin,
    
    I forgot to mention I can't bring Holly's favorite bed for her cause
    it's too large (it's my bed, of course) ;-) 
    
    Thank you both so much; it's nice to have you experienced folks to
    answer my questions. 
    
    Pat, Holly, D.P., Thai, Buffy, Midnight (& Cookie)
    

    Pat,
    
    There is also a CFA show in Warwick RI the same weekend as the Hudson
    NH show.  I think most of us are going to Warwick RI.
    
    cin
    

    Now cut that out Cindy!!!!  I have to have SOME company  ;-)

    I think I'll stick with the one nearest to me, Cin.  I'm just glad
    Nancy's going to be there too.
    
    After talking with the entry clerk last night, I've decided to go for
    the single cat cage this first show just to save me the extra $ for a
    double.  That way if I see any toys for the kids, I can treat them too.
    (Those are my other fur faces at home.)
    
    Told Holly about her debut in March; she meowed softly, yawned, and
    then came to me for some petting (purring like a motorboat).  She loves
    to have conversations and any topic will do.  ;-)
    
    Pat, Holly, D.P., Thai, Buffy, Midnight (& Cookie)
    

    Yeeaaaahhhhhhhh !!!!   Another DEC person at the cat show.  I'm going
    too and so isn't Nancy DC.  Can't wait to meet you.  Hopefully JJ will
    go to so I can meet Dukie's mom.  I'm going as a spectator only. 
    Thunder isn't up to *showing*, just *showing off*.  Bring pictures,
    lots of pictures.
    
    See you there.  I will be wearing my Deccie Kitty Badge.
    
    Tata,
    
    Sandi
    
    

    
    Can you please tell me when and where the Hudson, NH show is being
    held.  I'd like to go just as a spectator.
    
    Thanks for the info.
    
    Janet
    

    Hudson Middle School March 24 & 25th.
    
    Due to some special Choir music I'll be singing Jack will be
    substituting for me on Sunday morning.  I plan on coming up and
    relieving him as soon as church is over.
      Nancy DC

    Hi,
    
    I'll be putting in this file a discount coupon (one dollar off
    addmission) - I will put it in Note 1093 (the cat show note)
    probably next week.
    
    The Middle School is on Memorial Drive in Hudson, NH.
    
    If any one receives their confirmation, would you please
    put in the directions?  I won't be getting a confirmation
    and I don't have directions yet !!  Thanks.
    
    E.T.

    Hi guys!
    
    I'll be there too!  Clerking as usual!  Positively make sure that you
    come and see me!  I've GOT to meet at least ONE of my counterparts
    (meaning Holly!  But then again, I'd like to meet you too PAT! (-:)
    
    All of you had better come and see me!  Otherwise, I'll sick sweetie on
    you! (-:
    
    Holly
    

    Folks,
    
    please remind me to put in the coupon SOON - I can't today!
    
    

    .12   We're (Holly and I) are looking forward to meeting you in purrson
    	  too, Holly!  Will Sweetie be there or will you be too busy
    	  clerking to bring her?
    
    Pat, Holly, D.P., Thai, Buffy, Midnight (& Cookie) ;-)
    

    Are those "looks like a shirtbox top" litter boxes used at shows
    available to the public outside of shows?  I'll be shipping my cats
    soon and since it will be a ::ugh:: minimum of sixteen hr day for
    them (there are exactly two flights out from this airport to Hartford
    and the connections are hell), I'm sure they will have to use the
    bathroom sooner or later.  I was thinking that a litter pan like
    the show halls have might fit into the kennels better.
    
    Has anyone here had experience with shipping cats where they will
    be in their cages for such a LONG time????  I feel vaguely guilty,
    but no one will be travelling with them and they have to go air
    cargo.
    
    ---kim

    Yes, Kim, you can purchase them in the grocery stores.  You could
    also pick up a smaller size litter pan (plastic) in a pet shop
    or feed store that would just fit in the travel crate, if you
    travel crate is large enough.  
    
    I know that Cin takes one of the cardboard trays and cuts it in
    half, and then slides the ends together and tapes it to make it
    smaller to fit the inside of the crate.  She can describe it
    much better, I'm sure!
    
    Look around in the cat food isle at the market.

    Yup, kKim, you can buy those litterboxes in any grocery store, usually
    in the pet section with the kitty litter.  
    
    They fit perfectly into an airline carrier if you cut them on the fold,
    and then fit it back together to form a box that is actually 1/2 the 
    size it would have originally been.  I then staple the two ends.  I put
    the litterbox at the back of the carrier, and then put a pillow in the
    front to prevent the litterbox from tipping, and to give them a 
    comfortable place to sleep.  I use this method whenever I'm
    transporting kittens (they sometimes can't wait an extra 5 minutes), or
    going long distances to shows.
    
    I also use the same method with the litterbox when I only have a single
    cage at the show.  It takes up only half the space that way.
    
    cin
    

    E.T., 
    
    We musta both been answering at the same time!!!!!!   
    
    cin
    

Well, I finally took the plunge.  I've entered Snuggles in the Hudson, NH 
show.  Since it's our first show, I entered her for Sunday only.  I asked 
to be benched near Nancy DC (hope you don't mind, Nancy.)  I'm getting a 
double cage so I'm bringing Peaches, too.  She's not entered, I just thought 
I'd bring her to get used to the show atmosphere since she frightens more 
easily than Snuggles, plus her being there might make Snuggles a little 
more relaxed.

I have some questions about the judging.  Her tummy fur hasn't all grown 
back yet since she was spayed the end of December.  Will that count against 
her in the ring?  Will the Morris award only be given to cats that show both 
days?  I know that's the way it works at most shows, but will each day count 
separately at this one since it's considered a back to back show?

I can't wait to finally meet some fellow feliners!!!

Paula

    Paula -
      It might make more sense fr you to go Saturday only then if you
    like it and/or Snuggles is doing very well you have the option
    of coming back on Sunday.
      Don't worry about the fur.  The judges are delighted to see that
    the HHP's are neutered.
      Nancy

    Hi Nancy,
    
    I would have gone on Saturday, but we're going to a wedding that day,
    so I have no choice.  Snuggles loves people and attention, so I'm
    hoping she'll do well.  I know I could very easily get the show bug.
    
    Paula

    You're right Nancy, the missing furr shouldn't be a major problem.  You
    said that the judges like to see that the cat has been spayed or
    neutered.  Well, now as of May 1, 1990, it is now a REQUIREMENT
    for all Household pets to be spayed or neutered.  FINALLY!!!
    
    Holly