Do you think the price to enter a cat show is expensive or about the right price?

I think its expensive - around £30 per cat even if you only show two or three times a year, when you add up all the other things you need when you go to a show, this is quite a sum to budget for.

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kind regards

Ra
http://www.bobergsiamese.com/

I don't know how some peeps manage to take two or three cats to each show, then it does mount up. When you think of what else you could buy just for the sake of one day out and a possible c.c.???? 2 cats at one show would pay for a years full vaccs course for two cats. I often wonder about this and thats why I dont show as much as I used to do when I had less cats

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www.freewebs.com/saynamore/

Yes, cat shows aren't cheap but what you have to take into consideration is the costs involved in running the shows. Hiring a leisure centre can cost anywhere from £1,200 - £2,500+ (dependent on where and size) for the day, you then have to add on the cost of the penning (several hundred pounds), printing of schedules and catalogues, judges expenses, vet expenses, rosettes, insurance and so on. A lot of shows just about break even, some run at a loss.

It is quite difficult to find places that will take the cats too -some venues refuse because they say the cat fur messes up their air con!

The other thing to consider is if any of you at a show have a spare hour or two is to offer to help out - people may complain about getting results late or not getting rosettes early enough but finding volunteers to help out on the day is very very difficult and those people working on the tables etc are all giving their time for free and they work very hard but not all exhibitors appreciate this

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

Yes it is expensive showing cats but what isn't these days
it is my hobby and I love showing the cats so I'm prepared to pay the fees

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Mazpahs Siamese & Orientals

Hi,

I think FIFE is probably the most reasonably priced organisation to show under, they offer early bird fees and you can save upto £9 per cat providing you enter early enough. I also think the FIFE shows are probably the most relaxing of all the shows. I think GCCF and Tica are the most expensive to show under but I do still show with both these because they both have something very different to offer me.

I love helping out at the shows too, I think it gives you an insight to just how hard it is for the show team to put the show together. The first couple of times I was staggered at just how much the show day involves, everything from how the show hall plan is organised to sorting out rosettes, it has given me a much better appreciation of how hard the show team really have to work to make the show day go smoothly.

Helping out at GCCF shows is also enjoyable. I love doing the results board and being on the go all day lol. I think you get out of a show as much as you put in. It annoys me when people don't volunteer for anything and they are always the quickest to criticise when their results aren't up quick enough or the rosettes are late, perhaps if they volunteered for that particular duty themselves they would realise how busy the show team really are.

Jo

Having re read the thread with some of the replies, it actually seems unfair of me to just say "its expensive". Kaz, you have made a good point about show halls and pens for hire are all very expensive things to procure.

Selk67U2, your point about volunteers to assist putting rosettes out and help with admin duties is a good point too - these tasks are done by good hearted people who ask for no money in return for their services.

May, your point is excellent - it is a hobby: we should be prepared to budget for this.

When compared to some hobbies and outings, a day out at a cat show is not too bad - yes you spend about £30 plus petrol money and something for shopping but then again, when you go out in the evening say, just going to the cinema and having a meal out afterwards one can easily spend far more.

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kind regards

Ra
http://www.bobergsiamese.com/

Most show managers/committees do try to keep costs down as they are aware I think, particularly in the north the number of exhibitors showing seems to be decreasing. Other things you have to bear in mind is that if you are holding a GCCF championship show the venue needs to be large enough to take 300+ cats (think it is actually 350) - even though you may not get that number!

As Jo and Selk67U2 have said - there is so much work involved that most exhibitors don't even realise and the organisation of the following year's show begins the day after the current's year (sometimes even before!). Jo, your last paragraph summed it all up - you are so right!

It is nice that just occasionally you get e-mails or letters after the show from exhibitors who really enjoyed it!

By the way if anyone is thinking of entering the Lakeland & District Cat Club Show in June - we would appreciate some volunteers on the day!

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

I quite fancy giving fife ago! Do you have to register your cats with them?

I think it's less expensive than some hobbies out there!!!