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From the President
CFA President
Rich Mastin
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I am reflecting on the show as I write this report, and what a show it was! The CFA International Cat Show and Expo wrapped up on a high note, due much in part to the efforts of the show committee, CFA staff, CFA Marketing Committee, and so many other volunteers and supporters.
Coordinating a show of this magnitude, with 16 judging rings across two shows, a large shopping mall, continual presentations on two stages all day for two days, hospitality, announcing, advertising, decorating, and just trying to keep everything moving on schedule is a monumental task. It took many, many people and months of preparation to produce this show - and those efforts paid off.
The number of spectators was amazing! We pre-sold as many tickets as we had attendees at our 2019 show, and the spectators certainly seemed glad that we were back. Most presentations - held on both the main entertainment stage and the Cats 101 stage - were full of engaged guests. Their amazement was obvious as they walked through the benching area admiring and engaging with our breeders, exhibitors and the stars of the show, our breeds. The exhibitors were pleased to have flags and cards to denote if their cats were available for a bit of love or needed some personal space.
Many feline-based social media celebrities were on hand for presentations on the entertainment stage both days and our guests LOVED participating in their events. We were so fortunate to have the wide variety of presenters, many of which have their roots in the feline rescue community. This year's cat show and expo facilitated and strengthened the bridge between CFA and the rescue community.
The shopping mall was certainly one of our largest, with vendors from across the US, Canada, and Asia. And what a variety of cat and cat-themed merchandise they had!
The show hall had several of the "I Am CFA" banners on display, and many exhibitors have commented on how much they love this new advertising campaign. Photographer Sarah Baker was present and shot even more photos of our exhibitors, including many of our European and Asian exhibitors. Many thanks to all who participated in this project.
Planning for next year's International Cat Show and Expo has already started. We will be at the I-X Center in Cleveland next year, October 12-13, 2024, and are considering a different hall with lower ceilings which should aid in the acoustics (on the other side of the concession area where the Halloween show was being set up during our show). We are also looking into other options to supplement the audio call for cats to rings.
Most of all, the support from our exhibitors makes this show possible. But what really makes this show not only possible, but a success is the interaction between CFA exhibitors and the cat-loving public. They are eager to learn about the various breeds, get up close and personal and touch our magnificent breeds - breeds they've only seen in pictures. Your efforts to educate and engage the visitors was unwavering, generous and exceptional. Folks were thrilled for the opportunity to visit with exhibitors and their cats and it showed on the smiling faces.
We want to hear from you! Tell us what you liked, didn't like, could be improved, etc. by leaving your comments at International Cat Show Comments.
We'd appreciate hearing from you sooner versus later and no later than November 30, 2023. Your comments will only be seen by the show committee and are not available for public viewing. Although comments are anonymous, if you are comfortable providing your contact information, please do so we can contact you with any questions or if we need clarification. We've started planning the 2024 show and your timely comments will assist in the planning.
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Our featured cat this month is CFA's Best Kitten, International Divisions GC, BWI, NW BEE HIVE MAJESTY BATMAN | November 23 & 24, 2023: Central Office Closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day. | |
CFA’s Show Calendar
Publicize details regarding your show for FREE on CFA’s show calendar. Include information such as hours open to spectators, admission prices, contests, photographer, parking details, etc. such as the example below.
| Use the link at the top of the show calendar page to send us your show flyer, breed summary and any other information you want to advertise, or use this direct link: https://cfa.org/submit-show-information/ | | |
CFA International Show & Expo | |
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Mark Hannon
CFA International Show Co-Chair
After a four-year absence due to Covid restrictions, the show was back bigger and better than ever. The show was held October 13-15 at the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio. With more than 750 entries from arounds the world spread between two shows, there was certainly strong competition in every class. New this year were two rings on Friday limited to Opens, Champions, and Premiers (OCP). There were 144 entered in the championship classes and 44 in the Premiership classes. The culmination of the show was the selection of the Best In Show winner who this year was a stunning ruddy male Abyssinian, GC Omnia Mea Kot Da Vinci of Abycatle bred in Russia by Olga Berseneva who co-owns him with Timashkova and Lauren Castle-Flynn of New York City. (above)
We added “& Expo” to the show’s title this year because this was more than a cat show. We wanted this to become one of the best-known cat events held. There was lots of entertainment imported from around the country to keep the show’s 15,000 visitors’ attention. Five different shelters had cats available for adoption, 100 vendors had products and services for sale, some popular online cats were present, and there was an education ring which this year was re-named “Cats 101.”
