European households are home to 42 millions cats, and cats are growing in popularity. The cat is the animal of the Year 2000, an ideal companion combining independence and affection, natural grace and a strong hunting instinct.
In Europe, experts estimate the number of purebred cats at 8%* of the overall cat population. About 50 breeds are recognized by a number of different clubs. The number of breeders is estimated at 25,000*. Though the average person on the street in Europe is not familiar with most cat breeds, cats nevertheless have a reputation of being affectionate and graceful. The first cat fanciers were from Europe. (It is interesting to note that the French term for a cat fancier is "félinophile," or "amateur de chat." "Amateur" comes from the Italian word "amare," meaning love.) These early cat fanciers brought together the first breeders and organized the first cat shows.
The first cat show was held in London in 1871. More than 300 cats, primarily Persians, Siamese, and Birmans, were shown. The first federation of cat clubs, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) was formed in Great Britain in 1910.
In 1949, the FIFe, or Fédération internationale féline d’Europe, was founded. France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Austria, and Germany were the first member countries. Today, the FIFe has about 30 member countries and a presence in 40 countries. The FIFe's primary missions are to establish standard show regulations, adopt common standards, maintain the registry, and train judges.
Other cat federations include the World Cat Federation in Europe and the International Cat Association, and the Cat Fancy Association in the United States.
Each country also has individual cat clubs. These clubs are typically independent and have their own registries and show regulations. Therefore, several registries may exist in a given country, though European countries are currently moving toward standardization.
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