Domestics

OWNING AND SHOWING DOMESTICS

All cat-registering bodies throughout Australia encourage the desexing of all domestic cats that are not being used for breeding by a registered breeder. Desexing is an operation that will prevent your female cat from becoming pregnant or your male cat from making a cat pregnant. It is not true that all females should have one litter and this urban myth is the reason why the resources of welfare groups like the RSPCA and The Cat Protection Society are stretched beyond their limits. If you stop your cat from becoming a mother or father to kittens, there will be more homes for kittens that would otherwise be put to sleep. Desexed male cats are quieter, cleaner, do not spray, they smell nicer, do not get into fights; they have no reason to be territorial. They also live longer. Female cats do not suffer the stress and risk that is sometimes associated with having kittens, they, too, are quieter, cleaner and are more interested in being the family pet rather than noisily looking for a mate or having kittens. A desexed animal is also less inclined to "hunt", making your life a lot easier.

Contrary to popular belief; Domestic cats can be shown at a cat show. There are, however, certain conditions these cats can only be shown under.
All Domestic adults (cats over 9 months of age) must be neutered. They must be clean, well groomed and presented and have a nice purrsonality.
Domestic cats are shown in Group 4 (in South Australia it is Group 5, ref. Group 3 and Group 4 pages). This will vary according to which state you reside in, and we suggest you contact the ACF affiliate in your state.

Unlike their pedigreed cousins, Domestic cats do not have a standard. They may be any coat colour, eye colour, body shape, or coat length. It is only required that the coat and eye colour compliment each other and that they have the most important thing of all, a nice purrsonality. Unlike the pedigreed section where a cat must conform to a written standard set by judges and breeders world-wide, the Domestic had the advantage of only having to appeal to that certain judge on that certain day.

Domestic cats are treated just as importantly as the pedigrees. Most affiliates give equal trophies, ribbons and rosettes, and in some organisations (although not all) they can compete for their own titles and awards.

Most affiliates through-out Australia are committed to educating the public in responsible cat ownership and to this end they encourage the showing of domestic cats. They will be happy to help you in all aspects of feline care, from breeding to showing, from health products to health advise. We suggest you contact your local state affiliate via The Australian Cat Federation Inc. web site (link on "links" page), and perhaps we will see you at a cat show!

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