Posted on: 09 January, 2015
Author: Angela Tempest
The International Cat Association is one of the biggest cat registries in the world and hosts shows across all the continents where cats are kept as pets. Their genetic, computerised database hosts over 50 breeds of cats, including non-pedigree and rescue animals. The International Cat Association or TICA is the largest genetic cat registry in the world. It began in the US but has spread worldwide and is a genetic registry for pedigree and household pet cats as well as one of the largest sanctioning bodies for cat shows. TICA was founded on June 22nd 1979 in the village of Branson, Missouri with the founding idea of creating the most progressive, flexible and innovative cat registry in the world. They held their first show on July 28th 1979 called A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Fort Lewis, Washington while the first show in Canada was held by the White Hatters Cat Fanciers on October 7th 1979 in Red Deer, Alberta. Away from North America, the first international region to be added to TICA was Japan with the first international show being held in Nagoya on 2nd March 1980. There are now over 50 member states across North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. TICA currently recognises 55 breeds of cat for championship competition from traditional breeds such as the Siamese and Persian to newer breed such as the Savannah and Thai. As well as registering pedigree cats, they also have the world’s largest registry of pet cats, including those adopted from shelters and rescued from the street. The association is currently based in Harlingen, Texas where their advanced computerised database is operated, along with their Freephone telephone service for show information in the US and Canada. TICA provide judges to shows around the world in addition to hosting their own. TICA also operate their University, the largest school of feline education courses and cat information. The following breeds are recognised for championship status in TICA shows: A – Abyssinian, American Bobtail, American Curl, American Shorthair, American Wirehair B – Balinese, Bengal, Birman, Bombay, British Longhair, British Shorthair, Burmese C – Chartreux, Chausie, Cornish Rex, Cymric D – Devon Rex E – Egyptian Mau, Exotic Shorthair H – Havana Brown, Himalayan J – Japanese Bobtail K – Korat, Kurilian Bobtail L – LaPerm M – Maine Coon, Manx, Munchkin N – Nebelung, Norwegian Forest Cat O – Ocicat, Oriental Longhair, Oriental Shorthair P – Persian, Peterbald, Pixiebob R – Ragdoll, Russian Blue S – Savannah, Scottish Fold, Selkirk Rex, Siamese, Siberian, Singapura, Snowshoe, Somali, Sphynx T – Thai, Tonkinese, Toyger, Turkish Angora, Turkish Van Preliminary New Breeds TICA’s website not only includes all the details of the shows that they are involved in and how to become a member but also comprehensive details of the show standards for each of the breeds on the list. This means that if people want to get an idea about whether their cat is to show standard or not, they can check out the breed standard. The website also includes regional information, breeder information and a host of other cat related information that applies to both pedigree and pet cats. Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com I am the proud owner of four cats of no particular breed and love to read and write about the different types of cats, their personalities and likes and dislikes.