The Midwest Region in CFA has encouraged the competitive showing of what we call Household Pets (HHP). These cats can be non-pedigreed, rescues, pedigrees in disallowed colors or with disqualifying traits – if it can’t be shown in one of the pedigreed cat classes, chances are it can be shown as a HHP! Many of our breeders and exhibitors bring along their own household favorites to show.

Since the 2006 season, we have scored and given awards to first the top 10, and now the top 15, HHP that are the equivalent of the Regional Winning pedigreed cats. Although no National scoring is in place, we like to have the Regional level to be a competitive, but fun, place for owners to show their cats, meet other fanciers, and maybe even learn more and decide to participate on the pedigreed side.

The few restrictions on Household Pet (HHP) Classes are in the Show Rules which is published by the Cat Fanciers’ Association and any other additional Regional Rules found on the Midwest website. For example, we in CFA do not allow any wild blood into the show halls. This means that cats such as Bengals, Savannahs and Toygers are not eligible for competition in CFA. Additionally, CFA’s policy statement is against declawing – you can learn more at www.cfa.org – as a medically unnecessary procedure that can be against the interest of the cat. For that reason Show Rules require cats have their claws – though they must be clipped prior to competing. A technical reading of the Show Rules would seem to keep out cats who are handicapped or missing parts of their anatomy, but general practice is to allow in any cat, who is not declawed or of wild ancestry, to compete in our HHP classes. This is a class about fun, beauty and personality, not perfection in meeting any standard.

Some exhibitors choose to only exhibit at local shows; others will run their cats all year for one of the coveted Regional Awards. We seek to make this a fun, exciting and educational experience for anyone who is owned by a cat!

General Eligibility

Almost any cat will be eligible as a HHP. We do have a few restrictions, some mentioned earlier.

1) The cat cannot be descended from wild blood. CFA has a general policy that seeks to protect cats in the wild, and does not believe it is appropriate to encourage them to be removed from the wild for breeding to domestics.

2) The cat cannot be declawed.

3) Any cat over 8 months of age, must be spayed or neutered. CFA supports the welfare of all cats, including those in shelters and awaiting homes. We see the value in supporting the careful and considered breeding of pedigreed cats; but under no circumstances do we want to encourage the breeding of Household Pets.

4) Pedigreed and/or registered cats with disqualifying or other unshowable traits are welcome in HHP classes.

Showing Itself

The process of showing is new to both you and your cat, in most cases. Read the show flyer to see what time the show will start – you’ll see check in times (where you enter the show, pay any fee, and pick up your catalog) and start time. You are expected to be “benched” (with your cat in the show hall ready to show) by the start time. They can leave after the final judging of the day, but we encourage you to ensure in a two day show, that a schedule is not changing to move a Sunday judging to a Saturday. We certainly don’t want you to miss a ring!

Each entry comes with what’s called a half cage. We use wire cages that are 21”x21”x21” for each entry. You can, at your option, buy what is called a “double cage” – this means you are purchasing the other half of your cage, so that your cat can be in a 21”x42”x21” cage. Every separate entry will automatically be assigned a half cage. The wire cages do have a center divider, in case you want to bring more than one entry. Bring along something to cover your cage – you’ll see lots of exhibitors with fancy or homemade curtains, but many people use sheets, towels or other more simple cage coverings. If you have a pop-up cage of some kind that you’d like to use, and will fit in the space, you will have to pay for the “double” – when you have a pop up, it means the club cannot put someone in the other side of your cage space (which can happen if you do not purchase that double cage).

Your cat will be listed in the catalog with a number assigned to it, called the exhibit number. When each ring makes a call for Household Pets, simply do your last minute grooming, then bring your cat to the ring and place it in the cage with your cat’s exhibit number. Make sure your cat is entered correctly as a male or female – show rules require that males over 8 months, even neuters, be benched at least one space apart from each other.

Some clerks will give you a “grooming call” – that is your notice to start getting your cat ready for the ring. Then, you’ll be called up by number. HHP are primarily judged on cleanliness, ability to be handled, health, condition, and personality. There is no standard for HHP – it is the judge’s preference as to how they are ranked in finals. Each cat after handling receives a Merit ribbon, that is red and white. These cloth ribbons can be taken with you. If the clerk turns your exhibit number down after the judge hangs the Merit ribbon, take your cat back to the benching area, as they likely need the cage to bring up more HHP.

