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It was little Shelby's looks and cheeky personality that stole the hearts of the judges and the crowd, earning her the title of Ms Ballarat. But this was no ordinary beauty pageant — Shelby was one of more than 300 guinea pigs taking part at this year's Cavy Council of Victoria show in Ballarat. Shelby and her owner Aria Treacy are part of a growing movement in regional Victoria of competitive guinea pig showers, where owners pit their pets against each other in the cavy equivalent of a dog show. The competitions showcase pedigree cavy preservation, education and breed improvement, with more than 20 categories on offer, from Cutest Face and Best Funky Hair to Heaviest, Best Couple and Best Smooth Coat. Regional boom The collection of tiny paws, fluffy coats and twitching noses competing at the Cavy Council of Victoria's quarterly shows across the state are attracting hundred of competitors and spectators. Ken Pedderse, the Cavy Council of Victoria's president, said the number of regional Victorians taking up guinea pig showing was on the rise. "We have seen a definite increase in cavy owners from regional Victoria not only attending both our country shows but also travelling to our home base venue in Dandenong North," Mr Pedderse said. "Many of these people are becoming club members, with our statistics showing us that the majority of new memberships over the last two years are in fact from regional areas." For the love of guinea pigs Vice-president Michael Carter attributed the interest to the pet boom of the pandemic. "In the last five years there has been a larger interest — there was an uptick after the COVID pandemic," Mr Carter said. "Compared to other pets they are relatively cheaper to get into." Mr Carter grew up with guinea pigs, but said his family involvement began when his then-seven-year-old son Ben asked for a pet for his birthday. "My son showed an interest in guinea pigs, and said he wanted to start showing," he said. "We got involved, got on the committee, and started helping out running things." Now 14 years old, Ben Carter is a passionate guinea pig owner and shower. "It’s great to see them come from a baby into their older age, and see them progress," he said. His three-year-old guinea pig, Popcorn, was among the competitors at Ballarat. "He is very cute — he gives you those sad eyes," he said. A guinea pig addiction Long-time member Sharron Wakely said her collection had grown rapidly since her first show. "Four years ago I had five guinea pigs, then after competing in our first show, we got addicted," Ms Wakely said. She said each guinea pig had a name and its own unique personality. Her top show pig, Starry Night, competed in several categories. Kelly Wilson, another competitor, entered her two-year-old long-haired guinea pig Freddie, along with Barry — a rescue guinea pig found dumped on train tracks. "Barry didn’t know how to be a guinea pig, and Freddie taught him how," Ms Wilson said. "Barry has taken out more prizes than Freddie — haven’t you Barry?" Like many at the competition, Ms Wilson said the guinea pig showing community had become hugely important to her and her son. "Everyone used to think I was crazy, and then I came and met my crazy people — it was fantastic," she said.
