How to Register a Purebred Cat


Registering purebred cats can be a bit of a hassle for some people. However, anyone who wants to show or breed their purebred cat must register their cat or kitten in order to be eligible. There are several associations and federations that exist for the purpose of registering cats. For the most part, to register a cat with a particular organization, the cat must either have a parent registered in that organization or be registered with another organization.

The Cat Fanciers’ Association

The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) is the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats. To register a kitten with this association, you must possess either a blue slip or a yellow slip from the breeder. Make sure you ask your breeder to show evidence of this slip before paying in full for your kitten. If you have a blue slip, you will have to pay the registration fee after completing the required information. If you have a yellow slip, your registration was prepaid by the breeder. Simply complete the slip with any missing information and submit it to the CFA.

The International Cat Association

The only truly international organization for the registration of purebred cats, the International Cat Association (TICA) is also the world’s largest registry of household pets and kittens. Though any cat can be registered with TICA as a household pet, purebred cats still have to show pedigree to be registered as a purebred. If one or both of the parents of your cat were registered with TICA, the breeder should have registered the litter at the time of birth. Ask for evidence of this so that you may register your cat individually, if your breeder does not do this for you.

The Cat Fanciers’ Federation

The Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF) is one of the oldest cat registries in the United States. Like most other associations and federations, the breeder from whom you purchase your cat will generally register the litter at the time of birth. You can then register your cat individually, if you possess the required information. This information should be supplied by the breeder. Simply follow the directions on the papers you are given and registering your cat with the CFF becomes a simple process.

The North American Purebred Cat Registry

One of the newer registries in the United States, the North American Purebred Cat Registry (NAPCR) offers low fees and excellent service. Numerous purebred cats are registered with NAPCR every year. However, because it is so new, some of the other associations will not recognize a cat registered with NAPCR. This is slowly changing. One of the benefits of registering your cat with NAPCR is that they accept all breeds of purebred cat. Some other associations are very limited in regards to how many breeds they recognize.

The process of registering your cat is fairly simple, provided you are in possession of the required information. In most cases, you simply fill out the form the breeder gave you. Sometimes you’ll have to obtain some of the forms yourself. In the best cases, your breeder will handle the registration of your cat for you, and you’ll have to do little more than mail in a piece of paper with your signature. In any case, if you have questions about registering your cat with a particular association, you should consult your breeder or the association in question.