Asia Cat Expo 2025
UCA Cat Grooming Competition
3rd year running
Our Cat Grooming Competition Returns!
Now in its third year, the Cat Grooming Competition at Asia Cat Expo continues to celebrate the art and care of feline grooming. This year, we’re proud to be working with the Universal Cat Association (UCA) to bring you an even more exciting showcase of talent and creativity.
Join us on 21 June 2025 for a day of learning, showcase, and celebration of the grooming community — all in the spotlight of Singapore’s biggest cat event.
Competition Categories
Regular Category
- Open to all competitors
- Show conformation groom
Open Category
- Open to all competitors
- Creative cuts (any style)
Registration
Competition Date: 21 June 2025 (Saturday)
For groomers without access to a grooming salon — including freelance groomers and overseas participants — pre-grooming may be conducted at our partner salons, with the verification form endorsed for the Regular Category by the authorised representative. Advance booking is required.
Click below to book your sessions:
Animal Arts Academy
Neko Neko Academy
Submissions close on 1 June 2025
About Universal Cat Association (UCA)
The Universal Cat Association (UCA) is China’s first international non-profit organisation for cat enthusiasts.
Founded in 2015, UCA promotes responsible breeding, microchip registration, and global awareness through shows, events, and educational programmes, all aimed at improving feline welfare and supporting the cat-loving community.
Meet our Judges
Mr. Zhong Qiu
Mr Zhong Qiu is the Executive Chairman and Co-founder of UCA, an International Pedigree Cat Judge, and a respected scholar in pet cat culture. As an A-level Cat Grooming Lecturer, Mentor, and Examiner, he plays a key role in shaping the standards of feline grooming education globally.
A pioneering figure in the industry, he is the founder of the Global Pet Cat Grooming and Care Program and is recognized as one of the world’s top breeders of American Curl cats.
Ms. Tam Wei Fen
Ms Tam Wei Fen is a UCA B-Level Cat Grooming Lecturer, Mentor, and certified Grooming Examiner, also serving as Regional Liaison Officer for UCA’s grooming program in Malaysia. A Senior Consultant in feline grooming and care, she is also the founder of SnJ Pet Salon and Little Pet Stylist Academy, and a certified All-Breed Grooming Certifier under ISFC and Baida Jadebird.
As a Master Trainer at Lincoln University Malaysia and a HRDcorp-recognized trainer, she plays a key role in advancing professional cat grooming education across the region.
Mr. Thomas Low
Mr Thomas Low is an Allbreed International Cat Judge and International Representative Officer of the Universal Cat Association (UCA), judging shows in Singapore and abroad. A Groomer Examiner, Trainer, and Mentor for UCA grooming courses, he has decades of experience with show cats. He is President of The Feline Association Singapore and Secretary of both the Asia Pacific Cat Club (APCC) and The Pets Enterprises and Traders Association (PETAS).
As founder of Bluecrest Cattery, he has produced Singapore’s most Grand Champions and is first to receive CFA’s Divisional Winner (DW) and Distinguished Merit (DM) Awards.
Judging Criteria
Regular Category
Show Conformation Groom
- Coat condition & cleanliness
- Grooming technique & finish
- Smoothness and finish of the coat
- Overall appearance and breed-appropriate styling
- Cat handling and safety
Open Category
Creative Groom
- Creativity & originality of design
- Precision & execution of style
- Balance, symmetry, and visual appeal
- Product and color application (if any)
- Cat comfort and welfare throughout the process
Prizes & Awards
Top 3 cats in each breed group will receive category awards, with rosettes awarded to each winner.
Finals
1st and 2nd place winners from each group will advance to the Final Competition, where they’ll compete in a head-to-head format
Top 3 cats will be awarded the Star of the Session title, with trophies and rosettes awarded to each winner.
Overall Ranking
Top 10 cats will be awarded Best Groomed Cat, with rosettes award to each winner.
Top 3 cats will be awarded Star of the Session title, with trophies and rosettes awarded to each winner.
Top 10 cats will be awarded Best Groomed Cat, with rosettes awarded to each winner.
All participants in the grooming competition who pass the judging will receive a certificate of completion.
UCA Points & Certification
This competition is recognised under the Universal Cat Association (UCA) grooming standards.
- UCA-registered groomers: Points will be accumulated and conferred the corresponding Star-Level groomer titles.
- Non-registered groomers: Achievements are still credited, but points will not be accumulated.
As part of our collaboration with the UCA, a one-time, special condensed theory course and exam will be made available exclusively to non-UCA registered participants of the Asia Cat Expo 2025 UCA Cat Grooming Competition. This course is designed for those looking to become registered UCA groomers and begin accumulating points within the UCA system. Over two days, participants will gain foundational knowledge in grooming theory and cat handling techniques, culminating in a certification exam.
Competition Schedule
21 June 2025, Saturday
Competition Zone
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00AM | Registration |
| 10:15AM | Opening Speech |
| 10:30AM | Commencement of Regular Category |
| 12:30PM | Prize Presentation (Regular Category) |
| 1:00PM | Commencement of Open Category |
| 2:30PM | Judging |
| 3.00PM | Prize Presentation (Open Category) |
asia cat expo grooming competition
Past Winners
Groom, Shine & Win:
Why Join a Cat Grooming Competition?
