International Cat Day 2024 is on Thursday, August 8, 2024: how to determine Cat show quality?

Thursday, August 8, 2024 is International Cat Day 2024. International cat day International Cat Day falls on

Sponsored Deals

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Someone else recently asked this question so here's a copy and paste of my answer. It answers your question and gives lots of info on showing HHP's:

YES - you can indeed show your cat of no particular breed, an obvious purebred without papers or a pedigreed cat that doesn't fit the breed standard in the Household Pet class. TICA, ACFA and the CFA all have a Household Pet class.

By far the best registry to compete in is TICA because:

a) there's far more TICA shows each season than ACFA shows and FAR more cats competing so MUCH more competitive

b) Household Pets earn titles - just like the pedigrees - CFA doesn't award titles

c) Household Pets points are tracked for Regional and International standings just like the pedigreed cats - CFA doesn't track points

d) Household Pets receive Regional Awards at the end of the show season shows if they're in the top 20 HHP's in their Region just like the pedigrees - CFA doesn't

e) Household Pets receive International Awards at the end of the season if they're in the top 25 HHP's from all over the world just like the pedigrees - CFA doesn't

TICA's site with info: That site explains how to get started. (That's also one of my cats on the page - on the top right and further down is Café Mocha Valencia who I'll mention later)

Since there's no "breed standard" for the judge to compare the cat to cats are judged on: cleanliness, grooming, nails neatly trimmed, ears and teeth are clean, that they're of a healthy weight and on their personality. To quote one judge "I'm looking for a cat I'd most likely to take home and be my pet."

To do well in the ring the cat can't have some of these qualities and not the rest. My rescued Persian handles well, looks great and even responds to toys the judges wave for him. But once in awhile when the judge puts him back in his cage in the ring he swats at them - very bad. He also often slumps down on the table and closes his eyes like a grumpy, pouting little boy. That being said, you have to have a cat that doesn't mind strangers handling him and doesn't seem to mind being there. Which cat would you pick? ;) pouting Percy ... or "Do whatever you want!" ... and supermodel posing Mocha?

Cats are judged against cats in their same colour and coat length. Then the judge picks cats from all the cats he or she has looked at to compete in a Final for that ring. There's two types of Finals - All Breed and Specialty. In the All Breed rings the judge picks top cats in both long and short coat lengths. In Specialty rings there's two finals - one for each coat length. When you place in a final you're given a rosette (ribbon). Some shows you start with a blank rosette and little plaques are given to you that stick onto the rosette with how you placed and the judges name. Shows are usually two days long with six rings per day - so your cat will be judged by twelve different judges and have the chance to be in twelve different finals.

Points are accumulated based on how you place in the final with more points earned in All Breed finals since your cat is competing against more cats. You also get a point for every cat your cat beat in the ring. These points are used to calculate your cat's standing in your Region. Your cat also earns points for each ring it's in whether it ends up in the finals or not based on how it places within it's colour - ie, Best Black and White, 2nd Best Tortie and White, etc. - these points are used to earn the Titles.

Just like the pedigree cats (who compete as either "Cats" or "Alters") have Champion, Grand Champion, etc, HHP's earn Master, Grand Master, Double Grand Master, Triple Grand Master, Quadruple Grand Master and finally the coveted Supreme Grand Master.

Cat shows are not cheap. Here in the Seattle area a two day shows costs around $80. That gives you a 21x21x21 cage space. You can pay about $20 for an additional half cage space so you'll have twice the space. You then need to add in the cost of cage curtains - fabric that will cover your cage on the back, sides and top so that your cat won't see other cats. Add in lunch for the day, grooming supplies, money you'll spend at the raffles they usually have and purchases from vendors at the show and you're looking at at least $200 for the weekend. I spent well over $5K last year in the 12 shows we competed in since I showed all three of my cats most shows.

Shows often have a theme and a cage decorating contest. I highly recommend decorating to the theme. I've won Best probably eight times over the last two seasons and it gave me FREE entries and an extra space to use for grooming my cat - so about a $120 value each time for decorations/fabric that cost me $20-$50.

