GCCF BREEDER'S SCHEME SURVEY

The Breeder Scheme Review Group would like to give everyone the opportunity of expressing a view on the GCCF Breeder Scheme by completing this survey. It’s open to all whether you’re a member or not, whether you breed or just own a cat(s), or even if you’re only thinking of getting a pedigree kitten. Let us have your opinions by answering the questions and you’re invited to add additional detail at some points. At the end is a chance to win a £25 Amazon voucher if you want to opt into the prize draw. 

The survey opens today and will close on July 31st. The Review Group will then publish the outcomes and get to work on planning the introduction of the changes most wanted.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZLMXRY8

WHITE PERSIAN CAT CLUB AGM

White Persian Cat Club AGM to take place at 12.00 Noon on the 8th August 2021, via confraphone.  For further information, please apply to our acting Secretary Caroline Roberts at Alaskan7156@gmail.com for details.  The club is currently seeking 3 new committee members, applications in writing please with proposer and seconder who must be fully paid up members to the acting secretary.

GCCF BREEDER'S SCHEME UPDATE - 14 July 2021

GCCF Breeders Scheme was started approximately 8 years ago. It had the intention of putting the welfare of cats first as well as giving some confidence to new potential owners that the cats they were getting were not coming from “backyard breeders”.

Since its launch, and increasingly over the past 18 months during Covid, it has become clear that the Scheme requires updating to make it more relevant to today’s environment.

A GCCF Working Group was set up to look at this issue earlier this year. The Group has investigated the current Scheme and similar schemes within other registering bodies as well as the Kennel Club Assured Breeder’s Scheme.

At the highest level, it is believed that the scheme should be made more objective/ evidence-based or new joiners/ members rather than subjective as it is currently. No firm recommendations have been made at the moment as we would like to give you the opportunity of inputting and providing your views, whether you are currently on the Scheme or not. The survey is also open to non-breeders as we feel the views of potential owners will be extremely useful.  Once the survey results have been reviewed this will enable a proposal to be put forward for further consideration before it goes to a future delegates meeting for consideration and approval.

A survey is due to be launched.  It will be open for just over 2 weeks, and close at the end of July. Your input in crucial to enable us to consider and build your ideas into the proposal for the future Scheme

In the meantime, it has been decided that the current scheme will be suspended to new applicants. It is important to stress that existing members will still be listed so there is nothing to do in the meantime and your renewal to the scheme should take place as usual.

BUSINESS SYSTEMS CONTINUITY

GCCF is seeking expressions of interest in delivering this service - please see the link below to the specification.  If you are interested, please contact Steve Crow on kaguracats@hotmail.com

SPECIFICATION  

MERSEYSIDE CAT CLUB

Merseyside Cat Club A G M will be held at 3.00pm on Sunday 1st August 2021 via Zoom.
Members wishing to attend please contact myself via email at Cathy.robinson@talk21.com no later than Friday 30th July for the link.

Cathy Robinson
Acting Secretary

BRITISH SHORTHAIR CAT CLUB AGm

The club AGM will take place on Sunday 17th October 2021 at 2.00pm via Zoom. 

Contact suzanne.griss@btopenworld.com to participate, with an email address

CAMEO PEWTER AND SMOKE SOCIETY

The Cameo Pewter and Smoke Society had hoped to organise a Seminar focussing on Tipped Shaded and Smoke Cats. Unfortunately there has been a very poor response to this Seminar and there is not enough interest to justify the organisation involved.

With much regret we have decided to cancel this proposed Seminar on 23^rd October 2021

Ed Merchant
Hon Sec. 
9th June 2021

GCCF SPECIAL CELEBRATION SHOW

Celebrating the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Cat Show  1871 - 2021

SATURDAY 14^th AUGUST 2021

Venue - Hall 2, NAEC, Stoneleigh, Warks, CV8 2LG)

Leading Us From Lockdown

This is first GCCF show since March 2020           

Almost  back to normal, but not quite! 

The show is being carefully planned by all involved, to provide as stress free an environment as possible for the comfort of our cats and the safety of all human participants

Class structure and awards will mirror a Championship Show with one exciting exception

DOUBLE UP ON CERTIFICATES

It’s a double celebration -  commemorating the first ever modern cat show,  and a chance to be together once again- so let’s double up on awards too.

All pens will be doubles and two cats from the same household

will be able to share and be together.

