I have seen some very unpleasant comments on FB regarding a few minor errors at the office, in view of which I thought it prudent to make this statement, this is a personal message, it is NOT endorsed by the Board.
I have no doubt some members of the Board may take exception to this statement, however some things need to be said & I feel my first duty as Chairman is to support our staff, hence the need for this statement on the current staffing at the office.
This means that staff levels are currently seriously depleted.With the current staffing levels at:
All things considered with staffing, some errors are bound to happen, so please try to be a little tolerant to avoid further undue pressure & refrain from adverse comment on those staff, who are currently working extremely hard to keep things running as smoothly as possible.
We are trying very hard to cover all aspects, it is incredibly difficult as well as causing additional stress to the remaining staff as such it would be greatly appreciated if you could support those working & doing their very best to work through the current situation.
I would like to thank certain members of the Fancy for their support at the office during this very difficult time, I won’t mention names but those concerned know who they are.
After nearly 8 years as Office Manager, Mark is moving on from his role by mutual agreement. We thank him for his contribution to the organisation and wish him well for the future.
Please note the following proposed change to the Korat &Thai Registration Policy:
Inclusion of GCCF rules to allow progeny of Korats from Thailand. To be assessed in exhibition with critique classes and moved from reference to supplementary registration if agreed as a having a satisfactory breed phenotype by 3 FJs.
We have been made aware of phishing emails being sent with the GCCF name on, and a downloadable invoice. These are NOT from the GCCF. If you do have an invoice from us it would be sent from a GCCF email address. If you are unsure, always contact the office directly and check.
Merseyside Cat Club
Following a recent committee meeting I would advise the Mrs M Walkden has now retired from the committee and the position of Welfare Officer. The Welfare Officer position has been taken by Mr A Holden. A new committee member has been co-opted Ms Erica Bates and it is anticipated that she will be formally accepted on to the committee at the next AGM. If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Heather Wray
Secretary MCC
Business Achievements 2012 - 2017
Read about our achievements from the 5 Year Business Plan here
Six fantastic and FREE webinars for cat owners!
On Wednesday, 24th January 2018, Feline Friends are launching FREE, monthly webinars (web-based lectures via the internet) for cat owners, in a joint venture with ‘The Webinar Vet’ (leaders in providing veterinary professionals with both live and recorded webinar lectures provided by respected speakers highly experienced in their fields.) Cat owners can register to listen to live lectures, watch the visual displays, and ask questions of the speaker. Alternatively they can watch recordings of the lectures at a later date.
To view programme and/or register, please CLICK HERE.
Amendment to the Egyptian Mau SOP
Please note the amendment below to the paragraph relating to Body Markings. There are four weeks for comment from 13 Jan 18 before approval.
Body Markings
Markings on the body are to be randomly spotted with variance in size and shape. The spots can be large or small, round, oblong, or of irregular shape. Any of these are of equal merit but the spots, however shaped or of whatever size, shall must be distinct, with good contrast between pale ground colour and deeper markings. Spotting pattern on each side of the body need not match. Underside of the body spotted. As the spinal lines/elongated spots reach the rear haunches, they merge together to form a dorsal stripe which continues along the top of the tail to its tip. On the upper chest there are one or more broken necklaces. The shoulder markings are a transition between stripes and spots.
CAT OF THE YEAR
The current scores for Cat of the Year are now available, please click on this link. Please remember that these scores are interim. Results will not be finalised until after the end of the show season on 31st May 2018. If you have any queries on your score, please let ME know with details of your points at hansson808@btinternet.com
John Hansson - Chairman GCCF
British SH Group Committee
For clarification for the Registrar, please see the note that has been added to the BSH Registration Policy under Reference Register, note F. It is the intention of the BSGC that the progeny of British SHs, with a GCCF recognised colour or pattern, will always be BSH and and cannot revert to XSH:
f. It is not the intention of the BSGC that any cat or kitten, with a colour or pattern that is recognised within the BSH section, with two GCCF registered BSH should lose BSH status. This applies to any cat or kitten that is imported where the parents are acceptable for GCCF BSH registration. The tables below restrict the use of variants in some colours or patterns. This note overrides the placing on the XSH register of any cat or kitten that would lose BSH status because of these restrictions. These cats or kittens will be placed on the reference register and the usual rules of progression will apply.
RagaMuffin BAC
The RagaMuffin BAC respectfully requests that judges ensure they use the correct spelling of the breed in their reports: RagaMuffin as opposed to Ragamuffin. The upper case M is integral to the breed's identity so strict adherence to its use is required.
Change to SOP for Foreign White, OSH, OLH and OBI
Ears: Large, pricked and wide at the base with their setting continuing the lines of the wedge. Cats should be penalised equally for ears which are set too high or too low, distorting the triangular effect.
