| If you live in the United States and are looking for a | | | | Canadian Cat Association formed in 1960, in the |
| pedigree cat, then you can't avoid coming across the | | | | United Kingdom the Governing Council of the Cat |
| acronym CFA, in full Cat Fanciers' Association. | | | | Fancy (GCCF), established in 1910 and in Europe, the |
| The CFA was founded in 1906 with the intention of | | | | Fédération Internationale |
| maintaining the integrity of cat breeds and holds the | | | | Féline, founded in 1949, based in Luxembourg |
| largest register of pedigree cats in the world. The | | | | but representing forty one countries around the |
| association also organises cat shows, provides judges | | | | globe. These organisations, like the CFA, are |
| and indeed runs training programs for show judges as | | | | dedicated to maintaining breed standards, ensuring |
| well as continuing the registration of purebred kitten | | | | the proper care of all cats and organising and staffing |
| litters. | | | | cat shows as well as educating judges and the |
| The CFA currently recognises thirty nine breeds of | | | | general public alike. The GCCF currently registers |
| cat for showing in the Championship Class and one in | | | | approximately 32,000 pedigree cats each year. |
| the Miscellaneous Class, the Ragamuffin. The | | | | In the USA, Breeds of cats are categorised as either |
| Provisional Class is for breeds which have not yet | | | | short haired such as the Siamese, the Abyssinian and |
| been accepted for Championship Class and neutered | | | | the British Shorthair while the long haired breeds includ |
| males and spayed females may be shown in the | | | | the Persion and Turkish Angoras. In Britain the |
| Premiership Class. There are also show classes for | | | | categorisation is more complex and includes Persian, |
| pedigree kittens and household pets. Those in the | | | | British, Foreign, Burmese, Oriental and Siamese, while |
| Household Pet Class can be of any origin, colour, | | | | in Europe the categories are Persian and Exotic, |
| length of coat, etc. but must be neutered or spayed | | | | Shorthair and Somali, Siamese and Oriental. Both |
| if over eight months old and must not have been | | | | include the semi-long haired e.g. the Turkish Van and |
| declawed. Interesting colours and markings and a | | | | the Maine Coon. |
| friendly personality are a must . | | | | Of all the many breeds, the American Shorthair is the |
| For kittens to retain the pedigree of their sire and | | | | most popular in the USA while in Britain, the British |
| dam the litter must be registered with the CFA by | | | | Shorthair breed has had the most registrations since |
| their breeder. When kittens become rehomed, their | | | | the year 2000, having gradually overtaken the Persian |
| new owner must register them individually. The | | | | whose numbers have dwindled significantly since the |
| owner may only register a cat for breeding only if | | | | late 1980s. |
| the breeder provides the appropriate pin number for | | | | If you want to be sure of certain characteristics in |
| use on the registration form, otherwise the cat's | | | | your cat, you need to select a recognised breed and |
| offspring, if any, may not be registered as purebred. | | | | any one of the above organisations have extensive |
| There are other associations around the world for | | | | websites full of information which will help you make |
| the registration of pedigree cats. In Canada the | | | | your choice. |