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Judge handling a cat at a cat show
Typical cat show benching cage in the US. Cats wait here until called to the
ring.
Fancy cat show benching area decorations
A cat show is a judged event where cats compete to win titles in various cat registering organizations. Both pedigreed and random bred cats can compete, although the rules differ from organization to organization. Cats are compared to a breed standard and those judged to be closest to it are awarded a prize. Often, at the end of the year, all of the points accured at various shows are added up and additional national and regional titles are awarded.
In the US, each judge has a separate ring with cages. The cats are brought up to the judge, who removes each cat in turn and then replaces them when they are done. Spectators, including the owners of the cats are present and in the audience. The cats' owners are given a number for each cat and are responsible for getting them to the ring when they are called.
In Europe, many times the cats are all placed in undecorated cages in a hall, then the judge comes around to each cat and examines them. The owner must leave the hall while judging takes place. When all the judging is done, the results are tallied and the owners may return.
Cat shows are important so that breeders can compare their cats and progress on breed standards can be achieved.