Governing Concul Cat Fancy (GCCF)

The GCCF is the primary governing body of the Cat Fancy in the United Kingdom - the feline equivalent of the Kennel Club.

The GCCF was established as an independent body in 1910, formed from the three or four cat clubs who were registering cats at that time.

It now has 144 affiliated cat clubs, licences approximately 135 cat shows and registers an average of 30,000 pedigree cats per year.

The GCCF is run from its office in Bridgwater by a staff of 12 who are kept busy dealing with registrations, publications, show processing & title claims, agendas & minutes and the mountain of correspondence from breeders, exhibitors, Clubs, Breed Advisory Committees and the general public. They also deal with complaints and breaches of rules, which can sometimes result in disciplinary action and even suspension from Cat Fancy activities.

The GCCF Office is now in its new premises. You can also visit the old GCCF Office to see where they used to work.

In addition, members of the office staff man stands at the Supreme Show and at the National Cat Club show.

The GCCF is a member of the Cat Group, a collection of professional organisations dedicated to feline welfare through the development and promotion of policies and recommendations on the care and keeping of all cats.

On Monday 13th March 2006 the GCCF was accepted as a member of the World Cat Congress which fosters worldwide cooperation between Cat Fancies.

In addition to this, the GCCF is often asked for information and comment on all aspects of the keeping, breeding and exhibiting of pedigree cats. The GCCF responded to a request from the Companion Animal Welfare Council and a representative met with them. The GCCF responded to the DEFRA consultation document on the implementation of EU Regulation 1/2005 on the Welfare of Animals During Transport and on 22nd August the Vice-Chairman attended a meeting with DEFRA to represent the GCCF's views.

www.gccfcats.org