Open to the Public

RATS!
RatsPacNW Spring Rat Show

Look for 2010 updates later

Doors Open for viewing:  11:00
Show Start 11:30 a.m.
Rat Health Check  9:30 - 10:30

To Be Held At:  VFW Hall
1836 72nd Ave SE
Mercer Island, Washington
Directions: I-90 heading towards Mercer Island.
Seattle side: Take the first exit off I-90 when you get onto the island (West Mercer Way exit).
At the Stop sign, turn left and follow Mercer Way for 0.5 mile to the VFW.

Eastside: Exit from I-90 at Island Crest exit (last westbound Mercer exit).
Stay on feeder to 3rd traffic light, turn right and follow Mercer Way for 0.4 mi to the VFW

Entrance Fee
Adults -  $5.00
Children over 3 and under 18 - $3.00
RatsPacNW Members $3.00 each

Cage Decorating Contest $3.00 entry
Link to Cage Decorating Contest
note - there is no pre-entry for the contest but any rat to be shown in the box must be pre-registered.

Please note - times may change, check back prior to show

Important dates:
   Entries due and Quarantine begins:  March 14
   Show kitten Born by Dates:  December 27 - February 7
   Kittens for sale or pick up only (not show) born by date: Feb 21
   Agenda

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.:  Check-in / Health check  (can not guarantee check-in after this time)
    All rats entering will go through a health & age check before entering building regardless if showing, exhibit or for sale. 
    Health checkers will check for any visible signs of sickness including by not limited to: mites, lice, rough coat, wheezing, sneezing*, etc
    If a rat is found with problems deemed contagious, the entire cage will be asked not to enter...including cage-mates.
    Age of all rats entering must be at least 6 weeks or they will not be admitted.
    Payment for entries and tables due at this time.   
    * in the case of a dry sneeze, the rat will be placed in “hold” and re-examined as we understand dust, perfume or airborne items can irritate.

11:00 a.m.:  Doors open for admittance 

11:30 a.m.: Rat Show (two - tables of judging at once)
Will be judged by Solids & Marked varieties broken down by sections.
Show Order:
   Kittens - Solid & Marked
   Pet Fun Classes
   Standard & Dumbo
   Pet Show & additional fun classes
   Other Varieties Order may change
   Rex / Velveteen  & Double Rex
   Hairless & Tailless & Satin

Show Ending time:  6:00 p.m. depending on rats to be shown.  This is a long day so plan accordingly.
   Clean-up
   Meeting

The best score of each section shall move onto Best of Show judging.

ALL entries, including table reservations for rat sales MUST be done so on-line or postmarked no later than the specified date.
All rats must be pre-registered three weeks in advance. This means, pre-register any rat you MAY wish to bring for show or sale. No entry fees will be due at that time and cancellations may be made, absolutely no additions may be made after. This is to protect all of our rats  that have been in quarantine* this will include those for sale too (litters must be pre-registered on the entry form).  Ages (month and year of birth) will be required on entry form.
Please note:  the kitten class will be for ages 8 weeks to 14 weeks.

3 Week Quarantine:  The three week period is to allow for any incubation of virus and bacteria.   If during this period, at any point,  if any rat is ill or dies of a possible contagious disease NO rats in your care may attend.   This includes ANY rats in the confines of a home as most virus' are airborne.  This is to protect any rats attending the show from contagious viral & bacterial infections.   PLEASE follow this rule to keep diseases from spreading through the rat community in the N.W.

Entry cost is $2.00 per class entered for members; $2.50 for non-members;  Membership fees/dues may be paid at entry.
Entry limits may be imposed per rattery/entry:  Please bring only your best rats for the standards classes:  Register all you are considering so they qualify to come but please, actually bring only your best to be shown.  Our numbers have been getting very high.  175-200 rats to be judged makes for a long day.  If we have this many, the show will last until 9 pm.

Table space for selling rats or related items $7.50 members (approx 3', or 1/2 table); $10.00 non-members.
Only RatsPacNW members may sell rats!  The imposed limit for selling rats will be a maximum of 25 per RatsPacNW member rattery including pre-sold rats. 
Rats for sale must have a birthday supplied along with pedigree showing parents.  Rescue organizations will be exempt from providing pedigrees.
Also all rats must be priced at $10 or higher or $15 for two.  No selling of kittens less than 6 weeks.
-please note, all rats will go through health check.  Absolutely no rats will be admitted if we feel they may carry ANYTHING detrimental to the others - Including problems with mites, lice, skin, eyes, ears, respiratory, etc.  Please DO NOT bring sick or contagious animals, there will be no safe place for them.  ANY rat traveling with a sick rat will be turned away!!!  This includes any rats that have carpooled with the sick rat.  The owners of sick rats will be asked to remove them from the premises.

No unregistered sales or trades may occur outside the show building!  This includes underage rats being sold by registered exhibitors.

Volunteers Needed:
  Check-in & health check
  Clean-up
 

Want to be involved?
Join in the planning process by joining
RatsPacNW on www.yahoogroups.com

For more information you may call
LeAnn Boardman 360 876-0236 days,
360 874-9085 after 5 or e-mail:  rattie@boardmanweb.com