TICA to Announce New Partnership with Mars Veterinary Group Innovations

Sturdi to Offer Special Pricing and Preorder Opportunity

TICA Partners With Staples to Offer Members Discounts on Printing Needs

Cat Club Credits Amazing Pet Expos with New Show Opportunities

A Look Inside The Current TICA TREND

Members at Work

Ask TICA

Honorary Alaskan 'Mayor' Stubbs the Cat Dies at 20

Pet Insurance; The Latest Perk in U.S. Employee Benefits Packages

The App that Puts Medical Records in the Paws of Pet Owners

An Update from the WINN Foundation

London Hotel Offers Five-Star Stay For Felines

TICA will announce a new partnership with Mars Veterinary Innovations on September 2 at noon in the Education Ring in the Show Hall during the 2017 TICA Annual.

TICA President Fate Mays and Catherine Lytle, DVM of Mars Veterinary Innovations will unveil a new genetic test that will result in one of the most comprehensive genetic analysis of pedigreed cats to date. They will also announce special offers and benefits extended to TICA members.

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Sturdi will be offering attendees of the 2017 TICA Annual special discounted pricing on their pet carriers, Sturdiboxes, shelter pads, hammocks, vinyl liners, and exhibitor essentials.

Attendees can pre-order items by phone at 253-884-2368 or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the special promotion code TICAA17. But hurry, the deadline for pre-orders is August 22, 2017.

Customers can pick up their items at the Sturdi booth during the event or have them shipped directly to their home. Pre-orders of $100 or more are eligible for a $20 flat shipping fee within the U.S. and international orders of $100 or more will receive $10 off their shipping fees.

Visit the Pet Pro Shop online at www.sturdiproducts.com to see all special offers.

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TICA and Staples have teamed up to provide members special pricing and priority service on most printing requests.

The office supply and printing retailer is now offering TICA members $.03 black and white prints and $.25 color copies as well as 20% off most other special printing needs and free shipping on all orders, including full-scale production for TICA show catalogs, banners, signs, brochures, flyers, manuals, and other everyday printing needs.

Members can order services online or go directly to their local Staples store to receive TICA discounts. Those requesting VIP services such as design consultation and tenured staff to check their orders should go directly to Staples Executive Services and ask them to contact TICA liaison Teresa Albrecht at 817-965-1912 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Materials should be in PDF format and a minimum of three days are required depending on the size and quantity of the project. Additional information can be found online at www.tica.org/partners.

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Over the past year, TICA has participated in many Amazing Pet Expos across the country by maintaining a booth that allows us to introduce a large number of pet lovers to pedigree cats and educate them about our organization. Last year, the Desperado Cat Fanciers Club, serving the Scottsdale, Arizona area, was the first TICA club to host a cat show at the Amazing Pet Expo event.

The 9th Annual Spring Shootout Cat Show, sponsored by Dr. Elsey’s, was held on April 16 and17, 2016 at The Phoenix Pet Expo in Scottsdale, Arizona.

While the club had been putting on cat shows for nearly 20 years, partnering with Amazing Pet Expos allowed them a number of opportunities they just couldn’t pass up. The club hosted the show in a larger venue, reached a larger audience of more than 25,000 visitors, and with the addition of a sponsor, had more funds to spend on the show itself.

As the first TICA club to work with an Expo show, they were met with a few challenges. They had to educate Amazing Pet Expo’s on what was needed to put on a cat show. The club was faced with a larger number of attendees who were not familiar with pedigree cats and cat shows in general. And, they also needed to be flexible and deal with other pets and a louder environment than usual.

Overall, the club’s members were delighted with the venue and turnout.

“Having put on many cat shows, I believe Amazing Pet Expos is one of the better approaches to get the ‘word out’ about the many wonders of pedigreed cats and cat shows, and to educate pet-lovers on all the ways TICA works to help cats including spay/neuter programs,” said Desperado Cat Fanciers Club President, Sandi Mattingly.

