TICA recognizes more breeds of pedigreed cats because it is a genetic registry. As a genetic registry, TICA allows new breeds still being developed and breeds with new traits. Read more about our breed classifications on our Breeds Page.

Cattery names must be TWO letters different from any other TICA registered cattery. Owners of a cattery name may register another cattery name with only one letter difference. Effective 1992, no cattery names will be registered with: more than 15 letters; punctuation marks (#, &, -, etc.); apostrophes; spaces; hyphenations; more than one word; duplications. Effective 06/01/03, cattery names will be used exactly as they are registered, i.e., if the cattery was not registered with an apostrophe "s", it may not use an apostrophe "s".

View our list of names here.

The prefix position in a cat's registered name is reserved for the breeder's TICA registered cattery name. Once registered, a cattery name may not be altered in any way, although the owner of the cattery may register as many cattery names as they choose. The name on a cat may not duplicate the use of any registered cattery name,, i.e., VELVETPAWS is a registered cattery name, therefore, no one may register a cat with the name VELVET PAWS STAR. The owner of VELVETPAWS may not register a cat as VELVET PAWS STAR, as the registered cattery name is VELVETPAWS. The non-owner of the registered cattery name VELVETPAWS may not use VELVET PAWS STAR as the name VELVETPAWS is registered to someone else.

The prefix position in a cat's registered name is reserved for the breeder's TICA registered cattery name. The breeder's cattery names may NOT be removed. The breeder is ALWAYS the owner of the dam at the time of mating. The suffix position in a cat's registered name is reserved for the owner's TICA registered cattery name. The suffix follows the word "of" after the registered name of the cat, i.e., BLUEBELL STAR OF REDWILLOW; BLUEBELL is the breeder's TICA registered cattery name, STAR is the name of the cat, and REDWILLOW is the owner's TICA registered cattery name. Any use of the word "of" in any language may denote a cattery suffix, and foreign translations for the word "of" will not be allowed, i.e., av, de, etc. If the word following the word "of" is NOT a TICA registered cattery name, or is not the owner's TICA registered cattery name, it will be automatically dropped. The suffix may change with a transfer of ownership.

A cat's name, including cattery names and the word "of" may not exceed 35 letters/characters/spaces combined. When the name of the cat is longer than 35 letters/characters/spaces, the suffix will be automatically dropped. The suffix may be added/changed at the time a cat is transferred. If the cat already has a suffix, then the suffix must be deleted and the new owner's cattery added with fees for each transaction.

Punctuation marks of any kind ('#$%&, etc.) may not be used in a cattery name.

Yes, the litter can be registered, but you must provide a certified three generation pedigree on the sire.

Yes, every section D of the litter registration form must be completed

Complete Section E of the litter registration, including the name of the cat and the new owner’s information. Each cat registered will cost $10.00

Write the restrictions on the cats that are being registered anywhere on the litter near the name of the cat that it is pertaining to.

On the litter registration application, under section C: DAM, under Signature of Owner(s), is a space to request your cattery name be used as a prefix on the litter. If this space is left empty, the Executive Office does not type your cattery name as prefix on each blueslip, and even if requested, will not register a cat from one of those blueslips with your cattery name in the prefix position. The way to correct this (if you did want your cattery name as prefix on the blueslips), is to return the Litter Registration Application and ALL the blueslips plus the $7 correction fee. If any of the kittens are already registered, you must also return those certificates (or have them returned) plus the $7 correction fee for each.

The rules are listed on the Blueslip itself, make sure that the Breeder gives you the instruction portion of the Blueslip.

No alterations may be made to the printed portion of this document. Corrections to the printed portion of this document must be submitted to the Executive Office in writing by the breeder, together with the original documents and the appropriate fees.

The breeder(s) must enter information as to the sex, color, eye color, longhair (LH), shorthair (SH), standard (Std), non-standard (NStd). Std or NStd (Standard or Non-Standard) are terms for mutation breeds and may be used for whatever mutation exists for the breed being registered. The breeder's signature IS REQUIRED when the blocks "NOT FOR BREEDING" or "NOT FOR SHOWING" are marked. If this cat has been sold with the understanding that it will not be used for breeding or exhibition, ONLY the breeder may request any change. Requests for changes must be submitted to the Executive Office in writing.

Owner(s):Type or print the name of the cat in the blocks under "FIRST NAME CHOICE" and "SECOND NAME CHOICE". Once at the Executive Office, if it is possible, the first name choice is used, if it is not possible to use the first name choice, then the second name choice is automatically used. The second name choice is not required to be filled in, however, if the first name choice is a duplicate or has a cattery name registered to someone else or for some reason(s) cannot be used, then the registration must be sent back for an additional name choice. Remainder to stay the same. Type or print the name of the owner(s), name of the cat and complete address, city, state/province, country, and zip/postal code.

