Introduction to the World Cat Congress

painting depicting yalta participants as cats

In 1994 the Italian cat club, Associazione Nazionale Felina Italiana, organised a major event in the cat fancy under the title “Cats and Man”. This event took place in Venice in June of that year and consisted of a Seminar in which some distinguished Italian scholars from the fields of art, literature and science took part. There was also a meeting between the visiting heads of organisations as well as an international show. The event was well attended by representatives of world cat associations; from the United States - Don Williams, President of the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA); from the United Kingdom - Brenda Wolstenholme, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF); and from Europe - Alvia Uddin, President of FIFe and Anneliese Hackmann, President of the World Cat Federation (WCF).

Towards Better Understanding and Co-operation

The purpose of the congress was to promote better understanding and co-operation among the world's various cat associations in matters of mutual interest and concern such as cat legislation and feline welfare which affects all cat lovers, from the pedigree breeder to the pet owner.

Most of those taking part in this first meeting saw the importance of international co-operation and it was decided to establish a regular meeting of the presidents of the associations, to study and to seek solutions for problems of common interest.

Establishing Tradition

A pattern for these meetings, based on the original one, was maintained and they were held in conjunction with seminars, covering topics such as veterinary matters, microchipping and breed presentations, as well as an international show at which the participating heads of organisations were invited to judge.

In 1999 a Charter was accepted and in 2001 a Constitution was established and accepted.