From the President’s Desk: A Message from TICA President Vickie Fisher
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I announce that our TICA family has lost a very special lady – founding member and Vice President, Bobbie Tullo. Bobbie left us on May 12, 2018.
Bobbie was certainly a TICA Treasure and devoted much of her life and talents to making TICA the international association that we are proud to belong.
Many of you knew Bobbie as Judging Administrator, Allbreed Sponsor or mentor. Others knew her as a careful, thorough and knowledgeable judge. Still others could count on Bobbie to help and guide them through the process of establishing breed recognition in TICA. She was always ready to listen, encourage, guide and mentor. Some may know her as Vice President; a strong, fair, and independent-minded member of the Board who always made her choices based on TICA’s best interests.
Others of us counted Bobbie as among our very closest friends. Personally, Bobbie was my “other sister.” She loved chocolate and red wine – Cabernet, please, but Merlot would do. I’d sometimes ask Bobbie for advice about details for the Annual banquet and she would always say, “You know me, I’d prefer a brown bag affair.”
TICA has, indeed, lost a Treasure and the world has lost someone who made it a better place.
In This Issue
Remembering Bobbie Tullo | FDA Approves New Drug for Cats | TICA State of the Cat Study Update | Wild West Cat Fanciers Gets New Look | Ask TICA | TICA In the News | WINN Foundation Update | TICA Regional Updates
Remembering Bobbie Tullo
{gallery}newsletter-graphics/May-2018/BobbieGallery{/gallery}
- Bobbie Tullo, Dora Castillo and Carlos Lopez
- Bobbie judging cats
- Virginia “Vickie” Lopes-Arujo, Johan Acevedo Sanchez, Bobbie, Leonardo Ortiz and Marylou Anderson.Bobbie
- Bobbie and Steven Corneille
- Bobbie working her magic, judging cats
- Luiz Paulo, Nathali Contreras Sandoval, Vickie Fisher & Bobbie
- Bobbie Tullo
TICA’s motto is “fabulous felines, fun and friendship.” Anyone who had ever met Bobbie knew she lived this saying to the fullest. Your TICA family will miss you, Bobbie.
U.S. FDA Approves First Appetite Stimulation Ointment for Cats
A drug initially developed as an antidepressant in humans was approved earlier this month by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for weight loss in cats.
Developed by California-based Kindred Bioscience,
Miratazm, an ointment applied to a cat’s inner ear once a day, is the first transdermal drug approved by the FDA for cats. The treatment leads to weight gain in cats, offers more-accurate dosing and in ointment-form, is easier for pet owners to give to their cats.
Known generically as mirtazapine, the pill form of the drug was developed in the Netherlands and introduced in the United States in 1996 as a treatment for depression in humans. Researchers found appetite stimulation, which leads to weight gain, as one of the drug’s side effects.
Veterinarians took notice and began prescribing the pill for cats that experienced a loss in appetite due to illness. While found to be effective, the pill form creates several challenges for pet owners including determining the proper dosage and getting the cat to swallow take the medication.
Experts say the drug opens the door to a market that extends up to 9 million potential cats who lose weight due to illness in the United States alone.
TICA State of the Cat Study Gaining Progress:
Have you Claimed Your Coupon Yet?
Last fall, TICA and Wisdom Health™embarked on a widespread genetic analysis of pedigreed cats using the Optimal Selection™ Feline Genetic Breeding Analysis test, one of the most comprehensive genomic screening tools commercially available.
TICA is proud to report, that as of May 1, 2018, more than 700 TICA-registered cats in 12 TICA regions have participated in the State of the Cat Study to create a healthier and more vigorous pedigreed cat population. If you still have kits that have not been submitted, now is the time to send them in! Check TICA’s double helix progress bar here.
However, our goal is for 1,000 cats to participate by the end of August 2018. So if you haven’t tested your cat already, don’t miss out on the opportunity! Please join us and download your participation form here. Once completed email the form to TICAgeneticStudy@gmail.com to claim your coupon for 30% off up to 10 tests. The study is not limited to U.S. based cats, so all TICA members are invited to join the study.
