Mandatory vaccinations are being instituted for many companies.  This drama of this move will be played out in our court system. My advice to those that are unvaccinated is this – talk with your private medical provider about the pros and cons of the vaccination and make an educated choice regarding you getting vaccinated.  There are many people who are immunocompromised and others who have recovered from infection and have natural antibodies in your blood stream to fight off a recurrence.  Those who work in the health care sector understand that viruses mutate. Viruses need a host to reproduce. Anything that mitigates survival of the virus will help to end the spread. Vaccinations, wearing masks, socially distancing, and hand washing are the primary tools we use to combat further spread of the virus. If we all do our part, then we can end this pandemic.

Central Office sent out a notice about a leak that happened during the June 20 CFA closed session Board meeting. As was stated in that notice, someone attending the closed session board meeting leaked confidential information that occurred during that closed session Board meeting. That is a violation of the oath of office that every board member agrees to verbally at the Sunday morning open session of every annual meeting. Additionally, anyone attending the board meeting must sign the oath of office which includes keeping confidential information confidential. While being a proponent of transparency, there are times that the board must go into closed session to discuss matters considered confidential. As was stated, the CFA Board is in the process of investigating this breach of confidentiality.

The next CFA Board meeting will be held on October 2-3. Show rules are the primary aspect of this meeting, but other issues facing CFA will be on the agenda. The next class of China associates will be reviewed at the October board meeting.  Those names are being presented to the CFA Board for review. Review of these applications will be done in closed session, as are most matters dealing with the CFA Judging Program applicants and advancements.

The next election for CFA officers and regional directors is in full swing! If you are interested in serving as an officer or RD, please get your candidate statement to Central Office prior to the deadline.

Good luck to those that are competing at the shows.

The following clubs have applied for CFA membership and will be considered at the October 2-3, 2021 CFA Board meeting. Anyone wishing to submit comments regarding the applicants should do so in writing and send the comments to Committee Chair Carol Krzanowski no later than September 16, 2021.

As stated in the CFA Constitution - Article III - Membership, Section 3 - Election to Membership: "If negative information is submitted regarding the applicant, the information will be provided to the applicant with enough time for the applicant to prepare a written rebuttal prior to board consideration.”

President: Zhang Zigang

Secretary: Li Ruxian (Rason Li)

Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

President: Yanhang Li (Terrence Li)

Secretary: Wenyue Lu (Silvia Lu)

Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China

President: Jim Wuersch

Secretary: Susan Mueller

Location: Angola, Indiana, USA

What?!? You are standing at the hotel check in counter after a long day of travel and you are told they don’t have a private room for you and the hotel is full.

“There must be some mistake. Please check again.” You are told they have prepared a roller bed for you with Miss Perfect and Mrs. Congeniality.

This puts you in a very difficult situation.

Show Rule 20.05 reads, Clubs are required to provide hotel accommodations for each judge for the night before the beginning of a judges judging, the night after the completion of a judges judging, and for each night between, if any.

Each of CFA esteemed judges deserves the right to their own accommodations. Some judges may come together and contact a club to share accommodations for a variety of reasons. This is always the judge’s decision and not the club’s decision. It is especially important as masks should be worn for increased prevention of Covid 19. Prolonged close contact with people increases the chances for exposure and contracting the virus.

As shows get going again, please remember this rule in conjunction with 19.01. The show secretary must advise the officiating judges of the accommodations that have been made for them and the available ground transportation between the airport, show room, and hotel. Communication and understanding can help prevent difficult situations and allow everyone to enjoy the shows together.

Did you know you can advertise your cattery and its accomplishments in Cat Talk?

Did you know readers from all over the world can subscribe to Cat Talk online via Magzter ?

Did you know vendors and small cat-related businesses can take advantage of special advertising pricing?

Check out our pricing, or contact Teresa Keiger for more details.

Dear Cat Fanciers,

We are here to help you should have the need from the floods, fire, hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters. We are very worried for all of our cat fanciers with these awful weather events and the aftermath, and we send our thoughts and prayers that all are safe.

WE CAN HELP YOU FEED YOUR CATS IN CASE OF LOSS ETC. DUE TO the floods, fire, hurricanes etc.! We will also work to find you pet boarding if you are displaced and need to find housing.

