CFA Programs

Ambassador Program

Ambassador ProgramThe CFA Ambassador Program will help exhibitors give a public face to the cat fancy and offers knowledge transfer from those of you who know to the interested public. You will see some of us wearing buttons that say ” Ask Me.” The buttons are to provide the public with a contact person. If we don’t have the answer, we will get it. Our Handbook is a wonderful tool for talking about CFA and their positions on many cat related subjects.

If you’re exhibiting at a show and want to help the public learn about CFA and the pedigreed cat, understand how the rings work and what the cat show is about, etc., you may enroll in the CFA Ambassador Program to help. You will receive an identity button, a cage topper and a handbook so you can become totally familiar with answers to the most frequently asked questions at a cat show. The CFA Ambassador Program is a first-rate resource for those who are interested in helping people understand CFA.

Animal Welfare Committee

No other organization does more for the health and welfare of cats than The Cat Fanciers’ Association. Consider the far-reaching effects of the health studies financed by the EveryCat Health Foundation. Consider the effect of our cattery inspection program, and our commitment, worldwide, to rescue and aid cats displaced during disasters. On top of that add in our Trap, Test, Vaccinate, Alter, Identify and Release Program for managed feral cat colonies, our promotion of responsible pet ownership and public education, our dedication to present the most beautiful cats in the world to the public, and our quest to constantly do the “right thing”.

Education is one of our priorities, and we are working on proposals for ethics and education. Pamphlets are being drafted, in conjunction with the animal health committee, for buyer education and youth education regarding responsible pet ownership. A new program will see vet students receive copies of our breed profiles, EveryCat Health Foundation information, and a presentation on our CFA recognized breeds, cattery management, the CFA Inspection program, disaster relief, and a discussion of breeder/veterinarian relationships.

CFA has been an integral part of the disaster rescue picture. At the Disaster Summit hosted by the American Humane Association, CFA was recognized as the expert in cat rescue and aid, and will be a vital participant in any future disaster rescue mission as warranted. Our goal is to provide the appropriate level of resourcing based on the disaster, be it money, personnel, supplies, and/or equipment.

Taken from Animal Welfare Committee report to Annual Meeting June 1995

Breeders’ Assistance Program

CFA has developed a program for owners of catteries who find themselves overwhelmed for various reasons.

The program aims to help and support breeders, who find themselves in an out-of-control situation, by making assistance available through other breeders. Help and support will be provided upon request.

Learn more….

Feline Agility

You’ve all heard about dog agility competitions, and have thoroughly enjoyed watching the dogs whip through the obstacle courses with determination and speed. It’s amazing how they can climb up and down those high steps and race through those weave pole areas with such ease and speed. Now, can you actually imagine a cat lowering its dignity enough to do that?

But, of course! Cats are definitely trainable and most are willing to follow a feather or dangling toy anywhere!

For more information, please visit the Feline Agility website

For Kids… About Cats!!

This site introduces youngsters to the various pedigreed breeds, explains cats shows & judging, includes games and puzzles, as well as resources for parents and teachers.

For more information, please visit the For Kids… About Cats!! website

The New Exhibitors Program

The motto of the The Cat Fanciers’ Association New Exhibitors Program is “Positive Experience. Positively Fun!” We believe that exhibiting pedigreed cats should be a positive, rewarding experience. The sport may be competitive, but the rewards of learning about and improving your breed and connecting with exhibitors (who may even turn out to be lifelong friends) is the real reward that the cat fancy has to offer.

For more information, please visit the New Exhibitors website

EveryCat Health Foundation

EveryCat Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization. EveryCat supports health studies into medical, nutritional, and behavioral issues affecting cats. Projects funded by EveryCat Health Foundation have provided much of the information that is used every day in all aspects of feline veterinary medicine.

The foundation was established initially as the CFA Foundation in December of 1968 by the Cat Fanciers Association by Robert Winn, the Foundation’s first President.  It was renamed Winn Feline Foundation following Mr. Winn’s death in 1971. In 2006, the Winn Feline Foundation became an independent non-profit, operating with its own staff, Board of Directors, budget, and articles of incorporation. In 2020, the Foundation became EveryCat Health Foundation to directly reflect the mission and to reach a wide audience of cat lovers around the world. The foundation still honors the legacy of Robert Winn through its cherished history and the named Robert Winn Sustainability Fund.

EveryCat Health Foundation strives to improve the health of cats through awareness, communication, and research funding. EveryCat is committed to providing regular articles and health information for various CFA publications and this website. From members of the cat fancy, breeders, veterinarians, researchers, humane/welfare organizations, the media, and cat owners, EveryCat Health Foundation is behind much of what we know today about cat health and remains at the forefront of championing feline health research. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of their volunteers and donors.

Fifty-five years and $9 million in funded grants later, EveryCat Health Foundation continues supporting the groundbreaking health studies that improve the lives of every cat, everywhere, every day!

For more information about the EveryCat Health Foundation please visit their web site at: https://everycat.org/
To make your donation go to: https://everycat.salsalabs.org/general-donation-form/index.html

Junior Fanciers Program

The CFA Junior Fanciers Program engages youth from 7 to 18 in activities from drawing a poster, to doing a breed presentation, to working on a show committee, to taking a therapy cat to visit a hospital unit.

The program is designed to allow youth to enjoy the cat fancy and excel at their own pace through the activities and age categories while enhancing their appreciation for felines and feline inspired professions.

For more information, please visit the Junior Fanciers website

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