Kuorii Gorilla of Cuzzoe, a black Persian male, owned by Justin Pelletier and Eric Valencia of Raleigh, North Carolina, wowed the judges at the CFA International Cat Show and was proclaimed "Best in Show."
Gorilla, called "Go Go" at home, stood out among the 630 entries at the show held at the Georgia International Convention Center. Gorilla's black coat flowed and his eyes glistened a deep copper as he was held aloft by CFA president Pam DelaBar and proclaimed the overall winner of the show.
"He's just a youngster at eight months of age, but he is a superb example of the Persian breed," said Ms. DelaBar. "He has massive bone structure, a round and smooth head, plus gorgeous color and coat."
Six cats, three longhair and three shorthair, competed for the overall award with three judges consulting to choose the winner.
Judge Kathy Black of Oklahoma said, "All six of the cats competing were very deserving of the award but the best longhair in Championship, Gorilla, simply impressed us the most."
Gorilla has just completed a successful kitten career and this was the first show at which he was eligible to compete as an adult. Mr. Pelletier and Gorilla's breeder, Paolo Carnevaletti of Italy, are used to the hoopla surrounding this win. They also had "Best in Show" last year with another black Persian male.
Other finalists for the top award were:
Best Longhair Kitten
Kourii Chiquitas of Cuzzoe
Black Persian Female
Best Shorthair Kitten
Purrtek's Syrah
Platinum Mink Tonkinese Male
Best Shorthair Cat in Championship
Grand Champion KCDancers Eye-of-the Tiger
Silver Tabby and White American Shorthair Male
Best Longhair Cat in Premiership
Grand Premier Highlander Tony Bennett of Wenlock
Brown Tabby Maine Coon Neuter
Best Shorthair Cat in Premiership
Grand Premier Mar-chu Electra of Karleton
Sable Burmese Spay
See our slideshow for a complete look at the competition.
For the first time, a new Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool is available to help veterinary hospitals and shelters reunite lost pets with owners by checking participating pet-recovery services’ registries.
Developed by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the free Internet-based resource already is linked with the American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery, HomeAgain by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, Petlink by Datamars and resQ by Bayer Animal Health.
It works by checking the databases of participating pet-recovery services to determine which has registration information available for a microchip. For instance, when a microchip identification number is entered, a list of all the registries with microchip registration information is shown, along with the registries’ contact information in chronological order. The registry with the most recent update appears first. To avoid proprietary, privacy laws and other concerns, pet-owner information is not included.
If the microchip has not been registered with any participating pet-recovery service, the result will default to the microchip’s manufacturer or distributor.
The goal is to streamline the issue of identifying the correct pet-recovery registry.
The Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families endorses the new tool. Members include AAHA, the American Humane Association, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the National Federation of Humane Societies and the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators.
The CFA Foundation was established on June 22, 1990 by the CFA Board of Directors as a forum to educate the general public about the existence and history of the cat.
THE COLLECTION
A collection of Manx memorabilia
Donated by Tetsu Yamazaki
CFA FOUNDATION AT MEET THE BREEDS
The CFA Foundation was thrilled to be a part of the very successful AKC-CFA Meet the Breeds event in New York on October 17-18, 2009. Our booth contained a wide variety of historical items, and was very popular with the spectators.
NEEDS
The Foundation, like it's counterpart The Dog Museum of America, has as it's mandate "the collection, preservation and exhibition of works of art and literature related to the cat." Each passing year sees more material destroyed because breeders and their heirs do not consider it as having value or interest. We welcome the opportunity to make that determination.
What are we looking for? Many of us have
collected cat memorabilia over the years. Some valuable, very valuable only
to us. Works of art, paintings, sculptures and other cat collectibles
(ceramic cats, cats as toys, cats at Christmas and other festivals, wooden,
metal, glass cats, and cats in advertising are a few examples) are all needed
to build a comprehensive collection of cat artifacts.
In each future issue of Fanc-e-Mews, we will showcase a particular piece from the foundation's collection. If you are interested in contributing to the history of the cat fancy maintained by the CFA Foundation, please email foundation at info@FelineHistoricalFoundation.org
We all take delight in giving, and receiving, floral arrangements ….. especially on special occasions such as Valentine's Day. But if we, or the recipients, have pets, are we putting those pets in danger by placing pretty flowers within their reach?
According to toxicology expert, Dr. Jill Richardson, we could be doing just that. Dr. Richardson says, "Plants and floral materials basically fall into three categories -
Non-toxic - it has been established by a reputable source (and documentation/research) that the plant does not contain any ingredients (known or otherwise) that could cause a pet harm. HOWEVER, even the ingestion of non-toxic plants may result in stomach upset in especially sensitive animals.
