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Cats

Superintendents

Telephone Number

Email Address

Jo Ann Ward

765–426–8844

jowardann@hotmail.com

Required Manual:

  • Level 1, Purrr-fect Pals! –grades 3, 4, and 5

  • Level 2, Climbing Up! –grades 6, 7, and 8

  • Level 3, Leaping Forward –grades 9 & above

Exhibit Options

Exhibit Options: Members may choose to exhibit any combination of live animals, a poster and\or present a Project Interact detailing some aspect of the project.   The poster and Project Interact options may be in place of or in addition to the live animal exhibit.   For information on Animal Posters please see the guidelines under the Animal Education project section of this handbook.  Poster projects are entered during pre-fair judging weeks.  Please refer to the pre-fair schedule for specific dates and times for Animal Education check-in.  Members wishing to give a Project Interact are to setup a suitable time with the project superintendent(s).

Exhibit Rules

  1. The 4-Her must also complete three activities from the Cat Manual. An acitivity is a two page layout of a topic and you do not need to do the “feline adventure activities”.               This manual will be turned in the day of the cat show and returned to the 4-Her during  the cat show. If not turned in to the cat superintendent at this time, you will not be allowed to show at the fair.                                       

  2. Each member may show only his or her cat or the family cat. A family that has more than one cat/kitten may exhibit them both but cannot exhibit more than one cat/kitten per class. Each cat/kitten may be exhibited by only one member (i.e., brother(s) and/or sister(s) may not exhibit the same cat). The cat/kitten must be fed and cared for by the 4-H member.

  3. To be eligible the cat/kitten must be in possession by May 15 of the year it is shown, and a kitten must be born March 15 of the same year or be 4 months old by the day of the show. Cats being shown must be registered in FairEntry in the correct class. If the cat is not enrolled by the FairEntry deadline, it will not be able to be shown at the fair.

  4. All cats are required to have had rabies, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calcivirus inoculations (if this is the cat/kitten’s first inoculation, it must be given two weeks prior to the show). All cats are required to have had their feline leukemia current vaccinations and/or a negative test result within the last 180 days. A fecal parasite exam or deworming by a veterinarian is also required within 6 months of exhibition. Have the veterinarian check for ear mites and flea infestation. ALL CATS/KITTENS MUST HAVE HEALTH VACCINATION PAPERS FROM A LICENSED VETERINARIAN. INOCULATIONS MUST BE WITHIN ONE YEAR TO BE ELIGIBLE TO EXHIBIT. Proof of these must be with you to show. A special form (4-H 777) is provided for this certification. This form must be used and brought with you the day of the show and signed by a licensed Veterinarian or you will not be able to show your cat. Refer to “Health Requirements for the Exhibition of Domestic Animals” section in front part of the handbook for specific details. REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK FORM 4-H 777 FOR UPDATED INFORMATION.

  5. The 4-H member may show in only one cat show class, plus the showmanship contest. A member may show more than one cat in opposing categories (i.e. one cat entered as a longhair adult (1–7 yrs.), and a kitten, and/or a cat in the adult (8+ yrs. Class). A member may only show one cat/kitten in showmanship.

  6. CAT SHOW CLASSIFICATIONS

    1. All 4-H members will be divided into the following divisions:

      1. Junior—4-H members in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade on January 1 of the current calendar year

      2. Intermediate—4-H members in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade on January 1 of the current calendar year

      3. Senior—4-H members in the 9th or above grades on January 1 of the current calendar year

    2. Under each division, cats/kittens will be classed according to the following categories (Classes may be combined at the discretion of the superintendent/& or judge):

      1. Kittens (felines age 4 mos.—8 months on day of show)

        1. Long Hair

        2. Short Hair

      2. Adults (over 8 months –7 yrs. old)

        1. Long Hair

        2. Short Hair

      3. Senior Adults (8+yrs.)

        1. Long Hair

        2. Short Hair

    3. Definitions

      1. Long Haircats whose coat has long top hairs, with a thick wooly undercoat. The length of hair on a cat’s tail is often used as a determining factor. Hair length is normally 1- ½” long or more.

      2. Short Haircats whose coat has only short hairs, a smooth textured coat. Cat tail hair is usually less than 1/1/2” in length.

    4. Winners in each category will compete for Kitten, Adult Long Hair, Adult Short Hair, and Senior Adult champions. These champions will compete for overall reserve and grand champion of the show.

  7. Showmanship for Cat Project members: A written quiz will be given.

    1. Beginner - Grades 3, 4 and 5. Questions will only come from the level one manual. A 4-Her may win this only once, upon winning, they will advance to Junior level.

    2. JuniorMust be in grades 6, 7 and 8. Questions may come from the level one manual and/or the level two manual. A 4-Her may win this only once, upon winning, they will advance to Senior level.

    3. Senior - Grades 9 or above. Questions may come from any and all of the level one through three manuals. Seniors may continue to compete for the remainder of their 4-H years.

  8. Cats/kittens must be collared and on a leash for the show. All 4-H cats must be brought and taken to the show in carriers.

  9. The cat/kitten will be removed from its carrier during judging. The member will stay and watch his/her cat/kitten during the judging. IF A 4-HER AND THEIR CAT ARE NOT PRESENT FOR JUDGING DURING THEIR CATEGORY, THEY WILL NOT BE JUDGED. PLEASE BE PROMPT AND ATTENTIVE.

  10. Cats may not be left overnight at the fair. All felines must be taken home immediately after completion of the show. Cats/kittens are NOT to be left unattended at any time.

  11. Cats/kittens do not need to be registered or pedigreed to enter the cat project.

  12. Cats will be judged on a) health, b) cleanliness, c) grooming and d) personality.

  13. It is recommended that all 4-H cats, other than pedigreed breeding stock, be neutered or spayed.

  14. All 4-H cats must have claws clipped or be de-clawed.

  15. 4-H cats must be free of fleas, fungus, ear mites or other communicable diseases.

  16. Any 4-H member in the cat 4-H project may show up to 2 cats at the Indiana State Fair. The 4-H member must enroll separately for the state fair and is not chosen to show at the state fair based on the county fair show results. State fair enrollment is due by July 1st (otherwise a late fee is charged) and can be made on the Indiana State Fair website or contact the project superintendent for details.

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