Clearly, a show of this magnitude was not possible without lots of volunteer workers. Recognition goes out to committee co-chairs Ed Raymond & Mark Hannon, co-show managers Linda Murphy & Noralyn Heisig, and the many volunteers who assisted with announcing, hospitality, clerking, scoring, vendor coordination, etc. This event would not be possible without the incredible work of our Central Office personnel headed up by Executive Director Allene Tartaglia. The large gate and entertainment was coordinated by our Brand & Marketing Director, Desiree Bobby. Thanks to everyone who pitched in.
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Vicki Nye, co-chair
Judging Program Report from the October 16, 2023 Board Meeting
Accepted as Longhair Trainees – 1st Specialty:
Alex Luk Chulap-Hong Kong
Grace Cheung-Hong Kong
Accepted as Longahair Trainee – 2nd Specialty:
Gavin Cao-China
Advanced from Associate Judge Shorthair Trainee to Shorthair Associate Judge
Eugene Jeong-South Korea
Advanced from Approval Pending Allbreed to Approved Allbreed
Pam DeGolyer
Retirements/Resignations:
CFA Associate Judge Zulkifli Bin Daud from Singapore, submitted his resignation from the Associate Judging program on September 14, 2023, and it was accepted with regret by the JPC.
The Judging Program Committee received the retirement letter of Sharon Roy effective October 3, 2023, and regretfully accepted.
Sharon, Roy and her mother Norma Roy were two of the Tonkinese breeders at the forefront of their acceptance by CFA in 1984. Between the acceptance in 1984 and 1988 Shanfoo cattery achieved the first Tonkinese male distinguished Merit cat in 1988. Though Sharon was a CFF Judge at that time, she was active and exhibiting in CFA, moving the Tonkinese forward TO championship status. Sharon ultimately applied to join the CFA Judging Program from CFF in September 1987. Sharon was advanced to Apprentice Judge in June 1988 serving CFA as an Allbreed Judge for 34 years. Sharon wrote the breed article for Tonkinese in the CFA Almanac, and trained many of our judges behind the table. Sharon has served on the CFA Board of Directors as North Atlantic Regional Director three different times 1992-1996, 2011-2014 and most recently 2018-2023. She also filled the role of CFA Ombudsman arbitrating issues between CFA Breeders and exhibitors. The Judging Program committee was fortunate to have Sharon’s experience and talents as part of the committee, and Judging Program Ombudsman from 2016-2020. We wish Sharon the very best in her retirement from the Judging program, and continued activity within CFA as a club member.
Read the full report here
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Carol Krzanowski, chair
The following clubs were accepted at the October 16, 2023 CFA Board meeting:
1. JA Club (formerly CFA Judges Association), Southwest Region; Phoenix, Arizona, USA
2. Ambassador Cat Club (formerly Cat Ambassador CFA Club), International Division - Asia; Sukhothai, Thailand
3. Changan Cat, International Division - China; Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
4. China TLCMCC Club, International Division - China; Zhengzhou, Henan, China
5. Golden Panda Club, International Division - China; Chongqing, China
6. King Cat Club, International Division - China; Chengdu, Sichuan, China
7. Meowbulous Cat Club, International Division - Asia; Selangor, Malaysia
8. Purrrfect Cat Club of Thailand, International Division - Asia; Kanchanaburi, Thailand
9. World Top Feline Club, International Division - Asia; Tai Po, Hong Kong
The Board approved clubs #1 and #2 contingent upon changes in their names. The clubs complied, and the new names appear above.