Posted 17th October 2017
Judge Show Reports
In the interests of clarity, please note that the GCCF has no intent to change the existing method of relaying a judge’s opinion on an exhibit via a written report to exhibitors.
The rules around this are very clear, judges must submit their reports within 28 days for publication on the GCCF website and that failure to do so is a breach of company rules which may therefore, lead to disciplinary action.
John Hansson - GCCF Chair
Catherine Kaye - SRG Chair
Update on Licensing of Cat Breeders
I gave the following update to Council Delegates yesterday:
This issue has been under discussion for the past two years or so and I have previously issued notices giving information on the range of proposals that have been made, these have differed both in scope and potential impact on our hobby.
Over the past few months I am pleased to say that I have been able to gain some real clarity from DEFRA on how licensing will work and the criteria that will be applied.
This specific criteria applies only in England; the Welsh Assembly has drafted something very similar for Wales; the Scottish Parliament has no plans to introducing licensing at this time.
DEFRA intends to use Statutory Instruments to amend the current Animal Welfare Act 2006 – these were drafted in September and are currently titled “The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018”. I have been given a copy by DEFRA.
There are five schedules covering: The Boarding of Cats & Dogs; Dog Breeding; Pet Vending; Hiring out of Horse; and Exhibiting Animals.
The licensing of cat breeding will be operated under the Pet Vending schedule, this schedule is written to cover all establishments selling animals either to an intermediary or directly to the public, eg. pet shops, commercial breeding establishments.
As many of you know, I have been working through the Canine & Feline Sector Group to feed in views and seek both amendments and clarification of the Pet Vending schedule as it relates to cats, and to ensure the guidance drafted to assist inspectors in interpreting the schedule is fit for purpose. Since June I have been part of a working group which has now refined the guidance and our recommended changes have been accepted by DEFRA.
I have also been able to gain confirmation from DEFRA that the Exhibiting Animals schedule will not apply to cat shows.
So the current position is as follows:
· Since the licensing of cat breeders will be governed under the Pet Vending schedule, the key factor in determining who is in scope to be licensed is whether the person is breeding with the intention of making a profit. This will be the crucial factor in establishing that a breeder is operating commercially. There will be no maximum litter number per year or similar (as with dog breeding), what will be considered is how much money the breeder is receiving from kitten/cat sales and stud fees off-set by the cost of keeping and breeding said cats. Therefore both the number of kittens sold and price they are sold for are relevant.
· If there is any doubt about whether a breeder needs a licence then they will need to evidence whether or not they are making a profit (probably on an annual basis). It is therefore imperative that breeders keep accurate financial records in order to prove whether or not they are making a profit. All the obvious costs will be in scope – food, litter, vets bills, heat & light, advertising, showing, stud fees, etc.
· Each breeder will need to decide whether they need to apply for a licence from their local authority, depending upon whether they believe they are in scope, ie. making a profit from selling cats/kittens. If they believe they can demonstrate they are not making a profit they will not need to apply for a licence. Any breeder who is not licensed, but is considered by the LA to be licensable, will be required to prove why they do not need such a licence. There will be penalties applied to those people operating without a licence.
· DEFRA would like to place the legislation before Parliament next spring, but this may be put back depending on the weight of parliamentary business. The earliest the licensing regulations could come into effect is around July 2018, but it is likely that October 2018 is more realistic. There is likely to be something like an 18 month implementation period before local authorities will have Environmental Health Inspectors trained and everything in place (and a period of time for breeders to apply for a licence)
· It is my belief that the large majority of cat breeders registering with GCCF will be out of scope and will not require a licence. However, it is the responsibility of each breeder to check their own situation and to act accordingly.
I will issue a further update as and when I have more information to share, or if the situation outlined above changes in any meaningful way.
Steve Crow
5th October 2017
Revised SOP for Norwegian Forest Cats
Please click on this link for the Revised SOP for Norwegian Forest Cats. This will be included on the agenda for the October Council meeting for ratification.
Combined Show and BAC Review
Following the agreement at June Council by a majority vote to embrace the sectional changes within GCCF shows and an extensive overhaul of the Breed Advisory system alongside of a revised programme for Judge/steward training, the combined groups met recently to plan and implement the process of change.
It was the consensus of all, that the groups in their current format were no longer the best vehicles to undertake the next steps. After considerable discussion it was decided to split into three groups each with a specific focus of implementation to oversee however it is fully recognised that there will be areas of overlap and interdependency.
Show Structure Implementation
Chairman: Kate Kaye
Members: Heather McRae, Elaine Robinson ad Lisa Robinson-Talboys
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October Council Statement – summary of completion of SRG work
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Recognition that the addition of breeds currently not recognised by GCCF can still be embraced via procedures as set out in the rules.