If any of our cat fanciers find themselves in need who are affected, contact any of us at BAP, Steve McCullough, chair, cfabreederassistance@gmail.com , Jan Rogers birjanji@embarqmail.com ,Region 3, Linda Berg oakheaven@ aol.com or Charlene Campbell jcampb4244@aol.com (cell #239-810-3424), (remove the space after @ ). Any of the BAP National Coordinators or board members above will get your confidential request processed. To email, remove the space after the @ sign. You can contact anyone in our program to help you!

Your requests are always confidential, we can help you with food, litter, flea and tick products, emergency vet care, and we work to find temporary kenneling, if you cannot return home due to damage or loss etc. We help many breeders each year, from every region, for a variety of reasons, with supplemental aid and you never hear a peep about it! The breeders are able to get back on their feet and into the show hall!!

Region 1 - Coordinator Breeder Assist Jule kattalyst.osh@gmail.com, Denise Mangold Breed Rescue denise.mangold@gmail.com

Region 2 Coordinator Judy Ganoe, Judy.Ganoe@ comcast.net

Region 3 Steve McCullough, Chair, cfabreederassistance@ gmail.com, Jan Rogers birjanji@ embarqmail.com

Region 4 TamaraS.BAP@ gmail.com

Region 5 have a volunteer Volunteer Mary Barber mary.a223@ yahoo.com who will assist for the present time.

Region 6 Allene Keating, Breeders Assit ekeating@ centurylink.net and Tamara Sender, Breed Rescue, TamaraS.BAP@ gmail.com .

Region 7 Susan Pyles susan.pyles15@ gmail.com

Cyndy Byrd, CA our CFA BAP-BRP Treasurer is located in Reg. 5! Contact or call chelrose@ earthlink.net 1392 Robert Court, Brea, CA 92821, phone 714-671-2802.

Again, THANK YOU! We appreciate your support! The kitties appreciate you!!!

As our shows are beginning to allow spectators into the show halls, our CFA Feline Ambassadors are back in action. Our spectators are really excited to be able to see and pet these special cats and the have access to visit with their owners. Lots of the cats are new to the job of being one of CFA Ambassadors but our people are still warm and welcoming, with a friendly ear and smiles.

When you see these Ambassadors out in the show halls again, please give them a thank you and a thumbs up for putting themselves out there and doing great work for CFA and our cats.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1711 allowing pet stores to buy cats and dogs from licensed “humane sources” for resale in addition to hosting showcase adoptions.

In August, Horry County, South Carolina proposed an animal ordinance “update” with a number of provisions including a pet shop sales ban and the “new” restricted style of rescue definition we first saw in 2019 in North Myrtle Beach, a city within Horry County, South Carolina prohibiting relationships with breeders as a general definition not limited to the context of pet shops.

Click here for the complete article

What's Hot………… From the Texas Sunset Commission Review to the End of the 2021 Legislative Session, What Happened with the Licensed Breeder Program?’ 

Please report legislation happenings in your area to the Legislative Group – legislation@cfa.org  Visit the CFALegislativeNews Facebook page and the CFA Legislative Group Blog to see the current legislative news.

EveryCat Health Foundation's annual Cures4Cats Campaign will kick off September 20th. For the 2021 campaign, our focus is Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. Through the Ricky Fund, along with matching funds from a dedicated donor, the goal is to raise enough to fund at least one complete HCM health study for the 2022 grant cycle. Watch for more information on EveryCat's social media channels, our website at www.everycat.org, and our newsletter in the coming weeks for more information about the 2021 EveryCat Health Foundation's Cures4Cats campaign.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 was intended to stimulate the economy. CARES included temporary changes to federal tax law to encourage charitable donations. Much of CARES expired at the end of 2020. However, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021" extended two popular charitable tax provisions into 2021. The new Act also increases penalties on taxpayers who overstate charitable tax deductions.

The "above the line" adjustment to income for charitable donations is extended through the end of 2021. Individual taxpayers do NOT need to itemize their deductions [on Schedule A] to claim the benefit. Individuals who take the standard deduction, as well as taxpayers who itemize, may take the adjustment. For 2021 the amount available is up to $300 per taxpayer ($600 for a married couple) in charitable contributions. The $600 adjustment may now be claimed on a joint return. The amount of the charitable donation, up to the dollar limit, is subtracted from gross income so it reduces their taxable income without the need to itemize deductions.

