Going to the ARBA Convention

(See also "Flying with Bunnies", below)

Usually held in October or November of every year, the American Rabbit Breeders' Assoc. Convention is without doubt the BIGGEST rabbit show in the nation.  The location of the show moves around the country each year so that everyone has the chance to be close enough to attend at least once.  Breeders, both open and youth, come from all over the United States as well as Canada, Japan, and even Europe for the week-long event.  Every recognized breed of rabbit is exhibited, and the best of the best will be there.  Winning Best of Breed or Best in Show at ARBA Convention is every breeder's dream, and carries some status.

The Convention is a Pre-Entry show.  You must submit your entries up to a month in advance in order to attend.

For the bunnies: 

Make no mistake:  this extended cooped show, coupled with travel, is hard on the rabbits.  Stress-related problems are common.  Do everything you can to limit stress.

Find out if the show will be providing the brand of feed you are using (the most common national brands are available for free) and if not bring your own. 

Hay is often available through vendors, but get it early because they sell out. 

Be sure to find out if the coops will have wire floors or not -- you may have to provide your own.

We keep green kale and carrots available to the rabbits to keep them eating.

Sometimes rabbits refuse to drink strange water, especially if they are not used to chlorination.  You can start putting AcidPak 4-way, gatorade, or Vanodine in their water a couple weeks before the show.  Continue using it at the Convention and it will help to make the water more familiar to them.

For You:

Don't forget your camera!  :0)

Cell phones are a God-send.

A cooler for snacks is a good idea, although concessions are always available.  But if you're health-conscious, bring your own.

Pick up a map of the area, check out the tourist attractions.  You will have time to do some sightseeing.

Two words:  Comfortable Shoes!!!  (and ditto clothes)

Bring the right attitude:    Don't forget that no matter how big it is, it's just another rabbit show.  Another judge on another day would probably have different placings.  Success or failure here will neither make nor break you.  Whether you win or lose, do it graciously...  there is nothing here worth injuring someone else's feelings or damaging a friendship.  Above all, have fun!  This is, after all, just a giant excuse to blow off a week of work or school, kick back with your friends, and play with bunny rabbits!  :0)

If you can get by without your show table, don't take it.  You can't set it up in the showroom (no room) although they will often provide a side area or hallway (sometimes far away) where you might be able to.  Instead, purchase one of the hanging show tables that hook onto the side of the coops.  They are small and can be moved easily.  DaMar's has them, as do most vendors.

Travel light -- take only what you really need.  Groom your rabbits thoroughly before leaving for Convention -- clip nails and blow out coats, remove stains.  The less you have to do at the show, the better for the rabbits, and for you.

No need to bring chairs, probably.  There won't be anywhere you can set them up, and there are often stadium seating areas in these convention halls where you can flop and view the rabbit chaos below.

Craft wire (florist's wire) has come in handy to repair coops, attach decorations, and just whatever.  You could also bring a small set of pliers, scissors, some clips of some sort.

Identify your cages!  In this ocean of rabbits, it's easy to forget to feed and water somebody.  Go to the craft store and find something you can attach to your coops that you will be able to find as you're wandering down the aisle.  Place it high on the coop so the bunny won't eat it.  Make sure it's not toxic.

Business cards, in a card holder, attached to coops.  Sales tags.  Small dry-erase board for leaving messages (attach the marker with a string or craft wire)

Pedigrees for sales rabbits.  Baggies to send feed home with sales rabbits.

A small dustpan and hand-held brush for cleaning cages.  A bucket or empty feed bag for same.  You may want to bring your own shavings (they are provided but sometimes hard to find when you want them).  A small bucket to empty crocks of soiled feed and water.

Coop Cups!  Feed cups may or may not be provided... don't bet on it.  If you forget them most of the vendors will be selling them, but again get them early.

Poster board, cardboard, or fabric to make partitions.  You may be cooped next to a sick rabbit, a pee-flipping rabbit, or an aggressive rabbit.  Placing some type of material between yours and theirs may be an excellent idea, although sometimes hard to do... we have used clothespins in the past to hold partitions up.  You'll probably need scissors.

Plastic tie-locks or actual small padlocks.  Especially for your best animals.  Yes, unfortunately, it does happen.  Just be aware that if you lock your cages you are responsible for getting your own animals to the show table.

Flying with Bunnies:

There is an extra $75 fee per checked unit (i.e., per every two six-holes that are clamped together to make one unit) each way.

Delta will not require a health certificate -- other airlines do.

Here is the link to Delta's pet transport services:  read it carefully before leaving, as some requirements may change without notice.  Read the links for health requirements, etc.....

Delta Airlines, Pets as Checked Baggage

(click above)

Be sure that all carriers and kennels are within the size guideline for acceptance (see Delta's link, above).