Getting started on BestInShow takes just a minute. Here's how:

1. Click the Sign Up button on the homepage.
2. Enter your email address and choose a password.
3. Check your inbox for a verification email and click the link inside.
4. That's it — you're in!

Your account is secured by Auth0, a trusted authentication service used by thousands of websites. Your password is never stored in plain text, and all sign-in traffic is encrypted.

Once you're signed in, the first thing to do is set up your profile so other members can get to know you.

1. Add your name — this is how other members will see you around the site.
2. Upload a profile photo so people can put a face to the name.
3. Write a short bio in the Info field. A sentence or two about yourself and your animals is perfect.

There are many more profile options you can fill in later. For the full details, see the Your Profile help page.

BestInShow is all about your animals, so let's add one!

1. Click Add Animal in the sidebar on desktop, or tap the + button on mobile.
2. Pick your animal type (Dog, Cat, Horse, and more).
3. Give your animal a name and fill in the basic details like color, birth year, and gender.
4. Click Save and your animal's profile is live!

You can always come back to add more details, photos, and pedigree information later. Learn more on the Animal Profiles help page.

BestInShow has communities built around breeds and animal types. These are great places to connect with people who share your interests.

1. Visit the Explore page or the Communities section.
2. Browse the available breed groups and animal type communities.
3. Click Join on any community you're interested in.

Once you join a community, activity from that group will appear in your home feed. Learn more on the Communities help page.

Your home feed is your personalized view of what's happening on BestInShow. It shows recent activity from the people, animals, and communities you follow — all in chronological order, newest first.

The more you follow, the more you'll see in your feed. When you're just getting started, your feed might look a little empty. That's normal! Start following some owners, animals, and communities, and it will fill up quickly.

There's no hidden algorithm deciding what you see. If you follow someone, you'll see their activity. Simple as that.

The Explore page is the best way to discover what's happening across all of BestInShow. It shows recently added animals, photos, links, and articles from the entire community.

Looking for something specific? Use the Search bar at the top of any page. You can search for animals by name, owners, breeds, and more.

Take your time browsing around. When you find someone or something you like, hit Follow (or Join for communities) to add them to your home feed.