In This Issue:
From the President’s Desk | Be Prepared for Isolated Status to End | TFMS/TOES Integration | Membership Renewal | TICA Club Sponsorship Funds Available | TICA Promotes Pedigree Cats | Trupanion Giveaway | National Therapy Animal Day | EveryCat Health April Update | TICA GL Regional Update | TICA MA Regional Update | TICA NW Regional Update| TICA SE Regional Update | TICA SW Regional Update
From the President’s Desk: A Message from TICA President Vicki Jo Harrison
Dear TICA Friends,
As our show season winds down, I want to remind everyone once again that the isolated status period we have all been under will end on April 30, 2023. We will all go back to pre-covid regular rules as of May 1, 2023. A detailed report of all the changes both exhibitors and clubs need to know to prepare for the May 1, 2023, change in show rules can be found in this issue.
A reminder that the deadline to renew your 2023-2024 TICA Membership is June 30, 2023. Those who miss the June 30 deadline will be ineligible to vote in the October election. Information on how to renew your membership can be found in this issue.
Enjoy the rest of the busy show season and start planning your trip to celebrate with all your feline friends at TICA’s 2023 Annual. This year’s event will be held September 2-3, 2023, at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA and will feature an all-in-one show hall and hotel. Learn more about the event and reserve your spot now at https://www.tica2023.com/.
As always, I wish each of you good health. Please stay safe and hug your kitties tight!
Vicki Jo Harrison TICA President
TICA Isolated Status Ends April 30: What You Need to Know to Be Prepared
As of May 1, 2023, TICA will return to pre-Covid 19 rules regarding regular and isolated areas. The exception is those areas that were under the isolated status rules pre-covid (as noted in TICA Standing Rules paragraph 1012.3.1). Those areas will remain within isolated status.
There will be many changes, but of note, exhibitors are encouraged to go to shows and get those titles before the point requirements go back up at the end of April. Exhibitors will need to claim their titles at the “isolated area – reduced points” by June 30, 2023. You can see the titles your cats have earned from your TFMS account and then submit and pay. Please keep in mind that you might have to wait for a show to be scored to see the titles. You will also receive emails as your cat achieves titles to remind you to claim them.
In addition, those who have not reached the requirements of a title by April 30, 2023, or have not claimed their titles by June 30, 2023, title requirements will return to regular scoring criteria. The cutoff date for scoring corrections from exhibitors is May 7, 2023. Any corrections including corrections/additions/deletions of suffixes must be received from exhibitors in the Executive Office in writing by May 7, 2023.
Clubs should note changes to the rules related to judges, licensing, and notification of shows and prior approvals to host alternative format shows.
Be prepared! Read details on all the changes both exhibitors and clubs need to know to prepare for the May 1, 2023, change in show rules.
TICA TFMS/TOES Integration Launching Soon
TICA is excited to announce that we will soon unveil the TFMS/TOES integration project, with an anticipated launch date of mid-May.
The new system will include many new features that will make exhibiting cats even easier, including a single sign in that will link your TFMS and TOES accounts so all your cat’s information will be in just one place. This will save time and make it easier to enter your cat in TICA shows. Other features will include expedited scoring, a show dashboard that provides real-time information about what is happening in the judges’ rings, and easy application for show licenses, among other time-saving features. Read a detailed list of all the new features that will be included in the integrated system.
TICA is currently in the process of testing the integration to ensure that any bugs have been worked out to provide a smooth transition for our members. To report an issue or bug please go to the top right menu bar in TFMS and click on the link “TOES Support”. Using this link to report issues or bugs will save time and expedite resolve quicker than emailing TICA’s EO.
Once the system is officially launched a FAQ section will be available to help guide you through the new system.
This is another huge step forward for both you and TICA! We encourage all our clubs to use the show application, so TICA and its customers can reap the benefits.
REMINDER: Renew Your TICA Membership Today!
The deadline to renew your 2023-2024 TICA Membership is June 30, 2023. Those who miss the June 30 deadline will be ineligible to vote in the October election.
Renew online now through your TFMS TICA Client Account to continue your membership and keep all your data preferences.