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General publicity to as wide an audience as possible
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Invitation of feedback using means such as: SRG FB site, Email
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Liaison with show managements
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Liaison with GCCF Office
BAC amalgamation
Chairman: John Hansson
Members: Jules Candler, Jen Lacey, Sally Rainbow-Ockwell
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Contact with all BACs to give them the detail of their groups (where relevant) and make a check of the draft judge analysis
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Data now available indicating which judges have not undertaken an engagement for five years, confirmation with BACs and discussion on options so that these can be highlighted for SMs
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BACs to continue as a forum for discussion, and Judge Appointment Groups to cover group judging with BAC or Breed club representation.
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‘Panel’ to determine outcome of split decisions
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Seminars no longer mandatory as a separate event may be held at breed shows
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Fee to JAGs covering several breeds to be £50 for appointment & promotion
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An examination of BAC funds and consideration of financial viability
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Time limit for BAC response to be the end of October, but not necessary to have a formal meeting unless already planned as discussion and feedback can be electronic.
Judge Training
Chairman: Peter Collin
Members: Val Anderson, Sue Dalton-Hobbs, Shelagh Heavens, Val Kilby, Helen Marriott- Power,
Peter Williams
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The Training Scheme for new judges
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Mentoring
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Tutorials and assessments
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Full Judges
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Transition and training within the new Grand groups
Although this move could be seen to increase both time and expense, it is envisaged that the majority of work/issues within these groups will be undertaken and resolved via email or facetime.
It was recognised that the implementation of the sectional changes is not dependant on the BAC amalgamation and Judge training aspects being finalised. An earlier move to the new structure with a limited crossover period was considered to be beneficial to exhibitors, show managers and especially judges who will get the opportunity to judge the revised groups breeds in side classes before they are asked to undertake the breed or grand classes.
The finalizing the “mechanics” of this change is underway so it is proposed that this aspect of change should start as soon as possible therefore the intention is to take a proposal to this effect to October council. We are looking towards February 2018 for the changes to be implemented. It is envisaged that there will be a short period wherein, due to some shows having already printed their schedules, that both the current and new Grand structure will be in “play” with the changeover fully completed by June 2018.
Official COTY Winners of 2016/17 Show Season
Please click here to see the list of winners for 2017.
John Hansson
World Cat Congress 2017
Please download the report by Betty Shingleton
BRITISH SHORTHAIR & BRITISH LONGHAIR CLARIFICATION
Now that the Board has recognised the British Longhair, this has given rise to some confusion about how this will work – and how it impacts on the British Shorthair. This note is intended to provide some clarity.
As with all other breeds, when a cat is registered, it is up to the breeder which GEMS code they ask to be assigned to it. The system then works out 2 things :
- Is that genetically possible? If not, the system will not allow it.
- If it passes the first test, then the system locates the relevant Registration Policy based on the GEMS code entered. It uses this to determine on which register the cat should be registered (and any Overstamps etc)
Note – the relevant Policy is for the cat being registered, not the parents. This has always been the case, but that has not been obvious for British Shorthairs until now.
The part that has caused most confusion arises because we now have 2 possible GEMS codes for identical cats – those previously registered as British SH Variants, which can now be registered as British Longhair. Both Registration Policies allow these to be registered. (There is a similar potential issue with a British Longhair Variant and British Shorthair – again identical genetically. However, as the British Shorthair Policy does not register these as British Shorthair, this is completely under the British SH BAC’s control).
This issue is not present in any other breed – in short, for any other cat there is only one possible way to register it.
Although that is the ideal solution for BLH/BSH for the long-term, trying to get there in one step is causing concern – and breeders have pointed out that the Board should not be able to change a BAC’s Registration Policy. However, name recognition confirms a separate breed status, and the future must be planned with that in mind. Rest assured that it was not the intention to disadvantage existing breeding programmes and we have worked to find a way forward that will be appropriate to address current concerns.
The solution we are suggesting is that until January 1st 2018, British SH Variants can continue to be registered as BSH v – if that is the Breeder’s choice. Equally, if the Breeder chooses to register these as British Longhair, that is now a choice available to them. Please note though, that no BSH v registered before 11th January 2017 may be re-registered as BLH. This will then provide an opportunity for the British Shorthair Group Committee to consider its registration policy following the recognition of the British Longhair. It will also allow individual breeders to use DNA testing to select cats for future breeding to avoid longhair completely, if that is what they wish to do.
Because the British Longhair is a new option, not every breeder will be aware of this – and the implications. So we will add an extra step in the process, which allows Heather to double-check any British SH Variant registrations, to ensure that the Breeder intended that. If they would prefer to register as BLH, then this can be changed at the time – and not after certificates have been sent. It also means that those Breeders who do not wish their Variants to be shown can still register them as such.
