Are you a 2024 CFA National Award Winner?

If so, keep reading. National award trophies and rosettes for Top Cats, Kittens, Cats in Premiership, HHP and others will be available at the Annual Meeting as usual. However, this year we are trying something different to streamline the pick-up process and eliminate long waiting lines. Trophies and rosettes will be available prior to the banquet on Friday and Saturday afternoon, and after the awards banquet on Sunday morning, but NOT on Saturday night. Trophies/rosettes will be available for pick up as follows:

•  Friday's delegate meeting from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tables will be set up in the back area of the meeting room for you to place your 'order' for your trophy/rosette, we will retrieve the items for you and have them available at the table shortly thereafter. You can either wait or go back later to pick up the bag with your awards. 
• Saturday afternoon from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pick up will be available at the room where trophies and rosettes are being stored.
• Sunday morning from 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Pick up will be available at the room where trophies and rosettes are being stored.

Trophies/rosettes will NOT be available during the banquet. As always, Larry Johnson will be available outside the ballroom for pictures. A generic trophy and rosette will be available for the photos OR you can bring your trophy and rosette with you to the banquet. 

Annette Wilson, chair

From Breeds & Standards Committee, a reminder that Breed Council Membership dues must be paid before August 1, 2024 in order to be eligible to vote for Breed Council Secretary and any Breed issues balloted this fall.

Vicki Nye, co-chair

Though this time of year, most of us are looking forward to regional awards and the Annual, it is also the time of year where the Judging Program typically received letters of retirement and resignations. Regretfully, I am passing this information on to you.

Retirements

Marsha Ammons, Allbreed Judge

On May 20, 2024, the Judging Program Committee received the retirement email of Marsha Ammons, effective May 20, 2024, and regretfully accepted.

For the JPC, BOD and public: 

After much consideration, I have decided it's time to retire from the CFA judging program, effective immediately.

I have enjoyed being a part of the judging program for 20 years. However, I have missed the flexibility to volunteer through my church, a dementia-related non-profit and other avenues. I began volunteering in 1962 and curtailed those activities when I got into the cat fancy in 1989.

Thank you to the judges who have helped me, to the clubs that invited me to be a part of their show, and many friends who encouraged me along the way. 

Marsha Z. Ammons 

Diana Rothermel, Allbreed Judge

Letter of retirement received from Diana Rothermel, effective June 10th, 2024, accepted with regret.

Dear Vicki,

With this email, I am submitting my notice of retirement from the CFA judging program, effective June 10, 2024. I have been a judge since Oct 1986 and have thoroughly enjoyed all the activities that being a CFA judge entails. I have handled some of the most beautiful and outstanding examples of cat breeds anywhere. I have met and become friends with a multitude of different people; people who also love and cherish their cats. I have traveled the world and seen places I once only dreamed of. CFA has enriched my life and I feel blessed to have started this journey so many years ago. I wish CFA’s continued success and growth in the future years. I thank CFA for allowing me to be a small part of its growth and for the great honor of being a CFA judge. 

Sincerely,

Diana Rothermel

Biography of Diana Rothermel

•   Confection Cattery - registered October 1969 (#7636)

•   Bred Himalayans, Silver Persians, Bi-Color Persians, Solid Persians, Oriental SH, Abyssinians. Regional and National awards while living in North Atlantic Region. 

•   Judge since Oct 18, 1986

•   Have judged 7 International shows beginning with Nov 17-19, 1995, Chicago.

•   Have represented CFA as a judge in 30 countries – Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweeden, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA.  

•   Have conducted or assisted with clerking schools in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, China and USA.

•   Numerous trainees from 1990 till present…somewhere around 100 trained.

•   Recipient of the Judging Association Spotlight Award 2019.

•   Member of the Judging Program Committee from 2020 as Ombudsman. 

•   Mentored several CFA judges through the Judging Program from US and abroad.

•   Diana has shown her devotion to all aspects of CFA including attending majority of the Annuals since 1985 as a delegate, and actually most of the board meetings.

Resignations

Benny Yong—CFA Longhair Associate Judge-Malaysia Resignation email received April 11, 2024 and Rccepted with regret.