Penning will be by family group, even if multiple pens or sections are involved.

Owners will be responsible for taking their own cats to the judging stations, where the judges will judge at tables. 

Please take note :- There will be requirements specific to this show which ALL attendees will be asked to agree to in advance.

These will be clearly detailed in the schedule and on the entry form. 

Lynda Ashmore – Celebration Show Manager

OCICAT CLUB

Due to the extension of lockdown, the AGM of The Ocicat Club will now take place on Sunday, 1st August, 2021, and not 27th June, 2021.

Rosemary Caunter
Honorary Secretary, The Ocicat Club

ORIENTAL BICOLOUR GROUP

The Officers and Committee of the Oriental Bicolour Group warmly invite all fully paid-up members to attend the Annual General Meeting at 7pm on Tuesday 3^rd August 2021, to be held by Zoom this year. The link will be sent out beforehand to all of those attending.

AGM papers are no longer sent out automatically to all members, but if you would like to receive them by post or by email, regardless of whether you will be attending the meeting, please let me know and I will be happy to send them in due course.

Please could you let me know  if you are planning to attend the meeting or wish to send apologies for absence – email and postal addresses below.

We look forward to ‘seeing’ as many members as possible for our get-together.

Jackie Reed     Hon.Sec.OBG
jackiejohpas@sky.com
30 Ballingdon Street
SUDBURY Suffolk CO10 2BT

CAMEO PEWTER AND SMOKE SOCIETY

Please click here for details of the Seminar on the 24th October 2021

Since my post announcing a possible seminar, there has been a very poor response. 
With much regret I will have to cancel this seminar unless, within the next few days, I receive enough positive response to justify the organisation. 

Ed Merchant
Hon Sec. 
9th June 2021

GCCF MAY NEWSLETTER UPDATES

The May Newsletter went out last Friday as the Board meeting was taking place. Fresh off the press from that meeting are the following exciting outcomes – more details will follow  in due course:

      GCCF shows able to recommence from 1^st August – subject to Covid restrictions at the time. Of course, clubs and show managers and their teams will have to consider what is involved. They have to take responsibility for adherence to any government or local restrictions that may remain in place, and  the requirements of venues. Health factors are one consideration and club finances another.

      GCCF Virtual show to commemorate 150 years since shows began.  The GCCF virtual show starts taking entries 13 July Sort out your best old photos and take some new ones. Awards and prize money to the winners!

      GCCF presence at  TICA show at Crystal Palace 10 & 11 July  GCCF plan to have a stand for publicity

      A GCCF celebratory show at Stoneleigh Park, Warwick 14^th August to  commemorate 150 years of cat shows as we know and love them. Plans are being made now and more details will follow. Watch out for website and FB announcements.

      17^th July Online Delegates Council Meeting by video conference

Items for the agenda from clubs by 11 June, please.

FROM THE BOARD - 25th April 2021

Cancellation of the GCCF Supreme Show for 2021

The Board confirms that there can be no Supreme Show this year.  It was agreed that it would be impossible to plan for such a large scale event in these difficult times with their constant changes in regulations and guidelines, and to give it the financial commitment needed to secure a venue and hotel bookings.  This is disappointing in what should be a celebratory year.  Cat shows began at the Crystal Palace in London 150 years ago this summer, have been happening since (apart from the war years) and it was an idea that has caught on around the world.

Other Plans

So it was agreed that the anniversary should not pass totally unmarked and something had to be done.  There are three different ideas in their early stages of development.

1. An Historical Presentation

We don’t commemorate our own prestigious history very well, and it was thought it was time to change that.  There is going to be video production to stand as a permanent reminder.  If you/your club has archives, photos and memories to share, now is the time to shake the dust off them as they could be needed. More details will be given as this plan develops.

2. An Autumn 'Celebration of the Cat’ Fun Show

This is the one that we hope will happen, but may not.  The plan is to use the Saturday of the Supreme to have a different kind of show.  There will not be any certificates, but novelty classes, an opportunity to  showcase breeds and a chance to get shy cats out in a show situation.  However, for those that miss competition there will be a grand finish with a Best In Show.  Fingers and paws crossed for this one, please.

3. A GCCF Virtual Show

The one that should be a definite and some possible sponsorship is lined up.  However, early days again, though plans should firm up soon to allow for more information to be shared.

Last Call for 2021 Club Returns - time is running out!