TICA Membership is truly the beginning of a journey for many people. In addition to the numerous tangible benefits, you will discover a new family and friendships with fellow cat lovers. Don’t miss out on all the fun. Renew your membership today!
Dr. Elsey Show Sponsorship Funds Available to All TICA Licensed Clubs
Looking to host a show, but short on funds? To help ease the cost, all TICA licensed clubs are eligible to apply for Dr. Elsey Club Sponsorship funding. This program has been in place for several years, don’t miss out.
Allocations for 2023 shows include:
- Each club may receive $500 per club per calendar year.
- Clubs are eligible to receive $750 for hosting a Regional Show. Please note, Regional Shows do not count as the $500 annual club allocation.
- Clubs may receive $1,000 per club for hosting Pet Expos.
To apply for Dr. Elsey’s club sponsorship funds, each club must:
- Complete a Club Show Sponsorship Form. The completed form must be eMailed a minimum 60 days in advance of show date to ShowSponsorship@tica.org.
- Show information must be listed in the TICA show calendar on tica.org prior to applying for funds. Please note, TOES does not do this automatically.
- Clubs outside North America must provide a PayPal account in the name of the club to receive payment. You will also be asked if Dr. Elsey litter products are available in your area.
TICA Hit the Road in March to Promote Pedigree Cats
Last month TICA hit the road twice to educate the public about pedigree cats by sponsoring, along with Dr. Elsey, two cat extravaganzas – All About Cats Expo and the Super Pet Expo.
All About Cat’s Expo (March 10-12, 2023 at the Ohio Expo Center) – Thank you ShowCats Columbus for putting on a great three day cat show in conjunction with the Expo and Dr. Elsey Precious Cat Products for helping support the event. More than 200 cats and 60 breeds, including household pets, participated in the show. The Expo also featured many cat rescue groups with adoptable cats and plenty of shopping opportunities.
Super Pet Expo (March 15-17 in Chantilly, Virginia) – Thank you United Cat Club for playing host to a great All Breed and Household Pet cat show in conjunction with the Expo and Dr. Elsey Precious Cat Products for helping support the event. Super Pet Expo played host to 15,049 pet lovers. TICA All Breed Judge Johary Gomez appeared on WJLA’s Good Morning Washington with a Bengal to discuss the United Cat Club cat show and promote pedigree cats.
Spring into April with TICA and Trupanion Giveaway
As we head into spring, add a little bit of extra sunshine to your breeder business with a special offer from our friends at Trupanion, medical insurance for pets.
For a limited time only, new breeders who sign up for Trupanion’s Breeder Support Program will automatically receive 10 cat toys and be entered into a giveaway for a $100 gift card! * This offer is only valid for breeders who are not already part of the Trupanion Breeder Support Program.
Sign up is quick and easy and comes at absolutely no cost to you. Here are just a few of the benefits you’ll get by joining Trupanion’s Breeder Support Program:
- Go Home Day Offer – Send your kittens home with an exclusive coverage offer with no waiting periods.
- Kitten Pack Materials – Complimentary brochures and informational materials sent to your door.
- Dedicated Support – Access to your own account manager to guide you through the program.
Don’t wait—this offer and giveaway is only valid for breeders who sign up by April 30, 2023! Signing up only takes a moment:
Terms and conditions apply.** For full giveaway rules click here.
Congratulations to the lucky winners from our last giveaway!
- Elizabeth W. from Tennessee
- Tricia S. from Ontario
Want to see your name on the next Winner List? Use the link above to sign up today!
*$100 USD Chewy gift card for US, $100 CAD Amazon.ca gift card for CAN. Valid only for breeders in the US and Canada. Maximum reward of up to $600 a year for individuals and households in Canada and the US (excluding Washington State). Maximum reward of up to $100 a year for individuals and households in Washington State.
** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be legal resident of Canada (excluding Quebec) or 50 US states and DC (excluding ND and WV), 18+ and at least age of majority. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Enter by: April 30, 2023. Entry can be made by completing the survey in the link or by mailing in a postcard in accordance with the full rules. Odds of winning depend on the # of entries. Details and rules can be found here. Sponsor: Trupanion Managers USA, Inc.