• Names of Cats: Cats may not be named after an ancestor without written permission of the owner of the ancestor; a letter attesting to such permission is to be filed with the Executive Office. See Registration Rules 39.8. Owner(s) may enter two choices for the name of the cat to be registered at the top of the form. The owner's name, address, and city are not allowed in the name of the cat unless it is a TICA registered cattery. The names of cats may not be changed in any manner after they have been registered, except for the correction of clerical errors in the Executive Office; the addition of a cattery name as provided in ARTICLE EIGHT, 38.7, 38.8, and 38.10 of the Registration Rules; to re-register as Household Pets, TICA registered championship class cats pursuant to Show Rule 3.12.a; or pursuant to the Registration Rules, ARTICLE IX, Section 39.5. Names of cats and catteries may not be duplicated.
• Punctuation: Punctuation marks of any kind (‘, &, #, etc.) are not allowed in the name of the cat.
• Suffixes: A cat's name, including cattery names and the word "of" may not exceed 35 letters/characters/spaces combined. When the name of the cat is longer than 35 letters/characters/spaces, the suffix will be automatically dropped.
• Cattery Names: The prefix position in a cat's registered name is reserved for the breeder's TICA registered cattery name. The breeder's cattery names may NOT be removed. The breeder is ALWAYS the owner of the dam at the time of mating. The suffix position in a cat's registered name is reserved for the owner's TICA registered cattery name. The suffix follows the word "of" after the registered name of the cat, i.e., BLUEBELL STAR OF REDWILLOW; BLUEBELL is the breeder's TICA registered cattery name, STAR is the name of the cat, and REDWILLOW is the owner's TICA registered cattery name. Any use of the word "of" in any language may denote a cattery suffix, and foreign translations for the word "of" will not be allowed, i.e., av, de, etc. If the word following the word "of" is NOT a TICA registered cattery name, or is not the owner's TICA registered cattery name, it will be automatically dropped. The suffix may change with a transfer of ownership.

The TICA Registration Rules state:
"39.4 The names of cats may not be changed in any manner after they have been registered, except:

• 39.4.1 The correction of clerical errors in the recorder's office.
• 39.4.2 The addition of a cattery name as provided in ARTICLE EIGHT, 38.7, 38.8, and 38.10.
• 39.4.3 To re-register as Household Pets, TICA registered championship class cats may be registered pursuant to Show Rule 23.7.2.
• 39.4.4 A name change may be requested provided the Executive Office receives the request for a name change within 45 days (60 days in remote areas) from the date of issue of the initial Registration Certificate and the request is accompanied by the original Registration Certificate and the designated fee, which fee shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The name change will be approved only if there has been no previous transaction recorded for the cat by the Executive Office (i.e., show wins, lease agreement, or any transaction processed in the original name of the cat)." The fee is $50.

To transfer a TICA registered cat, please submit the Certificate of Registration to the Executive Office with the signature of all owners on the reverse of the certificate and the name of the new owner filled out plus the fee.

A 3-generation Certified pedigree from another association on the cat for which application is being made and a photocopy of a registration certificate from that association showing proof that the cat is owned by the person making the application and asking to be named the owner of the cat.

Fill out the HHP Registration Form. Owner's names are allowed in the cat's name. HHP's may only be registered as spay or neuter. HHP's may not use the name of a breed in the name. Only the owner's registered TICA cattery name may be suffix (follows the word "of"). Duplicate HHP names are allowed, but discouraged if possible. A HHP may not have a TICA registered cattery name in the prefix position.

The "slash" means either/or, so if you were signing a litter registration as the owner of the sire or dam, either owner could sign. The "and" means both, so on a litter, both owners would be required to sign as the owner of the sire or dam. This does not apply to transferring or leasing a cat. In the case of a transfer, ALL owners must sign on the reverse of the certificate. In the case of a lease, ALL owners must sign the lease form.

A 3-generation pedigree, stating the color and pattern and the registering association's assigned registration number for each ancestor listed can be submitted. This pedigree must be signed by the breeder of the cat for which application is being made and must include a statement that this pedigree is true and correct to the best of the breeder's knowledge; the breeder must check mark NOT FOR BREEDING or NOT FOR SHOWING if those statements apply. In addition, a photocopy of a registration certificate from another association showing proof that the cat is owned by the person making the application and asking to be named the owner of the cat.

In the cat registry, when the same name is used on several cats STAR CHARLIE, STAR REGGIE, STAR FUNKY, or the reverse, it shows up in catalogs and in pedigrees and appears to be a TICA registered cattery. People are most likely to choose their name or address to use in this manner when they don't know how cattery names are used which is the reason for the Executive Office procedure not to allow it. If they choose to register their name or part of their address as a TICA cattery, we are happy to do so.

When a cat is registered from another association with a cattery name (prefix or suffix) that is a TICA registered cattery name that is not registered to the breeder/owner of the cat, we add "/ID" to denote that this is not the TICA registered owner of that cattery. When the cat's name is seen in a pedigree, there is at least some question as to the TICA registered owner of the cattery being the owner or the breeder of the cat.