Newbies & Newcomers

Articles every newcomer to the cat fancy should read before buying their first cat

Titles marked with a red asterisk * are for ShowCatsOnline.com members only.

• Advice To A Newbie
  Deciding to become part of the cat fancy can be an exciting and wonderful time. It can also be confusing and disappointing. Learn some of the best tips for making your journey as a new cat breeder as smooth as possible....
  
  February 2022


• Bear`s First Rosettes
  Jodell and Bear attend their final show of his kitten career...
  
  January 2004


• Breeding Plan
  The smart breeder has a PLAN...
  
  June 2021


• * Buyer Beware
  Learn how to be a smart shopper when looking for a new kitten...
  
  September 2018


• * Calculating Grand Points in CFA
  Learn how to calculate the grand points your cat earns at a show in CFA.
  
  February 2002


• Choosing a Cattery Name
  Choosing the perfect cattery name is part of the fun and excitement of taking your first steps along the road to being a breeder.
  
  September 2016


• * Choosing A Cattery To Buy From
  You have decided you want to buy a special show kitten. Which cattery should you be purchasing from?
  
  June 2016


• Fancy Meeting You Here
  A new breeder shares how she came to enter the cat fancy...
  
  October 2004


• Filling Out a CFA Entry Form for a Cat Show
  Are you planning on entering your first cat show? Or maybe you are mentoring a newbie with their first show baby. Here`s the information you need to fill out an entry form correctly.
  
  June 2002


• * Finding Your First Show Cat
  When getting started in the cat fancy, the first steps will involve purchasing foundation stock for one`s breeding and showing program. This is the best advice a newcomer to the cat fancy will ever receive concerning how to buy a first show cat!
  
  March 2019


• First Bath
  Every new cat owner has to face that dreaded first bath of their new feline.
  
  November 2003


• First Cat, Second Cat
  One of the first challenges for newbies entering the cat fancy is finding their first cat. Share one breeder`s positive experience about how she found her first show baby... and her second... and...
  
  June 2002


• First Goodbye
  Adia bids goodbye to the first kitten from her first litter...
  
  August 2004


• First Show
  Jodell (the newbie) and her cat, Bear, go to their first show...
  
  November 2003


• My First Siamese Grand
  An exhibitor shares her experience granding her first cat, and how much the support and encouragement of others means to a `newbie`.
  
  June 2007


• Grace`s Litter
  A breeder shares the experience of her first litter...
  
  June 2004


• Grace`s Litter Takes Their First Steps
  Adia Kilpatrick shares the progress of herkittens from her first litter.
  
  July 2004


• Helpful Hints For Newbies
  Experienced breeders share tips to help a person avoid some common pitfalls that face the newcomer to the cat fancy
  
  July 2015


• How To Read A Pedigree
  There is a knack to reading and evaluating a pedigree. Lean what to look for.
  
  September 2016


• * How To Write A Kitten Inquiry Email
  Learn how can you write a better inquiry letter and improve your odds of getting a reply when looking for that special kitten!
  
  March 2019


• Jodell, Ed and Bear`s Excellent Adventure
  Jodell and Bear head out for their first `away` cat show with hubby, Ed, along for the trip.
  
  December 2003


• * Making Cat Show Cage Curtains
  Basic Instructions on how to sew (or glue!) your own unique set of cat show cage curtains.
  
  January 2002


• * Marking Your Catalogue at the Cat Show
  There really is NO right or wrong way to mark your show catalogue... but learn how the ring clerk does it.
  
  June 2002


• The Meaning of the Ribbons at the Cat Show
  What each ribbon is for and how your cat earns them.
  
  March 2003


• * Mentorship: A Double-Edge Sword
  There are many positives and a few negatives inherent in any mentorship situation. Whether you are the Mentor or the Protege, learn how to avoid the common pitfalls of mentoring...
  
  March 2017


• My First Cat Show
  Mollie shares her experience as a first-time cat exhibitor as she takes her beautiful dilute calico British Shorthair, Angelina, to a CFA show in Utah. . .
  
  March 2013


• My First Show
  Adia remembers her first cat show...
  
  November 2004


• Newbie 101: Research
  The second article in our series for Newbies... Tips for where a novice can begin to learn more about their breed, showing, breeding, grooming and the cat fancy.
  
  September 2001


• Newbie Lessons Learned
  Jodell shares the wisdom she has gained while showing her first kitten.
  
  January 2004


• Newbiedom News
  A newbie shares her thoughts on the CFA mentoring program.
  
  October 2004


• Paddington
  The story of cat who started it all for a British breeder.
  
  February 2004


• Peekaboo
  Adia Kilpatrick continues the story of her first litter of kittens.
  
  July 2004


• Road To Grand
  Jodell grands her first cat!
  
  July 2004


• Setting Up Cage Curtains
  Pamela Martin of CastlePaws Designs answers the question, `How do I set up my new show cage curtains?`?
  
  July 2004


• * Setting Up Your Cage at the Cat Show
  Basic Instructions on how to wrestle your curtains onto the cat show cage.
  
  February 2002


• * Show? Breeder? Pet?
  Have you ever wondered exactly what `show quality` means? What`s the difference between a `show` kitten and a `top show` kitten? How is a show kitten different from a breeder/show kitten?
  
  June 2019


• Showing A Household Pet
  Learn about showing a household pet!
  
  January 2006


• Special One
  Adia says goodbye to her last kitten - the special one...
  
  July 2015


• Teri's Legacy
  Tashia Lyons of Luvely Persians shares the story of how she was introduced to the cat fancy as a teenager thanks to the generosity and mentoring by a special lady.
  
  September 2008


• Welcome
  A newbie reflects on feeling welcome at the cat show...
  
  November 2004


• What Color Is Your Cat?
  This article by TICA judge, Beth Hicks is a photographic essay showing the different colors of cats from tabbies and torbies to pointed and `with white` in all the shades and patterns.
  
  July 2005


• What is a Newbie?
  This is the first in a new series for Newbies... and about Newbies - Whether you are a Newbie or an `Oldie` you will want to be sure to check out this series and its many tips for learning and advancing in the cat fancy.
  
  September 2021


• What is a Responsible Breeder?
  Is it not having too many cats? Or is it something else?
  
  October 2018