World Cat Congress Members

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Co-Ordinating Cat Council of Australia

Origins of CCCA

CCCA was formed in February 1979 with delegates and observers from most Australian Registering Councils in attendance. The primary aim of CCCA was to unite the Australian Cat Fancy into a truly National body.

An Executive Committee was elected.

Five foundation member bodies joined with a further four bodies joining shortly after.

CCCA meetings are conducted every six months with two delegates from member bodies in attendance. Observers are also welcome to attend.

Aims of CCCA

To create and foster a positive attitude toward cats in the public arena.

To promote the breeding and exhibiting of pedigreed cats in Australia.

To foster improved feline health.

To lobby Government institutions regarding the well being and registering of all cats.

To establish a forum to create National uniformity in all matters regarding registration of pedigreed cats.

To create and implement National Breed Standards for pedigreed cats.

To develop a National Judges Panel and create a scheme for uniform judges training.

Membership Criteria to CCCA

Proof is required that the applicant is a bone fide registering body.

Supply a list of Office Bearers, Judges and Tutor Judges.

Provide a constitution that is acceptable to CCCA.

Provide evidence that there is no conflict of interest with CCCA.

Full Membership status requires a minimum of 3 affiliated clubs with a minimum of six sanctioned shows per annum.

Associate membership is granted initially-no voting rights but full participation on all discussions etc.

New membership applications must be approved by a 4/5th majority of full member bodies-when approved new members are then granted a 2 year associate member status.

CCCA has member bodies in all States of Australia ( 2 in Victoria) and the Australian Capital Territory.

CCCA comprises approximately 80% of the National membership.

CCCA has 129 Active Judges of which 26 are All Breeds.

151 Shows are conducted annually by CCCA member bodies.

CCCA judges officiate world wide—their highly trained status being recognised.

Judges Training

The purpose is to ensure that accredited, knowledgeable, personable and competent judges are provided.

National minimum pre requisites are set.

Applicants for an initial course must have had at least three years of breeding experience-show managerial experience and be fully trained and accredited as competent stewards/handlers.

Member bodies formulate their own individual courses based on the national minimum requirements and progress through various stages of qualification.

The Tutor Panel for any course consists of a minimum of three senior judges.

Courses involve lectures-hands on demonstrations and discussions-written theoretical examinations with a pass mark of some 80% being the general requirement-oral and practical examinations.

Ongoing judges Training courses and workshops include annual national seminars with some member bodies requiring an open book examination.

CCCA conducts an annual 2 day Judges seminar and conference to which all judges are encouraged to attend.

Seminars are also conducted on new breeds and colours as soon as they gain acceptance.

Retention of Judges Licence

Member bodies are required to monitor an annual return of their own Judges panel members assignments to ensure continuity.

Member bodies conduct their own educational seminars and workshops for judges on a regular basis.

Judges are required to attend these seminars.

Judges are encouraged to do their own professional development in new breeds and colours and to constantly update their knowledge on established breeds.

National Shows:

The CCCA National Show is the showpiece of CCCA and attracts entries of some 500 plus exhibits.

The show is conducted as either a one day event or a two day event depending on the member body organising and varied from 3 to 6 rings and always features international-national and local judges officiating.

The 2006 National will be held in Sydney and hosted by The NSW Cat Fanciers Association-an entry approaching 600 is anticipated.

National Awards

CCCA issues a certificate for the best titled male and female cat in each group providing it reaches a standard of excellence.

Ten awards gain the title of CCCA Champion with a series of higher titles ranging up to Triple Diamond Grand Champion may be attained cats of sufficient merit.

These titles apply to entire and Desexed sections alike.

Feline Health Research Fund:

The vision of this Fund is to support the advance of feline health so that no cat or kitten suffers from a preventable illness.

To ensure first rate treatments are developed to keep cats well.

FHRF calls for proposals for use of funds.

The mission of this Fund is to raise and direct financial support to important areas of feline research affecting the breeding and well-being of cats in Australia.

Have the research conducted within tax-deductible gift status at eligible universities and research institutes, under strict ethical guidelines.

Complement top overseas feline research.

The trustees of this fund are a panel of six notable research fellows, veterinarians, lawyers and academics.

CCCA Achievements:

National Breed standards established.

Minimum judges training requirements. Some uniformity of training notes already achieved.

National breeding prefix for CCCA and ACF established.

Establishment of Feline Health Research Fund.

Immediate past President head up Australia’s National Coast Guard and received and OA for services to Australia.

Current President is a Victorian member of parliament.

CCCA Aims for the future:

National register for all CCCA member bodies.

Complete uniform training of judges.

Better political representation to government departments, to enable fair decision-making, regarding breeders in the wider community.

Micro-chipping and desexing of all kittens sold for pets.

Prevent the sale of kittens through all but fully accredited pet shops, oppose the meat and fur trades through petitioning to vet and government authorities.