We are seeing more shows on our calendar. A few of our shows are filling, but many are having and entry of around 150. Hopefully as more people are vaccinated, and/or develop natural immunity, more people will begin to enter CFA shows.

Be safe this holiday season!

Annual Meeting 2022 information will be online in January 2022 and more information regarding the CFA International Cat Show 2022 will start being published by February 2022.

Anyone who has individually registered a cat recently, online or through the mail, will notice the cat registration certificate and the application for transfer of ownership are now together on one side of a sheet of paper. Condensing these two items to one page should be more convenient for everyone.

Have you noticed the show calendar on the CFA website has a new look? The link is: https://cfa.org/show-only-calendar/. Many of you shared with us the features you like on the Catshows.us! site and we incorporated the most requested items. A link to upload a show flyer and provide other show information is provided under the Related Links heading at the top of the page (Clubs: Submit Show Flyers/Information). Show management is reminded to provide the show flyer at the time of show licensing or as soon as possible after the show is licensed.

We continue to refine the site and archived information will be available. Please contact me with comments or suggestions for future enhancements, atartaglia@cfa.org. This is your show calendar and we want it to be as useful as possible for you.

I am pleased to announce that the following judges were advanced at the December 2021 teleconference. I hope that you will all join me in congratulating these individuals and wishing them success in their judging journey!

Bethany Colilla – SH 2nd Specialty

Emiko Misugi – LH 1st Specialty

Bethany Colilla

Additionally, the following “T2” Asia-Other Associate trainees were advanced to Associates, so that they may begin to judge shows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand:

The board granted Donna Fuller’s request for a leave of absence, commencing December 1, 2021 through November 30, 2022.

The board granted Ellyn Honey’s request for a leave of absence, commencing November 23rd, through May 23, 2022.

Due to the COVID Pandemic which has limited number of shows CFA judges may officiate at, the following motion was requested by the Judging Program Chair of Approved Judges and was passed by the Board of Directors:

Board Motion: Request to waive Judging Program Rule 9.19 for relicensing period ending February 5-6, 2022.

Judging Program Rule 9.19: Approved Judges must officiate at least three (3) CFA shows in two (2) years in order to be relicensed.

Best wishes for the holidays to everyone!

Hear ye! Hear ye! There is to be a cat show!

Announcing the show information is an important early step in show production. In CFA this is done by the use of the show flyer, both electronic and paper. There are a whole bunch of rules stating what needs to be included with the show flyer, when it needs to be sent in, and who it needs to be sent to. Review Show Rules 5.01 to 5.06.

The ones specific to judges are 5.01b “The names of all judges and their assignments (e.g allbreed or specialty)” and 5.05 “The show secretary must send a copy of the show flyer to the officiating judges and Regional Director.”

The basics listed are the dates, name of the show hall, and street address. It is important to include the show entry clerk contact information.

Judges, exhibitors, as well as spectators use the show flyer to give them all sorts of other information as well. Like will there be food available at the hall, is there a fee for parking, or does it have air conditioning or heat? Did you know that the term “Climate-controlled” is not to be used as it is confusing and non specific.

CFA requires the correct use of the current CFA logo. Use the sponsorship CFA logo if the show has applied for and been granted sponsorship. Please refer to the CFA website, under Shows & Awards, Event Resources, Show Resources to download and use the most up to date CFA logo. You know you are on the right track if it is gold and black.

When your club is working to get exhibitors to come to your show communication is the key and having an informative show flier will help.

If anyone knows a CFA cat fancier that has been affected by these awful tornadoes which tore through 5 states, please let us know, we can help. I know many folks are still getting rescued in the area. They lack power resources for their cell phone, many folks lost their auto transportation and sadly thousands of homes.

Our heartfelt thoughts are prayers are sent to all the tornado victim friends and family. We are saddened by their unimaginable loss. We hope they quickly get temporary housing, if needed, and they can start to move forward with their lives. Let us know if we can help in any way. (photo: Mayfield, KY damage after the tornado. source: Wikimedia Commons)

We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude and a BIG, BIG "THANK YOU" TO ALL OF OUR CFA BAP-BRP DONORS, REGION and CFA!!!  A GIANT "thank you" to our Coordinators and Program Volunteers!!

Happy New Years 2022! Our wish for you: The very best life has to offer, peace, love, and joy! THANK YOU for your support and saving many kitties from harms way! We appreciate you!

From May 2021 thru October 2021 (Six (6) months) we had +$9,708 Income and -$22,096 in Rescue Expenses. Loss of -$12,388. We had some Regions that did not have any donations noted but they had expenses.

