What to Buy for a Small Animal Show
A small animal show needs more than cages and judging tables. You will also need separate registration supplies, printed information, safe power access, refreshments and equipment for weighing and caring for animals. Check cage sizes and quantities against the animal list before shopping, then arrange drinks, snacks and coffee supplies early enough for setup day. This list helps you cover the practical items that are often forgotten until exhibitors arrive.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Foldable tablesqty 12
- Chairsqty 40
- Registration desk
- Judging tablesqty 4
- Bollardsqty 12
- Barrier tapeqty 4
- Rabbit cagesqty 30
- Cages for rodentsqty 20
- Bird cagesqty 15
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 80
- Platesqty 60
- Cutlery setsqty 60
- Coffee potsqty 4
- Thermos flasksqty 4
Equipment
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coolersqty 4
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 6
- Scalesqty 3
- Microphone
- Speaker
- Flashlightsqty 4
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Knivesqty 4
- Scissorsqty 4
- Serving spoonsqty 6
- Pitcherqty 4
Decorations
- Welcome sign
- Information boardsqty 8
- Tableclothsqty 12
- Price listsqty 4
- Name badgesqty 50
- Cage number cardsqty 70
- Pensqty 30
- Notepadsqty 10
- Prize rosettesqty 20
- Certificatesqty 20
Cleaning
- Vacuum cleaner
- Broom setsqty 3
- Mopsqty 3
- Bucketsqty 4
- Hand sanitizer bottlesqty 4
- Poop scoopsqty 3
- Rubber glovesqty 12
- Hand sanitizer stationsqty 3
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 8
- Cable reelsqty 3
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Cheese biscuits - 4 packs
- Mini sausages - 6 packs
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Jam - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Napkins - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Wood shavings - 8 bags
- Hay - 10 bales
- Rabbit feed - 15 kilograms
- Rodent feed - 10 kilograms
- Birdseed - 10 kilograms
- Millet - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 10 kilograms
- Leafy greens - 6 kilograms
- Apples for animals - 5 kilos
- Drinking water for animals - 40 liters
Tips
- Count rabbit, rodent and bird cages from the confirmed animal list, then add at least 10% spare capacity where possible. Inspect every cage for sharp edges, weak doors or unsafe gaps before animals are registered.
- Keep registration supplies separate from judging materials: prepare name badges, cage numbers, printed rules and prize lists in labelled folders at least one day before the show.
- Plan refreshments for the schedule rather than the crowd alone. For a four-hour show, allow roughly two drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for each following hour, plus extra coffee and water for judges and volunteers.
- Check the venue’s power points before bringing coffee machines, kettles, coolers and sound equipment. Pack extension cords, power strips and at least two flashlights so setup and late checks do not depend on one outlet.
- Buy or bring reusable cups, plates, cutlery, cutting boards, knives, serving spoons and a pitcher together. These small catering items are easy to overlook when the main shopping focuses on cages and tables.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I need for a small animal show?
- Plan for animal cages, foldable tables, chairs, registration and judging tables, weighing scales, printed information, refreshments and basic kitchen supplies. Add power equipment such as extension cords and power strips if coffee or sound equipment will be used.
- How many cages do I need for a small animal show?
- Use the confirmed animal list as the minimum: provide one suitable cage or enclosure per animal where required by the rules. Add around 10% spare capacity, so a list of 40 animals means planning for about 44 cages.
- How much food and drink should I buy for a small animal show?
- For a four-hour event, estimate two drinks per person in the first hour and one per person for each later hour, then add 10% extra. Buy snacks for the full attendance plus judges and volunteers, with dietary requirements checked before shopping.
- When should I prepare the supplies for a small animal show?
- Confirm cages, tables, scales and power equipment at least 7 days before the show. Print rules, badges, cage numbers and prize lists 1–2 days beforehand, and chill drinks on the day before or early on setup day.
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