How to enter your cat in a GCCF show

Once you have decided to have a go you will need to embark on a little light reading! Far better to know the rules than to find that you have broken them and are in trouble. This could result in your cat being disqualified.

The rules are available to download online, and the particular rules are given in Section 4 which is called ‘Exhibits and Exhibitors’. If you would rather have a hardcopy version this can be purchased post free to the UK by calling the office. Current fees are given on the price list.

Once familiar with the rules then choose a show to go to.  The show calendar online has a map that will allow you to see which shows are within easy travelling distance for you. We would recommend attending a show nearby as a good starting point.

Once you have decided on a show you can read the schedule and download the entry form from the show calendar; you need to do this in good time, as shows have a fixed closing date for entries. Read the schedule carefully; you will find information about any extra club rules, explanations about the different types of classes, a list of classes as well as the time to arrive, the equipment you will need and the name and contact details of the Show Manager. If you have any queries about the entry form or the show don’t hesitate to ask for advice.

Tackling the entry form can be a bit daunting so give yourself plenty of time. If you have a pedigree cat you need to get out your GCCF registration certificate – and ensure you have transferred your cat into your own name with GCCF.  If you have no GCCF paperwork contact the person you bought the cat from and if you get no help from them telephone the GCCF office for advice. You will see that the entry form asks for information about you and your cat. First fill in your name and address – the Exhibitor must be the registered owner of the cat 10 days before show day. It may be you or you and a partner – you must fill in the details of both people if it is jointly owned. Next the details of your cat are needed and these should be copied from your GCCF Registration Certificate:

Registration Number – Cat’s Name – GEMS code – Sex – Date of birth

Name of sire – Name of dam – Name of breeder – Classes to be entered.

If your cat has not yet been registered or the certificate has not been returned from GCCF put RAF or TAF (reg/transfer applied for) in place of the registration number and make sure you do apply!

The name of the cat and the other details will be on the GCCF certificate or failing this on your pedigree. Always take a copy of your form so that you can check it against your official paperwork when it arrives AND tell the Show manager IN WRITING of any mistakes. If your cat is a non pedigree of course there is no official information to put on the form but all the other points are important for you as well. Details for non-pedigree cats usually comprise:-

Name Sex (N.B. ALL non-pedigree cats over the age of 6 months MUST have been neutered in order to be shown) Approximate age (as at the date of the show NOT date of entry) Colour Coat length (SH – short hair, LH – long hair but usually covers both long and semi-longhair).

Decide on the correct classes – if you cat is an adult neuter you can only enter neuter classes and you should enter its sex as MN or FN. If in doubt about classes check. Non-pedigree “Colour” Classes are usually divided into Adult (neutered cat over 9 months old) or Kitten (under 9 months old). Adult classes are divided by colour and sometimes coat length as well, kittens are usually in only one, or sometimes two classes divided by age, although some shows also divide all kittens by colour as well. Once you have decided on the correct Breed Class (there is only one per cat) you can then pick which of the “Side” (*Miscellaneous) classes you wish to enter from those your cat is eligible for. Next work out your entry fees, make out your cheque and make sure that it is signed and correct. On the form you will find a declaration that you and your partner, if the cat is jointly owned, must read and sign. Finally double check everything before you post it.

If your cat is neutered after you have entered it as entire, or if it changes colour or pattern and has to be re-registered, contact the Show Manager immediately. Although it may be too late to alter the catalogue, it should be possible for the cat to be moved to its correct class and to alter the judges books accordingly. Even if the alteration does not mean a change of class you should still inform the Show Manager: an incorrect description could lead to the cat being disqualified or marked down by the judge.

If you are entering a STAR show (that is one where you can enter online), then entry is easy, and can be done from your cat’s record in the GCCF database.