In This Issue:
From the Editor’s Desk | First Anemia Drug for Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease | New Genes in HCM Disease for Cats and People | Proximity to People = More Colorful Cats | TICA October President’s Letter | TICA Remembers John Harrison | Watch TICA Scoring and Standings Tutorial | New TICA Club | TICA GL Regional Update | TICA MA Regional Update| TICA SC Regional Update |TICA SE Regional Update| |SW Regional Update
From the Editor’s Desk
Dear TICA Science Fans:
Fantastic new insights and innovations welcome us into the changing season. A new medication, newly identified genes affecting HCM diagnosis, and why some certain color patterns of cats might only survive near human settlements await you in this issue.
Please extend your appreciation to TICA President Vicki Jo Harrison for leading the charge to deliver valuable insight from the world of science to you, the people applying it every day to improve the lives of cats. In August I had a chance to share TICA with the attendees of 2023 SuperZoo in Las Vegas, where Dr. Elsey’s new pouches were a hit with my kitten.
It is a pleasure to share this edition with you all.
Best,
Anthony Hutcherson
First Drug for Anemia in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
On May 1, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it had conditionally approved Varenzin-CA1 (molidustat oral suspension) a new medication for cats! This is the first drug for the control of nonregenerative anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats.
The slow demise of a beloved cat while battling chronic kidney disease is difficult to witness with no FDA approved medication to address anemia. This new medication has been shown to stimulate cats to eat and is easily administered at home to by owners orally.
Read more detailed information about Varenzin-CA1 from the makers of this new drug.
Editor’s Note: The makers of Varenzin-CA1 had no input in the story and TICA received no funding.
New Genes in HCM Disease for Cats and People
Feline HCM is a close comparison to human HCM, suggesting the cat as a translational model for improved understanding of diagnosis, treatment and even a cure.
A new RNA study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found significant candidate genes directly relating to left ventricle (LV) and left atrial (LA) structure, size, and function.
The research identified compared the gene expression profiles of feline hearts diagnosed with HCM to healthy hearts which revealed disease related to previously unknown genes that affect the condition such as THBS4 and KLHL33 (LV), FAM177B and THRSP (LA).
According to the study – authored by Jessica Joshua, Jeff Caswell, M. Lynne O’Sullivan, Geoffrey Wood, and Sonja Fonfara of the University of Guelph – “differently expressed genes and functional pathways found in the HCM heart are associated with cardiac remodeling and fibrosis, inflammation, microvascular changes, calcium signaling and cardiac metabolism, with some regional differences.”
Proximity to People = More Colorful Cats
Brown cats live farther from town while red/white/blue and classic tabby cats tend to stick around is a simplistic summary of the July 2023 study from the journal Ecology & Evolution. Distance from human settlements favors wild-type appearance of feral cats (Felis catus) in Mediterranean woodland by Shahar Dubiner, Itai Namir, Ron, Chen and Eran Levin.
The adaptive coloration more resembling the wild cat, Felis silvestris, and to blend with the vegetative environment are reasons posited by the authors. The ability of predators to identify and prey upon cats with unusual or visually distinctive colorations is suggested by the authors as a reason for the relatively low density of non-brown tabby cats a great distance from human settlements.
The authors also pose visually distinctive color patterns to help distinguish which cats are domestic to humans and create a sense of compassion resulting in greater access to food and reduction in predators. These theories underscore the previous work by researchers demonstrating a higher incidence of color pattern variants among domestic cat populations that enjoy some level of care taken by humans.
TICA October News Briefs
Hello TICA Friends,
It is that time of year when the TICA ballot will be sent out to all eligible members. According to TICA rules, the ballot must be sent out by October 31, 2003. This year the target date is Monday, October 23, 2003, barring any issues that might arise between now and then. You will have 30 days to cast your vote from the day the ballot comes out.
This year there are four proposals for you to consider. The office of President and Vice-President are up for election as well as breed committees.
TICA is a member driven organization, so exercise your right to vote!
As always, I wish each of you good health. Please stay safe and hug your kitties tight!