We have been helping a lot of fanciers affected by mostly age- and illness-related issues. I am happy to report many are getting things back on track. Some still have health hurdles ahead to overcome. We will be so glad when we get a great therapeutic to treat every COVID. It seems every year we have a few heartbreaking losses. It is always very sad to unexpectedly lose our long time friends, we do our best for their kitties to move onto a happy new life in their honor.

We are also helping fanciers with cattery downsizing, or some who are preparing for semi show retirement, or surgeries, this program is going well!

Many thanks to all of the breed clubs for their funding aid, virtual cat contests, Pampered Chef "FUN" fundraiser and adoption rescue referrals this year! You helped so many of your breed receive medical care and find new homes. We appreciate every rescue organization and volunteer who helps!

Coming soon we have a special feature about some of the odd diseases we treat in our rescue operations, we have even perplexed the university veterinary doctors. You will some interesting medical anomalies we have run across in our work.

We are going to honoring our special "in memory of" donors and special donors in February, so watch for our "Lights of Love"!

We want to encourage everyone in the cat fancy to think about and make plans for your kitties should a unforeseen tragedy strike.  Have a plan:

Like our cattery management organizers (inquire we have them available), it is good to have a file(s) or 3 ring binder with your individual cats info readily available to ID the cat with current medical status (ie: copies of vaccinations, Felv/FIV status, microchip, S-N, special needs- like diet, current medications, allergies, or no dogs, no children, dislikes baths or nail trim etc.) and the current treating Veterinarian contact. Pictures are most important to ID the cats in each file. Info if a cat needs to be returned to someone (ie: some contracts stipulate a return to original breeder if no longer in your care). If you need help with your documentation records, please contact me and I will help you.

We had a few BAP-BRP Regional Coordinator changes. They are getting familiar with all the program processes.

Please, if can donate any amount, even if it is just $5 dollars, we greatly appreciate your help! If you can help with any donations for CFA BAP-BRP please send them to us in one of these ways:

or

PayPal at http://cfabreedersassist-rescue.org/donations.html 

Although PayPal is fast and easy, they charge us a fee. So, we do not receive your full donation.

or

Snail mail is another way we receive funds via Treasurer:

CFA BAP-BRP, c/o Cyndy Byrd, 1392 Robert Court, Brea, CA 92821

We will send you a Tax Deductible donation letter as we are a 501-C Non Profit Corp. If you prefer, you can specify what Regional Group or Rescue where your donations applied in the memo of your check or Pay Pal.

When shopping, CFA Breed Rescue is part of Amazon Smile and Network for Good, and we get Paw Points for reported "Fresh Step" purchases, please keep us in mind.

THANK YOU for all your help! The kitties appreciate everything you do for them!!!

Wishing you the best for 2020!

  At its December 2021 meeting, the CFA Board approved three changes to show rules. These rules will all take effect at the beginning of the next show season, and were carryovers from the discussion of show rules held in October.

  This article discusses those show rule changes that were passed, all of which go in effect at the beginning of the 2022-2023 show season. Normally, that would be May first, but as I noted in my October article, since the weekend of April 30-May 1 is a split weekend, it is actually in the 2022-2023 show season. The last show weekend of the 2021-2022 show season is the weekend of April 23-24, 2022.  With that, here are the changes that will apply to all show seasons starting the weekend of April 30-May 1, 2022.

 The first set of changes involves show rule 4.06, for specialty ring requirements at a 6X6 set if shows. In the past, each show was required to have two specialty rings. This will no longer be the case. The set of shows will be required to have a total of two specialty rings, and they can be distributed any way the two clubs see fit. Namely, one specialty ring on each day, both specialty rings on Saturday only, or both rings on Sunday only. Of course, clubs can license more specialty rings if they chose, but they are not required to do that.

 The next set of changes involves show rule 6.28. Specifically, clubs will be required to notify exhibitors of the use of a trainee judge at a ring(s) at their show. The exhibitor could then withdraw their entry for a refund depending on how soon after the notification they act and how far in advance the notification is in advance of the show. This rule puts the same provisions in place as if a club were notified that a judge would be incapable of judging at a club's show, and had to be replaced by a new judge. Rules for refunds are very strict, and in some cases, no refund will be granted if sufficient notice is not available for the notification. The requirements are all spelled out in rule 6.28,

 The final show rule change removes the fee requirement to claim a "tiered" champion title. To become a champion (or premier), an exhibitor must pay a fee to Central Office for that title. In the past, a fee could also be charged if the exhibitor chose to change the title from just champion to say bronze, silver, or gold champion. This will no longer be the case. Once the exhibitor has paid the fee for its original champion (or premier) title, no other fees are required to claim any of the other tiered titles.

