Cat Fanciers Association - Purebred Cat Registry

Many people shopping for a feline companion may wonder what the initials CFA stand for. In order for a particular breed of cat to be recognized as a pedigreed breed, it must be recognized by the Cat Fancier's Association. This association is the largest purebred feline registry in the world and recognizes only forty one breeds of cats.

The creation of this association was to ensure breed standards as well as register litters of kittens from purebred breeds. The CFA closely monitors all breeds to ensure that the standard specifics are adhered to for the ability to showcase felines in their annual cat shows.

In order to better the breed characteristics, a breeder must register a litter of purebred kittens with the Cat Fancier's Association. At this time, it is the breeder's decision as to whether these kittens will be allowed to breed or not. A pin number is then issued on the cats registration form and is the only way future kittens can be eligible for registration. After this registration, the kittens of this particular cat will need to be individually registered by their new owners.

There are three specific categories into which each breed is placed by the Cat Fancier's Association; they are the Championship Class, Provisional Class and the Miscellaneous Class. The forty one breeds of pedigree cats recognized by the CFA are grouped stringently according to one of the following three categories. In order to show the cats, that particular breed must first clinch the top prize of its specific classification before it can be deemed to be eligible to be in running for the title of Best in Show.

Breeds that are only beginning to be acknowledge and are undergoing further scrutiny to ascertain that they comply with the new benchmarks are grouped under the Provisional Class while pedigree breeds that already have approved and long historical backgrounds are grouped under the Championship Class. Cats, who are still working on a set of standard specifics, are placed in the Miscellaneous Class. However, being placed in in this class cannot be eligible or be in the running for the title of Best in Show.

The CFA is not the only cat registry in the world. In Canada, cat owners may register their purebred felines with the Canadian Cat Association. Native Canadians who desired to register their pedigree cats within their own homeland started this association.

Another cat registry found around the world is The Traditional Cat Association. This registry does not recognize today's trends in characteristics and adheres to the original breed specifics. There are other registries which are the Fè(c)dè(c)ration Internationale Fè(c)line, the association for cats in Europe and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, a registry in United Kingdom.

Despite the myriad of feline breeds, there is one similar trait among all; they are all considered either long hair or short hair. Common breeds found in the shorthair classification include Abyssinian and the British Shorthair. For the long hair classification, breeds such as the Norwegian Forest Cats and Turkish Angoras are represented.

The most commonly known breed of cat of the forty one recognized by the Cat Fancier's Association is the American Shorthair. This particularly popular breed has been in the United States for over three hundred years. With the everyday cat resembling this particular breed, the American Shorthair has been carefully developed over many generations to ensure that all kittens display specific characteristics. In addition to the American Shorthair, other popular breeds include Siamese, Rex, Main Coon, Persian and the Ragdoll.

All cats can be affectionate and make sweet companions even if they are not pedigreed cats. If you wish to experience the thrill of showing your cat, and are looking for a certain display of characteristics, then a pedigreed cat is the perfect choice for you.