Saturday, Jan. 17, 9 a.m.
Registration and check-in from 8:15–8:45 a.m.
Sandhills Global Event Center, 84th & Havelock, Lincoln
Lancaster County Farm Bureau Room in South Hall (by the Extension 4-H office)
This Cat Show will be the purrrrfect opportunity to learn and practice showing your cat in 4-H! Open to all youth ages 8–18, with a Clover Kids opportunity for youth 5–7 (age as of Jan. 1, 2026). Need not be enrolled in 4-H.
Register at show. Cost is $2 per class or $5 for unlimited classes. One cat per exhibitor. Live cats only (no photos).
4-H attire not required. Please bring a travel carrier to house your cat, collar/harness and leash, a small litter box, food and water for your cat. Towel or blanket is suggested. Please keep cats in carriers until show time and directions are given.
Awards will be given!
For more information, contact Elizabeth Thiltges at 402-441-7180 or elizabeth.thiltges@unl.edu
Show Classes & Awards
- Long Hair
- Short Hair
- Long Hair Working Cat*
- Short Hair Working Cat*
- Best Trick
- Best Cat Toy (handmade, please keep safety in mind)
- Costume/decorate your cat contest (theme is “Fairy Tale Felines” — no purchased cat costumes allowed)
* Working cats must live outside the house 75–100% of the time
Fun Awards
- Solid Color
- Multi-Color
- Longest Tail
- Tallest at Withers
- Shortest at Withers
Showmanship Class
Come prepared with a 1–2 minute speech: Tell us about you, your age, your cat, your cat’s age and one of your cat’s personality traits or quirks. A quick example of a time your cat behaved in a certain way to exemplify this trait may be used.
For Clover Kids Ages 5–7
Each participant will receive a participation award. No registration fee. Clover Kids Show & Tell: Tell us your name and age, and your cat’s name. Tell one thing you like about your cat.
Health Requirements
Any cat not meeting these health requirements will not be judged and will be asked to leave the show hall immediately.
- Cats shall be free of fleas, ticks, ear mites, worms, other parasites, and infectious diseases.
- Cats are required to be current on their vaccinations of Rabies, distemper, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calici virus. Cats must either have a current feline leukemia vaccination or proof of a negative test within 180 days of the show. IMMUNIZATION RECORDS MUST BE PRESENTED AND WILL BE CHECKED AT CHECK-IN. 4-H’ers vaccinating their own cats must provide proof by including a statement from their vet or by including the vaccination labels. A rabies vaccination is federally mandated to be given by a Certified Veterinarian ONLY. This vaccination must be current and include a veterinarian signature.
- Claws shall be trimmed. No exceptions.
- No expectant or nursing mother cats may enter.
- Cat must be at least 16 weeks old.