The Desperado Cat Fanciers represented TICA at the 2017 Phoenix Pet Expo and hosted a great turnout at the TICA booth. The club plans to hold their 2018 Spring show at the Pet Expo.

To find out how your club can take part in an Expo show contact Roeann Fulkerson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Cheryl Hogan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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The current issue of the TICA TREND includes a story about the love, sacrifice, and motivation breeders endure to create their dream cat. LA SGC Jungletrax Justified Prestige follows the three-decade journey fellow TICA member, breeder and exhibitor Anthony Hutcherson took to create his dream cat.

The story takes us from the curious and determined seventh grader who called breeder Jean Mill after reading the article "California Woman Makes Housecats Look Like Leopards", and being told by her that “the cat you are describing hasn’t been born anywhere in world yet." According to Hutcherson “the idea had never occurred to me. People made breeds. Breeds don’t just spring from the Earth, they are created, tended to and made great through the efforts of people.”

Hutcherson describes the help he received and collaboration, not competition, he received from hundreds of catteries that allowed him to look at cats with both the telescope and microscope of his eyes and intellect. "The expansion of knowledge allowed me to see my dream cat with greater clarity and in technicolor," said Hutcherson. "They allowed me to lure the cat of my dreams into this world, if only a few molecules a year."

The article is one all TICA members can relate to and we are sure you will find it most enjoyable.

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The Valley Voice newspaper in California reported on TICA’s Southwest Regional Awards Show and gave a good overview and history of the elements that make up a cat show including Junior Showmanship, Household Pets, and Pedigree Cats. Featured in the article is Sharon Kaloni SW Region Jr Exhibitor Coordinator and an all-breed judge. Read the story here and get ideas for pitching the press on your upcoming show.

Have you worked on a project that helps promote better care and understanding of cats? Or did the media report on your event? If so, we'd love to hear about it and share the news with other TICA members. Please send photos and information about any projects you are working on or media clips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Q. I’ve heard reports of something called Bobcat Fever. Is this something I should be concerned about?

A. Yes, veterinarians in many Southeastern parts of the United States have reported the deadly disease Cytauxzoon felis, known as 'Bobcat Fever,' to be on the rise in recent years.

The disease is passed from bobcats to domestic cats through ticks, typically during the months of March through September, when the tick vectors are active. While bobcats, the natural hosts, are typically asymptomatic, domestic cats are not so lucky. After being bitten by a tick carrying this protozoan parasite, domestic cats typically show signs of depression, lethargy, Anorexia, fever and dehydration, within 5-14 days.

Unfortunately, the disease progresses quickly and affected cats can die within 2-3 days without treatment.

Infected cats are typically treated with anti-parasitic drugs and supportive care, which may include intravenous fluids, blood transfusions and nutritional support. Even with aggressive treatment, many affected cats do not survive.

Since there is no vaccine to prevent Cytauxzoon felis, the best way to protect your cat is to minimize his risk of exposure. Keeping your cat indoors and away from the risk of ticks is the most effective preventive-measure. If your cat must go outside, use a veterinary approved feline tick preventative product, and check daily for ticks. Quick and effective tick removal is important.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will answer your question in a future issue of the newsletter.

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Stubbs, the honorary feline mayor of the small Alaska town Talkeetna died last month at the age of 20.

He was elected mayor of Talkeetna as a write-in candidate in the town of 900 residents in 1997 due to the lack of viable human candidates, He served the town for 20 years. His office, at the local general store Nagley’s, became a destination for locals and tourists alike who sought advice from the cat.

"Over 75% of visitors ask 'Where's the mayor?' or come in with this statement 'I have an appointment with the mayor,'" his owners said. "I think we heard those two statements over 100 times a day during his first year in office."

However, Stubbs' career wasn't completely free of controversy. In 2013, he suffered a vicious attack from a neighborhood dog that left him sidelined in a hospital. But even a punctured lung, fractured sternum and deep lacerations couldn't keep him from his duties. He quickly recovered and assumed all his previous mayoral responsibilities.

