A stunning, purebred cat is something to behold, and many cat fanciers, owners, and breeders will go to great lengths to uphold breed standards, continuing a championship or show lineage.
Most purebred cats will come with pedigree papers which make it possible to register your cat with nationally recognized organizations for breeding programs and shows.
Pedigree papers make it possible to affirm and ensure lineage from parent purebred cats, making cats more attractive to some cat fanciers.
Unfortunately, not every cat comes with pedigree papers, primarily if the cat is obtained from a shelter or animal rescue.
Registering a cat without official pedigree papers can be challenging but not impossible, leaving owners asking how to register a cat without papers.
The International Cat Association makes it possible to register a cat without pedigree papers by allowing owners to complete a simple form.
Owners will pay a nominal fee and get approval and signatures of three TICA Allbreed judges that affirm your cat meets breed standards and can be recommended for the breeding program.
Before seeking out pedigree papers and registration for your cat, make sure you need and want pedigree papers. Cats only kept as family pets rarely require registration and pedigree papers.
Usually, only people interested in showing their cats with nationally recognized organizations or breeding them as purebred cats need pedigree papers.
If adopting a cat from a breeder, be sure to discuss the terms surrounding pedigree papers before finalizing the adoption, as this can often add a fee or require spaying or neutering your cat.
How To Register A Cat without Papers!
Pedigree papers are essential to register a cat for the purpose of breeding or entering a cat show. If you do not have pedigree papers, it may still be possible to obtain proper licensing with the approval of a certified show judge knowledgeable of your cat’s breed.
The form requesting licensing without parentage pedigree papers must be completed, with a $20 application fee, and mailed to the International Cat Association.
The required form is called the Foundation Individual Registration Form. You must complete the form with your information, as well as your cat’s coloration, microchip number, breed, birth date, sex, and official name that will be used for registering and showing your cat.
This information is used to identify your cat as an individual and register your cat appropriately with future cat shows and breeding programs.
The main component required to complete the Foundation Individual Registration form is the certification and signature of three TICA Allbreed judges. The judges will attest that they have examined your cat and believe it shows qualities and features that uphold the cat’s breed.
The signature indicates that the cat is recommended for future purebred breeding programs and is required for your cat to be approved and registered with a nationally recognized organization.
How Do I Get Pedigree Papers For My Cat?
Getting papers for your cat can be a hassle, especially if you seek papers after adopting your cat. Pedigree papers can sometimes add a cost to your pet adoption fee from a breeder or be costly to obtain from a specific organization.
Usually, pedigree papers must be mailed as a hard copy to the owner and include the cat’s parents and grandparents, tracing back three generations.
In some cases, getting papers for your purebred cat may be as simple as asking the breeder for the pedigree papers.
Often, the cost of your cat will depend on the terms of the pedigree papers, so be sure to discuss the potential for breeding or showing your new kitten before adoption. Some breeders may only issue pedigree papers once they are assured the cat has been spayed or neutered.
Once you have your pedigree papers for your cat, you’ll need to choose an organization to issue the registration. Usually, at least one parent of your cat will have to have prior history and also be registered with the selected organization.
There are several recognized organizations for cats, including The Cat Fanciers’ Association, The International Cat Association, The Fancier’s Federation, and the North American Purebred Cat Registry.
Do I Need Papers For My Cat?
Many people adopt cats every day and never think about owning pedigree papers. For various reasons, owning pedigree papers for a cat and registering a cat with a specific organization is important to cat owners.
Before determining if you need papers for your cat, decide why you are adopting the cat and what you intend to do with the cat.
If you are adopting a cat as a simple family pet, there isn’t a need to own the pedigree papers. The papers may be fun to own but can often add more cost to your purebred cat.
Plus, most family pets are not bred and shown in a formal setting, and veterinary visits and care do not require pedigree papers.
People who intend to show their cat professionally with nationally recognized organizations will require pedigree papers. Most shows will need to know the parental lineage of the show cat, confirming the parents were also purebred cats.
Owning pedigree papers and breeding rights is essential for owners who intend to breed their cats, especially when producing show-quality litters.
Conclusion
Obtaining papers for your new kitten can be challenging, especially if you are unsure of the cat’s parentage. When registering your cat with nationally recognized organizations, pedigree papers are essential. Usually, pedigree papers must be mailed to the owner as a hard copy, and scans, faxes, and copies are not accepted.’
If you do not have the pedigree papers for your cat, or the papers certifying the parents of your kitten were registered with pedigree papers, owners are left asking how to register a cat without papers. It may still be possible to submit a form to the International Cat Association to get papers and eventually a registration for breeding and showing. Owners will need to complete the form, pay a small feel, and obtain three signatures form certified judges.
Always be sure to discuss pedigree papers with your breeder before adopting a cat. You’ll want to know the organization to which the cat’s parents were registered so that you can follow suit and register your cat. However, pedigree papers aren’t necessary if you simply plan to own a family pet without intentions to show or breed your cat.