Jade Liu—CFA Longhair Associate Judge-China

Resignation email received May 27, 2024, and accepted with regret

CFA Statistics

Compiled by Dick Kallmeyer, Statistical Analysis subcommittee chair

Dick analyzed show entries in various geographic areas of CFA. His charts show the proportions of various breeds entered in shows within these regions. For example, this chart shows the longhairi and shorthair breeds entered in North American shows.

Complete analysis of all geographic regions is available here.

CFA Legislative

Kelly Crouch, CFA Legislative Information Liaison

Tennessee Fanciers Avoid a New Breeder Licensing Law

Fanciers in Tennessee survived yet another attempt by animal activists striving to re-establish a state breeder licensing law since the 2014 termination of the 2009 Tennessee Commercial Breeder Act. Failed House Bill 2938 and Senate Bill 2513 would have required the Department of Commerce and Insurance to establish a licensing process for commercial breeders. Any person possessing or controlling ten or more dogs or cats for the purpose of selling offspring would have to become licensed, inspected, and meet other requirements. The application fee for an annual license would be $15.00 for each female cat or dog, with renewal fees being no more than $150.00. Tennessee is unique among the states that have enacted breeder licensing laws. It terminated the previous breeder licensing, recognizing that implementing the law cost a lot of money and failed to achieve the claimed benefit of reducing animal cruelty. 

 A comparison of the bill’s Fiscal Note analysis with a study of the 2009 law demonstrates some differences between the approaches. The 2009 law affected anyone keeping 20 or more unsterilized female dogs or cats for breeding and selling offspring as companion animals. A study conducted on the program revealed that in Fiscal Year 2011-2012, the 500 licensed breeders only generated $70,200 in state revenues—approximately 6.6% of the predicted $1,056,000 revenue. 

In comparison, the 2024 bills drastically reduced the licensing threshold, but even with that reduction, the number of anticipated licenses dropped over 90% from 500 to 30. Both the 2011-12 study and the 2024 Fiscal Analysis estimates show costs far outstrip revenue for either program. 

While Tennessee recognizes that the costs of breeder licensing laws outstrip the returns, the battle is not over. Fanciers must remain vigilant, as the determined efforts to reinstate a breeder licensing program may persist in the state.

You are our eyes and ears! Is detrimental legislation happening in your area? Please let us know. Contact the CFA Legislative Group at legislation@cfa.org

CFA Breeders' Assistance Program

Ginger Meeker and Charlene Campbell for BAP

15 MINUTES per DAY, per CAT/KITTEN, for BASIC care 

Cattery Basic Time Management - University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine

This was a study presented by Dr. Kate Hurley, DVM, MVPM, director Koret Shelter Medicine Program, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, "Professional Standards of Care for Animal Shelters". (I am sure you can contact Dr. Kate Hurley for more information. This is not a AR type study issue.)

I want to share a very basic cattery time management study, we have had some seriously overwhelmed catteries recently. We were able to successfully downsize and hope things go according to plans in the future. Please take a manager’s look at your feline numbers, how you are managing and if you are able to hire help if needed. Shelters have many of the same issues as catteries. They have to keep the clowder healthy, enriched, stress free, groomed, and get felines adopted into homes.

Study is from University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine Study. I once shared this in a regional newsletter, it was presented by Maddie's Shelter Medicine Conference - University of Florida that I attended. I hope you find it helpful in your cattery management. I will be presenting a series of information over several weeks, including information about our CFA BAP-BRP Program.

For the purpose of shelter management, which also applies to catteries and 

kennels, you need to allow (fifteen) "15 MINUTES per DAY, per CAT/KITTEN, for BASIC care". ie: food, water, litter, spot clean cage, cursory touch-handle pet.

Read the complete report here

EveryCat Health Foundation

submitted by Virginia Rud

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

EveryCat Symposium at the CFA Annual Meeting

EveryCat is excited to announce the 2024 EveryCat/CFA Symposium at the CFA Annual Meeting in Coralville, Iowa, June 27th, 2024.

 This year’s topic is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and we are featuring 2 speakers. 

