For many of you, this will be your first ARBA Convention. Here are a few things to consider.
1. The coops for the rabbits have solid bottoms. As a result many people will bring and install risers to keep their rabbit above the soiled bedding (wood shavings provided by the Convention). Each breed is assigned a cage with specific sizes so risers are not a one size fits all solution. American coops are 21 x 21 inches, so your risers need to be 20.5 x 20.5 in order to fit.
2. Bring your own food and water containers.
3. Food is provided BUT not all brands are provided and they tend to run out before Convention is over. Bring your own back up supply.
4. Rabbits can stress and go off feed. Electrolytes, hay, oats, and parsley are good to have on hand.
5. A watering can or pressurized spray canister with nozzle can be useful so that you can fill multiple water crocks in one trip
6. Since you will be responsible to clean your cages, a whisk broom and dust pan or cat litter type scoop with a bucket to empty into or small trash bag is handy.
7. Remember your grooming supplies such as nail clippers, and quick stop. Space is limited and it is difficult to find a space for grooming stands, so bring a hanging grooming stand that can attach to the coops. Otherwise, be prepared to break down your grooming area as they are not permitted in the aisles long-term.
8. If security is a concern for you, zip ties and scissors to remove them will work. Rabbits are escape artists and zip ties help to keep them from escaping their coops, they will chew through them so have more on hand to replace. Another option is actual locks. Make sure ALL zip ties or locks are removed the day of judging as “Runners” will not bring a rabbit to the table that is locked in coop.
9. Cage tags, you will see row after row of rabbits that all look alike and after the first day the odds are good that the paper coop tag will be chewed off. Get creative and decorate your cage to make it easier to identify when you are caring for your animal. However, stay within the 4×6 Convention rule.
10. Many people use old feed bags or cardboard to isolate their coop/rabbit from being urinated on and to keep potentially sick animals away.
11. Bring your pedigrees for sale rabbits, ARBA card, a copy of the ARBA Convention Show Rules and contact info for the BARNSC members you want to reach out to.
12. Sales slips are provided in check-in packet but if you require more you can obtain them from Catie Bolze or any other breed chair. Sales slips are required for any animal you purchase so that you can present them at check out.
13. Carriers are not typically permitted in the showroom unless they are in designated areas. Make sure they are clearly labeled so that you can identify your carriers.
14 Patience at check out, check out is a process and a slow one at that. Be prepared to wait and make sure all carriers are accessible so that tattoos can be checked and then carrier will be zip tied by a show volunteer to leave.