Through the end of 2021 taxpayers who itemize their deductions may be able to claim larger amounts of their charitable contributions. Individual taxpayers may deduct gifts of cash to public charities up to 100% of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income (up from a previous maximum of 50%). Corporate taxpayers may be able to deduct gifts of cash to public charities up to 25% of their taxable income (up from the previous maximum of 10%). There are restrictions on the donations and the increases do not apply to donations to private foundations or donor advised funds. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

Our friends at Motel 6 would like CFA to continue to receive the 10% discount at participating locations by using the new updated reservation code of CPOAPHHT. There is a dedicated reservation site for CFA at www.motel6.com/en/cp/cfa.html or you may call 800-466-8356.

Congratulations to NEMO for another successful show. The club members as usual went all out to make sure everyone had a good time.

As Cindy Walker said in an email: “Perfect day for our regional picnic. Food was great!

 Everyone did a fantastic job. We really enjoyed seeing everyone. The action was so much fun!

We look forward to the picnic every year. We have truly missed the shows and all the friends we make along the way.” Thanks Cindy for letting me borrow your words.

Thirty-six people attended and the Region cleared $2904.00 after expenses. The photo shows Brian Moser modeling a shirt to be raffled with Mary Auth in the background. Please stay safe, get vaccinated and hopefully will see you at a show soon.

Remember to check out details and information on our upcoming shows at www.cfanorthwest.org.

We were finally able to have our Regional Awards Presentation on August 21, 2021. Please see our Region 3 website for the 2020-2021 Regional Winners. It was a ‘Hot August Night’ in Texas but it was FUN!!

Our very own Sheryl Zink (entry clerk) and her family cut lots of PVC and build a pipe & drape system for the region’s use. Pictured below at the first show to use it, the Stars & Stripes/GSR show in Huntsville, TX August 21-22, 2021. This show hall was large enough for us to use the Region’s rear-entry cages which many have come to enjoy.

Hurricane season is back in full swing and the Gulf Shore has been hit once again. Along with the Northeast coast, please keep our friends and family in your thoughts & prayers as they recover through this recent aftermath. I’m sure various Regions’ Disaster Relief Funds could use your donations.

Please remain as safe as possible and hopefully will see you ‘down the road.’

For two weekends exhibitors, vendors and spectators descended on the Sweden Clarkson Community Center in Brockport, NY to participate in shows hosted by the Monroe Shorthair Cat Club on August 22nd, and National Siamese Cat Club on Labor Day Weekend. When New York lifted occupancy and travel restrictions in the late spring and early summer, both clubs got right to work to plan long awaited shows.

Monroe SH has always been a slower paced laid back show, enjoyed on a Sunday. This year was no different. The entry of just over 100 allowed judges to spend time with each cat in show, while still working efficiently to get everyone on the road at a reasonable hour in the afternoon. One thing that was very different about this show was the absence of our northern family from Canada. With the continued closure of the border from Canada into the US, many of our friends who traditionally travel for the show were unable to, along with our long-time esteemed entry clerk/master clerk, Nancy Grandison.

One thing that was very different about this show was the absence of our northern family from Canada. With the continued closure of the border from Canada into the US, many of our friends who traditionally travel for the show were unable to, along with our long-time esteemed entry clerk/master clerk, Nancy Grandison. The Monroe Shorthair Cat Club is forever indebted and very thankful to Jeri Zottoli of the North Atlantic Region and Laurie Coughlan from the Southern Region (both shown left) for tag-teaming the Master Clerk responsibilities for the show. The club also thanks the clerks who stepped up to ensure the rings ran smoothly – Linda Bartley, Jennifer Spadafino, Nicole Turk, Jenny Wickle, Deb Allgire, Betsy Arnold and Ron Carthen. Without these people, along with the many who assisted with set up and tear down, this show would not have been possible.

Fast forward two weeks later for National Siamese. Same location, same challenges – with several of the club members living in Canada and unable to join us. Like Monroe, NSCC has many friends who volunteer their time to make sure the show runs effectively and efficiently! This show recognizes the Siamese breed by awarding the Top 3 Siamese in Kittens, Championship and Premiership at the end of the show, along with a Best of the Best award. New this year, Siamese were also recognized in class judging with ribbons donated by Mary’s Kreations! Lovely rosettes were presented to the Top 3 winners by judge Jeri Zottoli. Best of the Best was awarded a rosette and an antique porcelain cat donated by Carmen Lawrence from the Estate of A. Lewis & Doris Johnson.

