Kittitas County 4-H Small Animal Project Committee Policy

1. The term Small Animal, as used herein includes cavy, poultry, rabbit, and pocket pets.
2. The Kittitas County 4-H Poultry Clinic is held annually in May. The 4-H Poultry Clinic is offered as an educational opportunity for youth to learn about poultry. The program includes: Poultry educational information and instruction in Fitting and Showmanship. Poultry project members are highly recommended to attend this clinic or submit prior to the event a written request to: Kittitas County Small Animal Committee, 901 E 7th Avenue, Suite 2, Ellensburg, WA 98926 to request being excused.
3. The 4-H Rabbit/Cavy Show is held annually in June. The 4-H Rabbit/Cavy Show is offered as an educational opportunity for youth to learn about rabbits and cavies. The program includes: Rabbit and Cavy judging contest, instruction in Fitting and Showmanship, and educational cavy and rabbit information. Rabbit and Cavy project members are required to attend this clinic or submit prior to the event a written request to: Kittitas County Small Animal Committee, 901 E 7th Avenue, Suite 2, Ellensburg, WA 98926 to request being excused.
4. Member shall mean an enrolled 4-H club member residing in Kittitas County.
5. 4-H is open to all youth between the ages five (5) and (19) (4-H Age).Youth planning on exhibiting a Small Animal at the Kittitas County Fair needs to be enrolled in a Small Animal project by February 1st of the current 4-H year.
6. Age Divisions – 4-H Age Division is determined before or on October 1st of the current year.
   • CLOVERBUDS: 5 to 7 years of age
   • JUNIORS: 8 to 10 years of age
   • INTERMEDIATES: 11 to 13 years of age
   • SENIORS: 14 to less than 19 years of age
     
     Cloverbuds may participate in age-appropriate activities and projects. Projects recommended for Cloverbuds youth may include: Dog, Cat, Poultry, Rabbit, Pygmy, or Miniature Goat, Horseless Horse, Cavy, Exploring the World of Small Animals, Exploring Farm Animals, Discovery, Creative Arts, Performing Arts, Aerospace, Bicycle, Computer, Photography, Clothing, Just Outside the Door, and Exploring 4-H. Cloverbuds may not participate in competitive activities.
7. The Small Animal Committee is comprised of 4-H club or 4-H small animal project leaders and interested 4-H parents that meet periodically to coordinate activities and policies involving small animal projects in Kittitas County. The committee is a standing committee of the Kittitas County 4-H Leaders Council.

1. The WSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program Policy prohibits the possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs, controlled substances, marijuana, marijuana products, electronic cigarettes, or alcohol at any 4-H related event involving youth. The WSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program strictly enforces state of Washington laws regarding alcohol and does not tolerate the illegal use, possession, or sale of intoxicating beverages, minors in possession, furnishing alcohol to minors, possession of open containers, driving under the influence, and exhibiting unruly or intoxicated behavior. In addition, WSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program does not permit any form of advertising of tobacco, marijuana, or spirit or products, including clothing, at any 4-H related event involving youth.
2. The use of illegal drugs and/or the improper use of animal health products or foreign substances will not be tolerated in the Washington State 4-H Youth Development Program. Extension personnel, 4-H volunteers, families, youth and fair/show officials have a legal and moral obligation not to misuse these products. We have the responsibility to tell others not to use these substances and report those who do use any illegal substance. The administration of any drug or medication which could affect an animal’s disposition or performance, resulting in an unfair advantage, is unacceptable. Additionally, there are federal penalties for using illegal substances in animals that are going into the nation’s food supply.
3. Kittitas County 4-H members enrolled in small animal projects are encouraged to participate in all of the county small animal judging sessions held prior to Fair.
4. Youth in Cavy project will participate in the Washington 4-H Cavy Advancement Program, this document is required to be in their 4-H Record book.
5. All Kittitas County 4-H Small Animal members, parents, and leaders are required to read and sign the Commitment to Excellence form at the beginning of the new 4-H year. Members must keep this signed original in their 4-H Record Books.
6. To reaffirm Washington State 4-H policy and to maintain 4-H liability insurance for county 4-H members and leaders, no club or activity in Kittitas County shall be allowed to use the 4-H name or emblem if they include any activity in which unqualified youth are allowed to participate with Small Animals. Failure to follow this policy may result in the leader, member, or club being dismissed from the county 4-H program.
7. Interpretation of small animal policies, procedures and any infractions thereof shall be referred to the Small Animal Committee for resolution, unless otherwise noted. Committee decisions may be appealed to the Kittitas County 4-H Leaders Council if such appeal is submitted in writing to the Council President.
8. The Small Animal Committee, in conjunction with Extension, shall review and approve committee policies and requirements annually.
9. Small Animal Committee policies supplement Kittitas County 4-H Policy. Kittitas 4-H Policy supplements WSU 4-H Policy and Procedure Handbook. Differentiation between Committee and Council policy(ies) shall be resolved by 4-H Leaders Council.
10. All animals are to be cared for and groomed by the exhibitor. In cases where the exhibitors are too young and/or physically incapable of doing the work, assistance by other Kittitas County club or chapter members may be provided. These exceptions should be cleared with the club leader or chapter advisor and the Division Superintendent.
11. Exhibitors must compete in Fitting and Showing and Barn Duty, if eligible at the Kittitas County Fair in order to receive Fair premiums. If a member is unable to participate in Fitting and Showing, they must submit a written letter to the Small Animal Committee Chairman, 901 E 7th Avenue, Suite 2, Ellensburg, WA 98926 prior to the contest with the reason(s) they are requesting to be excused.
12. Novice classes at Pre-shows/Clinic and Fair is open to Juniors and Intermediates who have never shown an animal of any species. All seniors will show in their division.
13. Parents are to watch from stands during Fitting and Showing classes. No advice to children in the arena! It is important that exhibitors direct all their attention to the judge. Comments from parents are distracting and diminish the opportunity for the exhibitor to learn.
14. All small animals to be exhibited at fair in a 4-H/FFA project must be leased or owned and cared for by the exhibitor as follows:
    • Cavies – 45 days
    • Rabbits and Poultry – 45 days
    • Pocket Pets – 45 days
15. Violation of these rules creates a loss of learning experience to the exhibitor and unfair competition to other members, especially in the fitting and showing contest. Violations are cause for disqualification.

This is the minimum standard for showmanship, meeting the dual objectives of exhibitor safety and modesty, as well as program unity in the youth divisions. All exhibitors must be appropriately dressed when showing their animals. The following dress code will be strictly enforced:

1. Long sleeve collared shirts and blouses, tucked in, closed to the second button or snap from top, with sleeves rolled down.
2. Closed toed shoes.
3. Black or dark slacks or jeans.
4. NO baseball hats are to be worn in the show ring.
5. FFA members must show in official dress.
6. All clothing should be clean and in good repair.
7. Jewelry is discouraged; it can be dangerous.
8. Superintendent will monitor and those not appropriately dressed shall not be allowed in the show ring until appropriately dressed. Classes will not be held up.

The Exhibitor Dress Code will be strictly enforced.

Exceptions:

1. Costume Classes and Fashion Revue.
2. All exhibitors on barn duty must be dressed neatly in long pants, closed toed shoes, and a clean button-down (long or short sleeved) shirt or club shirt. A lanyard or other identifier for person on barn duty should be worn. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops or hats (exception: cowboy or club hats).

Modesty and safety remain considerations outside the show ring as well and for that reason pants and shoes are expected of all animal exhibitors in their respective barns.