CFA Shows

A cat show is composed of a number of separate, concurrently running, individual shows held in the various judging rings throughout a show hall. Each show is presided over by a different judge, who presents his or her own awards independent of the decisions of other judges. Hence, a cat which is chosen Best in Show by the judge in Ring 1, may not always be given the same award by the judge in Ring 2.

Every cat entered in the show is evaluated by each judge, and judged according to a written standard for its breed (with the exception of the Household Pet Class, for which there is no written standard). The standard is part blueprint because it describes the ideal specimen for the breed, and part constitution because it can be revised by the members of the breed council. A breed standard is precise enough to allow judges to evaluate cats accurately, and flexible enough to leave room for differences in interpretation between judges of keen eye and good intention.

Individual shows can be classified as either allbreed or specialty. In an allbreed show all cats, regardless of coat length or type, compete for various awards. In a specialty show only those cats of similar coat length (or type) compete for awards.

After a judge has examined all the cats in the allbreed competition - or all the cats of similar coat length (or type) if he or she is doing a specialty show - it is time for finals: the curtain call wherein the judge presents the top ten cats in show. The moment every cat breeder lives for is that moment of exhilaration when your cat is held aloft and proclaimed "Best Cat in Show"!

The judge is assisted in the ring by the Ring Clerk, whose responsibilities include calling the cats to the ring, recording the awards as given by the judge, and supervising the ring stewards.
 

Print a Spectator Guide

A spectator guide that will help you to understand a cat show is available for printing. The PDF brochure is a bifold one that can be printed back-to-back or as two separate pages. The files are PDF and approximately 1.5 megs each. Translated files are considerably smaller.

• Spectator Brochure - outside - describes a cat show and answers frequently asked questions
• Spectator Brochure - inside - describes the various classes at a show, plus a full description of the judging procedure and ribbons awarded
• Spectator Brochure translations: French | Slovenian | Russian

Adapted from CATS CENTERSTAGE

Responsibilities of Exhibitors

The CFA Responsibilities of Exhibitors is also available in Chinese.| French | Slovenian

From the CFA Show Rules:
Article XI
Responsibilities of Exhibitors

11.01 Any person entering a cat or kitten in a show held under the rules of CFA shall by such act agree to abide by, and this person and the entry of this person shall be subject to these rules.

11.01.1 Exhibitors must transport cats into and out of the show hall in an enclosed, secured carrier.

11.01.2 Any person offering a cat(s)/kitten(s) for sale, must ensure an enclosed, secured carrier is being used for the transport of the cat being sold.

11.02 Exhibitors with bona fide handicaps shall be responsible for making their special needs known to the entry clerk. Exhibitors using mobility-assisting devices can request end of row benching during judging procedures by such to the entry clerk.

11.03 It is the responsibility of the owner to enter a cat or kitten correctly under its exact registered name, registered ownership, and when required, registration number. (See paragraph 2.03.)

11.03.1 It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to ensure, prior to his arrival at the show, that an entry form for each of his cats/kittens entered in the show has been received by the entry clerk prior to the close of entries. Cats/kittens whose entry information is not printed in the catalog, but is included as an addendum, will not receive credit for any awards achieved at the show unless approved by the CFA Central Office (see paragraphs 15.01.1 and 20.06).

11.04 Correction of entry information:
a. It is the exhibitor's responsibility, upon arrival at the show, to confirm that the registration number and other entry information as printed in the catalog is correct.
b. If any of the entry information as printed in the catalog is in error, or a kitten registration number has not been printed in the catalog, it is the exhibitor's responsibility to provide corrections of the information printed in error and/or the lacking kitten registration number to the master clerk at the show. An official catalog correction request form must be used and the exhibitor submitting the form must obtain a copy of the catalog correction form signed by the Master Clerk, or designated representative, showing the correct information has been supplied. This receipt should be retained by the exhibitor in the event any question might arise at a future date regarding an entry.
c. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to submit the completed catalog correction request form to the master clerk no later than four (4) hours prior to the published or announced closing hour on the final day of the show. The master clerk is not required to accept catalog correction requests submitted after the cutoff time specified above.