Trupanion is a registered trademark owned by Trupanion, Inc. Underwritten in Canada by Omega General Insurance Company, and in the United States by American Pet Insurance Company or ZPIC Insurance Company, 6100-4th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108. Sold and administered in Canada by Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. dba Trupanion and in the United States by Trupanion Managers USA, Inc. (CA license No. 0G22803, NPN 9588590).
TICA Celebrates National Therapy Animal Day:
Meet Roger, The Therapy Cat who Makes Kids Hospital Stays Less Stressful
Behind this sweet face is Roger, an eight-year-old therapy cat who has been making kids smile for the past seven years. Through Pet Partners, Roger and his handler Tracy Howell help ease the stress and anxiety of kids at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
The therapy team make an average of 45 visits each year. Kids who are hospitalized like the distraction and safe feeling Roger provides. It’s been proven that petting an animal for just 10 minutes lowers blood pressure and helps the body release relaxation hormones that in turn decrease the levels of stress hormones.
Tracy got Roger involved in therapy work after learning from a coworker of the need for therapy cats at a hospice organization. She immediately signed Roger up, got him certified through Pet Partners, and the rest is history!
Tracy enjoys the ability to cheer kids up and help ease their stress while in the hospital, but also likes how Roger’s therapy work proves to others that cats can do a lot more than you think.
Roger enjoys his visits with the kids and reaping all the affection they give him. According to Tracy, “the funny thing about Roger is that he only purrs at the hospital. I feel like he saves his purrs all week to give to the kids because he knows about the healing powers they have.”
Tracy and Roger have been together since the beginning. She met Roger when his eyes had just opened as a kitten and their bond has grown ever since. Ironically, while Roger lets kids take control on therapy visits, Tracy tells that while at home he shows off his bossy side and truly becomes the king of our house! I guess it’s his reward for making so many kids happy.
April 30 is National Therapy Animal Day. The day was launched in 2015 by Pet Partners to recognize and celebrate therapy animals, raise awareness of their role in enhancing human health and well-being, and honor the thousands of dedicated handlers around the world who volunteer their time and compassion during visits.
Therapy cats and their handlers volunteer in hospitals, schools, nursing homes and other settings every day. Learn more about becoming a therapy team with your cat and help your cat earn titles with TICA for your visits.
EveryCat Health Foundation April 2023 Update
The Art of Raising a Happy, Healthy Kitten: EveryCat Health Foundation and the National Kitten Coalition will host a free three-part Webinar Series, ‘The Art of Raising a Happy, Healthy Kitten” on May 6, 20, and June 3, 2023.
The three parts will include: Getting Ready for Your New Family Member (May 6), Raising a Happy Kitten (May 20), and Raising a Healthy Kitten (June 3). Complete details on each presentation, including speakers and topics covered can be found online.
If you are planning to or have recently added a new kitten to your family or are looking for information to share with new kitten families in your community, this series will provide crucial information for raising a kitten into a happy, healthy cat.
This series is offered free of charge thanks to our generous sponsors, including TICA, Dr. Elsey’s, and Purina. Register for all three sessions online.
TICA Regional Updates:
TICA Great Lakes Regional Update
TICA Mid Atlantic Regional Update
TICA Northwest Regional Update
TICA Southeast Regional Update
TICA Southwest Regional Update
TICA Great Lakes Regional Director, Liz Brown:
GL Bank Balance: $6120.18 ($495 recent payment to TICA for yearbook).
TICA Yearbook: Contact Chris Unangst for Yearbook orders and advertisements.
Great Lakes 2022/2023 Awards: Contact Chris Unangst for sponsorship opportunities.
Attention 2022/2023 Outstanding Sire, Outstanding Dam, and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients: Contact Liz Brown & Chris Unangst to be awarded your cat with a beautiful photo plaque at the Regional in July.
GL Webmaster (Word Press) Volunteer Needed: Contact Liz Brown if you are interested in volunteering to do maintenance for the regional website and have experience in Word Press.
