Camelot Cats Cattery
1-850-656-0193
You may contact us at our e-mail address: rlgotts@polaris.net
- Traveling
-
- Now that you have registered for a cat show, what do you need
with you
for the weekend?
-
- Usually you will need whatever you forgot. (Murphy's Law)
-
- Since we are talking about Persians which are longhairs, we will
focus
our travel requirements accordingly. Longhairs require grooming
and
sometimes bathing during the weekend, especially when they get
something
ugly on themselves while in the litter box. You better believe
that
the Judge doesn't want to see your cat if its real stinky! Don't
expect a miraculous entry by Captain Kirk who then takes away all the
"Kling-Ons
from Uranus" because you will surely be disappointed.
-
- First, lets look at what you may want to take with you. You
will
need grooming tools and sometimes powders. If you have been
getting
the kitty ready for the show, you already know what you are using or
may
need to keep the cat's coat in good condition throughout the
weekend.
Be sure to take those things with you.
-
- In addition, if you need to bath the cat, you will need soap,
conditioner
and a blow dryer. Some motels are stingy with towels so you
should
consider having a few extra towels with you too.
-
- Next, you need to have a cat carrier for each cat you take to the
show
hall. NO LOOSE CATS ALLOWED! In addition, the
carriers
need to be big enough for the cat but not too big. If they stay
still,
they will remain in better condition (the coat, people) until you get
to
the show Hotel/Motel.
-
- Once at the Hotel/Motel, you will need a place to keep the cat
rather than
letting it run loose in the room. Some motels and hotels do not
allow
the cats to run loose but you shouldn't want them loose anyway.
You
don't know what the pest control people use in those rooms and some of
the things cats have dragged out from under motel beds can't be
discussed
on the Internet! Another downside to a loose cat is that it
always
hides when you are in a hurry trying to run out of the room to get to
the
show hall on time (the cat). Just bring a cage or tent for them
while
you are in the room and everyone will be happier and safer.
-
- Remember litter and litter boxes, one for each cat both in the
room and
the show hall. Also, food, water and dishes.
-
- A word about food. Don't try to give your cat treats at the
show.
Anything out of the "everyday ordinary" will go through the cat like a
freight train and come out the other end; usually smelly and
gooey.
Try to clean gooey off of kitty fur when you are being called into the
Judges ring. Everyone has been there and the consensus is avoid
the
experience at all costs! If you don't believe me now, you will
after
your first experience with the toxic waste disposal.
-
- Another consideration is people food and drink. Usually,
the show
hall has some kind of food vendor, but not always. If you require
a special diet, come prepared. Typically, exhibitors come into a
show hall at 7:30 AM check-in time and leave after the last ring which
could be as late as 6:30 PM. More often, we start at 8:30 AM and
get out around 5 PM. If you can't handle long days, do something
other than cat shows.
-
- Finally, the return trip should go much the same as the trip
out.
Just plan ahead and both you and your kitty will have an nice time.
-
- P.S. Always bath your kitty(ies) when you get
home. You
never know what they are bring back with them (and into your Cattery).
Author: Robert Gottschalk
Copyright, Camelot Cats, Tallahassee, Florida
Date last changed: 08/03/2004
http://www.polaris.net/~rlgotts/
You may contact us at our e-mail address: rlgotts@polaris.net