Our featured cat this month is CFA's Best Kitten - International Division GC, NW THE CAT INN'S ODIN OF TITANKINGDOM, a blue British Shorthair male.

March 2, 1919 ~ August 22, 2022

103 Years Old

Mary Elizabeth Denny, known always as Betty, age 103 of Fort Wayne, Indiana and formerly of Portland, Oregon for over 60 years, left behind her earthly body to join her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven on Monday August 22, 2022. Born March 2nd, 1919 in Caernarfon, Wales in the United Kingdom, she was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Roberts) Burrows.

The Next CFA Breed Awareness and Orientation School (BAOS) will be held October 7, 8 and 9, 2022 on-line via the Zoom platform. This school is for individuals who are interested in applying to the CFA Judging Program or just anyone interested in learning more about CFA and our breeds.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at Barbara.jaeger911@gmail.com or call me at 602-692-6852.

Download the pdf with all information here.

How does one invite judges to a show they plan to hold? Typically, a show hall and dates are already secured so it is now up to inviting judges.

Beginning in May 2019 there was an update to show rules about the invitations for CFA judges to shows.

Show Rule 3.04 reads:

An invitation from any CFA club to a judge in the form of a signed contract from the club must be answered, affirmatively or negatively, within 15 days from the date of receipt by the judge. If affirmative, the answer will be in the form of a completed signed contract, which will be returned to the club. An assignment is not considered in effect until both the club and judge have a signed contract by both.

This means that an invitation to judge a show should be a judging contract that is filled out with the important information, signed by the club officer, and sent to the judge they are wanting to invite. This can be done after their availability is verified or at the same time. The form can be snail mailed to the judge or sent electronically. If using snail mail, it might be a good idea to email the judge first and let them know you will mail the contract to them so they will be expecting it and can get it back to you in a timely manner.

Paper judge contracts may be obtained by contacting central office. It is also possible to print the blank ones from the CFA website. Digital ones are found on the CFA website, under the Show Resources header.

There are many tools available online to assist you in electronically sending and receiving the judge’s contracts.

Adobe has products that are helpful including Adobe Fill and Sign. Start by downloading the app to your smartphone or tablet. Go to the digital copy on the CFA website and upload it to Fill and sign. You can fill in the blanks, check the appropriate boxes, and then send it to the judges you would like to invite.

Please remember that judges have 15 days with which let you know either positive or negative that they will be able to attend the show but once you receive back the signed contract from the judge you are all set. If you are having difficulty with the process just let your invited judges know and generally, we can help you work through the process of sending a signed contract.

The 2023 Yearbook will be an 8 ½ x 11 hard cover book, featuring CFA’s National Winning Cats, Kittens and Premiership Cats from the 2021-2022 show season. The CFA Yearbook will provide a complete record of The Cat Fanciers' Association news, events and accomplishments, from the 2021-2022 show season, some of which will include photos of our Regional Winners, Grand Champions and Grand Premiers, Distinguished Merit Cats, Grand of Distinction Winners and Household Pet Grands. Each breed section will picture (if applicable) the Best, Second and Third Best of Breed, as well as a listing of the Best and Second Best of Color and the Highest Scoring.

New this year – a digital version! Avoid shipping costs and go digital. See pricing information below.

All orders placed by December 1, 2022 are at a discounted price. Don’t delay, order today.

Print Edition – 2023 • https://catalog.cfa.org/yearbook.shtml#2023

 Only $35.00 (plus shipping) if ordered by December 1, 2022

 If ordered AFTER December 1st - $45.00 (plus shipping)

Digital Edition – 2023 – New this year! • https://catalog.cfa.org/yearbook.shtml#2023

 Only $35.00 if ordered by December 1, 2022 (no shipping)

If ordered AFTER December 1 - $45 (no shipping)

COMBO – 2023 - Print AND Digital Edition • https://catalog.cfa.org/yearbook.shtml#2023

 Only $50.00 for both digital and print (plus shipping for print copy) if ordered by December 1, 2022

 If ordered AFTER December 1 - $70 (plus shipping for print copy)

The following clubs have applied for CFA membership and will be considered at the October 1-2, 2022 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 15, 2022.

As stated in the CFA By-Laws - 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: Bobby Ashok Wankhede

Secretary: Fakhruddin Saifuddin Motiwala

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

President: Jonathan Teoh

Secretary: Nadia Jaffar

Location: Singapore

President: Florent Fissot

Secretary: Richard Maignaut

Location: Mouans Sartoux, France

President: Phatthara Rattarasan

Secretary: Chedtinee Piyapattaranop

Location: Nakhonpathom, Thailand

As the crisis in the Ukraine continues, so does BAP's work in helping to provide food for affected cats, and now words of encouragement for their owners. We will have a team that will be posting letters of thanks and pictures of the kitties enjoying a good meal to our various CFA lists and social media accounts. We are going to start a small penpal-type correspondence, for our donors to share uplifting poems and words of encouragement to our Ukraine breeders.  We have a recommended 3 point suggestion for support.

