Thank you for attending our show! This cat
show is sanctioned by The International Cat
Association (TICA). Founded in 1979 TICA has
grown to be the world’s largest genetic cat
registry of pedigreed cats. TICA recognizes
more than 55 breeds of cats.
We hope you enjoy yourselves. Please
remember a few things. Loud noises and
sudden movements can upset the cats, so we
appreciate your keeping children with you at all
times. Cats ears are sensitive to sound and
hear three times what we do. Fingers, toys, or
anything else should never be poked into or
near the cats’ cages.
Cats are susceptible to a large range of
diseases which can be carried from cat to cat
on your hands. Please do not pet any cat
without asking the owner first. If the owner
says “yes” you may be asked to disinfect your
hands first.
If you hear anyone yell “Cat Out”, please
stand still and let the owner catch the cat. Do
Not Try To Catch The Cat. If you are near an
open door, please quietly and quickly close it.
Exhibitors are always glad to speak to
spectators and talk about their breed. Some
exhibitors will have kittens for sale. We
encourage you to talk to several breeders to
make sure you learn about the breed you are
interested in.
Judging rings are off-limits to everyone except
ring staff; however, everyone is welcome to
view the cats in the benching areas and to
watch the judging from the chairs placed in
front of the rings. Please remember that cats
always have the “right of way” in the show hall.
Please allow exhibitors carrying cats to get
through the aisles.
What Is A Cat Show?
A cat show is composed of a number of judging
rings concurrently running throughout the show
hall. Each ring is presided over by a different
judge, who will present his or her own awards
for each competition class which consists of the
following: Pedigree Kittens (4 – 8 months of
age), Cats, Alters (neutered or spayed cats) 8
months of age and older. Household pet
Kittens & Household Pet Adults. New Breed
and New Traits (classes for breeds or traits that
have not been recognized for championship
status). Individual rings are classified either as
Allbreed (AB) or Specialty (SP). In the Allbreed
ring, all cats, regardless of coat length or type
will compete against one another for awards. In
the Specialty ring, only those cats of similar
coat length (long hair–LH) or (short hair-SH)
will compete against one another.
On the top of the cages in the judging rings you
will see numbers on cards. Those numbers are
the numbers of each individual cat. The pink
cards/numbers are for females and the blue
cards/numbers are for males.
kitten/cat, placing awards for the cats which
best represent the standard for their breed.
Household Pets: TICA welcomes household
pet kittens and cats. A household pet (HHP)
have their own unique standard and titles which
can be anything from a purebred cat which
does not meet it’s breed standards, domestic
cats or strays which have been rescued and
now have a loving home. HHP’s do have a
standard all their own: A happy, healthy
companion which is judged primarily on
condition, beauty and show presence. If you
have a HHP cat or kitten you think has “the
right stuff”, feel free to talk to the show
committee and they will help you get started.
You can also visit www.tica.org for a show
schedule and more information.
Judging: Judges will see each breed of
longhaired cat and shorthaired cat in
alphabetical order of breed. After the cats in
their breed group are judged, the Judge will
first award the Best of Color (BOC) to the top
cats (anywhere from 1st to 5th Best depending
on the number of cats in the class).
From the Best of Color winners, the Judge will
then award Best of Division (BOD) and select
the Best, Second and Third Best of division.
Once the Judge has selected the Best through
Third Best division cats, they will select Best of
Breed (BOB) and select the Best, Second and
Third Best of Breed. These cats/kittens then,
may be picked to make a “Final” and win
additional points to earn a title.
Pedigreed Kittens, Cats, Alters: Each breed
has a written standard set by the breeders for
each breed of cat. The judge evaluates each
This procedure is a little different in the
Household Pet competition. Each HHP that
meets the basic standards of health and
condition receives an award.