Please click here for details

CAMEO PEWTER AND SMOKE SOCIETY

Please click here for details of the Seminar on the 24th October 2021

2020 ANNUAL CLUB RETURNS

Update on World Cat Congress Celebration of 150 Years of Cat Shows, October 2021 

As many will be aware cat shows as we know them began in London in 1871, so GCCF was scheduled to host this celebratory event with invitations to be sent out to organisations around the world. The Board has been closely monitoring the Covid 19 information being issued by the Government, and considering the implications re the resumption of Cat Shows and of international travel. It is with regret that it has come to the conclusion that due to the number of uncertainties currently prevailing it would be irresponsible to allow the event to proceed here as planned. At present it’s impossible to secure the venues, hotels, judges and travel bookings necessary, and there’s nothing now to indicate we could begin doing so until late spring which leaves too little time for the sort of preparations required.  Therefore the decision has been taken to inform the WCC of cancellation of GCCF participation , so no organisation or individual invests a great deal of time and/or money in an event that would be most unlikely to happen on the grand scale the prestigious  anniversary deserved.  

For the Attention of Breeders in Scotland

 

We have received notification from the Scottish Government that they have initiated a stakeholder consultation on the draft Animal Welfare Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021.  These regulations when enacted will govern, among other things, the licensing of cat, dog and rabbit breeding in Scotland.

 

The consultation on these draft regulations is for a limited time and runs until the 11^th November 2020.  It is important to say that this is not intended to be a full statutory consultation as that took place at the end of 2018; GCCF took the opportunity to feed in views at that time.  This consultation is seeking to refine the provisions that are presently set out in the SSI, where practical and appropriate to do so

 

This is to alert breeders resident in Scotland of the consultation process and to encourage them to read the draft regulations and take advantage of the opportunity to feed-in comments to GCCF via info@gccfcats.org by 6^th November.  GCCF will submit a response to the draft regulations to meet the 11^th November deadline.  .

 

A link to the draft can be found here:

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - draft for stakeholders - legal rural - 21 Oct 2020

 

The cat charity Cats Protection have now produced their 2020 Cat Report, which has some useful statistics about cats and cat ownership.  To view the pdf document, please click on the Cats Protection logo

  

AGRIA insurance - Lykoi breed - message from AGRIA

‼️WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE NOW PROVIDE COVER FOR THE LYKOI ‼️

This is wonderful news for owners and breeders of this wonderful breed, but most importantly, Lykoi kittens can now be protected with immediate cover with our 5 weeks free insurance when they leave for their new homes.

The Lykoi is an unusual breed of cat and has been nicknamed the werewolf cat due to its appearance.

If you want to find out more about this breed, please visit the GCCF website...

www.gccfcats.org/Cat-Breeds/Lykoi

please note that the current T&Cs will still state that it is specifically excluded, but this will be changed when they are next updated.

"Lucy's Law"

The Government announced yesterday that they plan to introduce legislation (called 'Lucy's Law') to ban the sale of puppies and kittens through a third party agent, this means pet shops or pet dealers.  The detail of this legislation has not yet been published but once introduced it should have no impact on breeders who register with GCCF as they sell the kittens they breed directly to a new owner, and not to a pet shop or animal dealer.  

Reports on the new legislation have also mentioned the fact that licensed dog breeders may or will be asked to quote their license number in adverts placed on-line or elsewhere. This does not apply to most cat breeders as they remain defined as hobby breeders if not operating a commercial cat breeding business and so do not require a licence from the 1st October 2018, when new animal licensing legislation comes into effect. 

Media reports on ‘Lucy’s Law’ have stated that the intention is to ban puppy and kitten farming which is correct, but it should not be forgotten that dog and cat breeding are covered by different rules (schedules) within the new legislation. Once there is further information on the detail of exactly how the new proposal will regulate advertising an update will be given.

Steve Crow - Director

Animal Welfare legislation 2018 - Defra guidelines for local authority inspectors 

http://www.petcare.org.uk/images/Images_2018/AAL/Guidance_notes_for_selling_animals_as_pets.pdf

What is in and out of the scope: Selling animals as pets

2. Schedule1of theAnimalWelfare(LicensingofActivitiesInvolvingAnimals)(England) Regulations 2018 (“the regulations”) defines the licensable activities for each sector. In all cases except dog breeding, the licensable activity is restricted to businesses or those operating on a commercial basis.

