The bustling streets of Bangkok, Thailand, played host to a congregation of feline experts from March 25th to 26th for the World Cat Congress Meeting and Educational Seminars. This prestigious event, attended by delegates (including TICA President Vicki Jo Harrison and Vice President Dr. Liz Brown) from the world’s largest feline registries, aimed to promote the health, welfare, and responsible ownership of cats while delving into the latest advancements in feline genetics, nutrition, and breeding practices.

Educational Seminar Highlights:

1. Blue Eyes, White Spotting, and Hearing: Dr. Leslie Lyons from the University of Missouri elucidated the intricate relationship between blue eyes, white spotting, and hearing in cats, shedding light on how these factors intersect in feline genetics.
2. The Interplay of CORIN and Cat Coat Color Genes: Dr. Lyons continued her enlightening discourse by exploring the correlation between CORIN and cat coat color genes, providing attendees with valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of feline coat variations as they relate to the CORIN gene.
3. Parasite Control in a Multicat Household: Dr. Woraporn Sukhumavasi from Chulalongkorn University addressed the critical issue of parasite control in multicat households, offering practical strategies to safeguard feline health in shared living environments.
4. Key Nutrition for Cats: Royal Canin Thailand shared essential information on key nutritional requirements for cats, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet, based on the age and needs of the cat, in ensuring optimal feline health and longevity.
5. The Suphalak Cat: History, Breeding, and Breed Standard: Preecha Vadhana provided a captivating overview of the Suphalak cat’s history and breeding practices in Thailand, while Svetlana Lalovic, Allbreed Judge from the World Cat Federation (WCF), outlined the proposed breed standard for this unique feline breed.

World Cat Congress Delegates Meeting:

The delegates convened for a series of discussions on pivotal issues shaping the global feline community:

1. Genetic Testing and Breeding Practices: Dr. Leslie Lyons presented her thoughts on mandating genetic testing, addressed concerns related to breeds such as Manx and Scottish Folds, advocating for the Big Cats Safety Act, and urging a shift away from extreme breeding practices.
2. Collaborative Efforts in Feline Health: The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) responded to requests for collaboration from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG), highlighting the importance of cooperative efforts in advancing feline health.
3. Elections and Appointments: Delegates participated in elections and appointments to key positions within the World Cat Congress, ensuring effective governance and representation across member organizations.
4. By-Law Amendment Proposals: Proposals for by-law amendments, including those related to the election of delegates, were discussed to streamline administrative processes within the organization.
5. Unified Action Against Breed Restrictive Legislation: The Congress addressed concerns raised by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) regarding breed restrictive legislation, resolving to coordinate efforts to combat such regulations globally and affirming a commitment to feline welfare and advocacy.

The presence of delegates from all nine major feline registries underscored the collective commitment to promoting the welfare and responsible stewardship of cats worldwide. Through collaborative initiatives and knowledge exchange, the World Cat Congress continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of feline health, genetics, and welfare on a global scale.