Cat Village FAQs

Welcome to The Cat Village. Thank you for supporting The Cat Show Live.

To help you, we have created these FAQs. We will be updating them so please keep checking back if some questions have not been answered yet.

Please let Sam Marsh know if you can help with professional pictures of cat breeds  on the website or to fill our remaining slots with certain Cat Breeds Email: event@thecatshowlive.com.

Please click here to watch Sam’s recording with practical information and tips for exhibiting in The Cat Village. 

Show Build-up – Friday 12 Sept 2025

Yes, from 4pm to 7pm only. Please note: NO children or cats are allowed in the hall during set-up. HI VIS must be worn onsite on Friday evening .

Friday evening set up – Please go to N12 show your cat exhibitor parking pass to NEC Security  who will then direct you to the  area at the rear of Hall 3a. Access arrangements and specific door to be confirmed.

Saturday morning  – If Travelling with cats you will receive a parking pass which you must have on display. Head to GATE 1 – where security will direct you to Hall 3A – doors VE 3.8 to park and access vetting in.

Extra Helpers in Cat Village – You can NOT park rear of Hall 3A – Please make sure we have contacted the team for your car park code – this must be booked on the link to give you access to free parking in East Car Park – Shuttle Buses will run from 7am down to the hall

Yes we do! Please see below:

Security at the door of Hall 3a will hand you your wristbands covering access on both days (1 pair per owner).

Each 3.5m x 5m booth has L shaped benching and access to one side plus 2 x double pens. Screens will be provided for “cat naps”. You will be sharing the space with a neighbour unless a full booth has been requested.

Extra pens (e.g. for entire males) will be supplied if this has been confirmed by the show team in advance. All penning will be finalised end of August – changes can be made but please help us this year by checking your allocation when we confirm.

Yes – but only using white or blue tack, velcro ( hook and loop) or handing chains. Check with the show team if unsure.

Sorry, but no. We are looking to have a neutral look and feel for the pens. You are free to provide pen drapes in whatever colours you prefer. We encourage you to decorate and showcase your area – Nothing is too much 🙂 Also please make your pens cozy and inviting so the cats have somewhere to hide and chill out. Their welfare is our No 1 priority. In the event of any issues on the day please let the team know and we will step in to help

Shell Scheme Specification

Please do dress up your booths and make them super comfortable for your cats, The Cat Village is your home for the day! Cattery branding and any decoration welcome, including rosettes and certificates awarded through WCC registered organisations. You will receive cue cards for your pens to communicate clearly with the audience if your cat is taking a break or open to cuddles!

Show day – Saturday 13th Sept 2025

Access is from 7am (NB: vetting-in is from 7.00am to 8.30am). The show opens at 9am for VIP’s and Disabled. Public Access from 10am

You will be sent a parking pass that entitles you to free parking behind hall 3A.

Please display your parking pass to NEC Security at Gate 1 and they will direct you.

Once parked, you may return to your car throughout the day (NB: but without your cat).

Please notify the show team in advance so arrangements can be made for access to the hall with NEC Security.

Please contact the show team before the event, as access to some stands may be restricted and we will make sure room is allocated to support you

Hand in your voucher during vetting in to receive your wristbands – which must be worn all day (1 pair per owner).

Vetting in will be accessible directly in Hall 3A via door VE 3.8

All cats must be vetted-in on arrival on Saturday morning (7.00am to 8.30am).
Valid vaccination cards with correct cat’s name and owner details must be produced and will be checked as part of vetting-in.

All claws MUST be clipped prior to arrival. All attendees who show under GCCF regulations MUST adhere to their 13-day rule.

Please bring the following:

• Litter tray, litter, water bowl, suitable bedding and toys/home comforts
• Food and bowls if appropriate
• Collapsible chair(s) for you to sit on
• Drapes and smart covers for the top & rear of your double pen.
• Visuals to promote your cattery, breed, clubs, shows, titles earned etc. No kittens or cats for sale signs
• Business cards or flyers to hand out

Although the NEC does provide catering inside and adjacent to the hall, you are welcome to bring your own food and drink.

No – this is expensive to provide for booths at the NEC, so please make sure any phones or other devices are fully charged beforehand. Phone charging stations (fee payable) are available in the Piazza.

A free Wi-Fi service throughout the NEC is available which is suitable for browsing the web, checking emails or using social networks.

No. In particular, NEC will not allow cats under any circumstances onto the Piazza and Main Concourse areas.

No. Nor can you advertise that kittens and/or cats are for sale/rehoming.

Only in an emergency. Please notify the show team first. They will arrange for you to be accompanied to the exit so that you and your cat(s) can leave early.

In the unlikely event a cat is ill, we have an isolation area situated at the back of the hall. Duty vets will be available throughout the show. They may decide to authorise an early exit for you and your cat and accompany you to the exit.

If necessary, a local vet practice is on standby.

Used litter etc must be bagged (bags provided) and placed in the nominated bins provided around The Cat Village.

General rubbish must either be taken home at the end of the day or placed in the relevant NEC bins. Please recycle rubbish where possible.

The Cat Village will close at 4.30pm to allow you time to pack up before the show closes at 5pm.

Please leave by the dedicated exhibitor entry/exit to Hall 3 after 5pm. All cats must have left the hall before tear-down starts

Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service will provide “On Call” cover for this event via their Out of Hours Service. In an emergency patients will be required to attend the hospital located at:

Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service

Highlands Road

Shirley

Solihull

B90 4NH

https://willows.uk.net

In an emergency contact the hospital on 0121 712 7070

Our Team will then advise you further and arrange an appointment at the hospital. Due to the Emergency nature of the service on occasion you may face a short wait, we always endeavour to triage and treat our patients based on the nature of their injury or illness.

Our out of hours consultations costs for any show attendees requiring assistance during the event are:

£285.00*

*Any medications / additional costs required will be thoroughly discussed by our team prior to treatment.