Make your plans now to attend upcoming shows in the next show season!
- May 6-7, 2023, Great Lakes Friends of Felines in Franklin Park, IL, hosts their annual all specialty show & HCM Clinic. Closing is May 1.
- June 17-18, 2023, PracTICAl Cats is hosting their annual summer show in Gray Summit, MO.
- July 15-16, 2023, Buckeye Ohio Rollers in Wooster, OH.
- July 28-30, 2023, PracTICAl Cats hosts the GL Regional Show & Banquet. This is a very busy weekend for the area (Six Flags) so make your hotel reservations early!
- August 25-27, 2023, Great American Cat & Dog Show, ShowCats Chicago, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.
- Sept 16-17, 2023, Cats Rule Cat Club is again hosting their FELINE GROOVY themed show in Racine, WI.
- Oct 7-8, 2023, Buckeye Ohio Rollers in Wooster, OH.
- Nov 18-19, 2023, Wisconsin-Illinois Cat Fanciers is hosting their NFL themed show in Racine, WI.
- Jan 14-15 (2024), PracTICAl Cats is hosting their annual winter show in Gray Summit, MO.
TICA Mid Atlantic Regional Director, Brenda Russo:
Current Mid Atlantic Membership: As of February 2023, we have 453 members! Welcome to all our new regional members!
Welcome New Mid Atlantic Chartered Clubs: Charm City Cat Club (Maryland) and Northern Lights Cat Club (Pennsylvania).
Club Show Sponsorship Opportunities: All TICA Clubs are entitled to apply for club show sponsorship through Dr. Elsey Cat Products. To take advantage of this sponsorship money, clubs are required to complete the Sponsorship Form and submit to Showsponsorship@tica.org. Please contact me if you have any questions.
TICA Yearbook: Contact Chris Unangst for Yearbook orders and advertisements.
2024 TICA Annual: This event will be hosted by New Jersey Cat Fanciers and take place in Chantilly, VA. Contact Lisa Dickie and/or Susan Adler for more information.
Volunteer Signup 2024 Annual: Anyone interested in helping with the 2024 Annual should reach out to Susan Adler and/or Lisa.
TICA MA REGIONAL: September 9-10, 2023, hosted by TICA Mid Atlantic Regional Cat Fanciers, in Exton, PA: Mid Atlantic Regional Cat Fanciers is a “Members” club. All chartered MA clubs will be asked to choose two members from their club as a representative. Everyone is invited and encouraged to help. This will be an excellent way for members to understand how a show club functions and the process from day 1 of show preparation through to the end!
***Please remember to encourage new members into TICA. Perhaps invite a new kitten parent to a cat show with their kitten or visit your local rescue organization and invite their volunteers to come to a local cat show to see how much fun it would be to enter an HHP!
Make your plans now to attend upcoming shows in the TICA MA Region:
- April 21-23, 2023, Karousel Kats Club, Inc. in Exton, PA.
- August 5-6, 2023, Tabby Tales Cat Club in West Friendship Maryland.
- October 14-15, 2023, Christmas City Cat Club in Easton, PA.
- October 20-22, 2023, United Cat Club in Fredericksburg, VA.
- December 9-10, 2023, Carnivorous Winos in Lebanon, PA.
IMPORTANT: Do not forget to renew your membership by May 1, 2023: This fall TICA has breed committee elections as well as President & Vice President reelections. Don’t miss your opportunity to vote.
By – Laws 103.3.1.1 states: No matter when in a membership year (i.e., May 1 -April 30) a person joins TICA, they must renew that membership on May 1st in accordance with By-Laws 113.1, 113.1.1 and 113.1.2.
Coming Out of Isolated Status: As of May 1, 2023, TICA will be returning to pre-Covid 19 rules regarding regular and isolated areas for the 2023/2024 show season. Make sure you claim your titles by June 30, 2023. If you do not claim them, the title will go back to non-isolated status requirements. See full details in the Isolated Status story in this issue.
