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Owing to the wide popularity of purebred cats, there are now hundreds of local cat associations worldwide.
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Cat Associations
The cat fancy is a popular and growing pastime, offering rich rewards for cat lovers around the world. Cat associations are primarily registries, setting standards for accepted breeds and providing a formula for the acceptance of new breeds. They also supply an umbrella of show rules under which member clubs can sponsor shows. They often produce newsletters and yearbooks, and some furnish very practical information for all cat owners, not just those with purebred cats, about all facets of cat care, contemporary health concerns and feline veterinary medicine. The Cat Fanciers' Association has gone one step further in establishing the Robert H. Winn Foundation for research of feline medicine.
Owing to the wide popularity of purebred cats, there are now hundreds of local cat associations worldwide, and their popularity is still increasing. The largest registering body is the U.S.-based Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), with member clubs around the world. The International Cat Association (TICA) is also global in scope.
The different associations reflect a variety of breeding philosophies and practices, as well as different kinds of organization and rules, so there is probably one fitting about every personality, be it human or feline. The CFA is composed of member clubs and is markedly conservative in accepting new breeds or varieties of old ones. TICA is governed by the votes of individual members and is more liberal in welcoming new breeds. Several other smaller associations in North America offer slightly different options to their members. The large groups attempt to maintain uniformity of breed standards and show rules and registration policies that will allow exhibitors to breed and show their cats within a fairly wide area while still maintaining local autonomy. But one thing that everybody involved in these groups has in common is an abundant love of all things feline.
Many associations have categories for showing (and sometimes even registration) of mixed-breed cats as well, so virtually anyone can show others what makes their favorite companion special. If showing doesn't interest you (or your cat, as not all felines enjoy the experience), seeing dozens of breeds close-up can make for an interesting outing. Most of the associations listed here can direct you to a regional director or local club that maintains lists of upcoming shows in your area.
American Association of Cat Enthusiasts
P.O. Box 213
Pine Brook, NJ 07058
(973) 335-6717
www.aaceinc.org/
American Cat Association
8101 Katherine Avenue
Panorama City, CA 91402
(818) 781-5656
www.americancat.com
American Cat Fanciers' Association
P.O. Box 203
Point Lookout, MO 65726
(417) 334-5430
www.acfacat.com
Canadian Cat Association
220 Advance Blvd., Suite 101
Brampton, Ont. L6T 4J5
(416) 459-1481
www.cca-afc.com/
The Cat Fanciers' Association
P.O. Box 1005
Manasquan, NJ 08736-0805
(732) 528-9797
www.cfainc.org/
Cat Fanciers' Federation
P.O. Box 661
Gratis, OH 45330
(937) 787-9009
www.cffinc.org
The International Cat Association
P.O. Box 2684
Harlingen, TX 78551
(210) 428-8046
www.tica.org