1st – Lunabelle’s Cinder CG Ella – Owner: Dawn Gibson, C-J Hawthorne

2nd – Bijoux Bellissima! – Owner: Melissa Hayden

3rd – Catomine Morgan of Maracai – Owner: Vicki Gill

1st – Shera Len Antalya – Owner: Betsy Arnold

2nd – Tan-Tara’s Sundance of Shera Len – Owner: Betsy Arnold

3rd – Lunabelle’s Arhisstotle – Owner: Dawn-Rebecca-Hope Gibson

1st – Sanura Bon Ami of Allese – Owner: Debbie A. Allgire

2nd – Bleunote Suzanne’s Frederick – Owner: Ed & Ann Marie Bingham

Shera Len Antalya

Purina Farms, located in the rolling hills of Gray Summit, Missouri, just outside St Louis, played host to the TGIF show on July 31st and the National Havana Brown show the next day on August 1st. Although no visitors were allowed, the socially-distanced shows filled, and hugs and wonderful friendly greetings abounded. This superb venue was gracious in its hosting and provided wonderful lunches at the Checkerboard Square Restaurant in the middle of the show pavilion.

The Topeka Cat Fancier’s presented a “Laid Back 8-Ring Show” on August 14-15, 2021, in the “thank heavens it’s air conditioned!” show hall at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Gardner, Kansas. A great slate of judges were on tap, and the had some wonderful NewBee moments.

LOTS of things happening in the Southern Region over the past month! And much more to come!

The Cat Fanciers of Washington is one of the oldest clubs in CFA and our members are proud to continue the club’s long history. After taking a year off due to Covid restrictions, we returned this year on our traditional date.  It was a small one-day show which was enjoyed by our judges, exhibitors, and spectators. Since this was the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, we dedicated our show in honor & remembrance of those lost and the first responders who did so much for our fellow countrymen. The judging rings were decorated in red/white/blue and our judges signs and rosettes were in accordance with our theme.

Linda Peterson & David Raynor served as the show managers who tackled every challenge that surfaced. Whether it is a large show or small, one day or two, being a show manager entails so many tasks that it seems it never ends. Kathy Rutledge served as our show secretary which included coordinating with our judges, finding clerks, and handling the show’s paperwork. Catherine McNeese coordinated the vendors and lunches for judges, clerks, and stewards.

What a show! With exhibitors (and judges) from all over the country and VERY few absentees, the competition was fierce! But everyone had a great time. The show opened with a remembrance of 9-11 (which was also the show's theme). And it was great to see so many spectators enjoying watching the cats. Many thanks to everyone for their support.

The Southern Region will be holding a celebration of its winning cats from the 2020-2021 season on November 6 at the Holiday Inn - Infinite Energy Center in conjunction with the Cotton States' cat show that weekend. Hours are 5-7, with hors d'ouevres and beverages available. Open to all cat fanciers, so please come and celebrate with us! Do let Teresa Keiger know if you will be attending so that we'll know approximately how many people to expect. Plan to pick up a wristband in the show hall or at the door.

Want to help support the event? Sponsor a winner! Complete sponsorship information is at https://cfasouthern.org/sponsorships-2021/

Japan Dancing Cat Club had their 14th cat show at the Industry and Trade Center in Yokohama. It was 6 ring one day show and entry was pretty good because the club was able to get a larger than usual show hall. Yokohama is a big city close to Tokyo. But recently we had no shows in Yokohama because we were not able to get a show hall.

We could see many new exhibitors in this show and it was so good in such a difficult situation of COVID-19. There were also many vendors. Before the show, exhibitor, clubs, and judges always worried if the show would be held or not because of COVID -19. Fortunately, almost shows were held smoothly. I appreciate all the exhibitors, clubs, show staffs, and judges who made great efforts to protect themselves and their cats from COVID -19.

Cat shows in Japan has been growing little by little. I wish that many more cat fanciers will come back to CFA show.

CFA Europe is coming off summer vacation with some exciting venues, starting with Monaco, a principality with lots of glamour and a bit of 007. Also, with a Spanish flair, Madrid always adds a bit of excitement. In November Moscow will start having shows as will Kiev and Vincenza, Italy. Our Belgium club will lead us into the Christmas season. Clubs are planning additional shows, so keep your eyes open for some exciting offerings!

Feel free to contact me at  tkeiger@cfa.org