Potentially-toxic - it has been presumed to be a non-toxic plant, but a reputable source and anecdotal information makes it seem like there is a trend that is could cause harm (mild or severe depending on the plant, of course.)
Toxic - it has been documented that ingestion of plant material can cause harm to a pet. That harm may be as mild as gastric upset, or so severe to result in kidney failure causing death."
It's also a well-known fact that cats like to chew on plants. Not all do, but most can't resist a nibble here and there. As a conscientious pet owner, we should know whether the plants and plant materials in our home are safe. In some instances, just a teensy lick or bite can cause major health problems for a cat, and none of us want that to happen.
Did you know that something as simple as Baby's Breath may cause stomach upset in cats if ingested? You'll find few floral arrangements that do not contain Baby's Breath as a "filler" to accent the main floral component.
Although the Christmas season is over, many of us will still have Poinsettias in our homes. It should be noted that while these plants are still classified as low in toxicity, Poinsettias may cause mild gastrointestinal upset when ingested. They have, however, never been shown to cause fatalities in animals.
Easter is coming, so make a note right now to forget about giving those spectacular Easter lilies to your pet-owning friends! Lilies are highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts. The Easter Lily, Day Lily, Tiger Lily, Asian Lily, Stargazer Lily, etc. are deadly and should be avoided in all instances if there is a pet in the home.
Other extremely toxic plants include Oleander, Azalea, Autumn Crocus, Sago Palm, Lily of the Valley, and Foxglove, so be sure arrangements containing these plants or plant materials are not found anywhere in the home you share with your cat.
Give your purchase some serious thought when ordering floral arrangements - play it safe, and also take your friends' pets into consideration.
Try Orchids, either a plant or an arrangement, or African Violets for a change. Both come in a wide variety of colors and are lovely as well as safe to have around pets. Or, better still, consider giving a long-lasting silk floral arrangement.
Here's a list of many common plants and plant materials that are often found in floral displays and arrangements. Please check the "material list" prior to ordering your next floral arrangement. You might even want to share this list with your local florist.
Anthurium This plant is listed as non-toxic (Anthuricum Comosum).
Asiatic lilies HIGHLY TOXIC TO CATS, can cause kidney failure and are deadly. See also Easter Lily.
Asters Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Baby's Breath Baby's breath is listed as potentially toxic, yet they are generally thought of as being non-toxic. There has been a noticeable trend of symptoms reported with ingestion. In cats, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite have been seen following ingestion.
Belladonna Contains alkaloids similar to atropine. Ingestion can result in signs of stupor, increased heart rate, dried secretions, and constipation.
Bells of Ireland Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Carnations Considered to be potentially toxic, meaning that they were originally thought of as non-toxic plants. However, there has been a trend reported of clinical signs after dogs/cats ingest this plant. The potential effects that could be seen with an ingestion of carnations would include stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, and lethargy. See also chyrysanthemums.
Christmas Cactus There are two plants commonly called Christmas Cactus. One is Schlumbergera sp and the other is Zygocactus sp. In most regards, both were considered to be non-toxic plants. However, there has been a trend of signs associated with animals that have ingested the plants. Clinical signs potentially seen from Christmas Cactus ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite. Signs would not be expected to be life-threatening and may not occur unless a large amount of plant material is ingested.
Chrysanthemums Considered to be potentially toxic, meaning that they were originally thought of as non-toxic plants. However, there has been a trend reported of clinical signs after dogs/cats ingest this plant. The potential effects that could be seen with an ingestion of carnations would include stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, and lethargy.
Cornflower Cornflower plant (Centaurea cyanus) is considered a non-toxic plant.
Easter lilies can be deadly to cats.
Easter Lily Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) are considered non-toxic to humans. However, Easter lilies can be deadly to cats, even if they lick the pollen or chew on the plant material briefly. Ingestion causes kidney failure in cats. Some cats may not be interested in plant material, but it is not safe to have a cat in an area where they can eat or chew on a lily plant. If your cat chewed or even licked the lily, you need to take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. Other types of lilies that can also cause kidney failure in cats include Stargazer Lily, Japanese Show Lily, Tiger Lily, Asian Lily, Casa Blanca Lily, and Day Lily. See Lily Hazards for Cats.
Freesia Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Gerbera Daisy Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Hydrangea On toxic list. May cause vomiting, inappetence, and diarrhea.
Iris On toxic list. May cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea.
Larkspur Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Leatherleaf Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Lily of the Valley Lily of the Valley is a toxic plant. It contains cardio toxins that can affect the heart rate.
Limonium Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Lisianthus Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Peace Lily Peace lilies are not true lilies, so they will not cause kidney failure as Easter lilies and other true lilies can. Peace lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals (like tiny needles) in the plant tissue that can cause mouth irritation or pain if ingested or chewed on. Could also cause mild gastric upset if ingested.
