New to TICA?

Entering cats not registered in TICA

Any cat in any class can be entered without being TICA registered except developmental breeds in Preliminary New Breed, Advanced, New Breed, and New Trait classes which must be TICA registered to compete. Indicate PENDING as the registration number for cats not registered in TICA.

Entries will retains title and regional/international points from their first show if registered by their second TICA show. Contact the TICA Executive Office to register your cat (pedigree or household pet) with TICA.

Colors

TICA names some colors differently than other associations. The entry clerk will translate the colors appropriately for you.

Am I a longhair or a shorthair?

In TICA breeds compete in their actual hairlength.

For example:

* Exotic Shorthairs are shorthairs
* Somalis are longhairs
* Oriental Longhairs are longhairs and Oriental Shorthairs are shorthairs
* Japanese Bobtail Longhairs are longhairs and Japanese Bobtails are shorthairs

Cats not allowed for competition/exhibition

• Cats with non-domestic ancestry within the first three generations cannot compete except as authorized by the particular breed and with permission of the judge.
• Any kitten under 3 months of age cannot be in the showhall (Kittens compete from 4 - 7 months of age. 3 month old kittens can be in the showhall for sale or to become aclimated with the show environment.)

What does the judge know about my entry?

The judge's book contains the following information about each entry:

• The class the cat is competing in (for example, kitten)
• Breed
• Color
• Sex
• Age
• Entry number

TICA judging process

Entries are judged in their individual classes (kitten, championship, premiership)

Cats within a breed are first judged with other cats of their own color. Males and females are judged together within their color. These cats are then ranked from 1-5. The judge then looks at all cats of the same color pattern, known in TICA as a division, and selects the best, second, and third of division. Finally, the judge selects best, second, and third of breed.

The judge will then present the top cats in the class (kittens, championship, alters). The number presented in the final depends on the number of cats in the class and can range from 5 finalists (20 or less competing in the class) up to 10 finalists (25 or more competing in the class.)

Developmental (Advanced New Breed, Preliminary New Breed, New Trait)

The ANB, PNB, and NT classes are for new breeds under development or for a new trait being developed in an established breed. A new trait might be a new color or new hairlength.

All cats entered in these classes are assessed by the judge and the judge selects one ANB, PNB, and NT to receive a merit award for their respective classes.

Household Pets

Household pets are divided into two separate classes: kittens (4-7 months old) and adults (8+ months old). Adults must be spayed or neutered.

Household pet kittens will receive a best of color or MERIT award unless they are poorly presented.

After judging the household pet kittens the judge will present the top 10 in that class. If there are less than 10, then the number entered will be presented.

Household pet adults will receive a best of color or MERIT award unless they are poorly presented. The adults are divided into divisions similar to the pedigree cats and are awarded best, second, and third of division.

After judging the household pet adults the judge will present the top 10 in that class. If there are less than 10, then the number entered will be presented.

Calling finals

When rings call their finals (that is, the top cats in the class), the entry numbers of the finalists are NOT announced by the ring clerk. For example, "Ring 2 has posted its allbreed kitten finals. Please check your numbers."

You will need to go to the ring and check if your entry was selected for a final.