 That's it for show rules that were approved for all show seasons going forward from 2022-2023 onward. As always, if you have any questions on show rules, please feel free to forward them to your Show Rules Committee Chair at jouvencebleu1@gmail.com and I will get back to you with an answer as soon as I can.

Calling all cat breeders with an R-rated (or even X-rated) sense of humor! “Cat Talk” needs your input for an upcoming article on one of the more purr-verse aspects of breeding!

Got a girl who’s a “side roller”? A boy who thinks he is supposed to do the deed missionary style instead of kitty style? Or a story about some other faulty connection that did not exactly seem destined for success?

We want to know these tales of positioning woe! Please email them to Iris Zinck at purrformer@gmail.com and put “Kitty Sutra” in the subject line!

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.

This article is part two of a two-part series providing readers with links to the websites of all 50 state legislatures, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Congress and what visitors may find at these sites (part two). Part one explained why going direct to the source was essential.

Click here for the complete article

What's Hot………… Federal and State Legislature Sites, Part 1

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.

Cat lovers like you have made it possible for EveryCat Health Foundation to fund countless life-saving research studies over our 53 year history. We are so grateful for you. Together we have funded studies that have led to: better treatments for diseases like feline diabetes mellitus and heart disease, improved nutrition for cats, better health for cats and kittens in shelters, and breakthroughs for treating feline infectious peritonitis. And so much more!

There is still so much more we can do to improve the lives of our beloved cats. We need your help now. Please consider making an end-of-year gift to EveryCat Health Foundation so we can continue to fund the groundbreaking studies that improve the lives of every cat, everywhere, every day!

Calendar year 2021 is coming to a close but there are still things you can do to help reduce your income taxes for this year. Through the end of 2021 taxpayers who itemize their deductions may be able to claim larger amounts of their charitable contributions. Through the end of 2021 corporations may be able to deduct larger gifts of cash to public charities than in other years. But individuals do NOT need to itemize their deductions to take advantage of tax benefits for charitable donations in 2021. The “above the line” adjustment to income for charitable donations is available even if you take the standard deduction. The adjustment is up to $300 per taxpayer ($600 for a married couple) in charitable contributions. Charitable contributions made by December 31 may be deducted this year.

Other things you may still have time to do to reduce your 2021 income taxes include:

Consider selling investments on which you can claim losses to offset income earned from other investments in 2021.

There is time to open or make contributions to certain tax advantaged accounts such as a 401(k), 403(b), or a health savings account. For example, traditional and SEP IRAs, allow you to deduct contributions on your 2021 return if made by April 15, 2022.

If estate taxes are a concern, using the annual gift tax exclusion now may reduce the size of your estate when you die. For 2021 you can make a tax free gift of up to $15,000 per recipient. Married couples have a $15,000 gift-tax exclusion each, for a total of $30,000. Over time this can reduce the size of your estate and reduce liability for estate taxes later. However, the annual exclusion does not carry over from year to year, you must use it each year or lose it.

Businesses may be able to defer income into 2022 or accelerate expenses into this year to reduce their net taxable income in 2021.

Other year-end strategies may help reduce your taxes due for 2021. 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.

Happy Holidays to all in CFA!

I would like to do a special shout out to Charlene Campbell and all the members of the BAP program. Thanks for all the help you have given to CFA members.

Save the Date.. Next year’s Region 1 awards presentation will be in Springfield MA, June 18-19th.

Lewis and Clark Longhair Specialty Cat Club held their 50th Anniversary show on December 4 & 5 in Portland, OR at the DoubleTree Hotel. Many drawings for prizes for the exhibitors and vendors. I have chosen some photos my husband took of show.

The Cincinnati Cat Club and Queen City Cat Club collaborated to put on Cats Rock!! on Thanksgiving weekend in Hamilton Ohio. Exhibitors came from near and far with enough cats entered in Championship for Top 15 finals. The club went all out and added many special touches for exhibitors and spectators alike! Exhibitors were treated to large gift bags containing many useful items and the spectators enjoyed watching the cat costume contest. Kids of all ages were able to have their faces painted on Sunday afternoon. A talented club member painted rocks with pictures of cats which were placed on a tray at the entrance to the show hall and everyone was encouraged to take their favorite. Of course the tabby had to come home with me!. A food vendor was available with some delicious soups and home baked cookies and brownies. There were many vendors with various cat items and the raffle was amazing with new items each day. Kudos to the clubs for a great show!