Business Test

1. The regulations specify two example business tests to be considered when determining whether an activity is considered commercial, and thus within scope. They are not the exclusive factors to be considered but are examples and other factors, such as those listed in the nine badges of trade set out by HMRC, are also relevant. The regulations include the following on this issue:
2. The circumstances which a local authority must take into account in determining whether an activity is being carried on in the course of a business for the purposes of this Schedule include, for example, whether the operator—

(a) makes any sale by, or otherwise carries on, the activity with a view to making a profit, or

(b) earns any commission or fee from the activity.

1. This guidance is intended to assist inspectors in determining whether or not an activity may be subject to the regulations noting that ultimately there will be an element of judgement required.
2. Set out below are examples of the type of activity that should or should not be considered within the scope of the regulations and the indicators that should be considered when deciding whether a licence is required.
3. Local authority inspectors should take account of all elements of the advice below and weigh them against each other before reaching a decision as to whether an activity falls within scope of the regulations.  

Selling animals as pets: Text of the definition in Schedule 1 of the regulations

“2. Selling animals as pets (or with a view to their being later resold as pets) in the course of a business including keeping animals in the course of a business with a view to their being so sold or resold.

In scope criteria

Activities that fulfil one or more of the following criteria are subject to licensing:

Guideline indicators of running a business of selling animals as pets

The following may assist consideration of the criteria listed above:

· Advertising through a variety of sites, forums or media could indicate a commercial activity.

Out of scope criteria

Activities that fulfil one or more of the following criteria are not subject to licensing:

Guideline indicators of “out of scope” activities

The following may assist consideration of the criteria listed above:

Update on Licensing of Cat Breeders 

Please see my previous postings on this Noticeboard for the full background on this topic. 

 

Since my last update in October 2017, work has continued to write the guidance that will be necessary for interpreting each of the five schedules contained within the Statutory Instrument drafted to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006.  To remind everyone 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 Schedule 3: Pet Vending. 

 

This guidance will be available to inform licensees of the requirements under each schedule and will also guide local authority Environmental Health Inspectors in interpreting and applying the requirements of the legislation when inspecting licensed premises.  I have been a member of the working group developing the guidance for the Pet Vending schedule.

 

“The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018” (www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2018/9780111165485) has now completed its journey through both the House of Commons and House of Lords without amendment.  Lord Gardiner, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biodiversity, confirmed to members of the Canine & Feline Sector Group on 1^st May that licensing will be enacted from 1^st October 2018.  Between now and then, training will be organised and delivered to Environmental Health Inspectors in England.  The legislation will not apply in Scotland, but the Welsh Assembly have developed legislation similar to that in England. 

 

As I have reported before, the key factor in determining who is in scope to be licensed is whether the person is breeding cats with the intention of making a profit.  This will be the crucial factor in establishing that a breeder is operating commercially ie. as a business.  Any breeder who believes the licensing will apply to their circumstances should contact their local authority with a view to apply for a license from October this year.

   

My reading of the new legislation would indicate 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.  If you are breeding very regularly and in sufficient numbers to make a profit, you are likely to be considered to be a commercial pet vendor, in which case you will need to apply for a license. 

I urge breeders to keep financial records so as to be able to demonstrate, when necessary, both to their local authority and to HMRC that they are not making an profit and do not require a pet vending license.

 

Steve Crow

14^th May 2018

 

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

5^th October 2017

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

1. October Council Statement – summary of completion of SRG work

2. Recognition that the addition of breeds currently not recognised by GCCF can still be embraced via procedures as set out in the rules.

3. General publicity to as wide an audience as possible

4. Invitation of feedback using means such as: SRG FB site, Email

5. Liaison with show managements

6. Liaison with GCCF Office

BAC amalgamation

Chairman: John Hansson

Members: Jules Candler, Jen Lacey, Sally Rainbow-Ockwell

1. Contact with all BACs to give them the detail of their groups (where relevant) and make a check of the draft judge analysis

2. 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

3. BACs to continue as a forum for discussion, and Judge Appointment Groups to cover group judging with BAC or Breed club representation.

4. ‘Panel’ to determine outcome of split decisions

5. Seminars no longer mandatory as a separate event may be held at breed shows

6. Fee to JAGs covering several breeds to be £50 for appointment & promotion

7. An examination of BAC funds and consideration of financial viability

8. 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

1. The Training Scheme for new judges

2. Mentoring

3. Tutorials and assessments

4. Full Judges

5. 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.