Vicki Jo Harrison
TICA President
TICA Remembers John Harrison
Last month John Harrison, longtime TICA contributor and beloved husband for 40 years of TICA President Vicki Jo Harrison passed. John was active in TICA and served as the yearbook editor for 11 years.
He was a founding member of Mission City Cat Club and helped produce many shows over the years. He enjoyed visiting with other members of the cat fancy and his lifelong cat fancy friends. One of his favorite activities was after show set-up on Friday nights, was to go out with everyone and visit and catch up.
He and Vicki Jo raised Siamese and Oriental Shorthair cats and John was always proud of their results in the show ring.
The TICA Family thanks John for his years of service to TICA and offers our sincerest condolences. Please keep Vicki Jo and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
The full obituary of John Harrison can be read online.
Track, Analyze, and Conquer: Watch TICA’s Scoring and Standings Tutorial
TICA’s latest member-only benefit is here and it’s a real game-changer!
Have you heard about TICA’s official Scoring and Standings feature on the TFMS dashboard. As a TICA member, you can now keep track of your cat’s scores, earned titles, access in-depth insights like ring scores, cat counts, award points, and dive deeper into specifics like Color, Division, Breed, and Final placements.
Want to learn more? Check out this video that will introduce you to TICA’s scoring and standings features and unleash your cat’s potential to take their show success to the next level.
With TICA’s new Scoring and Standings feature, you never have to miss a beat in your cat’s championship journey. Stay ahead of the competition and make the most out of your TICA membership with TFMS Scoring and Standings.
Don’t wait, become a member today and start using this and all the other advanced TFMS technology to up your exhibitor game on tracking and planning!
TICA Welcomes a New Club in the International Region
Wherever you are, you are in TICA’s world!
TICA continues to grow in 2023 with the addition of the new club Hong Kong Bengal Cat Club (Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long, Hong Kong) in the International Region. Welcome!
TICA has clubs around the world and are a great way to mix and mingle with people who love cats as much as you do. There are more than 160 clubs in TICA’s world with a diverse array of backgrounds, interests, and professions. By joining a TICA club you can make new friends with amazing people while attending TICA cat shows, participating in club activities, and volunteering.
If you’re not already a member, then find a club near you and start the fun! Find a list of TICA clubs.
TICA October Regional Updates
- TICA Great Lakes Regional Update
- TICA Mid Atlantic Regional Update
- TICA South Central Regional Update
- TICA Southeast Regional Update
- TICA Southwest Regional Update
TICA Great Lakes Regional Director, Liz Brown:
TICA GL Treasury Balance: $5109.22 ($3981.66 & $4863.18 for awards; $140.60 for flowers, $357.19 for awards booklets)
Please mark your calendars for the following TICA GL shows for the 2023/2024 show season:
- November 18-19, 2023, Wisconsin-Illinois Cat Fanciers is hosting their NFL-themed show in Racine, WI.
- January 14-15, 2024, PracTICAl Cats is hosting their annual winter show in Gray Summit, MO.
- February 10-11, 2024, Toledo RusTICAts is hosting their first show in Bowling Green, OH.
- March 8-10, 2024, Showcats Columbus show in Columbus, OH.
TICA Mid Atlantic Regional Director, Brenda Russo:
Summary of the September Annual Board Meeting as it relates to TICA MA Region:
TFMS Update: TFMS backlog is empty. Registration turnaround is approximately 24 hours and Rush is approximately 2 business hours. Please let me know if you have any issues with registration and I will be happy to help.
Board Minutes: Read the complete minutes for the TICA Annual Board meeting.
Remember to Vote! This year is an important election year! Voting opens mid-October!
- President: Vicki Jo Harrison & Ralph Stadler
- Vice President: Liz Hanson Brown & Ellen Crockett
- Breed Committees
TICA MA Region News:
TICA MA Regional Awards: I will be bringing the awards that were not picked up to the Tabby Tales and Carnivorous Winos shows. If you would like me to send them to you, please email me @ BRussotica@gmail.com.
