2010 Midatlantic Show
January 29-30, 2010
World of Pets Expo
Timonium, MD

What To Expect When You Come To An AGS Gerbil Show

The article below covers, in-depth, the things that you should do to prepare for a gerbil show and what to do once you arrive at the show site.

Visit The Show Page
First, you'll want to visit the Web page for the show you'll attend. This is where you'll find the show schedule, quarantine deadlines, registration forms, printable quarantine form, and more. The Midatlantic Show's page is located at www.agsgerbils.org/Shows/Midatlantic/, and the annual New England Show's page is located at www.agsgerbils.org/Shows/NEShow/. The Midwest Show pages are at www.agsgerbils.org/Shows/MidWest.

Don't forget to make your reservation at the hotel early, because we usually get a special rate and a block of rooms for the AGS. By taking advantage of reserving a room early, you can ensure that you get the best price on your room and that you will stay close to other AGS members.

Gerbil Registrations & Table Reservations
If you plan to show any of your gerbils, you'll need to register them, first with the AGS, if you haven't already done so, and then for the show. To register a gerbil with the AGS, go to the AGS Gerbil Registration page.

Once you hear back from the AGS Secretary with your gerbil's registration number, you can register your gerbil for the show. To do this, go to the Web page of the show you'll attend and click the Showing link near the top of the page.

Follow the instructions on the page to register your gerbil for the show. You'll also need to pay the AGS $2 for each gerbil you register for the show. You can pay this in advance, or you can pay the show secretary when you arrive at the show.

You will also need to reserve table space so that you have a place to put your show gerbils before judging begins. You will also use your table space to display any non-show gerbils and to sell any gerbil-related items. You can reserve a table on the same page where you register your gerbils.

Fill Out The Quarantine Form
Before you come to the show, make sure that you have printed and signed the quarantine form. Go to the show's Web page and click Health Info. Near the bottom of the page, you'll find the quarantine form. Click PRINTABLE VERSION to access a PDF copy to print, sign, and either mail to the AGS or bring to the show with you. It is very important that you remember the quarantine form, because your gerbils will not clear health inspection and will not be admitted on the show floor unless you sign this document stating that you have followed the required quarantine and that you will comply with whatever decisions the health inspectors at the show make.

The Health Info page also provides detailed information about quarantining your pets. The AGS takes pre-show quarantine periods very seriously, because there are at least 100 gerbils at each show, and a single sick (or mite-infested) gerbil can spread an infection to the other gerbils at the show. In addition, those gerbils can carry disease back to their home kennels.

Proper quarantine procedures also help to protect members of the general public, many of whom are children. Most AGS shows have a good turnout of non-AGS members, many of whom adopt gerbils as family pets. We firmly believe that the AGS has a responsibility to ensure the well-being of all pets that we place with the general public, and one of the ways we can do this is by limiting the risk that our gerbils will be exposed to illness or mites prior to a gerbil show.

Check the Health Info page for the date on which you must begin quarantine, and make sure that you do not bring any new gerbils, rodents, birds, reptiles, or exotic pets into your kennel. In addition, if you have any unexplained illnesses or deaths in your kennel once the quarantine period begins, you should NOT bring ANY gerbils (or other animals) to the show. You are still welcome to attend the show, see all of the gerbils, and meet other AGS members. However, we ask that you leave your animals at home to ensure that there is no risk to gerbils at the show.

Before You Leave For The Show
In addition to anything you do to ensure that your gerbils are in the best shape and well-prepared for judging, you'll also need to do a few other things before you leave for the show.

First, plan for the number of gerbils you'll bring. In a 10-gallon tank, the AGS only allows up to four adults OR one adult breeding pair with one or two litters OR 10 pups.