Midwest Regional Rules, Eligibility and Information:

1. All cats must be eligible for HHP competition as outlined in the CFA Show Rules for May 2010 – April 2011 show year. Cats must be entered officially in CFA shows.

2. Only cats residing in the Midwest Region will be scored or will be eligible for a Midwest Regional Award. All entries must be entered under the same name for every show entered before the points will count, with one exception; if an exhibitor adopts a cat at a show, which is entered under one name, and enrolls in the program at that show with the cat’s new name, the points scored under the “shelter” name will be applied to the cat under the new name. To be eligible for a regional award the cat must be entered in and attend at least 2 shows which take place in the Midwest Region. Additionally, if the Master Clerk’s scoring sheets can be provided, an exhibitor can have up to two (2) shows outside of Region 6 scored for HHP awards.

3. Only Official CFA rings judged by CFA judges will be scored. Competition judged by outside parties is not eligible.

4. Scoring shall be determined in the same manner as Regional points. A simple percentage scoring that declines by 5% for each placement, system will be used. For example, the Best Cat receives points for every cat defeated. Second Best will receive 95% of what Best Cat earns; Third Best 90%, etc. Only up to the top 10 HHPs in a ring shall receive points. Points will be accumulated over 100 rings. If a cat reaches 100 rings lower points will be discarded.

Example – 20 HHPs officially attend show/ring

Best Cat = 19 pts

2nd Best Cat = 18.05 pts

3rd Best Cat = 17.10 pts

4th Best Cat = 16.15 pts

5th Best Cat = 15.20 pts

6th Best Cat = 14.25 pts

7th Best Cat = 13.30 pts

8th Best Cat = 12.35 pts

9th Best Cat = 11.40 pts

10th Best Cat = 10.45 pts

5. The Top 15 scoring cats at the end of the show year will receive awards. This includes a plaque, rosette and award certificate.

6. Points will be posted on the Midwest site as official copies of show results are received. Exhibitors are encouraged to keep a record of their placement in finals. Show results and the Regional Standing will be posted to the Yahoo mailing list at MWHHP@yahoogroups.com

7. Disputes over scoring may be made by sending a letter to the official scorer within 2 weeks of posted disputed scores. Results will be evaluated and recomputed (if necessary). Results posted for more than 2 weeks without dispute will be final.

8. The region permits substitutions to aid the animal shelters in placing their cats. The region will permit them to substitute the cat that was entered for another cat. The cat will be counted as present, but not scored. This way if an entered cat is adopted a new cat can be shown in its place. Corrections should be made to the ring clerks as soon as possible.

9. All cats entered must be enrolled as a Household Pet prior to being shown. A cat can receive points from the show immediately preceding enrollment (for example, you may want to have one show to “try out” your cat to see if it is amenable to showing – if your cat does enjoy it, you may enroll after that show and receive those points, if enrollment takes place within 5 days of the show’s conclusion, or prior to the next show beginning).

10. A picture of the cat and a completed enrollment form must be on file with the official scorer. Cats may be enrolled at anytime during the show year but the enrollment period will only be for that show year of the enrollment which begins in May and end in April.

11. For the 2011 season, any HHP exhibitor who has showed and scored points from May 1 to July 31, 2010, may enroll in the program retroactively and have the earned points counted toward the 2011 season so long as their cat is fully enrolled by the end of July.

12. It is incumbent on the HHP exhibitors, the HHP chairs and the Master clerks to help us ensure every show is scored fully and correctly. It is strongly encouraged that Master Clerks send scoring sheets to the HHP scorer; in addition, HHP exhibitors should ask at the conclusion of HHP judging to review the Master Clerks’ HHP pages. The exhibitor can make copies, ask for copies, or even take photographs to be mailed to the HHP scorer, showing the cat names, entry numbers, and the finals results. If you have questions, please ask one of the HHP exhibitors or the Master Clerk, or email the Regional Director at MWR_RD@yahoo.com for more information.

To enroll a pet for showing in CFA cat shows, please download the HHP Enrollment Form.

Scores for HHP, Region 6, 2010-2011 Show Year: If you have questions, please email Mary Batterson. Updated July 16, 2010.

Below are HHPs that have been enrolled in our scoring program. To be eligible for a regional award in Region 6 your cat must compete in 2 shows during the show year.

. See the top fifteen winners at HHP - 2009-2010

Upcoming Shows in the Midwest Region with HHPs: Below are shows where HHPs are judged.