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Q. MEMBERSHIP
If you join a chapter of the RMCA, you're in the national group, too, and will
get the Gazette and any national mailings, right? Or do you need to join both?
A.
When you join a chapter of RMCA other than the original RMCA (national), you
are only entitled to that chapter’s benefits, whatever they may be. To receive
the Gazette, you must subscribe to the Gazette. Membership in the original
RMCA (national) is included at no additional cost and entitles you to the RMCA
Big Book which contains bylaws, show rules, standards, a listing of clubs
around the world, recommended veterianarians, and the national membership
list. Members who belong to a chapter and do not subscribe to the Gazette are
not listed in the Big Book.
Q. ENGLISH/AMERICAN
Are only English mice able to be shown in RMCA standards classes or can
American mice be shown as well?
A.
Any mice meeting the standard may be shown in standards classes. English mice
most often have an advantage over American mice because they have been worked
on for so many years and are much larger and have better features, for the
most part. Breeders who are working hard on American mice have been able to
come up with some outstanding show mice and are taking home ribbons as well.
Q. SHOW BREEDERS
Is it mostly breeders or pet owners (or both) who attend show? Is it worth
bringing any non-show quality or rescued rats who need adoption for purposes
of adopting them out?
A.
There are probably more pet owners than breeders at each show, but most
breeders are also pet owners. There are always lots of baby rats for sale or
for adoption at the show, but it’s definitely worth it to bring rescued or
mismarked rats in the hopes of adopting them out. There are never any
guanantees that you will find the right adopters at any event, but it’s worth
trying.
Be very careful about people you do not know or people off of the street
who really aren’t rat people and have come looking for free food for their
reptiles. This has happened in the past, unfortunately. Ask questions of any
person you do not know or cannot get a recommendation about from more
experienced people at the show. Make sure they have the proper cage, are
feeding the proper diet, etc... If the person is not on the up and up, by
asking the right questions, you will probably be able to pick up on that and
not allow them to adopt one of your rats.
Q. DUMBO RATS
Are Dumbo rats still unstandardized?
A.
As of the November 1997 RMCA show in Southern California, Dumbo rats are
standardized. In fact, it was a Dumbo rat who won Best in Show at that show.
Whether or not RMCA chapters choose to adopt the standard or wait and
standardize it themselves when they have enough animals being shown is up to
them, however, so check with the local chapter you plan to show with.
Q. ENTRY QUESTIONS
What do you do if you have a rat or mouse you want to enter in the show and
you don’t know if it’s standardized or not?
A.
If you have any doubts as to which category to enter your rat or mouse in,
check with the Show Secretary before making your entry. If you cannot find out
prior to mailing in your entry, fill out the show paperwork including as much
information as possible, but put a question mark next to the entry you’re not
sure about. Be sure to include the entry fee for that animal as well. The Show
Secretary will only partially fill out the judging card and will finish it at
check in when the question can be answered by looking at your rat or mouse.
Q. SHOW BOXES
How big is a "mini" and a "medium" kritter keeper or comparable show box. Do
you need to buy or rent one for every animal you are showing, or can
you just have one and then switch the rat or mouse for the different sections?
RAT IN SHOW BOX: Photo by Ellie Mastropaolo
A.
The size of these boxes are standard from manufacturer to manufacturer, so you
will be able to look at the label and see which size is "mini" and which size
is "medium".
It is recommended that you have as many show boxes as your largest class
entry. For example: if you have four rats in "Best Pet", one rat in "Standard
Self", and three rats in "Tailless Shaded", then you need to have four show
boxes.
If you rent boxes at the show, be sure not to punch out the bottle holder
in the lid or you will have to buy it from the club. If you buy your own show
boxes, be sure not to personalize them in any way. It’s best not to bring your
animals to the show in the show boxes. Bring them in other carrying cages and
only put them into the show box when the class is called.
The bedding in each show box must be the same as all other show boxes on
the judging table, and most often the club hosting the show will provide it to
ensure that this takes place. There can be nothing else in the box - no food,
treats - nothing. The idea is that the judge cannot tell who the animals on
the table belong to. For example, if the hosting club has provided Sani-chips
for use in the show boxes, and an exhibitor puts his/her boxes on the table
with CareFRESH in them, the judge is likely to see that exhibitor remove one
of his/her boxes from the table at some point during the show, indicating to
the judge that any animal showing up in a box containing CareFRESH belongs to
that exhibitor. This can also be misconstrued by other exhibitors if that
person wins several classes as being "fixed". Anonymity is very important at
the judging table, which is why no comments should be made by exhibitors
standing around the judging table, and no questions should be asked of the
judge until after the show, not just the class.
Send questions to: Rat & Mouse Gazette
13075 Springdale St.
PMB 302
Westminster, CA
92683
or Email: ratinfo@egroups.com
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