Skill Enhancement
Sharpen and refine your cat grooming skills through hands-on experience and exposure to diverse grooming challenges.
Professional Development
Receive valuable feedback from an experienced judge and industry professionals, contributing to your continuous improvement as a groomer.
Recognition & Visibility
Showcase your talent on a larger stage, gaining recognition within the grooming community and potentially attracting new clients or business opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Asia Cat Expo Cat Grooming Competition is a judged showcase where professional groomers demonstrate their skills in feline grooming, styling, and presentation. The competition is recognised by the Universal Cat Association (UCA) and includes both conformation-based and creative grooming categories.
21 June 2025 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 404, 405 and 406.
There will be 2 categories.
Regular Category, a show conformation groom based on breed-specific grooming standards.
Open Category, a creative groom focused on showcasing originality, styling techniques, and visual impact.
Yes, there is an entry fee to participate in the competition. The fee helps cover the expenses of organizing the event and providing prizes for the winners.
Fee: SGD $200 / Entry
No. Non-UCA registered groomers are welcome. However, only UCA-registered groomers are eligible to accumulate points toward Star-Level certification. Non-registered groomers may receive points if they complete the UCA theory test within 3 months after the competition.
Groomers are assessed on a combination of coat condition, grooming technique, presentation, styling execution, and overall visual impact. Full judging criteria can be found here.
Participants are required to bring their own cat model for the competition.
No — all cat breeds are welcome in both the Regular and Open Categories. However, in the Regular Category, cats will be judged according to their designated breed groupings.
Pre-grooming video submissions for the Regular Category must be submitted between 21 May and 19 June 2025. We will notify registered participants via email once submissions open, along with instructions for uploading their videos.
You are required to bring your own tools, equipment and table for the competition.
Regular Category: All grooming must be completed before the event. Cats must arrive fully groomed and ready for presentation, no grooming is allowed on-site.
Open Category: Grooming is performed live at the event. Participants will have a 1-hour time limit to complete their groom on-site.
You can reach us at our contact us page here.
By registering for and participating in the Asia Cat Expo 2025 UCA Cat Grooming Competition, all participants agree to the following terms and conditions:
1. Eligibility:
a. The competition is open to all professional cat groomers and enthusiasts.
b. Participants must be of legal age in their respective country or have obtained parental/guardian consent.
c. Participants must comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding animal care and welfare set out by Animal & Veterinary Service Singapore (AVS).
2. Entry Submission:
a. Participants must submit their entry online before the 1 June 2025 deadline.
b. Each participant may submit only one entry per category.
c. Entry submissions must include relevant details, such as the participant’s name, cat model’s name and contact information.
3. Competition Guidelines:
a. The cat grooming competition will focus on grooming techniques, creativity, and overall presentation.
b. Participants are responsible for grooming their own cat.
c. Grooming techniques and products used should prioritize the cat’s well-being and adhere to ethical grooming practices.
d. Participants must follow any additional guidelines or themes provided by the competition organizers.
4. Judging Process:
a. The competition will be judged by a panel of qualified judges selected by the organizers.
b. Judging criteria may include grooming technique, creativity, presentation and the overall well-being of the cat(s).
c. The judges’ decision on all matters related to the competition, including the evaluation of entries, selection of winners, and disqualification of participants, shall be final and binding.
5. Cat Safety and Responsibility:
a. Participants are solely responsible for the safety, well-being, and care of the cats used as grooming models during the competition.
b. The competition organizers, sponsors, and affiliates shall not be held liable for any loss, death, injury, illness, or damage incurred by the cats during the grooming process or as a result of participating in the competition.
c. Participants must take appropriate measures to secure and ensure the safety of their grooming models, including but not limited to using suitable grooming equipment, following safe handling practices, and obtaining any necessary permissions or approvals from the cat owners.
d. Participants shall bear full responsibility for any actions or negligence that may cause harm to the cats or violate any animal welfare regulations or laws.
6. Prize and Awards:
a. The competition may offer prizes and awards to the winners, as determined by the organizers.
b. The prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and cannot be redeemed for cash.
7. Intellectual Property:
a. Participants retain the rights to their entry submissions. However, by participating in the competition, participants grant the organizers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, display, and distribute the entries for promotional and marketing purposes related to the competition.
8. Liability:
a. Participants are responsible for their own actions and any consequences arising from their participation in the competition.
b. The competition organizers, sponsors, and affiliates will not be held liable for any injury, loss, or damage to participants, cats, or property incurred during the competition.
9. Disqualification and Expulsion:
a. The organizers reserve the right to disqualify or expel any participant who violates the terms and conditions, engages in unethical practices, or behaves in a manner deemed inappropriate or harmful to the cat(s).
b. In the event of disqualification or expulsion, the participant shall not be entitled to any refund, compensation, or recourse of any kind from the organizers, sponsors, or affiliates.
10. Modifications and Termination:
a. The organizers reserve the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the competition at any time and for any reason. Participants will be duly notified of any such changes.
11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction:
a. These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Singapore. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with the competition shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Singapore.
By participating in the cat grooming competition, participants agree to comply with these terms and conditions.
