PLEASE REFER TO GENERAL LIVESTOCK RULES
PETS
4-H’ers participating in the Dog, Cat and Pet Show must wear a Polk County 4-H T-Shirt for event. Unlike other animal exhibits, pets do not stay at the fairgrounds during the fair. All dogs and cats must be immunized. Dogs in season will not be allowed to show. All dogs must be owned by exhibitor by June 1 of the current year.
SMALL PET SHOWMANSHIP
Premiums: $4.00, $3.75, $3.50, $3.25
4-H’ers are limited to one animal per class. The 4-H’er is judged on the knowledge and care of their pet.
G550901 Small Pet Showmanship- Exhibitors must be present when their exhibits are judged. Exhibitors must provide their own equipment. 4-H members are responsible for care of entries during the show. Exhibitors shall be limited to ONE entry in this category.
A pet is defined as any animal not covered by a 4-H dealing with livestock, small animals, or pets. In general, members with pets should follow the same guidelines for dogs and cats related to exhibiting at the Fair (that is, bring in for the day of evaluation only, and follow vaccination and health requirements). Members requesting to show in this class must get approval from the Extension Office prior to fair. Decision will be made based on the following considerations:
- Ability of animal to be shown around large crowd.
- Safety of animal to be shown without any type of confinement.
- Safety of spectators and exhibitor with no barriers provided.
- Other factors affecting the safety of the animal, exhibitor or spectators.
If an animal is displayed in a travel cage, please prepare a display, such as a poster or photographs showing the animal in its normal home. PLEASE—NO EXHIBITS WITH VERY YOUNG BABIES! No poisonous and/or potentially dangerous non-domesticated animals can be entered.
All 4-H’ers participating in the Pet Show must wear a Polk County 4-H t-shirt. Judging criteria:
- EXHIBITOR’S KNOWLEDGE OF PROJECT ANIMAL(S)
- HEALTH OF ANIMAL
- CONDITION OF CAGE
- SAFETY OF DISPLAY
- APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT
G550902 CAT SHOWMANSHIP - Number of entries per exhibitor: limit of one cat per class. KITTENS UNDER FOUR MONTHS OF AGE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. A cat that becomes difficult to handle may be judged in the cage at the judge’s discretion with A LOSS OF 5 POINTS. Exhibitors may show from their own cage/pet carrier. Exhibitors in the cat show are required to wear Polk County 4-H T-Shirt and long pants. Individuals not meeting these requirements will lose one ribbon placing. For concerns, contact superintendent in advance. Exhibitors must prepare and show their own animals. Exhibitors will be judged on handling of cat from cage to judge’s table, plus answers to questions as to breed, age, type and date of immunizations, sex and general knowledge of cat. A copy of the showmanship guidelines is available from the extension office.
Health requirements - animals shall be free of fleas, ticks, mites, lice and other parasites. Any animal showing signs of parasites or disease will not be exhibited.