To write an email of support and encouragement to any of our CFA friends in Ukraine, their email is included with each note of thanks. If you choose to write to one (or more) of our Ukraine friends, we suggest that you use the following guidelines:

Read one of the letters we received from Olga Rakitny, Rolandus Club Breeders from Iryna Domina.

To donate:

Go to https://breedersassist-rescue.cfa.org/donations.html and mark Ukraine in the memo section. Or send a check to BAP treasurer Cyndy Byrd, at 1392 Robert Court, Brea, CA 92821.

Want to set up a donation jar at a show or elsewhere and need a graphic for the jar? You can download one here.

CFA BAP Would like to thank Allene Keating (R6) and Judy Ganoe (R2) for their hard work and service to our program. They have decided to cut back on extra duties in their retirement.

Andrea Ward has offered to be the Region 6 Breeders Assistance volunteer. Andrea already partners with Tammy Sender on CFA Breed Rescue wherever needed. Andrea is simply amazing! She's a Purrharmony partner and foster home, certified groomer, is extremely knowledgeable in feline nutrition and works at the vet school in Missouri. She previously had her own rescue, Fancy Felines of Missouri and folded into PurrHarmony. Andrea is very experienced working with breeders as well.

Andrea Ward

Columbia, MO

573-228-8342

Welcome Andrea!

Coming soon, we will publish a couple cat purchase (adoption) query questions. Many new folks are not versed in the kind of questions to ask when looking for suitable homes. We see so many failed cat adoptions and we need to help in this area.

Money alone does not guarantee a suitable home! We will provide queries that any breeder can adapt to their use in finding the best homes for their felines, hopefully avoiding the pit falls of a cat sale gone bad.

Introducing Felix Cat Insurance 

Felix is now the Cat Fanciers’ Association exclusive pet insurance partner.*

• Coming Soon: Benefits and perks tailored specifically for breeders!

Click here to learn more and get a custom, no-obligation quote or call 1-866-FELIX-09 (1-866-335-4909).

Purr-tect your feline family members with Felix!

A distinctive type of cat and dog bill occasionally appears in the California legislature. These unique bills require local governments, animal agencies, humane organizations and, when applicable, rescue groups to implement entirely new measures without local consideration, adaptation, or adjustment. These local “mandates” offer a work-around, shifting state burdens to local responsibility and one-stop legislation quickly bypassing fifty-eight counties and 479 cities. The problematic range of topics have included breeder licensing, mandatory sterilization or microchipping, and even implementing a puppy licensing program. None were successful. Some never progressed, some failed on a floor vote or were vetoed. There must be a “bill blindness” that proponents misjudge, because California has just experienced two consecutive years, two bills by the same author.

This past California Legislative Session began in 2021. Assembly Member Miguel Santiago’s 2021 AB 702 would have mandated local jurisdictions to enact ordinances minimally consistent with the bill’s requirements for implementing and issuing cat and dog breeding permits. Some but far from all localities have their own varying versions enacted over the past 30 years. Despite some less than significant amendments, the author cancelled the first hearing, implying lack of votes for passage. This bill became a “2 year” bill, eligible for amendment in January when AB 702 was totally amended to a new, shocking topic – dog and cat “rights” – getting immediate attention. The window for passage was too tight, so AB 702 failed . Soon followed by 2022 AB 1881, “The Dog and Cat Bill of Rights” would create yet a new state mandate on local agencies and entities.

The mandate was simple, “Each public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group in the state shall make a copy of the notice specified” available – first by only posting in their facility but later expanded to options for their website or adoption application. “Rescue group” is undefined although in other sections in different Codes it varies significantly depending on context. The pet adopting public, statewide, would learn their responsibilities by reading the 7-bullet point notice. Five rounds of amendments did not reach consensus among multiple opposing stakeholders. The offending mandate remained untouched.

Once again, legislative common sense prevailed. For the first time since the Democrat super majority in the Senate, an animal bill, AB 1881, failed to obtain the 21 aye votes for passage with only 12 ayes, 11 noes and 17 “not voting” – the deliberate vote withholding.

What's Hot………… Massachusetts Bill for Licensing Cat Breeders Fails in 2002

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.

Virtual Run (or walk or cycle or swim or…)

Are you a runner or a walker who would like to support EveryCat Health Foundation? Then we have a great deal for you! Yes.Fit offers virtual “races”, ranging from just 3 miles all the way up to 150 miles. You can walk, run, crawl, roll and in some cases even cycle or swim to complete your race. Joining a race starts at just $17 USD, and you get to pick your “prize”. Races can be linked to your step tracker, and you can break them up into small segments. So even walking around the grocery store can count towards your miles!

