A Day At Fast CAT

Welcome to a day at Fast Cat! 

These happy and welcoming faces are who you see first when you arrive.  You "Check-in" to the trial to let us know you've arrived with your dog. Off to inspections you go from here.

One "Check-in" person is needed per event but two are more fun.

The Inspections team check each dog for soundness before every run, the female dogs for signs of estrus (heat), and provide participants with their inspections sticker/ dog run number.  Now you're ready to get in line to see the Paddock Master. 

A team of two club members are needed for inspections per event.

Think of the Paddock Master as a Valet. Their job is to take your inspection sticker/dog run number from you and place your dog in the official run queue. They keep track of the running order and announce the name and number of the dog entering the start box so the timekeepers can record the scores. The Paddock Master also coordinates with volunteers where holders and releasers are needed. Multitasking is a must for this position. 

One Paddock Master is needed per event.

Dog holders are most often volunteers that hold dogs for participants that come alone without a helper. The dog owner often chooses to catch the dog leaving the need for a holder and/or releaser. It's strongly recommended to bring a friend to hold your dog. 

Almost always need extra holders per event.

A releaser is a semi skilled task but you only need to do it once to learn it. The Hunt Master is a good teacher and will make you feel like a pro. 

The releaser needs to be able to hold the dog on the start line, communicate to the Hunt Master they are ready, and release the dog on "Tally-ho". 

Each dog needs a releaser and often a volunteer is needed. 

The Gate Staff help make sure the course is clear of dogs before each run starts, that the gates are closed to prevent dog escapes, and assist participants in entering and exiting the course. 

There are two gates that need staffing per event. 

The Lure Operators ensure the dogs are run in a safe manner above all else and to try to get the best time possible for each run. Lure Operators coordinate with the Hunt Master and the Return Operator, watch for distractions along the course, keep a keen eye the start box situation, and run the return line, and of course run the lure. Only with practice and experience comes an understanding of various breeds and their tendencies. Breeds tend to run the same however dogs are individual and each individual may run differently under different conditions, or even during different runs on the same day. Reading the dogs, the situation at the start line and down the course, adjusting  for some situations on-the-fly, all while tuning out the multiple distractions occurring, makes a Lure Operator's day exciting.

One Lure Operator is needed per event.

The Return Operator or hooker as we like to refer to them, attaches the lure to the return line, waits for the participants to leash their dog and safely be out of the way before signaling to the Lure Operator to return the lure to the top. The Return Operator works with the Hunt Master to center the line before each run and also helps to ensure the Catcher is on the course before the dogs are released and off the course when finished.. This is often done by a volunteer.

One Return Operator is needed per event.

The Golf Cart Driver plays an important roll in most events. The driver shuttles those who need assistance, need a quick drop off and/or return in order to keep the event running in a timely manner. The driver also runs quick errands for the working staff i.e. running paperwork to and fro or bringing water to the staff...

One Golf Cart Drive is needed per event.