Although he loved the attention as a kitten and younger cat, Stubbs' life in the public eye eventually began to wear on him. As a result, he began a retreat from public life in 2015 due to old age, and cut back on visits to the store.

In the wake of his death, his owners hinted another of their kittens, Denali, may assume his role.

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Employer-sponsored benefit plans that insure the family pet against accidents and illness are becoming a growing trend in the United States. An estimated 5,000 companies – including Microsoft, Yahoo, Xerox, and Hewlett-Packard – now offer pet insurance, sometimes covering part or all of the costs, in an effort to lure talent and recognize the strong emotional bond between people and their pets.

While the American Pet Products Association estimates that Americans will spend nearly $17.5 billion on veterinary care, only a small fraction of pet owners in the United States carry pet insurance. An estimated 1 to 2 percent of the nation’s nearly 94 million pet cats are insured, industry statistics show.

Owners often cite the high monthly premiums and confusion over what plan is best for their needs as reason to go uninsured. Much like human health insurance, pet insurance comes with a dizzying array of options. A simple plan for basic illness and accidents can cost $20 a month, while more comprehensive policies covering annual wellness exams, vaccinations, blood work and a range of treatments can stat at $63 a month.

When shopping for a health insurance plan, experts suggest paying attention on deductibles, co-payments, and whether a policy covers a pet throughout its lifetime or ends when it hits a certain age. You should also ask whether a plan covers exam fees as well as any medications or specialized foods a vet may prescribe, emergencies and chronic diseases, and if the plan has an annual cap on what it will pay.

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How many times have you been forced to pay twice for X-rays and lab work after you’ve taken your cat to the vet only to find, as the day progresses, your pet has gotten worse and now needs to go to the emergency clinic. Since the clinic does not have access to your visit to the vet earlier that day, you are now forced to start the process all over again. What if there was a system that made it easier to connect to your vet and access your pets’ complete medical records 24/7 365 days a year.

Meet Mark Olcott, DMV and the Chief Executive and Co-Founder of U.S.-based VitusVet (named after St. Vitus, a patron saint of animals). His company serves nearly 500 veterinary practices across 30 states within the U.S. with software that allows participating vets and pet parents access to their pet’s complete medical records, including X-rays, lab work and medical notes through their smart phone.

It also gives emergency veterinarians, specialists and general practitioners a fast and safe platform to share files and information about a patient.

Owners have information on their pets’ health at all times, including in emergencies and when their regular veterinarian’s office is closed. The app also allows pet owners to schedule appointments, set up reminders for their pets’ medications and find the closest hospital.

Veterinary offices have the ability to send push notifications to their phones to remind pet owners to schedule appointments and administer medications.

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The 2017 Winn Symposium Winn Feline Foundation would like to extend their thanks to those who attended the Winn Symposium on June 29th in Chicago and were inspired by the presentation by Dr. Niels Pedersen and the visit with FIP survivor Luna to donate to the Bria Fund to fight FIP. Your generous support over the years has built the foundation for this extraordinary breakthrough in feline medicine.

Cures4Cats Day October 21st is our inaugural Cure4Cats Day, celebrating how your contributions, totaling over $6 million, has benefited every cat, every day. Sign up for the Winn Wins Wednesday E-bytes for insight on Winn funded research. For more information about this event, and other exciting plans we have for the 50th Anniversary of Winn Feline Foundation, visit: www.winnfelinefoundation.org/programs/cures4cats.

Winn / American Veterinary Medical Foundation Excellence in Feline Research Award Winn is pleased to announce that B. Duncan X. Lascelles, BSc, BVSc, PhD of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is the recipient of the 2017 American Veterinary Medical Foundation/Winn Feline Foundation Excellence in Feline Research Award.

Lascelles’ research has improved our understanding of pain recognition, pain control, and chronic pain management in the cat, particularly for feline degenerative joint disease, leading to improved protocols for reducing suffering through early recognition and safe management of pain in cats with chronic disease.

