Vicki Nye, CFA Judging Program Co-chair

Congratulations on advancements, a new judge ermeritus, retirements/resignation, and judging program rule changes.

Advancements

Advance from Longhair Trainee to Longhair Apprentice

 Alex Chun Lap - Hong Kong

Advance from Approved Longhair/Apprentice Shorthair to Approved Longhair/Approval Pending Shorthair

 Mie Takahashi - Japan

Retirements

Kayoko Koizumi – Active CFA judge, retired March 31, 2024—Elevated to Judge Emeritus April 4, 2024

On March 18, 2024, the Judging Program Committee received the retirement letter of Kayoko Koizumi effective March 31, 2024, and regretfully accepted. 

Kayoko bred Persians & Exotic Shorthair under the Laves prefix with an impressive history of 69 Grands and 4 Distinguished Merit cats. She began judging for CFA in 1993 and judged worldwide for 30 years. In addition to her service to CFA in the Judging Program, Kayoko served as Japan Regional Director for 6 ½ terms, June 2003 through June 2006, June 2011 through June 2014 and June 2016 through June 2020 leading a fairly new region into a robust region with enough shows for Japanese exhibitors to obtain National wins in Region 1-9 standings.

Kayoko was very giving of her knowledge and talent in the judging ring, training nearly every Japanese Judge since 2003. 

She also served several years on the Protest Committee. When leaving her CFA Board seat after one of her Regional Director terms, Pam DelaBar, as CFA President, noted that “Kayoko was very instrumental for Japan in January 1995, when a devastating earthquake hit Kobe / March 11th 2011 hit Fukushima and Kayoko helped direct relief efforts for animals in Kobe”. 

The CFA Judging Program thanks Kayoko Koizumi for her 30 years of judging service and 13 years as Regional Director for Japan.

Iris Zinck

On March 20, 2024, the Judging Program Committee received the resignation of Iris Zinck, dated March 18, 2024. CFA has accepted the resignation of Iris Zinck as a CFA Allbreed Judge in good standing.  

Morning Yang

Morning Yang, CFA Associate Judge as of November 2020, from China, submitted her resignation from the Associate Judging program on February 14, 2024, effective April 30, 2024.

Social Media Guidelines

These are now part of the Judges Code of Ethics: Judges may not post photos of cats that are currently showing. The Code of Ethics on the CFA website will be updated reflecting the changes. 

Judging Program Rule Changes

Judging Program Application Requirement change: Removed requirement to understand and speak English.

Judging Program Application Requirement change: Breeder Applicant must be a Breed Council member.

Susan Charles,

MWR annual chair

Looking for things to do and places to go during the upcoming Annual? We've compiled a list for everyone! Take a look at our flyer here or just click on the image.

CFA Legislative

Kelly Crouch, CFA Legislative Information Liaison

Is Congress’ HR 5041 necessary?

Update for New Hampshire’s HB 1102-FN

U.S. HR 5041

Some in the animal welfare community argue that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not sufficiently aggressive when applying penalties to violators of the Animal Welfare Act and hasn’t been for many years. They suggested that the Department of Justice (DOJ) may be better suited to deal with the enforcement of the AWA, but previous attempts to legislate DOJ’s involvement failed. Then, on September 27, 2023, Representative Reschenthaler introduced HR 5041, the Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023.

The bill would amend the AWA, allowing the DOJ to bring civil action against violators. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) claims the bill’s introduction with bi-partisan support as one of its 2023 achievements. That is, if you can call a co-sponsor pool consisting of 172 Democrats and 18 Republicans truly bi-partisan.

Interestingly, on March 8, the USDA announced that it had worked with the DOJ and the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division on enforcement for almost four years. It has recently formalized the arrangement in a Memorandum of Understanding. Since then, only three more co-sponsors have added their names as co-sponsors for HR 5041. The bill has not made it out of committee yet. An identical bill, S 2555, has 26 Democratic, two Republican, and one independent co-sponsor. It has not made it out of committee either.

New Hampshire HB 1102-FN Update: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee tabled HB 1102-FN in a 232-140 vote, which caused it to miss a calendar deadline. Despite this setback, the bill’s language, which would make selling or breeding with the intent to sell two or more cats or dogs with a defect that causes suffering an act of animal cruelty, could still find its way into the legislative landscape. Potentially, it could be added to another bill by amendment, as happened with the 2019 pet vendor bill.

CFA Breeders' Assistance Program

Ginger Meeker and Charlene Campbell for BAP

When to Call BAP

True story: A BAP representative received a call asking for help. The owner represented a common group of people in the cat world needing help. Widow(er), elderly, living alone with maybe some help from cat friends or limited family, and wanting to sell some of the pedigreed cats to bring in some needed income.

As the representative continued to ask pertinent questions, the answers were again expected. The cats ranged from young kittens to elderly “heart” cats and resources for regular, on-going veterinary care were very limited. The cats would need updates on vaccinations and rabies (the records might be there). Cats needed to be neutered and spayed except for the elderly cats. They had been altered when funds allowed. None were microchipped. Then the final question.