Believe it or not, we are now in the last quarter of the year!! Please mark your calendar to attend these remaining shows for this season in the TICA MA Region:
- October 20-22, 2023, United Cat Club in Fredericksburg, VA.
- November 4-5, 2023, Tabby Tales Cat Club in Lebanon, PA.
- December 9-10, 2023, Carnivorous Winos Cat Club in Lebanon, PA.
Welcome New Clubs: Congratulations to both Mid Atlantic Cat Club and Northern Lights Cat Club on being the MA newest clubs! Both clubs did an excellent job with hosting their first shows. Everyone worked extremely hard (even under the hottest circumstances) to make the best for all to attend. A huge thank you to all that supported both clubs!
TICA MA Region Membership Update: Membership as of 9/5/2023 is 424! Please try and encourage people you meet at shows or kitten buyers to join TICA and be part of the fun!
New MA Region Show Reporter: Julie Keyler has graciously accepted the position of show reporter. Clubs, please email Julie with your marked catalog after your show. Thank you, Julie!
Annual MA Show: Chantilly, VA: Volunteers Needed! Please contact Lisa and Susan to volunteer.
To finish up my update, I would like to end on a happy and celebratory note. Please join me in congratulating Julie Ball and Harry Warren on their recent wedding nuptials! Take a moment and congratulate the happy couple on their new adventure in life!
TICA South Central Regional Director, Jim Armel:
Remember to Vote: October is here, and as every year in TICA’s world there will be a ballot emailed out to all eligible voting members. This year we will be deciding on who will lead TICA for the next three years as our President and Vice President as well as whom you wish to lead your breed committees. Please, if you are able to vote do so. It’s a chance for you to have your voice heard.
Garden of the Cats Show: October 14-15 Garden of the Cats will host a show in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. A wonderful location in the heart of the Rockies awaits you!
The weather is finally starting to cool down around the Region and I wish all of you a pleasant fall! Enjoy time with your family, friends, and felines!
Jim
TICA Southeast Regional Director, Rene Knapp:
Allbreed Judge Kim Chenault judging a beautiful Abyssinian at the TICA SE Region Simpsonville show.
The Return of Hurricane Cat Club! We start October with the return of Hurricane Cat Club. It’s wonderful to see some of our older clubs coming back to put on shows again. The club worked hard to make the show a success.
SE Members Help a Member in Need: The SE region once again came out for one of our members who lost her entire home and most of her cats as well as her beloved dog in a tragic fire. A memorial for her terrible loss was presented at our Largo show and many donations came her way. There is a Go Fund Me set up and available through a link posted on the TICA SE Region News Facebook Group. As always, the generosity of our cat family is astounding as we always take care of our own.
Meow-querade Ball: But now it’s time to turn to Pumpkins, ghosts, witches, and their familiars. Harmony Cat Club will present a Meows-querade Ball October 28- 30, 2023 at the Days Inn by Wyndham Pigeon Forge Parkway. There will be 18 rings in all, a pajama party Friday night for judges and exhibitors (show is closed to the public Friday), a goodies exchange on Saturday, and a costume contest for both exhibitors and cats. On Sunday we will present a Junior Exhibitors ring with some fun activities planned. Visitors welcome Saturday and Sunday. There are already over 100 entries. This show is known to fill – please enter on toes.
Remember to Vote Later this Month! Don’t forget to vote for your TICA President and Vice President when the ballots come out this month – also for your choice of your members for your breed committee.
TICA Southwest Regional Director, Laurie Schiff:
Please remember to vote when you receive the ballot in your email later this month!
Make your plans now to attend these other upcoming shows in the TICA SW Region:
- November 18-19, 2023, Surf-N-Turf & America’s Finest Felines in Arcadia, CA.
- March 16-17, 2024, Surf-N-Turf in Arcadia, CA.
- April 12-14, 2024, Celebrity Cat Club in Arcadia, CA ** 3 DAY SHOW including a Friday night Pajama Party and Poker Run!
- June 22-23, 2024, Socal Exotica Cat Club in Arcadia, CA.
- July 26-28, 2024, Southwest Regional Awards show and Banquet ** 3 DAY SHOW!