The Board also approved a name change request by the Cat-A-Lina Cats Cat Club, Southwest Region, to change their name to The Catalinas Cat Club, effective immediately.
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Wendy Heidt
What is a Guest Judge?
There are two different guest judges within CFA. One is when a CFA judge is contracted to judge for an association other than CFA and the other is when CFA clubs hire judges that are not licensed by CFA.
There are many CFA show rules and judging program rules that provide guidance for both of these situations. The CFA show rule 3.02 covers some of this. Part c starts “Invitations from CFA clubs for non-CFA Judges are subject to the approval of the CFA Judging Program Committee…”
Approved foreign associations include all members of the World Cat Congress with exception of any association home based in the United States. At this time TICA and ACFA judges are not allowed to judge for CFA clubs. This does however allow clubs to select judges from many other associations including: Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF), Canadian Cat Association (CCA), World Cat Federation (WCF), and Federation Internationale Feline (FiFe).
There are two levels of guest judges for non-CFA judges. The highest level is Approved Guest Judge. This level is for a judge who has completed at least three successful shows for CFA clubs within 3 years, has completed all the requirements, and wishes to accept more invitation from CFA clubs. There are 11 non-CFA judges who are at this level. Other non-CFA judges start at Guest Judge level and begin with a resume sent to the CFA judging Program for evaluation.
Forms, current rules, and lists of judges are found on the CFA website, under Judging resources, Guest Judges.
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Teresa Keiger, Editor
The October Issue of
Cat Talk is Out!
Our Senior Cat issue!
Special articles include: dental care and also lab tests for senior cats, managing pain, forever homes, and saying goodbye. Other articles include the amazing (and Guiness award winner) Kit Kat, protate problems in cats, feline mast cell tumors. We get up close and purr-sonal with former CFA Preseident Don Williams. Plus a look at cats in early advertising.
Great ideas come from everywhere - and especially from our readers!
Want to write? Have a tip? Contact Teresa Keiger and we'll talk!
Don't subscribe to Cat Talk?
Order and/or gift a subscription at https://cfa.org/cattalk-almanac/
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Alene Shafnisky
Pet Night on Capitol Hill 2023
Pet Night on Capitol Hill was held at the Cannon House Office Building on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. CFA was a sponsor, as it has been since the event’s inception 27 years ago. This year saw attendance by Members of Congress, their spouses, and staff members, along with representatives of the USDA, industry leaders in veterinary medicine, pharmaceuticals, animal nutrition, and other pet care-related organizations. For Pet Night, the CFA booth was run by Desiree Bobby, Alene Shafnisky, and George Eigenhauser. Helping in the booth from the EveryCat Health Foundation were Jackie Ott Jaakola and Whitney Armentor.
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EveryCat Health Foundation | |
submitted by Virginia Rud | |
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A list of our honored donors for the month of September is available here
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EveryCat 2023 Cures4Cats Giving Campaign
Thank you to everyone who so generously donated to EveryCat Health Foundation’s 2023 “Cures4Cats” Giving Campaign focusing on Feline Diabetes! And thank you to *Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. for the matching $40,000!
Webinar- "Senior Cats & Helpful Stats - What You Need to Know about CKD and BP"
November 16th, 2023, at 1:00 pm EST! with Dr. Ashlie Saffire.
This webinar will review the senior life stage and what diseases are most encountered, focusing on chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension.
Dr. Saffire will discuss CKD, the benefits of early detection through annual diagnostics, and the potential for a newly emerging tool to help identify at-risk patients for CKD. The discussion will include the importance of screening for feline hypertension and end with a discussion about the different medications available for treating hypertension and their indications.
Thanks to our sponsor, Basepaws Veterinary!