And the best part? If you sign up using our code, EVERYCAT, you get a $5 USD discount PLUS Yes.Fit will donate $5 USD to us.

Want to do more than one race? No problem, you can use the code for up to 3 races!

For more information, check it out here: https://yes.fit/

P.S. We recommend “the Cat’s Meow” 28-mile race. You can find it here

EveryCat Health Foundation has big plans for the first weekend in October! We’ll be attending CatCon in Pasadena!

EveryCat is teaming up with Basepaws™ and Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT, to present “Chonky Cats and Longevity: Genes, Dental Health, Diet, Health Hazard, or Hype? What cat parents need to know to extend the life of their feline”.

CatCon is the biggest cat-centric, pop culture event in the world dedicated to all things feline, with a community of cat lovers that spans the globe. Part expo, part symposium, CatCon engages, educates and entertains thousands of fans, featuring the latest in groundbreaking products and ideas for cats and their people.

For more information about CatCon and our presence there, visit https://everycat.org/everycat-health-foundation-and-basepaws-are-teaming-up-for-cat-health-at-catcon-2022/

The EveryCat Health Foundation Scientific Review Committee will be meeting at the end of September to review 14 grant proposals submitted for the Miller Trust Grant cycle. Awards are expected to be announced in late October or November.

Newsletter

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The IRS recommends people check their tax withholding status every year. This is particularly true if you have significant changes in your life such as a new job, changes to income, marriage, a new dependent, or large financial transactions such as the purchase of a home. It is important that your withholding be accurate. If you owe too much money when you file your return you may face penalties for underpayment. However, if you received a large tax refund you may wish to lower your withholding to have more take-home available now. A large refund means, in essence, you are making an interest-free loan of your money to the government. In times of high inflation, the money you receive as a refund may have less purchasing power than it had earlier when it was withheld. If you are overpaying and wish to have more money available now complete Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, and submit it to your employer. If you underpaid your income taxes, you can submit a new W-4 to increase your withholdings.

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 on a very fun and active show. Lots of media coverage and a spectacular gate. The Verve hotel had each floor and room tied to themes of various popular movies and games. Interesting lobby

decorations, including a motorcycle. My room was the Rubik's Cube room.

More photos from the show are available here. Also, WBZ radio covered the costume contest and has a video of it on their Instagram account.

On August 22nd we lost Mary Elizabeth Denny. She was 103 years old. Betty last returned to the Northwest Region on March 9th for the celebration of her 100th birthday. She asked that we have a McKenzie River Cat Club show to celebrate. It was the club’s 60th show and was held in Portland, OR at the DoubleTree@Lloyd Center.

She judged her first cat show on February 28 – March 1, 1959 and put the show to bed on the 2nd of March which was her 40th birthday. Dan & I met Betty at an ACFA show when she was showing a beautiful cream Persian called Love Machine. It was a kinder, more gentle time and newbies tried to get a brief audience with the most successful exhibitors/breeders. Usually we were granted about 15 minutes of their time. Betty was primarily known for her Timfy’s Siamese but also had a beautiful Persian program.

She joined the CFA judging program in 1979. Ever a popular judge and real driving force behind the McKenzie River Cat Club. Many wonderful shows were held in the Eugene, Oregon area.

I think Betty would be pleased to know that the club is returning to Eugene. Gayle Hand is taking over where Betty and I left off.

Rest in peace, dear Betty

This weekend was the 49th Allbreed Sacred Cat Of Burma Fanciers show in Medina, Ohio August 27-28, 2022. This is a show that is near and dear to all of our hearts for so many reasons. For starters Birmans, Birmans, and more Birmans! Sure we get to see Birmans at shows, but never so many beautiful kittens and adults at one time. To say the judges had their work cut out for them deciding who got breed is an understatement. The show had amazing vendors, from beautiful hand made cat trees, to every toy and cat accessory you could ask for, ebcatproject rescue was there raising awareness on how to rescue, feed and adopt cats and we had Birmans! The amazing Larry Johnson was there ready and willing to take professional photos of your beautiful babies, as well as Lily Newcomb with her delicious homemade goodies, I highly recommend the cinnamon bread! As always, the food did not disappoint, with a variety of breakfast and lunch choices. The show had a successful raffle table, with a little something for everyone. Oh and did I forget to mention, we had Birmans? We were excited to have tons of exhibitors to share our love of cats, and to educate the locals on how the shows work. Spectators especially love asking why Persians wear funny looking bibs around their necks, haha! How would we have a great show without the support of the exhibitors? Thank you to all who entered, and supported the show, especially those exhibitors with Birmans! Thank you to all the club members for all your hard work had helping the show to run so smoothly. Last, but certainly not least, a huge thank you to the following judges; John Adelhoch, John Colilla, Marilee Griswold, Kathy Calhoun, Bethany Colilla, Diana Doernberg, Teresa Sweeney, Beverly Wood, Jeri Zottoli and Sharon Powell, we cannot thank you enough for always handling our fur babies with such love and care! The show was so much fun and a huge success, and we cannot wait to do it again next year! Oh and before I forget, we had Birmans lol!!! see you all next year!