Poinsettia Despite rumors of its dangers, an ingestion of a poinsettia would not be expected to cause major problems or death. While Poinsettias are still classified as low in toxicity, they do cause gastrointestinal upset when ingested, but have never been shown to cause fatalities in animals. Signs are generally mild and self limiting but could be more of a problem if ingested in quantity by a debilitated animal.
Pom daisies Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Pussy Willow Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Roses Roses are non-toxic plants. In fact, the rose petal can be eaten. They are listed as non-toxic in the ASPCA's Guide to Plants. The thorns on the stems could cause mechanical damage if ingested.
Shamrock Shamrocks contain soluable oxalate crystals and could potentially cause kidney failure, like the greenery in the rhubarb plant. There aren't any cases in the literature, but there have been a few anecdotal cases of shamrock poisoning in pets.
Snapdragon Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Spider Pom Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Statice Not on non-toxic list, not on toxic list. Not confirmed to be non-toxic.
Wheat Grass Wheat grass is non-toxic, but remember, any grass may make a cat vomit especially when eaten in quantity. Signs of ingestion would be mild and self limiting.
Circle cats purr
And circle cats dream.
Circle cats twitch
And circle cats smile,
But most of all,
Circle cats love.
They are never-ending.
Betsy Stowe is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer. Betsy is a member of the Cat Writers' Association and the Dog Writers Association of America. She is the author of CALICO TALES AND OTHERS, a collection of her poems and photos of her beloved adopted stray cats, who have lived with her on farm and in town.
Mrs. Tigg-Jones quickly realized that cats are defintely NOT good hair stylists.
ABOUT THE CARTOONIST: Maddy Papen is a 70 year-old, somewhat reclusive artist and sculptor living in too-crowded and too-expensive Southern California ( and wouldn't live anywhere else). He loves cats both for their beauty and private, independent natures. Cats seem to be particularly attracted to Papen and Papen has always had an extreme allergy to cats. Ah, that's the rub. Or rather, whenever he does rub a cat, it's a guarantee that he will suffer for days. But he does it anyway. His dog, an avid cat-avoider, must think he's stupid. Indicative of his short attention span, Papen created these cats over a decade ago - and then promptly shelved and forgot about them; moving on the the next project at hand. An artist friend - who Papen both admires and resents for her superior talent and fantastic personality - happened upon the Cats some time ago and has been continually agitating him to do something with them. And so he will, finally.....
For reprint permission, please contact Rose Marie Gauthier at rmg1940@live.com.
ABOUT THE CARTOONIST: Stephanie Piro is an award winning cartoonist, designer and illustrator. She is one of King Features' "Six Chix" team of women cartoonists, and
author of "My Cat Loves Me Naked". Her cartoons appear in newspapers, magazines, books and on greeting cards. Her popular cat designs are available on t-shirts and other gift items through her Strip T's Design Company website . E-mail Stephanie for info about using her cartoons or illustrations. See Stephanie's ad in the Fanc-e-Classifieds!
ABOUT THE CARTOONIST: Steve Langille, a resident of California, is the creator of a hilarious, single panel cartoon called "STRANGE BREED". Steve's cartoons are published regularly in the Sierra Star and Santa Cruz Mountain Times newspapers and he is doing the cartoons for a new book by Thomas Peacock. To see more of Steve's cartoons, visit his web site at www.strangebreedcartoons.com
ABOUT THE CARTOONIST: Award-winning cartoonist Jerry King is one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today. His work has appeared in thousands of greeting cards, magazines, Web sites, books, newspapers, newsletters and children's books. His client list includes Disney, American Greetings, The United States Golf Assoc., and many others. Visit Jerry's web site at www.jerryking.com.
Pets are a part of your family and you want to take them everywhere with you. But when you leave them unattended in a car it can become a very dangerous and even deadly situation. Now, there's a product that helps prevent this.
Emma's Inspirations offers brand new car window decals, specifically for pets. Static cling 'stickers' that provide a simple reminder to the driver, that your animal cannot be left alone in the car for too long.
Four decals that adhere to the inside of the windows facing out come in each order. They are designed to place on the driver, passenger and rear door windows.
Emma's Inspirations was initially invented to help remind parents to take their children out of the car, but the parents who faced this dangerous situation first hand, realized it's just as much of a risk to pets as it is for kids! The inventors accidentally left their infant in a car for nearly 45 minutes! Their daughter survived but the 'near tragedy' inspired them to start their business to help prevent this deadly situation from happening to other children and pets.
Easter is coming, so make a note right now to forget about giving those spectacular Easter lilies to your pet-owning friends! 
Here's a list of many common plants and plant materials that are often found in floral displays and arrangements. Please check the "material list" prior to ordering your next floral arrangement. You might even want to share this list with your local florist.