Showing HHP's is lots of fun. And since my cats are shelter cats I show to promote the adoption of shelter cats. A lot of the judges ask you to tell your cat's story as you accept your rosettes. All three of my cats are rescues - and all obvious purebreds - a Persian, a Ragamuffin and an Exotic Shorthair. Both Penny the Persian and Mocha were going to be euthanized by their owners. Percy was found as a stray.

Penny ended up the #7 Household Pet in the Northwest last show season even though I adopted her with only a few months of the season left. Café Mocha Valencia, the Ragamuffin, Supremed in only THREE shows, finished this season 2nd Best in the Northwest and 9th Best Internationally. She really deserved 1st this season but since the other cat went to two high cat count shows we didn't go to she had some higher scores then we did. I wanted to go to the last show in our Region to try to pass her back up but I had prior commitments with the shelter I volunteer with that weekend. But hey, there's always this next season!

The link below is to albums with LOADS of pics from shows so you can check them out to get an idea what a show's like -

RW SGM Penelope Princess Pumpkin

QGM Percy

IW SGM Café Mocha Valencia

(RW - Regional Winner, SGM - Supreme Grand Master, QGM - Quadruple Grand Master, IW - International Winner)

how do US customs examine pet cats at airport?

Your cat needs to be spayed.

Check the nearest US embassy or consulate for quarantine rules.

Quite possibly they’ll give the beast a cursory exam and only go further if that yields suspicion that something is wrong.

Most airlines require that a vet examine the cat within 10 days before travel and provide a health certificate. Many US states require proof of rabies vaccination in order for the pet to travel to that destination.

I think you may be able to only bring one cat in the cabin of the plane with you , the other would have to be "checked" as baggage, but can be in a special pressurized section.

Look at the IATA website for the requirements for the type of crate / kennel / carrier that is required for the one sent in cargo. It has to be very sturdy and ventilated on 4 sides for international flights-- there are very specific requirements set out in the IATA guidelines about the crate, the amount of openings, the door, etc . Also it has to have food and water dishes attached that can be reached from outside. A brand that is definitely approved is PetMate Sky Kennel, if you can get it there. The 100 size is good for a cat.

For a pet traveling in the cabin with you it has to be in a carrier small enough you can slide it under the seat - on some airlines that is only 8 inches high!

Domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the owner’s expense.

A valid rabies vaccination certificate should accompany the animal. This certificate should be in English or be accompanied by a translation. It should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination and expiration, and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. If no expiration date is specified, the certificate is acceptable if the date of vaccination is no more than 12 months before the date of arrival.

If a vaccination has not been performed, or if the certificate is not valid, the animal may be admitted if it is confined immediately upon arrival at a place of the owner’s choosing. The dog must be vaccinated within four days after arrival at the final destination, but no more than 10 days after arrival at the port of entry. The animal must remain in confinement for at least 30 days after being vaccinated.

If the vaccination was performed less than 30 days before arrival, the animal may be admitted but must be confined at a place of the owner’s choosing until at least 30 days have passed since the vaccination.

Young puppies must be confined at a place of the owner’s choosing until they are three months old, then they must be vaccinated. They must remain in confinement for 30 days.

HOPE THIS HELPS :)

ps - sorry it's a bit wordy

traveling with my pet cat?

You need - Health certificate , another letter within 10 days of flight from Vet saying cat is healthy to fly - Must be within 10 days of flight. The cat will be needing a micro chip for most airlines . It an airline rule not Mexico.

It getting hot and some airlines will not fly pets in hot weather - Check !

The cat hes to be current on all shots. Immigration Will check !

Go to Delta and Continentals web sites as they have the best info for pet travel. If you have questions and need a person call Continental , Deltas people are hard to get a hold of . Airline rules dont vary that much beteewn carriers, they are pretty standard beteen all.

Even if the cat is going on the plane in a cage below your seat , you will still have to clear customs and immigration and its a pain...................You probably will have about $200 in some crappy fees they charge. Check and make sure the special pet/animal customs officers will be on duty at the time you land. Chance are past 5 pm they will be off work and closed and your screwed.

This is not an ease task. Homework...............Do your homework.

Link over to me and give me your e mail if you need and more help.