Region 5 had a great show in Las Vegas on November 20 and 21st. It was in the lovely multicultural center in Henderson. This is a great show hall with lots of other activities going on all the time, assisting in visibility! This show had a great spectator attendance of 550 people! The show was promoted by Mike Altschul, and the club said it really helped. After the pandemic slow down, this is a great start. We are looking forward to their show at the end of April 2022. On a sad note Ellyn Honey fell and hurt her shoulder. She is now on a 6 month leave of absence from the judging program. We all wish her a quick recovery, and we hope to see her in the judging ring soon.

The Phoenix Feline cat show was December 11th and 12th. It was held in the Mesa Convention center and it was fabulous, as always. This show has become a tradition in the Phoenix area, with spectators coming to view the show from all over the Valley of the Sun! The gate had 1,338 people come to visit the show! They outdid their 2019 gate. The show was sorely missed last year, so everyone is very happy to have it back, and the numbers prove it.

All About Animals, a rescue group in Phoenix, was there and they placed out 36 cats at the show! This was there all time high for this show. They also did a great job getting the word out they would be there and it paid off!

Eleanor Eddleman (pillow lady) has retired.  She hurt her back and is having trouble moving around. This was her last show, and she will be missed. So, the word went out to the region and the region came through for Eleanor, helping her sell a great deal of her inventory. Her fabulous beds will be missed, although she will still take phone orders. Fanciers may contact her 714-249-5211. Way to go Region 5!

Frontier Felines held their annual show on Thanksgiving weekend, November 27th in the 4-H Building of the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Gardner, Kansas, filling with 150 entries. The club welcomed Pam DeGolyer in her first double specialty assignment where she did a fantastic job. A highlight of the six-ring show was the hilarious (and adorable!) annual costume contest.

Congratulations to one of the Midwest Region’s newest club, Show Me Cat Fanciers as their very first show is in the books! Held at the Newton County Fairgrounds on December 11th, in Neosho, Missouri (near Joplin), the six-ring show as loads of fun and in keeping with their show motto, “Making Cat Shows Great Again!” The new club was excited to have anonymous benefactors who helped sponsor the show. Both exhibitors and guests were welcomed by a blow-up dancing snowman, and exhibitors were treated to fabulous donuts and coffee. Since the holidays are a season of giving, the club provided a gorgeous cake for the afternoon snack and gave away gifts throughout the show. The show had gorgeous rosettes to award and ones made especially for new grands “The graciousness and hard work of all the members and volunteers was amazing,” stated Susan Charles. “We even had a great food truck serving authentic Mexican food! Major kudos to this new club!” The region is looking forward to more wonderful shows from this hard-working club.

The Midwest Region extends its best wishes to Jim Dinesen as he continues to recover from COVID-19 and double pneumonia.

The Southern Region had three shows within the past month, including a brand new show!

Kudos to Land of the Sky Cat Fanciers on a very successful first show in Asheville, NC! Through the work of both their own club members and other regional clubs/persons they have brought back a show to eastern NC. The show filled and everyone had a great time!

The club was also able to bring back another long-missed tradition: a Saturday night hospitality suite! Sponsored by the Southern Region and its director, Kenny Currle, exhibitors were able to socialize and hang out with each other over food and drinks. It's a tradition that we hope that we'll be seeing more of at upcoming shows!

Greater Baltimore CC held its traditional show on Dec 4-5 in Parkville, MD. Dedicated to the recently-deceased club president Sande Willen, the show received over 200 entries! That's a great entry for a show whose members pulled the event together at a much later time than usual.

We had two shows in Tokyo in November. Tokyo Cat Fanciers with Ameridream Cat Club held their show on November 7 and on November 20 Delight Cat Fanciers held their show.

On December 5, Nishinihon Cat Club had a Christmas show in Osaka. There were several visitors who wanted to see a CFA cat show. However, the club decided against having visitors because of the new Covid variant Omicron. We had news of Omicron just before this show. We hope that the next show will not be obstructed by Omicron.

I attached picture of a very famous star dog, Yuko. She sat on the small　chair with good manners for many hours by herself. Everybody who saw Yuko stopped in front of her and her workplace, Asakusa Tourist Information Center. She is an amazing dog! She is an ambassador dog of this town.

I wish people in the world will have Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Feel free to contact me at  tkeiger@cfa.org