Cats in Ireland

The first cat club to be established in Ireland was the Siamese Cat Club in 1953. Initially the club only maintained a register of Siamese cats, but in 1968 the Governing Council for the Cat Fancy of Ireland (GCCFI) was founded and took over all registrations. Gradually, other breeds began to appear and had to be registered. The recognised breeds for showing include a number of British, Semi-longhair, Burmese, Oriental, Siamese, Foreign, and Persian cats. The list is the same as the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in England.

The GCCFI states:

• “The Council is concerned with the welfare of all cats, both pedigree and non-pedigree.

• The Council grants licences to affiliated clubs to run shows under strict rules of procedure.

• The Council deals, through its Registrar, with the Registration and Transfer of pedigree cats and kittens, the issuing of Certified Pedigrees for cats being exported and the verification of titles claimed as a result of winning Certificates at shows.

• The Council is responsible for the organisation of the Supreme Show which is held annually. Cats must qualify for this show by winning at the Club Championship Shows.”

Further information on GCCFI is available at http://www.gccfi.com/. Two other main cat clubs in Ireland include the Cork Cat Club and Midland Cat Club.