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REGISTRATION RULES

PROPOSAL 1 - Amend the Registrations Rules 37.6.4 and 37.6.5 to read:

37.6.4 Requirements for Registration. Non-domestic source species hybrids may apply for Category V Registration status during the new breed process and may be registered according to the following rules:

37.6.4.1 A cat with a Non-Domestic Source Species parent, grandparent or great grandparent is a hybrid cross* and is considered a domestic cat. It will be considered a P Foundation *Breed Name* if the cross is permissible within the breeding program. It will be considered an N Foundation *Breed Name* if the cross is not permissible within the breeding program. It will be designated by S (36.7.2.5) indicating the Non-Domestic Source Species is still on the pedigree.

*Hybrid cross: an animal resulting from the crossbreeding between two different species or types of animals. Crosses between wild animal species, such as lions and tigers, are considered to be wild animals. Crosses between wild animal species and domestic animals, such as dogs and wolves or buffalo and domestic cattle, are considered to be domestic animals. (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA, SubChapter A: Animal Welfare, Part 1: Definition Of Terms)

37.6.4.2 A P Foundation bred to an N Foundation will result in an N designation. For a P designation, there can be no N designations in a three generation pedigree.

37.6.4.3 Any cat with a parent, grandparent or great grandparent that is a non-permissible domestic outcross (i.e. a cat of any breed not specifically listed as a permissible outcross breed in the approved breeding program) will have the term N Foundation *Breed Name* in its description if the non-permissible outcross is within the three generation pedigree.

37.6.5 Requirements for Showing Category V cats in Championship Advancement Classes.

37.6.5.1 A cat with a Non-Domestic Source Species parent or grandparent may not be shown in any class. (See 23.9)

37.6.5.2 A cat with a Non-Domestic Source Species great grandparent may be shown in Preliminary or Advanced New Breed with permission of the Board of Directors. (See 23.9 and 203.9.1.1)

37.6.5.2.1 Category V breeds must have the following registration status codes to be eligible to be shown in the Advanced New Breed Class: SB, CO or C3.

PRO: Resolves a conflict in the Registration Rules resulting from a change approved by the membership in October.

CON: None.

PROPOSAL 2 - Amend to the Registrations Rules - Experimental Registry to read:

Experimental Registry:

32.1 The association shall maintain a data base (Studbook and Foundation, and Experimental Registry) for purposes of registration of all cats which qualify for registration as defined within these rules.

32.3 The registration certificates for cats registered in the Foundation or the Experimental Registry shall be distinguished from those registered in the Stud Book to avoid potential confusion regarding the status of a given cat or breed within the association. Experimental Registration Certificates shall clearly state, “Not Eligible for Exhibition”.

33.1 Registration

33.1.5 Experimental -New breeds which are in development and which do not have an approved breed name.

33.2 Procedure for Acceptance for Registration. An initial application for registration must be submitted to the TICA Executive Office accompanied by:

33.2.1 A brief description of the proposed breed. (This is to enable the office to identify the breed. It could be a paragraph written by a breeder, a standard from another association, or another means for identifying the cats included in the breed.)

33.2.2 A proposed breed name that is unique. (This is potentially subject to change at the discretion of the Board.)

33.2.2.1 The proposed breed name used for registration in the Experimental Registry is not in any way to be considered an official breed name accepted or approved by TICA and may be changed, removed or revoked at any time.

33.2.3 A suggested two-letter registration code, if applicable.

33.2.4 A suggested breed contact person. to be confirmed by the Board. (NOTE: Adds to requirements for acceptance for registration.)

33.3 Breed Names.

33.3.4 Experimental breeding programs which have not yet designated a proposed breed name shall be designated by the code EX.

33.3.4.1 Experimental (EX) shall be used before a proposed breed prefix when registering a cat which does not meet the pedigree requirements, or requirements for a particular breed have not been established.

36.1 Determination of Status. The registration of a cat shall be based upon ancestry as evidenced by a three generation pedigree. A cat shall be classified as eligible for the studbook, ancestry record, hybridization record, foundation registry or experimental registry.

36.7 Experimental Registration.

36.7.1 Purpose. The Experimental Registry is for registering cats not yet recognized in TICA for the Stud Book or Foundation Registries. Registration of these proposed breeds will provide a precise chronicle of the proposed breed's progress and development. Records will include analysis of any genetic problems inherent in a particular breeding program thus proving or disproving its future acceptance as a viable, healthy breed.

36.7.2 Requirements for Preliminary New Breed or Advanced New Breed Status. Any proposed breed registered in the Experimental Registry as Category VI must declare intent for registration status in Category I, II, III, IV or V prior to acceptance for recognition in Preliminary New Breed Class or Advanced New Breed Class. Registration in the Experimental Registry does not in any way imply or assure that the proposed experimental breed will advance to one of the more restrictive categories or will be accepted into Preliminary New Breed or Advanced New Breed any time, now or in the future.

36.8 Registration Status Codes.

36.8.5 Experimental Registry Codes:

EB - The proposed experimental breed has no cats which are unknown, unregistered, or of another breed or breed group within a standard three generation pedigree. (NOTE: Ancestry and Hybridization codes may be used as applicable.)

37.8.1 At the time of recognition for registration in either the Stud Book, the Foundation Registry, or the Experimental Registry, each breed or proposed breed shall be provisionally assigned to one of the six registration categories based upon size of the established gene pool within the breed or proposed breed and the necessity of outcrosses outside the breed. Initial assignation shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Genetics Committee using the information in the proposed breeding program submitted by the breeders.

37.8.2 A proposed breed which is accepted for the Foundation Registry or Experimental Registry may be assigned to any of the six categories, however a breed must be provisionally assigned to Categories I-V only prior to acceptance for Preliminary New Breed.

37.8.3 Upon application for recognition for championship status, the members of the breed section shall vote which of four categories (I, II, III, or IV) shall be used for determining eligibility for registration and championship competition.

PRO: Allows TICA to track information regarding breeds under development, without using valuable resources to review potential new breeds that often only register a small number of cats. Moves any discussion of controversial proposed breeds to the point when such potential breeds apply for Preliminary New Breed status, at which time a sufficient number of cats have been registered, and data should be available to enable a rational decision based upon all factors, including health and genetic issues. Registration certificates will indicate that proposed breeds are experimental and not a member of a recognized breed.

CON: Does not give developing breeds approval of their name or breed designation.

The following Standing Rules will also be added:

303.2.4 There will be no formal breed committee or breed section for cats in the Experimental Registry.

303.2.4.1 The Executive Office will maintain statistics from the Experimental Registry: the number of litters registered, the number of individual cats registered, the names and addresses of owners and breeders of the experimental breed. Such statistics will be made available should a petition for advancement to Preliminary New Breed be submitted.