Inside CFA

Reflecting its stated objectives, CFA has a long and proud history of progressive action including support for feline health research, breeder assistance, and for the welfare of all cats.

It has maintained a focus on quality in its breed standards, registration and pedigrees, as well as in its judging program, and clerking program.

CFA has over 600 member clubs and sanctions cat shows around the world.

The Cat Fanciers' Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1906. The first cat shows licensed by CFA were held during 1906 - one in Buffalo and one in Detroit. The first Annual Meeting was held in 1907 at Madison Square Garden. In 1909, CFA published the first Stud Book and Register in the Cat Journal magazine. Also in 1909, Volume I of the Stud Book was published in book form. On September 18, 1919, articles of incorporation were drawn up under the laws of the State of New York. CFA then entered a new and successful era, and the Association has grown steadily over the years. Total receipts have grown immensely from $155.25 in 1907.

CFA has grown in all areas from a humble beginning, and approximately 400 shows will be held this season worldwide. CFA shows are judged by individuals who meet high qualification criteria and have completed a rigorous training program that well qualifies them to evaluate the show cat using CFA Breed standards.

The CFA Central Office, located in Manasquan, New Jersey, has grown from a "one person" operation to a modern computerized office that occupies over 10,000 square feet.

During 2009, the CFA Central Office staff of fourteen efficiently handled litter registrations and cat registrations, in addition to transfers of ownership, additions of cattery name suffixes, cattery name registrations, duplicated or corrected registration certificates, certified pedigrees, cattery offspring reports, reverse pedigree reports, championship and premiership confirmations.

The CFA Foundation is charged with preserving this constantly evolving history of the Association.
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The objectives of The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. (CFA) are:

• The promotion of the welfare of cats and the improvement of their breed;
• The registration of pedigrees of cats and kittens;
• The promulgation of rules for the management of cat shows;
• The licensing of cat shows held under the rules of this organization; and,
• The promotion of interest of breeders and exhibitors of cats.

The CFA Constitution states the following objectives:

ARTICLE II - OBJECTS
The Association shall be a not-for-profit organization. Its objects shall be as follows: the welfare of all cats; the promotion and improvement of CFA recognized breeds of cats; the registering, recording or identifying by number or by other means the names and/or pedigrees of only those cats and kittens entitled to be registered as one of the breeds recognized by the Association; the promulgation of rules for the management of cat shows; the licensing of cat shows held under the rules of this organization; and the promotion of the interests of breeders and exhibitors of pedigreed cats.
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