Glossary

TICA

The International Cat Association, a worldwide registry founded in 1979 that registers pedigree and household pet cats and recognises many newer breeds.

Also called: The International Cat Association, International Cat Association

The International Cat Association, or TICA, is a cat registry founded in 1979 in the United States. It grew out of a split from an older American association and now has members in many countries. TICA registers pedigree cats, runs its own cat shows with its own judging rules, and publishes written breed standards.

TICA is known for taking on newer and rarer breeds. A breed usually enters its system as a preliminary or advanced new breed before it can compete for full championship status. For that reason, a breed such as the Bengal or the Savannah may reach show status at TICA before another registry. Household pets with no pedigree can be registered and shown in a dedicated class, so owners of a domestic shorthair can take part.

A TICA certificate shows registered ancestry and does not vouch for health. If a breeder says their cats are TICA registered, ask what health testing the parents had, and check the status of the breed with the registry. Registries differ on which breeds and coat colours they recognise, so compare with CFA, FIFe and GCCF if you plan to enter a particular show.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

CFA The Cat Fanciers' Association, a United States-based registry of pedigree cats founded in 1906 that sets breed standards and runs cat shows. FIFe The Fédération Internationale Féline, an umbrella body of national cat clubs, mainly in Europe, founded in 1949, that sets shared breed rules. GCCF The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, the main registry for pedigree cats in the United Kingdom, formed in 1910 from several cat clubs. Cat registry An organisation that records cats' ancestry, issues pedigree certificates, defines breed standards and licenses cat shows. Breed standard The written description of the ideal cat of a breed, covering head, body, coat, colour and temperament, used by judges and breeders. Cat show An event where cats are judged against the written standard for their breed or, in a household pet class, on condition and temperament.