About GFA
GENERAL
CONCEPT
The Global Feline Alliance is a novel concept in the world wide cat fancy. It is a voluntary alliance of cat clubs with similar objectives and views, based on mutual recognition of registrations, show titles and judges, while respecting each organisation's independence and right to fulfill their own objectives. The concept is still being developed and will evolve as we receive input from other interested parties. Currently the idea is to have an alliance of clubs and judges guilds who agree to recognize each other on a voluntary basis by means of a published list of associates. Associates will have the right to use the GFA logo and to request to be added or removed from the list freely, without having to pay membership fees, or subscribe to a central constitution and list of rules, controlled by a board. |
GLOBAL FELINE ALLIANCE
An introduction – August 2020
The world of the feline enthusiast, as most other hobbies, have always been plagued by politics, personal agendas, major differences of opinion and sometimes unforgiving cultural differences. So, very soon after the formation of the first hobby club for cat fanciers in the UK, there were groups breaking away from existing clubs and starting new clubs, federations, associations or amalgamating, re-grouping, etc. Having different opinions and cultures are part of human nature and not likely to change.
One way of trying to establish harmony and promote a fulfilling enjoyable hobby, as opposed to constant political disharmony is a “live and let live” approach. This is where like-minded groups voluntarily and spontaneously associate, without being pressurized or obliged to be part of an organisation with rules they don’t agree with, questionable ethics, political agendas, suspect financials, etc., in order to be able to promote, show and breed registered cats.
Independent cat clubs have existed since the beginning of the formal cat fancy. The formation of co-ordinating associations or federations with a central board/committee and formal structures, rules and regulations to which all member clubs have to subscribe, evolved from the original independent clubs. These organisations were in many instances also break-away groups, each starting with their own structure and rules to which member clubs must adhere. Some have disappeared, some are expanding and others stagnating. Recent developments include a tendency for clubs to de-affiliate from larger federations as rules and cultures change and become unacceptable. There are also new independent clubs formed in countries where the cat fancy is relatively new.
The world is turning more and more into a global village and it is therefore important also for the cat fancy to realize that we cannot function alone, each on our own little island or turf. It is very important that we support each other in the face of adversity by government agencies and animal rights pressure groups lobbying against registered cat breeding and shows. It is also important for breeder members and show exhibitors to know that their club is internationally recognized and respected, although not controlled by external interference.
A good example is set by the way that European Independent clubs co-operate without interference with each other’s independence.
The Global Feline Alliance strives for a global cat fancy where individual organisations can function autonomously, yet co-operate to support each other where necessary, without obligation and with mutual respect.
What does GFA currently have?
What does GFA not have?
An introduction – August 2020
The world of the feline enthusiast, as most other hobbies, have always been plagued by politics, personal agendas, major differences of opinion and sometimes unforgiving cultural differences. So, very soon after the formation of the first hobby club for cat fanciers in the UK, there were groups breaking away from existing clubs and starting new clubs, federations, associations or amalgamating, re-grouping, etc. Having different opinions and cultures are part of human nature and not likely to change.
One way of trying to establish harmony and promote a fulfilling enjoyable hobby, as opposed to constant political disharmony is a “live and let live” approach. This is where like-minded groups voluntarily and spontaneously associate, without being pressurized or obliged to be part of an organisation with rules they don’t agree with, questionable ethics, political agendas, suspect financials, etc., in order to be able to promote, show and breed registered cats.
Independent cat clubs have existed since the beginning of the formal cat fancy. The formation of co-ordinating associations or federations with a central board/committee and formal structures, rules and regulations to which all member clubs have to subscribe, evolved from the original independent clubs. These organisations were in many instances also break-away groups, each starting with their own structure and rules to which member clubs must adhere. Some have disappeared, some are expanding and others stagnating. Recent developments include a tendency for clubs to de-affiliate from larger federations as rules and cultures change and become unacceptable. There are also new independent clubs formed in countries where the cat fancy is relatively new.
The world is turning more and more into a global village and it is therefore important also for the cat fancy to realize that we cannot function alone, each on our own little island or turf. It is very important that we support each other in the face of adversity by government agencies and animal rights pressure groups lobbying against registered cat breeding and shows. It is also important for breeder members and show exhibitors to know that their club is internationally recognized and respected, although not controlled by external interference.
A good example is set by the way that European Independent clubs co-operate without interference with each other’s independence.
The Global Feline Alliance strives for a global cat fancy where individual organisations can function autonomously, yet co-operate to support each other where necessary, without obligation and with mutual respect.
What does GFA currently have?
- A website, with a registered domain: http://www.globalfelinealliance.org
- A small group of volunteers to co-ordinate the website.
- An e-mail address dedicated to GFA only: [email protected]
- Free affiliation to any cat organisation operating within the relevant laws.
- Independent associates, who decide which GFA associates and other cat organisations they recognize.
What does GFA not have?
- A central committee or board, with officials like a President or Chairperson.
- An affiliation fee or any other fees, or bank account.
- Registration in any country as a legal entity.
- A constitution and sets of rules that associates are obliged to follow.