Information attained from the study will help identify the prevalence of inherited mutations across a large cross section of pedigreed cats and can then be used to help further our knowledge of genetic disease in the breeding cat population. Note that once you have submitted your test(s) Wisdom Health’s team of veterinarians, geneticists and bioinformaticians are available to help answer questions and interpret results.
Currently, more than 200 TICA-registered cats have published their results from the study, including Maine Coons, Bengals, Abyssinians, Egyptian Mau, Ragdoll, Somali, Lykoi and even Highlanders! View results here.
TICA would like to extend a big thank you to all of the study participants and supporters! We are setting an example of the shared positive benefits of collaboration between enthusiasts, science, industry & academia! For more information on the State of the Cat study go to https://tica.org/en/cat-owners/genetic-testing.
Comic Book Artist Takes Wild West Cat Fanciers to New Heights
When Tristan Anderson and Chase Long started the Wild West Cat Fanciers in Salt Lake City in 2016, they wanted to find a way to make their club stand out.
After numerous ideas and an exhaustive search, they stumbled across up-and-coming comic book artist Tracy Butler. Her artwork landed her a job at a game development company in St. Louis, Missouri. While there, she began to delve into the history of the city that ultimately inspired her to create the graphic novel series Lackadaisy where all the major characters were cats.
The story takes place in Prohibition-era St. Louis and follows the antics of Mitzi May and her speakeasy “Lackadaisy.” The story produced three graphic novels and a card game of the same name and won numerous awards.
Butler helped the Wild West Cat Fanciers develop their mascot “Kat Karson” and artwork for the club’s inaugural show in 2017, the Rocky Mountain Roundup in Salt Lake City, which included a Collector’s Edition lithograph. She also created the artwork for this year’s 2018 Rocky Mountain Roundup show in Salt Lake City, June 2-3, 2018.
ASK TICA
Q. Is there a good rule of thumb for how much water a cat needs daily by both drinking and his diet combined?
A. Except to empty a litter box, most people ignore their cat’s water needs until they develop urinary stones or they begin inappropriate marking in the house.
Individual cats water needs depends on several things, including activity level, size, weather conditions, whether you feed your cat wet or dry food, if your feline is nursing and certain conditions such as Diabetes, thyroid disease and kidney diseases.
Veterinarians say cats need 5 to 10 fluid ounces of water (approximately 60 milliliters of fluid per kilogram) per day for the average size non-lactating cat. Canned food may provide up to 80 percent of that water per day and for cats on a dry diet, our same hypothetical cat may drink 7 ounces or more per day.
There are a few tricks to help your cat drink more if medically needed. Among them:
- Switch your cat to a wet food diet and add an ice cube to their food. For cats that turn their noise to wet food, you can try making a dry food more moist with broths and other liquids. If you find your cat likes a certain broth then consider adding that to canned food to make a soupy mess they can lap up.
- Since cats love to drink from running water, consider investing in a drinking fountain. Thirstycat Fountains are the only handmade ceramic glazed drinking fountains in the world and come in a variety of styles. Check out TICA’s Business Classifieds for information on how to receive 10% off a Thirstycat Fountain for your feline.
- Feed your cat more frequently. If weight is a problem, cut back on the volume. Even with the cutbacks, water intake increases because cats are geared to drink when they eat.
- Place numerous water bowls throughout the house and refill them regularly. Cats like to drink in various locations, especially if there is a canine threat in the residence.
Do you have a question to ask TICA about breeding, shows or anything about cats in general? No question is too big or small to ask. Just send your question to newsletter@tica.org and we will answer your question in a future issue of the newsletter.
TICA In The News
The Catachussetts show in in East Cambridge, MA caught the attention of boston.com. Check out their livestream from the show and Parade of Breeds Watch here.