This webinar has been submitted for 1 RACE CE credit.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8916963675918/WN_ICrRLkGiTXWJUUdeC1YUCw
Reminder:
EveryCat Information and Swag available for cat shows
If you’d like to share EveryCat information and swag at your upcoming cat show, show organizers can request items to share with exhibitors and/or attendees!
Send your request to vrud@everycat.org
Include the following information:
- Date(s) of show
- Expected number of exhibitors and attendees
- Contact person email and physical mailing address
- “Required-by” date
Please send requests at least 3 weeks in advance of “required by” date!
Items available include: EveryCat brochures, printed Research Updates, can lids, Save Our Cat window clings, fun stickers for kids!
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Breeding Cat Coverage
Now Available!
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Protect your breeding cat with Felix:
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Enter breeding cat’s info to Get a Quote
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to get started or call 1-866-FELIX-09 (1-866-335-4909).
*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.
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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.
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Code: 1000026977
or call 877-999-3223 and ask for the discount code CFA CAT FANCIERS ASSOCIATION
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Click logo for information | |
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Sharon Roy, Regional Director
Let me start by thanking everyone for their support over these many years.
I know it may have been a surprise when I decided to resign as regional director.
It was a very difficult decision. Contrary to some of the rumors that are
circulating, I had no plan to sabotage the region or to leave it without board representation. While I hate to admit to an error, I truly thought there was time for a special election to occur. I apologize to the region and the CFA Board for this. Sometimes, you must make decisions for your own well-being.
Although it may seem as though I have been RD forever, it was actually just fifteen years spread over four decades. After the first four years, I had no plans to run again, but I was asked, for various reasons, to reconsider. In truth, I grew more politically savvy with each election. I was naive in the 1990’s when I was first elected.
For those who may not know me, I came to CFA in the early 1980’s after my mother and I worked so hard to advance Tonkinese to Championship. It was because of the fact we were showing frequently and the quality of the cats that we showed, that I was asked to apply to the CFA judging program. (At the time, I was a CFF Allbreed judge.) I am extremely proud of how far the Tonkinese breed and Tonkinese exhibitors have come since the early 1980’s.
I have always worked hard for CFA, including major roles in hosting the 2012 Annual in Quincy, Mass and the 2019 Annual at the Turning Stone casino in upstate New York.
Truthfully, whether as regional director or not, I have helped with many NAR Regional meetings (& banquets). I will still be there for the region, should anyone ask me.
Again, thank you all for your support for all these years. I leave you with a couple of wishes. Please treat each other with respect. Welcome new exhibitors, and try to be the best person, breeder, exhibitor you can be.
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submitted by Gayle Hand
Hello all! We are having shows again in our area after a very quiet summer. The CFA NW Regional Awards banquet was held in Longview WA on September 30th. It was hosted by Seattle Cat Club and Grandview Cat Fanciers. Beloved “local” judge, Vicki Nye, reported the next week on social media that “A good time was had by all. After the six ring show, and many pitching in to tear down the show hall, everyone transformed to glam and sparkle for a fun awards banquet.
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Thanks to our regional Director Pam Moser, and her crew Tammy Roark, Kathy Durdick, Deena Stevens, Linda Flanigan, Neil Quigley, and Kendall Smith for pulling this all together. Congratulations to all the winners!” Another posting from newcomer, Julie Schrader-Choate, said “Best part of showing cats - meeting others… Every single one of them are caring, thoughtful, funny, witty, knowledgeable, and loving. The coolest of all is they share the love of the same hobby - Showing/Breeding cats.” Thank you Vicki and Julie for saying it all better than I could have…What wonderful tributes you both made to the fanciers and leaders of our region! | |
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Traci Whittenberg, Regional Secretary
Region 3 celebrated Devon Heaven at the Spurs N’ Furs Feline Extravaganza in Deer Park, Texas. The show was a great success with plenty of exhibitors and many guests who came to see the beautiful cats in Region 3!
