American Cat Breeders Association / Health & Welfare
Health & Welfare
The beauty of
the healthy cat.
It’s FIFe’s motto and its first rule. Breeding, showing and judging all start from one question: is this good for the cat? This page covers who looks after health and welfare in FIFe, the current guidance for breeders and how you can help fund research.
Health & Welfare Commission.
The Commission is responsible for representing FIFe on every matter concerning the health and welfare of cats. In practice, that means:
Keeping the rules current
Updating the FIFe Health & Welfare Rules as science and breeding practice move on.
Working with research
Cooperating with research institutes on feline health.
Supporting members
Helping national member organisations, including ours, in their dealings with official bodies.
Current guidance for breeders.
Corin coat colours
CORIN-based varieties, developed by breeders over several years, are recognised from 1 July 2026. FIFe published a health assessment alongside the decision.
Read on fifeweb.org ↗ Maine CoonDominant Blue Eyes
DBE produces blue eyes without the classic blue-eye gene. It has become more common in recent years, which concerns geneticists and breeders, so FIFe calls for responsible breeding.
Read on fifeweb.org ↗ Persian · ExoticSafeguarding the breeds
Breeders have refined the standard with health and well-being in mind. FIFe sets out how to protect the future of these breeds.
Read on fifeweb.org ↗The Feline Fund. Research that helps.
The Feline Fund is a FIFe initiative to advance research into feline health and promote healthy breeding. FIFe sponsors it, members and individuals add donations, and grants go to research projects and initiatives that fit its mission.
Fund the science
Pay for scientific studies on feline health that lead to new treatments and preventive measures.
Protect breeds
Support breeds that risk being banned because of misconceptions, by promoting healthy breeding.
Equip breeders
Give responsible breeders the resources and knowledge to keep cats healthy and breeds diverse.
Donate to the Feline Fund.
Donations are handled by FIFe, online or by bank transfer.
Questions? Ask us first.
FIFe asks individual breeders to contact their national member organisation about health and welfare. In the United States, that’s the American Cat Breeders Association. We’ll answer, or pass your question to the Commission through the General Secretary.
- Ask the AssociationContact us →
Healthy cats start
with good breeders.
Every FIFe breeder works under rules built around health and welfare. Questions? Ask us.
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