Dogs are Fast CATs at Dac Rowe Park May 4-5

April 27, 2024 | By Andrea McMahan

May 2 update: The road to the Winooski Street park entrance has been repaired. Organizers would like participants to use that access for the Fast CAT this weekend.

A dog chases the “bunny” lure in a Fast CAT trial in Waterbury. File photo by Gordon Miller

The Green Mountain Dog Club holds its spring Fast CAT Fun Trial next Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, at Dac Rowe athletic fields in downtown Waterbury.

Why is a dog club holding a Fast CAT you ask? Good question.

Fast CAT is the fastest-growing American Kennel Club dog sport because dogs and people love it! CAT stands for Coursing Aptitude Test. The goal is to test a dog's aptitude for chasing prey. In this case, the “prey” is a white plastic bag attached to a cable so that it looks like it is running.

This trial is great for beginner dogs and handlers. There is a 100-yard straight, fenced chute where a cable runs the “bunny” at a pace suitable to the individual dog. Most dogs almost instantly get the idea and love to chase the “bunny” lure down the chute to their waiting owners.

Each dog should have two handlers—one to release and one to catch. Volunteers can assist but it’s best for each dog to have two familiar handlers. The dog's favorite handler should be the catcher.

This Fast CAT is an unsanctioned fun trial open to all dogs over 6 months of age. No experience is needed and volunteers are on site to assist beginners. New, young, and small dogs may run the shortened 50-yard heat on Saturday at 9 a.m. All dogs under one year of age must only run the shorter course.

Registration and detailed rules are online. Participants may sign up through Thursday, May 2, using this form. Entry fee: $15 per dog/run with a $2 processing fee. Dogs are allowed to be registered to run on just one of the two days in one heat.

Duxbury resident Andrea McMahan is a member of the Green Mountain Dog Club board of directors. Contact her with questions about the Fast CAT at Ripanco@aol.com.