Opposites Attract Cat Club hosted their annual show in Glendale on August 27th. The entry was good, and as usual, there were many spectators there to appreciate our cats. The club made a special point to bring in several out of region judges, which was much appreciated by the exhibitors.

Region 5 will be hosting the CFA Annual in Tucson next June, and Bob Zenda has been named as our Annual chair. Along with Allene Tartalglia and Amber Goodright from CFA, Bob and I just visited the venue, the Marriott Starr Pass resort, and we think this will be a great location for our meeting. It's also never too early to think about contributions to next year's delegate bags!

The fairgrounds in Gardner, Kansas, was the place, August 13-14, 2022, was the date, and Topeka Cat Fanciers were the hosts of A Tropical Escape Cat Show. Featuring a 4 x 4 8-ring show, the show boasted judges from FIV E different regions! Even more exciting was the news that their “escape” filled with 115 show quality beauties of the feline persuasion. TCF is known for giving back to their exhibitors, and the “escape” did not disappoint: Cold ice cream sandwiches were served up both days in the mid-afternoon. Show manager Allene Keating invites everyone to come out to their annual show next August!

September 10-11, 2022, found the club members of the American Gothic Cat Club hosting a wonderful 8-ring show at the Exposition Gardens in Peoria, Illinois. This is a region fave show and is always well-attended by both exhibitors as well as spectators, and this year’s show did not disappoint! Advertising a costume contest for both show days, guests showed up en masse, and hooted and hollered for their favorite kitties in all sorts of costumes. Show Manager Sueann Spinder reported that everyone had a wonderful time, and she reminds everyone to come back NEXT September for more fun and games!

Freestate Feline Fanciers held their show last weekend in Baltimore, MD. Competition was strong in all categories and a great time was had by all. This show also featured OCP (opens, champions, and premiers) competition in Kenny Currle's and Sharon Roy's ring whereas they did both an OCP final and a regular final. Exhibitors seemed to respond positively to this new experimental format and the additional chance for grand points.

We had our Regional show on September 11 at Tokyo. The big sponsor for this special show was Royal Canin. We are so happy with big success of this show. The show hall was in the very famous sightseeing place called Ikebukuro Sunshine City. Location was so good for exhibitors and also visitors. Royal Canin was so happy with big number of visitors and exhibitors around 1500. The concept of this show was “See, Learn, and Love Cats Much More!”

Royal Canin had three seminars in this show at the special booth. First of special seminar for visitors was “ How to Enjoy a Cat Show” by CFA Ambassador Takako Kojima. On the stage, there were two cats, a Sphynx and HHP. Takako spoke several points when visitor came to show for the first time using CFA Show Rules, standards, big rosettes and off course Ask Me pamphlet.

After the seminar, visitors wanted to touch the two cats. Owners allowed the visitors to do so and most of visitors in the seminar were so happy and so surprised to feel Sphinx skin. They will never forget the touch.

After the lunch in the exhibition ring, I did explan about beautiful three cats, white Persian, Scottish Fold (SH), and Sphynx with each of the owners on the stage.

During show there were three TV camera in the judging ring. I did explain the key points of judging and everything happening in the ring. Cat lovers all over the Japan could watch this live show by internet YouTube. I think this challenge will help to increase cat lovers and it will make more new exhibitors in the very near future. I appreciate our sponsor Royal Canin, the exhibitors, and the show staff.

On Aug 28, 2022, Hong Kong Black Cat Club hosted the 2021-2022 show season International Division Hong Kong award banquet at WM Hotel, Sai Kung, Hong Kong. It was a great event for CFA participants in Hong Kong as the city is in its third year of social restriction due to Covid. Some of the award winners from the 2020-2021 and 2019-2020 show seasons also joined the banquet and enjoyed the applause from the crowd. The atmosphere was great and it was like a marathon for the winners who got awards from all three seasons. ID Co-Chair Matthew Wong, Allbreed judges Suki Lee and Kit Fung presented the awards.

Congratulations to Grace Cheung and Sarah Ng for winning the Star Award for ID 2021-2022. Their above and beyond contribution to the CFA community throughout the year is appreciated by CFA Board.

Thank you Phebe and the event committee to organize this event.

Feel free to contact me at  tkeiger@cfa.org