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Region 3 also mourned the passing of our long-time friend and exhibitor, Toni Huff. Toni was a fixture in our Region for many years, along with her husband Paul. Toni was active in many clubs and could always be counted on to support shows throughout our region. Toni will be missed, but she will stay in our hearts forever.
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John Colilla, Regional Director
Kitties on the Bay presented by Cat Nation Fanciers, September 30th, 2023
Christine Brown
Cat Nation Fanciers would like to thank the exhibitors, spectators, judges, clerks, and our local 4-H Cat Club for joining us on September 30th for Kitties on the Bay in Erie, PA at the beautiful Bayfront Convention Center.
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With 162 cats present representing over 30 breeds and household pets, the exhibitors experienced good competition and the spectators experienced a diverse representation of breeds to see and learn about.
In addition to the five all-breed, one specialty, and 6 household pet judging rings, we had super specialty for kittens, championship, and premiership cats, which allowed the top ten longhair and shorthair specialty cats to also earn all-breed placements in each of the classes.
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Many cats enjoyed feline agility with Pete Deal as ring master with twelve agility entries competing for best time and many others giving the course a trial run to try agility for the first time. Beth Deal had a special birthday present when Foxy completed the course with a 9.69 second agility run!
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Youth from our local 4-H Cat Club helped us with stewarding, competed in the Household Pet class, and were the distinguished judges for the cat costume contest.
The raffle table was wonderful with many very nice baskets to choose from, many vendors were on hand with their cat themed items for sale, and Emerald Snow joined us from Toronto, Ontario as the show photographer.
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If you missed the Cat Nation Fanciers show this year, please be sure to look for us in 2024. We look forward to seeing you and purring with us on the shores of Lake Erie! | |
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Kenny Currle - Regional Director
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Great things happen when people (or clubs...) join together for a common cause. For the weekend of September 16-17, that cause what the Daytona Cat Week show in Daytona Beach, FL. Cat Club of the Palm Beaches, New Vision CC, and Classy Cats CC under the direction of show managers Kenny Currle and Karen Lane worked together for months preparing for this showcase show. This was the first show back in Daytona Beach in many years, and it reminded folks of just how much cat shows are in this lovely area.
Then the members of Cotton States decorated each ring with a different theme and of course they were breathtaking!
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Exhibitors had special badges to let them into the show hall. | | |
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Weeks of local and FB publicity resulted in a large spectators. Kudos to Melody Boyd, Mike Altschul, and Michele Lukic for their tireless efforts with publicity. Charlene Campbell coordinated local rescue groups to give them space at the show and they had many cats present (with Carol Fogerty handling them for the public)looking for new homes - and by early Saturday afternoon, they were all adopted!
Exhibitors had a wonderful time at the show too! In addition to judges from across the region, the show featured TWO judges from outside of the US: Pam DelaBar from Finland and Yaeko Takano from Japan. The spacious, comfortable hall lent itself nicely to visiting and celebrating with friends!
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This regional fund-raising event would not have been possible without the support of so many people from across our region, and from one special person outside of the region: Kim Everett-Hirsh. She (and many others) provided both donations to the show and a special award for highest scoring cat in Championship.
Many thanks to all who supported this special show with your entries, donations, and efforts! Plans are already underway for next year's show.
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Yukiko Hayata, Regional Director
Starboard Cat Fanschers' first show was held on September 30 in Nagoya. A lot of celebratory flowers were received. The entry also reached the limit of 120 entries and was closed early.
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On October 8th, Japan Regional Cat Show were sponsored by Royal Canin and entried with 136 entries at Ikebukuro Sunshine City. The show had 6 AB rings with Larry Adkison from the United States and Neil Quigley from Canada were invited judges, along with 4 Japaneses judges. | |
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There were lectures on ‘How to Enjoy the Cat Show ‘ and "Feline Kidney Disease Seminar" by veterinarians. It was a successful day that we were able to contribute to events such as online cat shows and introduce CFA to the audience also find newcomers.
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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
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