Next, make sure you clean any tanks or carriers that will be at the show. The health inspectors can (and will) deny entry to gerbils with dirty or smelly tanks. Next, you must attach a label to each of your tanks/carriers that will be on your table at the show. Each tank should have a label with the name of your kennel, your name, the status of the gerbils (for show, for adoption, companion of show animal, etc.). An example of a tag is below:

Twin Squeaks Kennel (Kylee Dickey)
Show Gerbil (not for sale)
     & Companion Of Show Gerbil (not for sale)

Mottled Burmese Male
Mottled Black Male

A standard AGS show pen

Remember to bring an appropriate number of carriers. Remember that each show gerbil must be alone in carrier. You should use the standard size of carrier, because it is difficult to judge gerbils who are in carriers that are too small. When the carriers are too large, the judges may have difficulty getting all of the gerbils to fit on the judging tables. Please use the standard size carrier, which is a Medium-size Kritter Keeper (8 inches high x 12 inches wide x 8 inches deep).

Please make appropriate plans for travel. First, remember that water bottles will wobble and leak in the car, so you will want to flip the water bottles upside down in the water bottle guards or remove them from the tanks. To prevent your gerbils from becoming dehydrated, either make frequent stops to flip the water bottles and give your gerbils a chance to drink, or bring along some fruits or vegetables to give your gerbils as a source of moisture. Common choices include apple slices, grapes, and baby carrots. To keep your gerbils from overheating, you should also bring some blankets or towels to drape over any tanks that receive direct sunlight through the car windows.

If you will drive for more than one day, keep in mind that pets may not be allowed in your hotel room. If the weather will not allow you to keep your gerbils in the car overnight, you may want to research which hotels will allow pets. For example, Motel 6 is a pet-friendly chain, and many other hotels will allow pets if you pay a pet deposit.

If you plan to sell gerbils at the show, please bring extra Kritter Keepers and bedding that you can sell to any adopters. This way, if someone did not plan to adopt gerbils at the show, you can still provide safe housing and a way home. You may also want to provide a few baby carrots, grapes, or apple slices to any adopters who traveled from out of town so that your gerbils are well hydrated during the drive home. Also, if you think you may adopt gerbils at the show, bring extra carriers, bedding, and food, so you're prepared.

At The Show

Bring all of the gerbils and supplies from your vehicle to the health inspection area at the same time.

When you arrive at the show, the first thing you should do is ask where the health inspection area is. Take all of your gerbils and supplies (as well as any other gerbils and supplies that came in the same vehicle as you) to the health-inspection area. Someone should be able to tell you where to put your tanks and supplies. You will also need to provide your quarantine form to a health inspection volunteer.

You will not be allowed in the room during the health inspection. During the inspection, the volunteers will check all of your gerbils and supplies carefully for any sign of mites, illness, injuries, runny noses, or other potential problems. Once they're done inspecting all of the gerbils and supplies that traveled with you, they'll let you know the results of the inspection. Please remember that any decisions the health inspectors make are final, and that you will need to abide by those decisions.

After your gerbils clear health inspection, you can set things up at your table in the show room.

After your gerbils have cleared health inspection, the show secretary will provide you with show labels for the carriers of any gerbils that you've registered for the show. If you still owe money for any show registrations, you'll need to pay the show secretary before you receive your show labels.

After health inspection, you can set up your gerbils and any other items on your table in the show room. The Friday night of the show is your time to talk with other AGS members, set up your table, and take care of any loose ends. At the end of the night, the show room will be locked.

The Saturday morning of the show, more AGS members will arrive and send their gerbils through health inspection. When it's time for the show to start, make sure you have taped the corresponding labels to your show carriers. You can place a small bit of food in the carrier with each gerbil. You should also provide each gerbil with a source of moisture, such as a carrot, apple slice, or grape.

There will be an announcement when you can take your gerbils into the judging room. Place your gerbils on the appropriate tables. (Tables are labeled by class.) Judging will take the remainder of the afternoon, so just relax and enjoy the activities in the show room. When the judging is complete, the judges will hold an awards ceremony to announce the winners.

After The Show

A group photo is taken either before or after the AGS Banquet.

When the show is over, you can take your gerbils to your hotel room. You'll need to clean up your area in the show room. There is an AGS Banquet after the show as well. Sometimes, the banquet is at a local restaurant, and sometimes the banquet is in the same facility as the show. This is a great time to relax after a long weekend and spend more time getting to know fellow AGS members.