• World renowned veterinary cardiologist Joshua Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology), will present “Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - Hope on the Horizon.” He will review the current state of knowledge surrounding this most common feline cardiac disease and share standard diagnostic strategies. He will also discuss recent clinical advancements and the results of recent clinical trials that provide new hope for cats with HCM.
• Internationally recognized Veterinary Technician Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) will present an in-depth look at the role of nutrition as part of effective multimodal management of HCM, examining specific nutrients which aid in improving the quality of life for cats with HCM.

The event is being held on June 27th, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:30 PM at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville, Iowa. Tickets are $45 per person. Limited seating is available. 

For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here

Upcoming Webinars

EveryCat is pleased to present webinars again this summer. Be sure to save these dates and plan to join us for some amazing learning opportunities. Watch our website and social media for additional registration information when it becomes available!

Thursday, July 11th, 2024, 1:00 pm EDT- “Understanding and Managing the Feline Diabetic” with Audrey K. Cook, BVM&S, MSc Vet Ed, DACVIM, DECVIM, DABVP (Feline).

Click here for more info and to register.

SAVE THE DATE! More info to follow! 

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024, 1:00 pm EDT- “Ticks Like Cats Too! An update on the threat of ticks and tick-borne pathogens for cats” with Kathryn Reif, Ph.D., M.S.PH.

If you missed our webinar, "Update on Diagnostic and Antiviral Therapy in FIP" with Drs. Petra Cerna and Vicki Thayer on June 6th, you’ll find the complete recording on our YouTube Channel.

Tax Tips with George Eigenhauser

While Income Tax filing season is over for most taxpayers, it’s never the wrong time to think about taxes. IRS Tax Tip 2024-53: “Summer activities that could affect people’s tax returns next year” notes that there are summertime activities that could have tax impact and provides tips on how taxpayers should consider them for filing season. For example, if a taxpayer is sending a child to summer camp, the cost may count toward the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Business travel happens year-round. Tax deductions are available for certain people who travel away from their home or main place of work for business reasons.

Wedding season is upon us, and newlyweds can make their tax filing easier by taking two simple steps now. The IRC recommends you report any name change to the Social Security Administration . You should also notify the United States Postal Service, employers, and the IRS of any address change. To officially change their mailing address with the IRS, taxpayers must complete and submit Form 8822, Change of Address.

While summertime and part-time workers may not earn enough to owe federal income tax, they should file a tax return to get any refund they may be owed. Part-time and seasonal workers can visit IRS.gov to learn more about who should file a tax return. Some taxpayers earn summer income with a side hustle or doing gig work. They can visit the Gig Economy Tax Center at IRS.gov to learn how participating in the gig economy can affect their taxes. If taxpayers are paid through payment apps for goods and services during the year, they may receive an IRS Form 1099-K for those transactions.

The IRS has information to help taxpayers take advantage of potential tax benefits for home improvements. If taxpayers make qualified energy-efficient improvements to their home after Jan. 1, 2023, they may qualify for a tax credit up to $3,200. They can claim the credit for improvements made through 2032.

For more information and helpful suggestions please see Tax Tip 2024-53, which is available at: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/summer-activities-that-could-affect-peoples-tax-returns-next-year

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* 
3. Click on Checkout to complete enrollment

Click here

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.

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

Region 2 held its regional awards and show in Albany, Oregon and it was beautiful done. We celebrated each other, our achievement and enjoyed spending time with our friends and cats. We also thanked Pam Moser, our supreme leader for being our Regional Director for the last 10 years. 

Carol Freels posing with her beauty kitty - congratulations!

Our wonderful friends that make our shows so special including Marianne Clark who celebrated an incredible 30 DMs!

Traci Wittenberg, Regional Secretary

Region 3 gathered to celebrate our regional awards and show in Wichita, Kansas. The show was a great success and Saturday evening gave the Region a chance to celebrate our accomplishments together. Congratulations to all of our winners and to their beautiful cats!