From the Winn Research blog Eosinophilic keratitis (EK) is a relatively common and uncomfortable feline eye disorder, causing an opaque white plaque on the cornea of the eye. Feline herpesvirus can be associated with this condition, however, many cats with EK do not have a history or clinical signs that would be associated with this infection.

Anti-inflammatory drugs, either systemic or topical, are the mainstay of treatment for EK, often combined with topical cyclosporine ointment and antiviral medications.

Eosinophilic keratitis can become chronic, and require extended ongoing treatment, sometimes lifelong. Some cats with EK have been treated successfully with oral megestrol acetate, a potent progestogen with glucocorticoid-like activity. However, the serious side effects of using this drug systemically, which include diabetes mellitus, adrenal suppression, weight gain, mammary hyperplasia or neoplasia, and behavior changes, may outweigh the benefits.

In a study of 17 cats with EK, the use of megestrol acetate eye drops, given every 8-12 hours, was investigated. polyuria or polydipsia, weight gain, or depression. After two weeks, 15 cats had a positive response to treatment, with complete resolution within six weeks for 14 of the cats. No significant side effects were observed. (Stiles J, Coster M. Use of an ophthalmic formulation of megestrol acetate for the treatment of eosinophilic keratitis in cats. Vet Ophthalmol. 2016;19 (Suppl 1):86-90.) For more research updates, visit the Winn blog at: www.winnfelinefoundation.org/education/cat-health-news-blog

Winn Feline Foundation / AVMF Student Scholarship Recipient Casey Clements has been named as the recipient of the 2017 Student Scholarship. Clements is a fourth year student at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research efforts have focused on investigating the chronic administration of omeprazole, an acid suppressant, to cats with excessive gastric acidity, ulcerative esophagitis, gastritis or gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Clements’ long-term goal is to work in a feline-only clinic, or bring feline-friendly practices to a small animal clinic or emergency clinic. “Cats have always been a very special part of my life, and played a critical role in my very early decision to become a veterinarian,” said Clements. "I have found their behavior, medical conditions, and personal companionship to be complex, interesting and rewarding, and during my time in veterinary school I have worked hard to learn as much as possible about this wonderful species."

Winn August Planned Giving (tax) Tip Did you know you can make a charitable donation to Winn Feline Foundation with a P.O.D. account? P.O.D. stands for "Pay on Death". You can name a charity on your savings, checking, CD, or other bank account(s) as your beneficiary when you die. If it is a joint account, for example one shared by you and your spouse, the P.O.D. provision will take effect only after the death of the survivor. During the account holder’s lifetime, the money is fully under your control. You can add money, take money out, transfer funds, change or close the account at any time. You have full independence and control of these assets during your lifetime and can change arrangements at any time. On the death of the last of the named account owners any funds remaining in the account(s) will go to the charity you designated.

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Does your cat dream of delicious gourmet meals prepared just for them, sleeping in wrought iron beds in individually decorated rooms and being groomed while listening to their choice of music?

For cats seeking the ultimate pampering retreat, Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotels in London, England, might be the purr-fect vacation destination.

Every aspect of a stay at Longcroft has been crafted around each individual cat’s well-being and the owner’s peace of mind. The premium hotel offers feline guests individually decorated, climate-controlled suites, gourmet meals, designer beds, and a rich garden play area.

To provide cats with the one-on-one care and attention they are used to receiving at home, the hotel is staffed with team members whose sole job it is to entertain its feline residents. Pet parents also receive regular updates and photos of their cats during their stay.

Launched in Welwyn Garden City, London by Abi Purser in 2010 as a result of the lack of premium catteries in her area, Longcroft today includes 14 franchise hotels across London and South East England to meet the overwhelming demand from just some of the UK’s 11 million cat owners.

Do you think a luxury hotel just for cats is a good idea? Let us know your thoughts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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