TICA’s Laurie Schiff and Jennifer Becker from America’s Family Pet Expo discussed the cats portion of the Expo in a KTLA-TV segment. Watch here.
The Swindon Advertiser shows a behind the scenes look at Swindon’s Oasis, Europe’s largest international cat show. Watch here.
An Update from the WINN Foundation
Winn’s 40th Symposium and 50th anniversary! Register here for Winn’s Annual Symposium to be held in Atlanta Thursday June 28th from 4 to 6:30 pm. The theme this year is “Perplexing Paradigms in Feline Medicine.” Learn more about treating infectious diarrhea in cats and new thoughts about feline leukemia virus testing. Email your questions for Dr. Katie Tolbert and Dr. Melissa Beall ahead of the Symposium to: info@winnfelinefoundation.org.
The symposium will be followed by a 50th Anniversary celebration, sponsored by IDEXX Laboratories. Appetizers, sweets, refreshments and great conversations await! Win
“Winn” prizes during the celebration and get to know our Executive Director, Board members, and speakers.
2018 Winn Grant Review: Winn Feline Foundation is pleased to announce the award of 11 grants totaling $230,264, funded through the generous support of private and corporate donations from around the world. These grants include research related to FIP, FeLV, toxoplasmosis, lung and oral cancers, identifying a new pain pathway for arthritis, developing a new biomarker for HCM, the genetics of amyloidosis, and cat feeding behaviors.
One exciting study hopes to develop tools to characterize cat populations (e.g. indoor, outdoor, shelter) in order to accurately estimate population sizes and to evaluate management impacts. These tools may be used to monitor trap-neuter-return programs, for example, resulting in improved management protocols and positive outcomes for local ecosystems.
Loving Legacy Tip for May: There is a saying: “The only thing that doesn’t change, is things will always change”. Older estate plans may include provisions to maximize Federal or state tax deduction or exemption amounts which may no longer be appropriate or necessary.
You should regularly review your personal representatives, such as your Executor, Trustee, Guardians for children, conservators, any attorney in fact, custodian for your pets, or others charged with carrying out your wishes. Life changes affecting your estate may include moving to another state, marriages, divorces, births, deaths, adoptions, children reaching the age of majority, or health-related issues. Changes in finances might include a new job, filing for disability, retirement, inheritances, starting or selling a business, or buying or selling property.
Of course, you should review your estate plan whenever your priorities or desires regarding your estate plan change as well. Even if you aren’t sure if changes are significant, experts recommend you review your estate plan at least once every 3-5 years.
TICA Regional Updates:
TICA GREAT LAKES REGIONAL UPDATE:
2018 TICA Annual: The Great Lakes Region is collecting donations towards sponsoring GL judge, Chris Unangst, with a minimum goal of $500. Donations can be made through Paypal at TICAGLPaypal@gmail.com. Individuals and clubs are all encouraged to donate. A banner will be hung in Chris Unangst’s ring with the list of the individual/club donors. Thank you to the many clubs that have already sponsored!
Regional Awards Update: Nominations for “Rescue Cat of the Year” and “Member of the Year” are due by May 31, 2018. Submissions can be made by sending the nominees name and a brief write-up on why they are deserving to Liz Hansen at TICAGLRD@gmail.com. Voting will be held June 1 – June 30, 2018.
Regional Awards Banquet: Picture deadline for the Regional Awards Banquet is July 1, 2018. Pictures will be used in both the Powerpoint presentation and awards booklet.
Regional Award Sponsorships are available online and are based on estimated standings & will be finalized once the EO confirms the winners. Sponsorships are listed in both the awards booklet and on the award plaque. Winning LA, OS or OD cats must be submitted to Liz Hansen at TICAGLRD@gmail.com by June 1, 2018.
MEOW Meet-Up in Chicago, July 21-22, in Rosemont, IL: Join the Great Lakes Region for presentations, workshops, demonstrations, an adoption lounge, exhibit hall and meet & greets. Volunteers (both human and cat) are needed. Please email Liz Hansen at TICAGLRD@gmail.com with your interest and availability. Additional information on the event can be found online.