11.05 It is the responsibility of the owner to show a cat in its correct competitive category, class, color class and color and/or pattern. (Note: Color Class numbers can be found at the bottom of each breed standard.)

11.06 For each entry, the exhibitor must submit a properly completed entry in the form of an official CFA entry form, a facsimile of an official CFA entry form or an entry sent by email following the form of an official CFA entry form. All information required on the entry form, with the exception of the owner's signature, must be typed or hand-printed. For email entries the email address may be accepted in lieu of a signature. The entry form must be submitted to the entry clerk no later than close of entries.

11.07 Each entry must have a name.

11.08 a. Each entry must be accompanied by the stipulated entry fee. If the club opts to accept fax or email entries, such entries must be paid in full within 10 days of receipt or prior to the start of the show, whichever is first.
b. If the club sponsoring a show finds, after the opening of a show, that an exhibitor's check for fees is not collectible, or the fee for a faxed or emailed entry is not paid, the following actions shall be taken.

1. The club will notify both the exhibitor and CFA Central Office by certified, return receipt mail that if the monies for the fees plus the bank penalty charges, if payment was made by an uncollectible check, are not received within thirty (30) days after notification, that all wins for that show, if applicable, for the exhibitor's cat(s) will be rescinded. The club must send the initial notification within sixty (60) days of the opening date of the show. Notification must provide the names, registration numbers and entry numbers of all cats entered by the exhibitor
2. If the club receives the fees plus any applicable bank penalties within the 30 day period, the club will immediately notify the exhibitor and CFA Central Office by certified, return receipt mail that the exhibitor is now in good standing and no action shall be taken.
3. If the full payment (as prescribed in section 2) is not received within the 30 day period, the club will notify the exhibitor and CFA Central Office of that fact within seven (7) days by certified, return receipt mail. CFA Central Office will then rescind all wins earned by the exhibitor's cat(s) for that show and suspend all CFA services and inform the exhibitor by certified, return receipt mail. A $100.00 processing fee shall be payable to CFA by the exhibitor. All CFA services will be suspended to the exhibitor until the processing fee and the debt to the club are paid. Once points are rescinded they will not be reinstated if the exhibitor ultimately pays the outstanding fees.
4. CFA Central Office requires a photocopy of the certified post office receipt for all certified letters sent to the exhibitor in accordance with this rule.
5. All cats entered by the exhibitor, whether owned by the exhibitor or some other person(s) are affected by this rule. The official count and the wins earned by other cats in the show will not be affected by the above actions.

11.09 An entry must be the property of the person who is shown on the entry form as the owner. The records in the Central Office are conclusive where the ownership of the entry is concerned. If ownership is transferred between the date of entry and the date of the show, the transfer must be reported to the master clerk. It is essential that transfer of ownership papers be filed with the Central Office immediately upon transfer of ownership.

11.10 It is strongly advised that all cats or kittens entered or present in the show hall be inoculated before entry by a licensed veterinarian against feline enteritis, feline rhinotracheitis, calici viruses and rabies. It is also strongly recommended that cats and kittens be tested and found negative for FeLV before entry.

11.11 All claws of each entry must be clipped prior to benching. Failure to do so will subject the entry to disqualification.

11.11.01 Cats or kittens will not be judged with ribbons on their necks or with other identifying marks other than an optional tattoo (see paragraph 11.12) or, in the case of Household Pets, devices applied to the claws which inhibit the ability of a cat to scratch, i.e. claw covers. (See 4.10.01 & 28.10.)

11.12 Cats or kittens may be marked with an identifying tattoo, such as the last digits of the CFA registration number or a Social Security number. The tattoo shall be placed inside the left thigh and not exceed 1/2 inch in height nor 9 digits in length. A non-conforming tattoo may be considered to be an identifying mark. (See 4.11, 28.10.)

11.13 No entry may be benched prior to inspection by the designated veterinarian or prior to presentation to the show secretary, whichever is applicable.

