Conducting Cat Shows During the COVID-19 Pandemic

It was just over a year ago that we were all enjoying our hobby of showing cats. Some traveled extensively seeking high titles, and some just supported local shows. In all cases, there was social interaction with everyone, and we generally did not worry about spreading infections.

- Dennis Ganoe

Then COVID-19 happened and the world changed. We went into lock-down most everywhere, and shows were summarily canceled. We began social distancing and wearing masks to prevent the spread of this particular virus.

Recently, as the vaccines for this virus are being adopted, cat shows are starting to return.

Their return brings with it a host of additional procedures for clubs, judges, and exhibitors. While shows were just starting to return, several pioneering clubs undertook their own precautions based on local conditions and prevalent regulations and recommendations.

Cotton States Cat Club in Georgia last November was the first live US show since COVID-19 shut them down last March. They did a remarkable job and set a high bar of keeping people safe. The next US shows were Frontier Feline Fanciers in Kansas and Cat Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida. The Houston Cat Club followed with a show held in Texas in January. Star City/ Central Carolina Cat Fanciers in Virginia was the fifth US club to put on a show in the COVID-19 era in the US. Meanwhile, as of this writing, there have been 18 CFA shows overseas, held in China, Japan, Asia, and Europe.

At the Houston Cat Club, in the pre-function area (outside of the show hall), there was a long cordoned-offline with 15 six-foot arrows for social distancing. COVID-19 waiver forms were set up all along the line, with tables and pens, a few participants had brought their CFA waiver form already filled out.