POCKET PETS PROJECT
Wahington State 4H
How to sign up:
1) Go to your 4H Co-Op Office and sign your child up under GB Self Determined Animal Science Project. This can be an additional project or the only project your child or member participates in.
2) For local shows, the member need only be signed up in the project to enter. For entry into Pierce Country Fair (and other County Fairs that have Pocket Pets shows), you will need to sign up with 4H and have owned the animal since their entry date. In Pierce County that date is June 1st.
History in Pierce County:
Originally, the Pierce County Pocket Pets Project started in February, 2003 as a 4H project focusing only on domesticated fancy rats. During the 2005 year, it expanded to include all small pets kept in cages in the home. These include rodents, insects, reptiles, amphibians, hedgehogs, ferrets, chinchillas, and more.  Some clubs have domesticated birds, but this class is not currently available for showing in Pierce County.

Shows in Pierce County are judged by certified judges from RatsPacNW Rat Club and Senior 4H Members.
There are two parts of every 4H Pocket Pets show:
1) Fitting and Showing
2) Animal Type Judging (see type card)
(Additional fun contests may occur in larger shows such as cage decorating, member type judging and costume contests.

Fitting and Showing Pocket Pets
During this mandatory contest, 4H members:
1) Demonstrate their knowledge of their pe (see possible questions asked).
2) Show their pet to the judge who examines it for health.
3) Show the judge their handling of their pet.

Procedure: Youth bring their pet to the table in front of the judge and the judge asks them specific questions about  how they would examine their pet for health, including looking for mites or parasites, checking it's teeth (where applicable), checking it's body for damage, checking its gender, checking its fur or scales for health, quality and/or signs of illness. Youth are separated into classes, depending on the grade they last were enrolled in.

Important Concerns:
* Animals should be worked with prior to shows so they feel comfortable being examined.
* Number One Priority - when showing pocket pets is to hold them - preferably with both hands,      especially while waiting for judge's questions to prevent their escape. The judge will be watching for this at all times.
* Prior to showing, all pocket pets must always be in secure cages.
* Members must wear long sleeve, white shirts when appearing before the judge.

Fitting and Showing Knowledge:
During or after the Fitting and Showing examination process, the youth may be asked questions about what they are looking for considering their type of pet. Answers will differ depending on species.
Additional questioning may occur following the examination. Youth must continue to hold pets with two hands while the judge asksquestions about the pets. Youth should look forward, keep eyes on the judge, and remain quiet and still until the judge asks them a specific question.

Subject Area for Questions:
Basic Care, Species Background Information including variety, type, colors, markings, life expectancy, history, and natural habitat information, Breeding or Reproduction, Showing Information (where applicable) and Common Diseases and treatments.
For advanced members, Taxonomy, Anatomy and Genetics may be asked.

Awards:
First, second and third place ribbons are given.
Some shows have Certificates, Best of Show and Best in Show Reserve Ribbons, and Trophies.
(Show organizers contact your 4H Co-op to order ribbons and trophies in advance of show).
Pocket Pets Type Judging
Judging Criteria:
Specific variety, color, and marking standards will be followed for pocket pets that have 'clubs' that hold shows to judge them. Animals that are shown include rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, and chinchillas. All other pocket pets will be judged based on health, cleanliness, temperament, and how
closely they reflect a good example for their species. See: Pocket Pets Score Card.

Awards:
First, second, and thrid place ribbons are given.
Some shows have Best of Species, Best of Show, Best of Show Reserve, Certificates, and Trophies.
Created by Debbi Needham 2006 - reprint as necessary)
Go back to Pocket Pets Info. MAIN to see Show Standards for some pocket pets.
Click Here and scroll down to bottom of the Page.