11.14 When an owner does not accompany his cat or kitten, a designated agent must be in attendance.

11.15 Late arrivals: an entry arriving at the show room after the stipulated hour may be benched, at the option of the show management, after examination by the designated veterinarian, if applicable, at the expense of the exhibitor. For any ring in which its class is judged prior to its benching, it shall be marked absent and no class will be reopened.

11.16 The owner or agent of a late arrival is responsible for checking in with the show secretary and notifying all ring clerks once the late arrival is benched.

11.17 No kitten under the age of 4 months shall be permitted in the show hall. Proof of age must be presented upon the request of the show manager (see paragraph 15.12).

11.18 Absentees and Transfers.
a. Before judging begins, an exhibitor is responsible for reporting to the show secretary any of his cats or kittens that are absent, or that require transfer to another competitive category, class, color class, or color and/or pattern.
b. Transfer of ownership should be reported to the master clerk
c: To qualify for the Champion or Premier class on the second day of a two day show, the exhibitor must file a completed Championship Claim form and fee with the Master Clerk before the end of the first day of a two day show. Transferring a cat from Open to the Champion or Premier class is at the option of the exhibitor.

11.19 No exhibitor shall be allowed to remove cages and use the area to set up a sales booth in the benching rows. Any sales activity is subject to the approval of the show management.

11.20 Exhibitors will be allowed to display CFA ribbons or rosettes, foreign ribbons or rosettes and unaffiliated breed club ribbons or rosettes only on/in exhibition cages. Such ribbons or rosettes not won at a current show, with the exception of CFA National or Regional Award rosettes, must be confined to the inside of the exhibit's cage.

11.21 An entry must be present and available for judging when the time for judging each entry is reached. An entry not so presented or available will be marked absent and the class will be judged as if such an entry had not been benched. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor or the exhibitor's agent to see that the cat or kitten is presented for judging when the entry number is called the first time. Only one call to the judging ring is required.

11.22 Stud service in the show room is absolutely prohibited. Any owner whose entry participates in such action is subject to disciplinary action under Article XV, Section 4 of the CFA Constitution.

11.23 All benched entries, with the exception of kittens, must remain in the show hall until the advertised closing hour. Failure to be present may cause all awards won in that show by that entry to be voided with the following exceptions:
a. Entries absent from rings judged after the advertised closing time of the final day of the show shall retain awards previously won but shall not be eligible for any awards made after their removal provided the show manager is noticed of the cat's absence.
b. Household pets may be removed at an earlier hour than the closing of the show as determined by the show manager.

11.24 Each claimant of a Championship or Premiership must mail to the Central Office or give to the Master Clerk the official CFA Championship Claim Form, or facsimile thereof, before the opening day of the next show in which the cat is benched, a list of shows where Winners Ribbons have been won with dates, names of shows and judges, along with the current confirmation fee.

11.25 Grand points for a cat that has completed requirements for Championship or Premiership will not be posted to a cat’s record until the Central Office has received a Championship Claim form, appropriate fees, and confirmed that Championship or Premiership requirements have been met. When the Championship or Premiership Claim Form has not been received by the Central Office, any wins earned by a cat otherwise eligible to compete as a Champion or Premier will be held in abeyance. For these wins to be counted, the exhibitor must respond to the written notice of delinquency issued by the Central Office within 20 days of the date of such notice. The response shall consist of a completed Championship or Premiership Claim Form, the current confirmation fee and payment of a late fee of $5.00.

11.26 Exhibitors must not make any comments on exhibits within the judge's hearing or challenge the judge's decision. Any decision based on the judgment of a judge acting under these rules is final.

11.27 Unsportsmanlike conduct will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Article XV of the CFA Constitution.

11.28 Exhibitors must not solicit the opinion of non-officiating judges at any show.

11.29 No exhibitor may leave cats or kittens in the show hall overnight.

11.30 An exhibitor may not spray any disinfectant, deodorizer, or other liquid in a judging cage without permission of the ring clerk and judge.

11.31 An exhibitor must not exhibit a cat transported by an officiating judge if the cat was transported in conjunction with travel related to the judging assignment.

Updated: Monday, April 03, 2006