BAP: “How many cats do you have?”  Owner: “I don’t know”

BAP: “10?” Owner: “Probably”    BAP: “20?” Owner: same answer  BAP: “50” Owner: same answer

BAP: “70?” When she got the same answer, she decided the situation was very apparent and called for additional help! The cats were all appropriately cared for by BAP.

This true story tells us that BAP can help just about any situation using their expanded networks and cooperating with multiple shelters and rescues. These folks are not squeamish and dive in to solve problems- no value judgements because IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CATS.

Please consider watching and supporting your fellow breeder/exhibitor and be alert to situations that might require help. CFA breeders and exhibitors could well be a front line to preventing or solving situations. Cannot send money? Help a friend. That is a true heartfelt contribution to the people and the cats we love.

If you can make donations, please see the information below to help with that task.

CFA's Secure Website:  https://breedersassist-rescue.cfa.org/

or 

Mail check to CFA BAP-BRP

c/o Cynthia Byrd, Treasurer

1392 Robert Court

Brea, CA 92821 

(CFA Breeders Assistance and Breed Rescue Program:  Note in Memo Fund designation: ie: General, Ukraine, Disaster (Hurricane, Fire etc. Relief), Region #, Rescue (Jane Doe's Siamese), Memorial (Jane Doe) etc.) 

or donate via PayPal

EveryCat Health Foundation

submitted by Virginia Rud

A list of our honored donors for the month of March is    available here

Tax Tips with George Eigenhauser

As responsible pet owners we need to prepare for our own demise and arrange for what happens to our companions when we are no longer able to care for them. Pet trusts are a legal arrangement designed to provide for the ongoing care of animals after you are gone. In the past, common law didn't allow pet trusts, but today all 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, recognize them. However, it's essential to follow your state's laws when setting up a pet trust, as each state may have specific requirements.

Creating a pet trust involves appointing a trustee to manage the funds and guarantee the pets’ needs are met according to the trust's terms. It's also important to designate a caregiver who will take care of the animals’ day-to-day needs. Additionally, the trust needs to be adequately funded to cover foreseeable expenses such as food, grooming, vet bills, burial costs, etc., throughout the pets’ life. However, substantially over-funding the trust might lead to legal challenges from heirs who could benefit from invalidating the trust.

Selecting the right trustee and caregiver is vital. The trustee must manage the funds responsibly, while the caregiver should genuinely care for the pet and be capable of providing necessary care. Having separate individuals as trustee and caregiver can ensure proper oversight. Designating a remainder beneficiary to receive any leftover funds after the trust's purpose is fulfilled is also important. This beneficiary may be a person or a charitable organization such as the EveryCAT Health Foundation. 

Including a strong "no contest" clause in estate planning documents can discourage heirs from challenging the pet trust. Your attorney may also advise you to set time limits on the trust if required by state law.

Pet trusts offer a valuable tool for pet owners seeking to provide for your animals' ongoing care beyond their own lifetime. With proper planning and attention to detail you can create a secure future for your pets and provide peace of mind for yourself. Your attorney can advise you of the legal requirements for a valid pet trust in your state. 

Breeding Cat Coverage

Now Available!

Protect your breeding cat with Felix:

1. Enter breeding cat’s info to Get a Quote
2. Select the optional add-on for Breeding Coverage* 
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*Coverage for accidents, illnesses and complications relating to or caused by breeding, pregnancy, whelping or nursing. Conditions and limitations apply. 

Felix Cat Insurance is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.

Corporate Affiliates

Code: 1000026977

or call 877-999-3223 and ask for the discount code CFA CAT FANCIERS ASSOCIATION

Discount Code # 526223

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Discount Code # Z926291

Click logo for information

submitted by Vicki Jensen

On April 6-7, 2024 Crow Canyon Cat Club held their annual show at their new location at Modesto, California. The show hall is connected to a Hilton Doubletree so the exhibitors were treated to being able to stay next door.  Many of the exhibitors stated they loved the new location and hotel.

 We celebrated Darrell Newkirk's birthday....

....and wished a happy retirement to Diana Rothermel. We will miss her!

Diana’s ring was sponsored by Ashley Craig products who donated greyhound combs to be given to the “best” of divisions in her ring! Congratulations to the happy winners! Thank you for your generosity Ruthi of Ashley Craig.

The creativity with the costume contest is incredible and the winners were awarded prizes

Congratulations to all the winners and their owners!

Traci Whittenberg, Regional Secretary

Region 3 celebrated the luck of the Irish at the Lucky Cats cat show presented by Ozark Cat Fanciers in Burleson, Texas. The show was a great success with plenty of exhibitors and many guests who came to see the beautiful cats in Region 3!

John Colilla, Regional Director

Buffalo Cat Fanciers – April 6, 2024 

Carmen Marie Johnson-Lawrence

On Saturday, April 6 the Buffalo Cat Fanciers welcomed visitors and exhibitors as we celebrated eclipse mania with a Solar Meow-Clipse of the Heart! Our sole purpose for the weekend was to have a show where everyone could have fun and enjoy time with their cat fancy family. Honestly, we didn't expect a large count, so imagine our surprise as on closing day we watched the numbers keep creeping up! The club is so grateful to all the exhibitors who sacrificed a little more than normal to join us - as hotel room prices had skyrocketed as Totality drew closer.

