How to Show Cats on a Budget: Strategies for Feline Exhibitors

Showing cats is not a cheap hobby. No matter how you look at it, it is going to be expensive. But like anything, there are ways to save money if you try. Your costs will be different depending on how many cats you are showing, what breeds you are showing, whether you are in serious pursuit of titles or just showing for fun, and honestly what area of the country you live in. Explore these tips to see how to show cats on a budget.

For example, if you live in the mid-Atlantic states in the USA and just want to get your cat out to shows rather than try and get top titles fast, show in both The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). There are loads of shows within a couple hours drive so you can commute and save on travel. It will take you longer to grand your cat but you will get there and save money in the process.

How to Save on Entry Fees

Although entry fees are not likely going to end up being your biggest expense while trying to show cats on a budget, there are definitely ways to save money on your entries.

• Look for shows that offer discounts to your breed or class. We’ve found several shows that offer discounts for entering household pets. Sometimes breed clubs sponsoring shows will offer discounts on all cats of their breed. Sometimes kittens get a break.
• Some shows offer bonus rings or congresses for breeds or classes at no additional charge. You get more chances at points for your dollar at those shows.
• Attend smaller cat shows in associations that have lower entry fees compared to larger, more competitive events. 
• Take advantage of early bird entry discounts.
• Look for shows that give you the extra half cage free if you are showing 3 or 5 cats, or let one cat stay home.
• Skip reserving a grooming space or end of row benching space unless you really need it.
• Consider entering for one day only to save on travel expenses.

Related Post: How Cat Shows Work

Preparing Your Cat for a Show on a Budget

When preparing your cat for a show on a budget, there is grooming and presentation to consider. Regular grooming is a fundamental aspect of cat care, and it plays a significant role in ensuring your feline friend is show-ready.

Learning to groom Kitty at home instead of taking him to a professional groomer can save you a significant amount of money. Look for deals on equipment like force dryers or drying boxes. Shop sales for shampoos, powders, brushes and combs. Sometimes show vendors will have what you need at a discount and save you on shipping besides.

Related Post: How to Groom Your Cat at Home

Saving Money on Travel and Accommodations

When it comes to attending cat shows, finding ways to save money on travel and accommodations can significantly impact your budget. We have found that it is our travel costs that make showing so expensive, more than the costs of the actual show itself. We’re taking some time away from chasing titles and showing for fun, so we’re picking shows to attend by location instead of association to save on travel.

Where we live, there is a local association that offers shows we can easily drive back and forth without incurring hotel fees. For CFA and TICA there are few shows that allow for that so we have to budget for gas, hotels, and food. This is where we have found ways to save.

Hotels

We very rarely stay at the show hotel. The sponsoring clubs do usually get deals. Take advantage of them. We still usually go with a budget property like Motel 6 or Red Roof Inn. Whatever hotel you choose, join their membership program. The membership can save you per stay or give you points that add up to free nights and upgrades.

Researching and booking accommodations well in advance can often lead to better deals. Sometimes staying a half hour or so away from the show hall can save you. Additionally, consider exploring alternative lodging options such as Airbnb or vacation rentals, which can sometimes offer more affordable rates compared to traditional hotels. Make sure you know what you are getting into if you opt for that. Especially the pet policy and cleaning fees. We haven’t tried that yet but some of my friends have – with good and bad results. 

Travel

One practical strategy is to explore carpooling options with other cat owners who are also attending the show. By sharing the travel costs, you can reduce the financial burden of transportation. Additionally, carpooling can be a great way to connect with fellow cat enthusiasts and network for future cost-saving opportunities related to cat shows. Of course, this only works if you aren’t both showing a lot of cats. We usually have multiples so we don’t usually carpool. Plus not everyone wants to stay in budget hotels and we always do.

Keep your car maintained. Oil changes, tire rotation and replacement and the like will increase your miles per gallon and extend the life of your car. Gas cards or memberships can save you on gas too. If you have an RV, there are usually parking facilities near the show hall.

Food

This is an area of cat shows that can quickly kill your budget if you let it. But it doesn’t have to do so. Invest in a cooler, insulated lunch bags and get a hotel room with a microwave and mini-fridge. The $10 or so extra is worth it and you will easily save it on food. 

Bring sandwich bread and your favorite filling, fruit and vegetables, and your favorite snacks for lunches in the show hall. Buy a case of soda or water and take it rather than buying singles at the show. Bring something for breakfast and dinner that you like. We cook meals at home, freeze them, and microwave them in the hotel. 

We got a set of camping dishes that are easily washed in the hotel sink. An electric kettle and aeropress round out our equipment. Skipping coffee is not optional but it doesn’t mean we have to drive through Dunkins every morning.

Some hotels don’t want you to bring food or drink into the show hall. Usually because they have food for sale. I take my lunch bag and eat in the car. Or outside if it’s nice. Get a friend to text you or come get you if your cats get called to a ring while you are enjoying your lunch.

Vendors and Raffles

The vendors can really drain your pocketbook if you let them. You can also get some good deals on cat care supplies and really unique toys for your show cats’ enclosures. Most are small business owners or fellow exhibitors and it is easy to give into your desire to support them (and get the cool stuff.) 

The raffle can be a big money sinkhole when trying to show cats on a budget. You do not have to participate. The show management will beg and plead for everyone to buy tickets. But you are already supporting the show with your entries. 

My solution to this is to bring a certain amount of cash for incidentals. I can spend it at the vendors, buy raffle tickets, or save it. If I do buy tickets, I usually try to win free entries to another show or cash gift cards.

Work for it

There are some paid tasks that make the cat show run. If you are detail-oriented, you can learn to be a clerk. Clerks get paid and free lunch. Stewards clean the cages between each feline occupant. Stewards also get paid and free lunches. My daughter usually clerks or works as an agility ringmaster. My grandson stewards at the local shows. It definitely offsets some of the expense of showing our cats.

Summary

There are a lot of ways to save money while showing cats and still achieve the success you want for your cats. Talk to your fellow exhibitors and see what tips they can add to this list. Not everyone worries about their budget when traveling to shows. For some it is a little vacation. But campaigner cat guardians may have other secrets to successfully save money and show your cats on a budget.

Hopefully, these money saving tips will allow you to add a few more shows to your calendar.