The International Cat Association (TICA) is the world’s largest genetic registry of purebred and household pet cats and one of the world’s largest sanctioning bodies for cat shows. You can find a TICA cat show almost anywhere in the world every weekend. TICA has divided the world into various Regions. Our club is in the South Central Region of North America. Once a year each Region in the world holds an Annual Regional Awards Banquet and Cat Show. In August, 2008, the Austin Cat Fanciers (ACF) will be hosting this event in Austin for the South Central Region. The best of the best cats, kittens, alters, household pet kittens and household pet adults who were shown throughout the show campaign year will participate in the Cat Show and will be recognized at the banquet and receive Regional awards for Top 20 Cats, Kittens, Alters and Household Pets. Many of these cats are ranked in the Top 50 in the world and will be honored later for International awards at the Annual World Awards Banquet and Cat Show.
Location:
The Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas. The Cat Show will be held on August 16th and 17th, 2008 (Saturday and Sunday) in Exhibition Hall 2.
The official Show Hotel and Regional Awards Banquet location will be the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 3401 South Interstate Highway 35, Austin, Texas 78741.
Austin Cat Fanciers Club History
The Austin Cat Fanciers is the oldest cat club in Austin, Texas. It was organized in March 1968 as Austin Cat Club and was affiliated with The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA). Members came from all walks of life, but all had one thing in common - a love of cats! Some members had only household cats, while others had pedigreed cats. Many had both. The first show was held in February of 1969. It was such a popular event that the show became an annual event. Now, Austin Cat Fanciers' annual show is one of the largest cat shows in Central Texas. It attracts exhibitors from all over the world, showing cats in all categories from kittens to household cats.
In 1979 the name of the club was changed from Austin Cat Club to Austin Cat Fanciers and the club affiliated itself with a brand new and innovative organization in the cat fancy - The International Cat Association (TICA) - the largest genetic registry in the world. From the beginning the club has shared the proceeds of its shows. In the early 1980's the proceeds of the shows went to the TICA Computer Fund. In 1983 the club held a second show dedicated entirely to raising money for the TICA Computer Fund. In addition, the club has shared the proceeds of its shows with local and national animal related groups. Over the years several thousands of dollars have been given to such groups as Austin-Travis County Humane Society, Animal Trustees of Austin, Wildlife Rescue, Bat Conservation International, Morris Animal Foundation and the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation.
Show Information
Throughout the TICA Cat Show year, cats complete around the World in various classifications for Titles, Regional and International Award points. The Regional and International Awards are earned by an accumulation of points over the show season (May 1st to April 30th). Many cat fanciers travel extensively to cat shows each show season in hopes that their cat and/or kitten will achieve a Regional and/or International distinction.
The South Central Regional Championship and Household Pet Cat Show is considered a “campaign”
The show is open to the General Public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission for adults is $5.00, Seniors/Teens $4.00, Children 6 - 12 $3.00 and Families $12.00.
Each year the ACF brings in some of the best TICA Judges to determine the best in each Breed and the Best of the Best in the Show. This year we are celebrating our own South Central Judges. We have asked twelve of those South Central Judges to participate in the Show with six judging on Saturday and six on Sunday.
A raffle will be held each day to raise funds to be used by ACF to support public education concerning the nature, health and care of cats; and to promote and encourage responsible pet ownership of cats and kindness to all animals.
Vendors will have many interesting and unusual products for cats and their owners, including cat trees to decorate the house and save the furniture from being scratched, cat food, cat litter, disinfectants, gorgeous clothes featuring cats, cat jewelry, cat pottery and many more unusual items.
For information please phone 512/560-6365 or 512/441-6575.