Buffalo continues to struggle to find a date to make their own, so we'll take just about any date we can get (outside of football season!) And the club was up for the challenge this time.

We enlisted the help of members from our sister clubs in Rochester to make sure everything was set up effectively and efficiently. We had many of our usual vendors, and some new ones too - along with Edlego Photos making his Rochester debut as a cat show photographer!  

Our face painting vendor Tera, has turned exhibitor with a HHP! Pictured is her daughter Lily at the end of the show. And check out those rosettes! Mary Kolencik knocked it out of the park with those designs and worked with our theme of the solar eclipse!

Now a club can't have a show without a raffle - well, they could but we all like to gamble a little! Buffalo Cat Fanciers invited Second Chance Sheltering Network to lead the raffle table this year. They came in with over 80 baskets to raffle off! 30 feet of baskets, 3 deep! The shelter earned nearly $700 to benefit their cause.

Our show this year was held in honor of long time member and immediate past president, Polly Grabecki. Polly became our President when the club reincarnated in late 2017. However, Polly was a member of the original Buffalo Cat Fanciers, dating back to the 1980's. Polly wore many hats during her time in the club during the 80's, 90's and 00's including show manager, treasurer, entry clerk, and anything else thrown her way. Under Polly's leadership, Buffalo Cat Fanciers became a "destination" show, despite being Thanksgiving weekend, typically when the Buffalo Bills were playing at home. Buffalo hosted two shows each season - a Thanksgiving weekend show, and a smaller show the 3rd weekend in April. She loved her Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, and could be found in show halls listening to the games on portable radios cheering on her teams. It was an honor to have her daughter Katy with us this weekend, helping with set up on Friday afternoon, and showing a friend's Maine Coon Cat on Saturday. Polly would be proud.

Buffalo Cat Fanciers holds all those who continue to support us and advocate for us near and dear to our hearts. We will continue to look for an available date for the upcoming show season, that we can hopefully make our own. And we'll make sure to invite each and every one of you!

Mike Shelton, Regional Director

Los Colores Cat Club put on their annual show March 23 in Palm Springs. In addition to the fantastic cats, the show featured the club's usual outstanding food choices, with waffles in the morning, tri-tip at lunch, and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon.

The show was also the venue for the drawing of the Grand Prize of the Las Vegas CC pre-show raffle. Darrell Newkirk drew the winning ticket, belonging to Patty Cruikshank. Congratulations, Patty! And thanks to Chanan Photography for capturing the moment.

Candilee Jackson, Regional Secretary

Featuring a costume contest at noon, Tornado Alley Feline Fanciers presented a one-day show on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Held in the 4-H Building at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Gardner, Kansas, this show featured five all breed rings and one specialty ring under the management of Joyce Kempf. This well-attended show welcomed a great number of visitors.

Cats of Wisconsin (COWs) presented a “Mooau,” a Hawaiian-themed show on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Waukesha County Exposition Center, Waukesha, Wisconsin. Under the guidance of show managers Lisa Morgan and Jon Brubaker, this popular show requested Hawaiian attire for its exhibitors and offered and welcomed entrants to the club’s traditional drawing for "COW Cash."

The members of the Show-Me Cat Fanciers welcomed exhibitors and spectators to “Springtime in the Ozarks” on Saturday, April 13, 2004. Under the supervision of Sheri Shaffer, the show was held at the Newton County Fairgrounds in Neosho, Missouri. The highlight of the show was the cat costume contest held at noon!

Kenny Currle, Regional Director

Donna Wilbanks is already busy collecting sponsorships for our regional winners! A preliminary list of the top cats (along with their breeders and owners) as of the end of March is already on the website at https://cfasouthern.org/preliminary-2024-winners-listing/

Have a friend in the Southern Region whose cat you would like to sponsor? Contact Donna now and submit your sponsorship before someone else does!

Tennessee Valley CF produced another great show in Knoxville on March 23-24. It truely was "Springtime in Tennessee" (the show's annual theme) with exhibitors from across the US in attendance AND tons of great vendors!

The Micina Cat Fanciers Show was held on March 24, 2024. Someone won Kobe beef in the raffle - what a lucky lady she was!

Pam DelaBar, Regional Director

The last show of the season in Region 9 will be at the large pet fair in Helsinki, organized by Cat Fanciers of Finland. The weather is starting to warm up nicely in the Nordics and it should be a lovely time for all - plus pick up some excellent deals on cat products.

The European Awards Show and Banquet for the 2023-2024 show season will be held in Germany on 21-22 September. More information to follow soon!!

Have a question or a comment about the CFA Newsletter? 

Feel free to contact me at  tkeiger@cfa.org

Thank you for being a subscriber! 

Teresa Keiger

CFA Newsletter Editor