AICA - FAQ
As expected, there is a lot of scepticism and many questions have been asked about the formation of an Independent Cat Club in South Africa. Some of the answers are listed below:
1. What is an Independent club?
It is the original format of cat clubs, especially successful in Europe, where the club is autonomous in all respects. It does not belong to a governing body and does not pay affiliation fees or subscribe to the rules and constitution of a governing body on a national or international basis. Some of the largest clubs in Europe are independent.
2. Is the “pie” in the South African Cat fancy big enough for yet another club to want a slice?
AICA does not want to have a slice or compete with the other clubs. It rather wants to add a dollop of cream if it is a sweet pie or some gravy if it is a savoury pie. The idea is to enhance and compliment, not compete.
3. Why Independent and not TICA, CFA, etc.?
An independent club has a lot of options and freedom to explore, without the restrictive rules of an International body, which sometimes are not relevant or realistic in our country and costs nothing in affiliation -, show license -, meeting attendance -, registration-, etc. fees.
4. Is AICA setting up a register?
There are three cat registering bodies in South Africa, covering all breeds of cats. Until 2020 there was no need for an Independent Register. Independent clubs can accept cats registered anywhere. The WCF changed their rules, without consulting the clubs or voting in 2020, resulting in a dispute between the South African WCF affiliate, CASA and the WCF board. The board then refused to register new cattery names for members of CASA. As a result, AICA stepped in to solve the problem and is now also registering catteries and cats.
5. What about judges training?
Independent Judges in Europe take 100% responsibility for their own training, unless they belong to an Independent Guild. They have to arrange their training and examinations with other independent judges. It is a long and tedious process, usually done breed by breed and in a very loosely defined fashion. In South Africa we have the CJGA, an independent Guild of Cat Judges which is undertaking training and affiliation of Independent Judges in a structured way. There are now several Independent judges in South Africa.
6. What is the association with Fife and WCF?
There is no association, apart from the fact that the same title structure is followed and as such titles and title certificates from Fife, WCF and other Independent Clubs following the same title structure can be recognised reciprocally. CFSA, SACC, ACFA, TICA, CFA, UFO, ACF, CCCA, NZCF, etc. titles and certificates follow different systems and can therefor not be recognised for a cat’s show career. Fife & WCF judges licenses are recognised, as are all other verifyable judges qualifications.
7. What standard will judges use?
The standards are pretty universal these days. Cats are judged in colour, pattern, etc. classes as per WCF/Independent convention. The standard of the organisation of origin (where the cat was first recognised) is the preferred one.
8. I still don’t get it – what is the advantage of an Independent club over a WCF club or –sub-club, for example?
Firstly, WCF international shows need 80 cats entered on a show – something which is very difficult to guarantee in smaller centres and other neighbouring countries.
Secondly, the WCF discontinued all sub-clubs and the South African WCF sub-clubs had to change to Independent clubs.
Thirddly, a cat can only receive one title certificate at a WCF show per day. When there are small shows, finished in only a few hours, a different show on the same day gives the exhibitors, the stewards and student judges a second opportunity. This makes a lot of sense when we consider the long distances travelled to shows in our country.
9. What’s to stop lots of other Independent Clubs from starting up and opening the flood gates, turning the cat fancy into a “free for all”?
Nothing. Hopefully there will be other Independent clubs, with the same idea – to enhance, rather than to compete, with steering committees investing their energy and time into positive development, rather than fighting. Clubs not delivering the goods will simply not be supported and will die a natural death. Since the formation of Independent Clubs in South Africa, several of these have proven that concept is viable and successful and very popular with exhibitors.
Further questions are welcomed and if they can be answered in a constructive way, will be added to this list.
1. What is an Independent club?
It is the original format of cat clubs, especially successful in Europe, where the club is autonomous in all respects. It does not belong to a governing body and does not pay affiliation fees or subscribe to the rules and constitution of a governing body on a national or international basis. Some of the largest clubs in Europe are independent.
2. Is the “pie” in the South African Cat fancy big enough for yet another club to want a slice?
AICA does not want to have a slice or compete with the other clubs. It rather wants to add a dollop of cream if it is a sweet pie or some gravy if it is a savoury pie. The idea is to enhance and compliment, not compete.
3. Why Independent and not TICA, CFA, etc.?
An independent club has a lot of options and freedom to explore, without the restrictive rules of an International body, which sometimes are not relevant or realistic in our country and costs nothing in affiliation -, show license -, meeting attendance -, registration-, etc. fees.
4. Is AICA setting up a register?
There are three cat registering bodies in South Africa, covering all breeds of cats. Until 2020 there was no need for an Independent Register. Independent clubs can accept cats registered anywhere. The WCF changed their rules, without consulting the clubs or voting in 2020, resulting in a dispute between the South African WCF affiliate, CASA and the WCF board. The board then refused to register new cattery names for members of CASA. As a result, AICA stepped in to solve the problem and is now also registering catteries and cats.
5. What about judges training?
Independent Judges in Europe take 100% responsibility for their own training, unless they belong to an Independent Guild. They have to arrange their training and examinations with other independent judges. It is a long and tedious process, usually done breed by breed and in a very loosely defined fashion. In South Africa we have the CJGA, an independent Guild of Cat Judges which is undertaking training and affiliation of Independent Judges in a structured way. There are now several Independent judges in South Africa.
6. What is the association with Fife and WCF?
There is no association, apart from the fact that the same title structure is followed and as such titles and title certificates from Fife, WCF and other Independent Clubs following the same title structure can be recognised reciprocally. CFSA, SACC, ACFA, TICA, CFA, UFO, ACF, CCCA, NZCF, etc. titles and certificates follow different systems and can therefor not be recognised for a cat’s show career. Fife & WCF judges licenses are recognised, as are all other verifyable judges qualifications.
7. What standard will judges use?
The standards are pretty universal these days. Cats are judged in colour, pattern, etc. classes as per WCF/Independent convention. The standard of the organisation of origin (where the cat was first recognised) is the preferred one.
8. I still don’t get it – what is the advantage of an Independent club over a WCF club or –sub-club, for example?
Firstly, WCF international shows need 80 cats entered on a show – something which is very difficult to guarantee in smaller centres and other neighbouring countries.
Secondly, the WCF discontinued all sub-clubs and the South African WCF sub-clubs had to change to Independent clubs.
Thirddly, a cat can only receive one title certificate at a WCF show per day. When there are small shows, finished in only a few hours, a different show on the same day gives the exhibitors, the stewards and student judges a second opportunity. This makes a lot of sense when we consider the long distances travelled to shows in our country.
9. What’s to stop lots of other Independent Clubs from starting up and opening the flood gates, turning the cat fancy into a “free for all”?
Nothing. Hopefully there will be other Independent clubs, with the same idea – to enhance, rather than to compete, with steering committees investing their energy and time into positive development, rather than fighting. Clubs not delivering the goods will simply not be supported and will die a natural death. Since the formation of Independent Clubs in South Africa, several of these have proven that concept is viable and successful and very popular with exhibitors.
Further questions are welcomed and if they can be answered in a constructive way, will be added to this list.
