Letter from Vickie

March means Spring is just around the corner for most of us around the world! March also means it's time for new babies ... kittens that is! And March means we're less than two months out from the end of the 2011-2012 show season.

Where has time gone?

In this newsletter I want to remind everyone of things you can do to have peace of mind with your new litter of furry babies; and enjoy the last few weeks of the show season which is always fast-paced and thrilling (or nail biting!).

I'll keep this letter short, so you can start diving into this issue and all of the great things that will help you get through March!

Purrs,

Vickie Fisher

TICA President

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New Litter Checklist

So you have a new litter?! Congratulations! Now that the fuzzy babies are healthy and nursing, it's time to think ahead on things you can do with the kittens you want to show, or place in forever homes. Here are a few things that can help you with your new kittens show future or new home ...

• Register your litter as soon as possible. You can access the form online and it's easy to complete!
• If you haven't registered your cattery, you can do that too by completing the Registration form - click here
• Register for Royal Canin's Feline Crown Partners program, and you can order copies of Royal Canin's kitten kits that you can send with your kittens to their new homes!
• Once you name your kittens - or place them in their forever home - if you have not used the litter registration, you can register a kitten individually.
• Sign up for two months of pet insurance with Embrace Pet Insurance - it's only $1 for the first two months! What a great way to ensure the kittens you keep are covered, and you can place your kittens with their new family with peace of mind that if something happened, they'd be taken care of!
• List your cattery on TICA's web site and you'll soon have people contacting you about kittens!
• If you don't have forever homes for all of your kittens, take them to one of your local club shows! Make sure you take their papers and other pertinent information with you in case you find the perfect family for your kittens.

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What in the World is a QR Code?

You're bound to have seen a QR Code: it's a box that looks like a barcode and usually you'll see it in ads, on posters, on web sites and other printed materials.

QR stands for Quick Response; and it's a great way for companies, and organizations like TICA, to drive people to a web page, download or form when they scan their iPhone or PDA across the code.

They can immediately see the information on their phone or iPad. TICA is using QR codes now and has a QR code for all breeds of cats. If you want to include the code on a sign at a show, in an advertisement, on your business cards, or anything else you print, you can download the QR code for your breed which links directly to the breed page!

Click here to access the codes that you can use for yourself or club.

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What is the Maneki Neko?

If you've ever visited a Chinese restaurant I'm sure you've seen the white or gold cat with a paw raised up in the air, greeting you as you enter.

Well, that happy faced cat is claimed to bring good luck and its name is the Maneki Neko.

In TICA, the Neko brings good luck to our junior exhibitors as their mascot! Next time you're at a show, look closely at a Japanese Bobtail and you'll see that the Neko is fashioned after these sweet cats with curly or stubby tails.

To learn the Neko's history, click here.

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Go Green and Recycle Cat Litter Containers

Nowadays we all try to do our part for the planet and "go green" by sorting out plastics, metal and paper products from our trash. Well, now you can find even more creative ways to reuse your cat litter containers. Take a few minutes to watch this quick video!

And if you're wondering how to reuse kitty litter, if you use one of the natural litters made from newspaper, corn, wheat or wood, then you can recycle them too!

• Spread unsoiled litter on oil spots in your garage or driveway!
• Fill holes in your yard with the natural wood litter
• Add to your compost pile - but make sure you take any solids out before you do that!
• Spread the wood litter as compost directly on your yard

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Like TICA's Facebook and Win A TICA Jacket!

We are over halfway to the 1000 fans we want to like TICA's Facebook! Come on everyone!

If you "like" TICA's Facebook you'll automatically be entered in a drawing for a TICA logoed wearable.

To see a photo of the comfy fleece hooded jacket with the TICA logo, go to www.facebook.com/fatpet.

You can also see what other items Fatpet has available with the TICA logo by visiting their Facebook page.

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Meet the ... Somali

If you've ever seen a cat that looks like a miniature fox, well, most likely it's a Somali.

The long-haired version of the Abyssinian, the Somali is loyal, affectionate, highly intelligent and very interactive with their owners.

Their intense curiosity makes them the perfect campaign for an individual or family.

The Somali is named for Somalia which borders Ethiopia, formerly Abyssinia, to represent their connection to their short-haired counterpart, the Abby.

To learn more click here.

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2012 TICA Annual

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