I AM CFA

Celebrating the People Behind the Cats

Desiree Bobby, CFA Director of Marketing and Brand

When you think of cats, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the striking profile of a Siamese, with its sleek silhouette and piercing blue eyes. Or perhaps it’s the Maine Coon Cat – a gentle giant with an untamed mane. Possibly the Persian, its plush, long fur and round face a picture of timeless elegance. Cats captivate us, their beauty unmistakable.

For over a century, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) has stood as a testament to the unparalleled beauty, grace, and wonder of cats. It’s more than an association; it’s a celebration of the feline form, of the history we safeguard, and of the community we’ve built: From the breathtaking stillness of a photograph that freezes a moment of feline perfection to the energy of a cat show where every step, every glance, and every movement is admired. Walk through the aisles of a CFA cat show, and it’s like stepping into a gallery of living art. Each cat is a masterpiece … an exquisite expression of nature perfected. Cats with eyes that seem to hold the mysteries of the universe. Fur so immaculate it looks like it was brushed by starlight. These cats are the epitome of excellence: majestic, mesmerizing, and full of soul.

CFA has always been about honoring these extraordinary creatures. But CFA has never been about cats alone. The true beating heart of CFA is its extraordinary people. Behind every whisker, every polished coat, and every graceful leap is someone whose passion and dedication have made it all possible: The breeders who dedicate years (and sometimes generations) to perfecting pedigree lines that embody not just beauty, but history and purpose. The exhibitors who proudly bring their companions to the spotlight, pouring their love and energy into every detail. Friends and families who work together, bound not only by a shared passion for cats but by an unbreakable bond of community.

Creating I AM CFA

When I took on the role of CFA’s marketing director in 2018, one clear goal was apparent, and that was to change the narrative about breeders and dispel the misconceptions spread by the #AdoptDontShop movement: the criticisms from those who don’t understand the differences between backyard and preservation breeding; the accusations from those who do not see the love, dedication, and responsibility behind preserving feline legacies. These judgements about our hobby and who we are may sting, but they only strengthen the resolve to shine a light on who we truly are.

The truth is that the extraordinary people of CFA are as diverse as the cats themselves. We’re not just crazy cat ladies and childless cat lovers. We are breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts who dedicate our lives to nurturing felines and protecting their legacy. We’re educators, entrepreneurs, scientists, and industry leaders. We’re veterinarians who heal, engineers who innovate, finance executives who manage, and creatives who inspire. We’re MBAs, PhDs, parents balancing it all, and even entire families with a shared devotion to these remarkable animals. The CFA community is a tapestry woven with talent, commitment, and an unwavering love for cats.

By sharing the real stories behind the people of CFA, it would not only reshape the negative narrative but would invite other cat lovers to see themselves reflected in our diverse, vibrant community. We could show that CFA might not just be a distant organization but a tribe where they, too, could belong.

But how do you capture the very essence of a CFA breeder and exhibitor? How do you illustrate their dedication, joy, and love in a way that connects with people? This was the challenge I faced. To tell CFA’s story, we needed a storyteller – not just someone who takes pretty pictures, but someone who could bring raw emotion to life.

After a long search, I stumbled upon Sarah Baker’s photography work on Instagram. Her portraits for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children didn’t simply show faces; they told stories. Her ability to capture strength, tenderness, and humanity was exactly what we needed. And, as fate would have it, she loved cats. Sarah immediately understood my vision and wholeheartedly embraced the project.

Of course, the road to I AM CFA was not without challenges. Just as plans for the first photoshoot began in 2020, COVID-19 hit, forcing us to pause. Two years later, in March 2022, we kicked-off the project at the Maryland Crab and Mallet Show with our first photoshoot. Over the next year and a half, Sarah and I traveled to CFA shows across the United States, capturing portraits and personal stories that highlighted the uniqueness of each fancier.

Hundreds of remarkable fanciers posed for Sarah’s lens, each one’s story as unique as the cats they dedicate themselves to. The resulting portraits reveal the humanity behind the fur and whiskers. They tell the story of fanciers not only in their role as breeders, exhibitors, and caretakers, but as people with full, varied, and fascinating lives. Each photo that Sarah Baker captured is a glimpse into the heart and soul of who we are as cat lovers … and as people.

These striking photographs now adorn CFA’s new website, advertisements, posters, banners, and social media. They’ve become a large part of CFA’s new brand identity, where the spotlight is aimed not only on the cats but also shines on the people who comprise our community. Twice monthly on the CFA Official Discussion group and the CFA Facebook page, Karen Lawrence brings Sarah’s photos to life with beautifully written biographies. Her words tell the story behind fanciers from all CFA regions, and show the world who we truly are.

Through I AM CFA, people can read the stories of those who guide cats gracefully into competition, those whose countless hours of effort make each triumph possible, and those who share the quiet moments of loss and the joy of shared victories. It’s a celebration of passion and perseverance, and of the deep connections between cats and the people who dedicate themselves to their care.

At its core, I AM CFA is more than just a campaign: It’s an acknowledgment, a celebration, and an invitation. It declares to the world what CFA stands for and invites everyone to see the people who make this organization a thriving, passionate home for cats and the people who love them.

 

Together, WE ARE CFA.