TICA Spring Board Meeting: This meeting will take place online May 18-20, 2023. I will inform the region of the content of the meeting as soon as it is available.
TICA Northwest Regional Director, Elaine Hawksworth-Weitz
TICA 2023 Annual: A reminder that the TICA International Awards Show & Banquet, commonly known as the “Annual” will take place this year in Tacoma, Washington on September 2-3, 2023. Visit https://www.tica2023.com/ to do the following:
- Enter the show,
- Reserve your hotel room,
- Make banquet reservations,
- Make your travel plans (the sooner the better),
- Sponsor the show,
Make your plans now to attend upcoming shows in the TICA NW Region:
- April 15-16, 2023, Calgary Cat Association in Calgary, AB.
- April 29-30, 2023, And A Mouse Cat Club in Elma, WA.
- May 13-14, 2023, Cat Fanciers of BC in Sooke, BC.
- June 10-11, 2023, Commencement Cat Club in Chehalis, WA.
- July 1-2, 2023, The Maine Event in Monroe, WA.
- July 15-16, 2023, It’s Reigning Cats in Portland, OR.
- August 12-13, 2023, Cat Fanciers of BC in Langley, BC. (Regional Awards Show/Banquet)
- September 2-3, 2023, TICA 2023 Annual International Awards Banquet hosted by SeaCats in Tacoma, WA.
- October 14-15, 2023, The Evergreen Cat Fanciers in Ferndale, WA.
- November 25-26, 2023, The Maine Event in Ferndale, WA.
- December 16-17, 2023, And A Mouse in Centralia, WA.
- January 20-21, 2024, It’s Reigning Cats Location TBA.
TICA Southeast Regional Director, Rene Knapp:
TICA SE Show Reporter: The TICA SE region wants to thank Teresa Carroll Childers for her hard work and time spent as our regional show reporter and welcome Meg Ridgway as our new show reporter.
Sunshine and Magic’s First Show: Sunshine and Magic had a very successful first show in March. All the club members really stepped up and worked together. As RD I was so proud of them.
Remember to Renew Your TICA Membership: I’d like to take a moment to remind all our members to renew their memberships so they will be entitled to vote in upcoming elections. It’s also a great time for new exhibitors and breeders to join!
SE Region Social Media Update: We’ve been really busy working on our social media presence for TICA last month, submitting reels for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Check us out on Instagram at -#ticasoutheastnews – Facebook at TICA SE Region News and TikTok @reneknapp1 and tica_se_region.
Kool Cats and Karens Show: And lastly please look forward to Kool cats and Karens April show to be equally as successful. It’s the last SE show of the season, they have a Sommelier coming, and they will also host a wine tasting. For this event they paired wine with a specific cat breed and offering tasty bites that go with each offered wine. There will also be a fun booklet of all the breeds and their preferred wines.
TICA Southwest Regional Director, Laurie Schiff:
TICA Coming Out of Isolation Status: Don’t forget, April is the last month in which to earn titles under the lowered point requirements! If you are looking for titles, be sure and get to some shows in April! For more details read the article ‘TICA Isolated Status Ends April 30: What You Need to Know to Be Prepared’ in this issue.
Regional Fundraiser: Beautiful custom rosettes (pictured above) are currently available as a fundraiser for the TICA Southwest and Mid-Pacific Regions. This is a limited edition, and you must be a member of either the TICA SW or MP region to purchase. Ordering instructions are available on the SW Region website: https://www.ticasw.com/
Annual Raffle Basket: Time to start getting ready for this year’s annual in Seattle! Our region is donating a raffle basket full of neat stuff from our region, so please let me know if you have anything to include or any ideas. I’d love someone (other than me) to be in charge of this project, so if anyone would like to coordinate our basket, please let me know.
Make your plans now to attend these other upcoming shows in the TICA SW Region:
- April 15 -16, 2023, America’s Finest Felines, in Arcadia, CA.
- July 29-30, 2023, Regional Show and Awards hosted by Socal ExoTICA Cat Club in Arcadia, CA.
- November 18-19, 2023, America’s Finest Felines, in Arcadia, CA.