The downside is that it may cause a slight delay in registrations that include British Shorthair Variants. However, Heather can usually pick these up first thing, and deal with them the same day if the Breeder is contactable.
We hope this provides a good interim solution for both groups.
GCCF Board
ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATE FOR OVERALL BEST IN SHOW WINNER
From 01 January 2017 an additional certificate will be given to the exhibitors, pedigree and household pet, for the overall BIS Winner, where offered, as voted for by Council in 2016.
The exhibitor(s) of the overall BIS Pedigree and overall BIS Household Pet Exhibits, where offered, will receive an additional certificate at the level of award they are currently aiming for, or if they have achieved their current level at that show already, they will receive their first certificate for the next level.
The certificate will be issued from the office once the level of entitlement has been established. This will be when the results of the show have been entered and cleared, which is normally between seven and ten days from the date of the show.
The certificate will be issued by post from the office and signed by the office, and annotated to indicate the show at which it has been earned.
Mark Goadby
Office Manager
January 2017
British Shorthair SOP Amendment for Golden Tipped
Amendment to Standard of points.
The Golden Tipped BSH was originally the non-silver version of the British Tipped and was developed as a “rich golden apricot colour, sound to the roots with black/dark brown tipping”.
Since then breeders have developed other colours in the section :- Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Cinnamon, Fawn, Red, Cream and Tortie Golden.
In most cases this has not caused any problems. However the coat colour description of the original Golden (75 BRI ny 12) and the Chocolate Golden (75b BRI by 12) have led to some confusion, particularly for the judges in the section in particular.
The BAC wish to amend the description of the original Golden from :-
Coat Colour – a rich golden apricot colour, sound to the roots with black/dark brown tipping.
to
Coat Colour – warm golden apricot ground colour, sound to the roots with black/dark brown tipping.
and to amend the description of the Chocolate Golden from :-
Coat Colour – rich coppery brown ground colour, sound to the roots with rich chocolate tipping.
to
Coat Colour – warm golden apricot ground colour, sound to the roots with rich chocolate tipping.
The BAC intend to circulate the change with a detailed description and reasoning for doing the alteration to help them when judging at shows.
GCCF CAT OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
Final list of winners
These awards are made on behalf of GCCF to its members, these members consist of GCCF clubs, such points are only awarded at GCCF Member Club Championship shows. Other shows, even if holding a show licence are not part of GCCF and will not count.
GCCF is an organisation where it is the club that is the member, it would appear that some assumptions have been made in regard to other shows not hosted by a GCCF club. These include both National Pet shows, which though counting towards status for the exhibits concerned DO NOT count in terms of points towards the COTY winners; likewise the Bingley show DOES NOT count in terms of COTY points. These events are NOT GCCF club shows. If these organisations wish to award some special achievement award of their own, that is their decision.
GCCF is the awarding organisation, its own show The GCCF Supreme Show will also NOT COUNT. To be clear NO points will be awarded for Best of Variety wins at the Supreme towards the COTY Award.
Overall COTY winner is a Pedigree Award (Excluding PP)
Points will be awarded as follows:
At all GCCF Member Club Championship Shows ONLY
1 point each Best of Variety Winner/HP/PP
1 additional point for Overall Best of Variety (or Best HP/PP)
1 additional point for Overall Best in Show
Best HP or PP to be awarded an additional Point, to ensure they can accumulate the same number of points.
For back to back shows if there is an Overall Winner 1 additional Point is earned
Pet kitten has been removed, as the majority of shows do not have this.
This means that the maximum points awarded at any single show is 3 points.
The maximum points awarded at a back to back show is 4 points.
I have tried to keep this as concise as possible, to avoid confusion, if anyone thinks more clarity is required in any area please let me know (I can’t clarify further otherwise)
There was discussion earlier in regard to whether the result should be based on all Championship Shows or just a limited number of show wins, but there appears to be no firm consensus on this. If the award is continued in future years this can be considered again.
To reiterate: Please be aware GCCF shows are GCCF Member Club Shows and no others, regardless of licence.
Please! Should anyone think there is anything ambiguous in the above content let me know. If in doubt, ask. Should you be interested in taking on the role of recorder for this competition please let me know, but please be aware your own exhibit/s will be excluded from the Awards.
John Hansson, GCCF Vice-Chairman
GCCFI Registrations
Whilst GCCF will be processing registrations and transfers from now on behalf of GCCFI, forms and payment should go to GCCFI as detailed on the GCCFI website at GCCFI - Registrations
This procedure is as follows:
Applicants should fill in an application form downloadable at http://www.gccfi.com/media/other/16113/RegistrationFormCopyDate15-09-16.pdf
And send the completed form with payment to:
Mrs Caroline Wren, Ballinacourty, Glenroe, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick
Please note: We can’t process Euro payments at the office.
An online GCCFI portal will be available in 2017.