TICA has a voluntary code of ethics. They give this out to anyone who pays the $10. They will also do nothing if given proof that it is being violated. In the code of ethics is a requirement that kittens will not go home until given 2 doses FVRCP vaccine. If kittens are going home at 8, 9, or 10 weeks they are not being given two doses and that breeder is already violating something they signed. How can you now trust that they will honor their health contract or anything they have told you?

 

What is the code of ethics for and who will enforce them then? Many cat clubs and breed clubs require the code of ethics and for their members to follow it, and will take some action but probably just not allowing them to be members and letting club members know why.

 

We are a member of some cat clubs, members who volunteer their time to put on cat shows, where we try to make enough just to pay for the show hall and judge’s travel expenses that we invite. We are member of the Seacats club and Evergreen Cat Fanciers and have signed AND follow the code of ethics. We used to let straights go home at 10 weeks just to lighten the bioload on our queens but when we were invited to join a club that required we extended the homing date on straights to 11 weeks so we could get a second vaccine in.

 

TICA also has an outstanding cattery inspection but they are debating getting rid of it. The problem they have is a backyard breeder will have the inspection done at one location, but has satellite catteries and uses them for all of the breeding locations under one cattery name.

 

These abuses are not TICA’s fault as they are a non-profit organization that manages registries. They don’t have the time or money to devote hundred of hours a week to investigating violations across the globe. It is very easy to hide behind some of TICA’s services and to appear to an uneducated adopter as being a TICA endorsed and promoted cattery.