Slide1: An introduction to International Cat Agility Tournaments © International Cat Agility Tournaments LLC 2005 World Cat Congress Annual Meeting Christchurch, New Zealand June 6, 2005 Presented by Kay DeVilbiss, President, TICA


What is ICAT?: What is ICAT? ICAT provides a new category of cat competition In ICAT competitions cats negotiate an agility course, designed to display their speed, coordination, beauty of movement, physical condition, intelligence and training, plus the quality and depth of their relationship with their owner, who trains them and guides them through the course


Slide3: ICAT embraces the following 3 ideals, which are ICAT’s mottos:


Cat agility is fun for you AND your cat: Cat agility is fun for you AND your cat


Play with your cat every day: Play with your cat every day


Focusing on the beauty from within: Focusing on the beauty from within


History of Dog Agility: History of Dog Agility Dog agility made its debut at the Crufts Dog Show in London in 1978, as a spectator amusement between judgings It was modeled on equestrian stadium jumper competitions It is the most rapidly growing dog sport in the world ICAT started 25 years after dog agility started Exhibitors and spectators get caught up in watching the lively, athletic race of the cats and their handlers through the agility course, just like they do at dog agility trials


History of ICAT: History of ICAT ICAT was authentically organized in 2003 by four cat show friends: Vickie Shields, Adriana Kajon, Shirley Piper, and Kathy Krysta


Slide9: With horse, dolphin, dog and cat show backgrounds, the ICAT founders knew how beautiful cats could be when in motion, and how to train and condition their animal friends


Slide10: The first “proof of concept” ICAT event was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in October 2003 at a TICA cat show hosted by Enchanted Cat Club, of which Vickie and Adriana are members. ICAT and cat agility were a huge success! This is Paparazzi, a Himalayan kitten, completing the first ever Clean Run on an ICAT cat agility course! Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 2003


Slide11: Many more ICAT shows followed, mostly at TICA shows, but also CFA, ACFA, Independents, FIFe and solo cat agility shows, in the U.S., Canada and Europe


What does ICAT do?: What does ICAT do? Registers cats - Pedigrees or registration elsewhere are not needed. All cats are equal and welcome in ICAT events Nemo, a 10-year old domestic, the winner in Florida, August 2004


Slide13: Keeps a record of timed runs of Cats, Kittens, and Junior Handlers at all scored ICAT events


Slide14: Trains and certifies ICAT Agility Officials, through apprenticing sessions with ICAT’s Agility Official Trainers Trains the handlers. Training the people is just as important as training the cats Fast cat, slow handler


Slide15: The social structure of the domestic cat is a colony, not a pack, and thus the training approach is different than with dogs


Slide16: Agility Cat titles are awarded when earned by adult cats over 8 months old While kittens enjoy chasing toys and playing, they aren’t truly professional agility cats, so kittens are scored for time and awards, but not titles Kittens chase toys, have lots of fun, learn navigation of obstacles, and get great exercise Experienced adults plan  ahead and are guided by hands, toys, or target sticks


Slide17: Designs and tests cat agility obstacles and courses, gets veterinary approval, and publishes the specifications for building them Double Hoop: Height top of lower edge 26 cm Distance between tubes 5 cm 3 levels of difficulty, and advanced games


Slide18: Maintains a website, www.catagility.org, with photos, discussion group, show reports, training info, equipment and course drawings, newspaper and magazine articles about ICAT cat agility


Slide19: In summary, ICAT generally does everything it can to encourage healthy, happy cats and playful cat-and-human interactions through ICAT cat agility James and Spirit Suzanne and Ziggy Seth and Dancer


Who can hold ICAT events?: Who can hold ICAT events? All cat associations and clubs (TICA, FIFe, WCF, SACC, ACF, NZCF, CCA, CFA, ACFA, CATZ, GCCF, TCF, CFSA, Independents, etcetera), all specialized cat agility clubs (as in Canada), all shelters and humane societies, and others -- as long as ICAT rules and course plans are followed, for consistency of ICAT events around the world Russelsheim, Germany, October 2004


Slide21: Strasbourg, France, November 2004 Agility Cat Canada club holds 6-week training and practice sessions at a community center, and now has some of the best agility cats in the world, including the World Record holder, a cat aptly named Zoom


Slide22: Good on ya, mate! A clean run!


Benefits of ICAT: Benefits of ICAT The benefits of having ICAT as part of the regular cat activities extend to: Clubs Cats Owners Associations


Benefits to Clubs: Benefits to Clubs Increased regular ring exhibitors for your shows Increased spectators, and happier vendors. ICAT is great for show publicity, in magazines, newspapers and for TV because it is visually exciting Supports club goals by encouraging, healthy, happy cats, and respects the well-being of cats A whole different group of people might become cat fanciers and club members


Benefits to Cats: Benefits to Cats Health and happiness, respect, and encourages bonding with owners Household pet or mixed breed cats -- the majority of cats owned as pets worldwide -- compete in ICAT on equal footing with pedigreed cats, and Educates public about how intelligent, beautiful, trainable and companionable cats are earn the same titles and recognition in tournaments. Being loved is what matters


Benefits to Owners: Benefits to Owners Development of a close relationship between cat and owner doing a fun, stimulating activity with your cat at home and at shows Worldwide competitions are the same Excellent activity for children, wholesome, educational Earning ICAT Agility Cat titles Increasing kitten sales if potential buyers appreciate a kitten having a family full of ICAT winners, indicating a mentally and physically fit family of cats


Benefits to Associations: Benefits to Associations Encourages cat fanciers to work together to promote the health, sound structure, welfare and exhibition of all cats Encourages the caring, responsible ownership and breeding of cats Encourages a positive image of cats as intelligent, elegant pets, increases interest Brings new people into the cat fancy, and increases registrations for the associations


That’s beaut!: That’s beaut! Cheers, Cheerio, Goodbye, Thank You


Slide29: www.catagility.org