John Colilla, Regional Director

Great Lakes Region Award show and Banquet – June 8-9, 2024 

Up, Up and Away could not have been a better theme for the Great Lakes Region show and Regional Banquet this past weekend! Let's begin with the show! We had our show at the Columbus State Fairgrounds. This show hall is huge, with more than enough space for everyone to stretch out! The show had so many amazing vendors, with something for humans and our furry friends. Although there were 3 other banquets and shows going on this weekend we want to give a huge shout out to all the exhibitors who came out to support the show. We want to thank the region and all who donated towards helping to make the raffle table such a successful one! We had a lot of spectators who got to enjoy watching all the beautiful cats being judged.

Complete report available here

Mike Shelton, Regional Director

The 2024-25 show season kicked off in the Southwest Region with the Superstition Cat Fanciers "Remember Them All" Memorial Day show in Phoenix, a week earlier than usual due to show hall availability. The club did their usual fine job in hosting an enjoyable, well-run show. SCF is known for their spectacular raffles, and this show was no exception. But there was a bittersweet tone at the show, as this was the last in-region show for judge Diana Rothermel, who is retiring after almost 38 years behind the table. She was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of the JPC.

Candilee Jackson, Regional Secretary

Presenting “World Wide Cat Entertainment,” the World Wide Feline Fanciers cat show took place on May 18, 2024, at Agner Hall, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Fairgrounds. Under the management of Janet Marr, this fun show welcomed a great gate with visitors asking tons of questions! While exhibitors enjoyed box lunches from Subway, the cat costume contest was the hit of the lunchtime crowd. Thanks to Chai’s ongoing efforts to help fund this year’s annual, a terrific raffle had exhibitors bidding on lots of fun stuff!

Kenny Currle, Regional Director

What a weekend for all of our Southern Stars!

The Star City/Central Carolina CF hosted the regional awards show in Roanoke, VA. Show manager Mark Hannon kept the show production and set up moving, despite a a few preliminary setbacks (such as a graduation in the show hall on Friday morning before setup!) There were lots of very engaged visitors who were thrilled to see our cats! A big Thank You to Susan Henry for arranging for cats (and handling them) for the Education Ring, presented by Teresa Keiger. The lovely ring decorations were created by Mark and David Raynor.

Susan Henry handling a "very big" Maine Coon Cat while Teresa Keiger talks about the breed.

Lovely decorations frame judge Rachel Anger

(all photos courtesy Mark Hannon)

The Saturday night banquet was very well-attended and our exhibitors shown in their finery! Banquet manager Charlotte Shelburne did an amazing job as hotel AND banquet liason! The entire production moved along seamlessly and as the presentations ended by 9, attendees still had plenty of time to after-party.

Keeping the "Best" company in the Region! Best Cat owners Miguel M Pina, Vincent J Pina-Crupi; Best Kitten owner Tim Fowler, and Best Cat in Premiership Linda Peterson.

Charlotte Shelburne and Mark Hannon

The region honored several of its special exhibitors at the beginning of the evening.

Elaine Fry was recognized for her talent at the end of the judging table as Clerk of the Year.

Trish Blees was recognized for her continued work mentoring new breeders and for her ongoing work as the region’s awards chair as the region’s Exhibitor of the Year.

The region gave a special Shining Southern Star Award to Melody Boyd for her work promoting clubs, the region, and CFA via her wonderful videos on social media.

You make the region proud, ladies.

Shining Star Melody Boyd

Exhibitor of the Year Trish Blees with Regional Director Kenny Currle

Kudos to the unsung heroes who worked tirelessly behind the scenes!

• Donna Wilbanks: Sponsorships
• Leslie Carr: Awards confirmations and proofing
• Cheryl Coleman: OTRA, Memorials, and A/V
• Krista Schmitt: Slide presentations creations, along with Laree Calihab
• Vivian Baylor: collecting and organizing 100’s of photos
• Linda Peterson: Banquet reservations and seating
• Beth Polstra along with Cyndi Lewis and members of Cotton States CC: Decorations
• Teresa Keiger: awards booklet

The awards booklet, featuring photos of our region’s winning cats, sponsors and their messages, and lists of our winners, will be soon be available on the region’s website.

Nick Pun

Kit Fung

Mie Takahashi

On June 8th, the Yokohama Bay Cat Fanciers Show held a show that included the OCP ring, a first trial for Japan.

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