Summer Shows/Events:
Mark your calendars for the following shows this summer:
- Buckeye Ohio Rollers, July 7 – 8, 2018, in Medina, OH http://www.buckeyecatclub.com/BORCC.html
- GL REGIONAL – Showcats, Aug. 10 – 12, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Roberts Centre in Wilmington, OH http://chemicoons.wixsite.com/glregional2018/exhibitors. Rooms can be booked now by calling (937) 283-3200. An additional block of rooms will be tentatively released at the end of June. Alternative hotels are also listed on the club website.
Please check out the Great Lakes Region website at www.ticagreatlakes.com and get social with us on our Facebook page (TICA Great Lakes) and Yahoo Group (TICA Great Lakes).
TICA South America Regional Update:
For the past seven years, the TICA South America Region has had the challenge of finding more judges in an area that doesn’t have a large traditional cat fancy following. As a result, the region tasked itself with the goal of creating more exceptional judges to represent South America in a high level when judging outside the Region.
As a result, when Carlos López was elected South America Regional Director In 2011, the region drafted a plan to develop both a Judging and Clerking Program in their territory. Over the past seven years the programs have resulted in four new Specialty Judges: Virginia Araujo and Aline Broda, from Brazil, Ana Ferreyra, from Argentina, and Johary Gomez, the first TICA Judge from Colombia and two trainees, Dora Castillo and Carlos Cardenas, both who will be applying for their first license at the 2019 Winter Meeting.
In addition, two candidates will be applying to the Judging Program during the 2018 Spring Meeting: Patricia Fraboschi, from Argentina and Lourdes Duhalde, who will be the first TICA Judge from Uruguay. Carlos Ramirez, from Colombia, will also be applying to enter the Judging Program for TICA Annual. The South America Region will soon announce other candidates who are beginning exams to enter the program.
TICA South Central Regional Update:
Summer Shows/Events:
Mark your calendars for the following shows this summer:
- May 26-27 Red River Rascals show in Shaunee, OK
- June 9 CEU fest in San Antonio, TX
- June 16-17 High Country Cat Club show in Aurora, CO
- July 7 Austin Cat Fanciers show in Temple
- July 14-15 Yellow Rose Cat Club show in Denver, CO
- July 28 Ft. Worth Feline Fanciers and Big Tex Cat Club show in Mesquite, TX
- August 11-12 South Central Regional show and awards banquet hosted by Econo Cats in Denver, CO
Deadlines to Remember: Picture and information deadline for the Regional Awards Banquet, LA information and personality voting will be posted on the SC yahoo list and Facebook page by the end of May. Be on the look out for a list of dates and make sure to double check your cats’ information in all the catalogs. All Corrections must be sent to EO by May 7, 2018 in order for your cat(s) to receive all the points they earned.
TICA Southeast Regional Update:
Expanding Shows into New Territory: Since January, the SE Region has held five successful shows, including one in the recently-added city of Sanford Florida thanks to new TICA exhibitor and city official Patty Mahany. Patty has been a strong force in joining her city with the cats of TICA.
North Carolina Vet School Open House: The Southeast Region participated in the North Carolina Vet School’s Open House last March. Ginger Brown led and coordinated the Southeast Region’s involvment that included Bengals, Birmans, Maine Coons, Siamese, and Household pets. More than 500 TICA Coloring Books and another 500 TICA Visitor Guides were handed out with help from Patricia Clary, Judith Milling, Carolina Reynolds, and Laurie Patton.
Summer Shows/Events:
Mark your calendars for the following events:
- Maine CoonVention June 15 – 17, 2018 in Orlando,FL
- Southeast Regional July 28 & 29, 2018 in Orlando, FL
Remember to Update Your TICA Logos!
Click here to download Updated Logos
Get Social with the world’s largest genetic registry of pedigreed cats
Newsletter@tica.org
306 E Jackson
Harlingen, TX 78550
