Male Persian closes MFF season in style

The Malta Feline Fanciers has just concluded what it considers to be a successful season which included the introduction to Malta of new side classes in the competitions and shows it organises.

The season in fact came to a close with the organisation of the last International Cat Show that was won by locally-bred international champion Shulamyth Gorgeous George, a cream and white male Persian owned by Mark Micallef and bred by Nadine Cachia.

A spokesman for the Malta Feline Fanciers said that an interesting novelty introduced this season was a botched tabby exotic male - Almerians Party Squad - which won the December show. The carnival show, held in February, was won by an American import - Harwood For Love or Money, a cream and white female Persian.

Earlier this year, the club registered its 30th Fife cattery, making up the majority of registered breeders in Malta. Breeders who register their catteries are obliged to follow Fife (Federation Internationale Feline) rules regarding breeding and welfare of pedigree cats.

The Malta Feline Federation is credited with starting the cat fancy in Malta, formally established over eight years ago. Together with its affiliated club - the Malta Feline Fanciers - the MFF membership base encompasses several breeders, exhibitors and ordinary cat lovers. As full members of Fife, the federation also issues official internationally-recognised Fife cat pedigrees and has what it describes as Malta's largest registry for pure breed and domestic cats. The MFF aims to promote the welfare of all cats, promote the breeding of pedigree cats to Fife international standards, organise cat shows of a high level, promote sportsmanship and friendship among cat lovers and work for the rights of animals and for the welfare of all cats.

The international cat shows held by the Malta Feline Fanciers have proved highly successful, attracting the participation of many different catteries, exhibitors and pet owners, the spokesman said. The shows are judged to international standards by foreign experts brought over purposely to Malta.

MFF members also help out in feeding, re-homing and neutering feral cats apart from offering advice on cat care to interested parties.

The club is working on a number of activities to be held in the autumn/winter season, starting in October.

The spokesman said that all members who register their cats/kittens with the club will receive a voucher for a free entry for their registered cat at the next show season. Both pure breed and domestic cats are welcome at MFF shows.

The club also offers a pedigree verification and registration service. Details and forms can be obtained by writing to MFF, PO Box 18, Żabbar (including a new €0.19 stamp) or via e-mail at mff@di-ve.com.