Cat Fanciers' Association
The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. (official site) was established in 1906 and is the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats and the predominant pedigreed cat registering association in North America. Headquartered in Manasquan, New Jersey, CFA's stated mission is to preserve and promote the pedigreed breeds of cats and to enhance the well-being of all cats. CFA's first licensed cat shows were held in Buffalo, New York and Detroit, Michigan in 1906.
CFA has grown tremendously during the last century and celebrated its centennial in 2006. In May 2006, CFA recognized 39 breeds for its Championship Class, one in Provisional Class and one in Miscellaneous Class.
Services Provided By Cat Fanciers' Association
The CFA offers a number of services to catteries, purebred feline owners, and the general public. One service the CFA offers is certified pedigree lists for registered cats. Registered cat pedigrees going back from three to six generations are available.
Other Activities of Cat Fanciers' Association
CFA recognizes 40 pedigreed breeds for showing in the Championship Class and one breed as Miscellaneous (this became effective with the 2008-2009 show season). Since 1994, the CFA has hosted the CFA International Cat Show, described as the "Rolls-Royce of cat shows", the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The 2008 event was held in Atlanta.
Other activities of the CFA include setting breed standards and offering breeding guidelines, training show judges, promoting and inspecting catteries, supporting and publicizing research on cat health issues, influencing legislative issues, providing disaster relief and breed rescue programs, publishing books and magazines and informing the general public on topics relating to cats.
Cat Fanciers' Association History
The Cat Fanciers' Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1906. The first cat shows licensed by CFA were held during 1906 - one in Buffalo and one in Detroit. The first Annual Meeting was held in 1907 at Madison Square Garden. In 1909, CFA published the first Stud Book and Register in the Cat Journal magazine. Also in 1909, Volume I of the Stud Book was published in book form. On September 18, 1919, articles of incorporation were drawn up under the laws of the State of New York. CFA then entered a new and successful era, and the Association has grown steadily over the years. Total receipts have grown from $155.25 in 1907 to over $2,300,000 during fiscal year 2002-2003.
CFA has grown in all areas from a humble beginning, and approximately 400 shows will be held this season worldwide. CFA shows are judged by individuals who meet high qualification criteria and have completed a rigorous training program that well qualifies them to evaluate the show cat using CFA Breed standards.
The CFA Central Office, located in Manasquan, New Jersey, has grown from a "one person" operation to a modern computerized office that occupies over 10,000 square feet.
During 2003, the CFA Central Office staff of twenty-one efficiently handled litter registrations and cat registrations, in addition to transfers of ownership, additions of cattery name suffixes, cattery name registrations, duplicated or corrected registration certificates, certified pedigrees, cattery offspring reports, reverse pedigree reports, championship and premiership confirmations.
The CFA Foundation is charged with preserving this constantly evolving history of the Association.
List Of Cat Breeds Recognized by CFA
CFA recognizes 39 pedigreed breeds for showing in the Championship Class, and 1 breed as Miscellaneous.
Chamionship Class Cat Breeds
Miscellaneous Cat Breeds