MAINE COON BREED COUNCIL NEWSLETTER AUG. 2008

There were 51+ Maine Coon Breeders present at the MCBC meeting in Louisville.  This is the largest attended meeting that I can ever remember!  It was great to see so many of us in one place.  Let’s continue that.

Our meeting opened with introductions followed by a presentation of appreciation to Joel Chaney and Betsy Gaither.  Joel did an outstanding job of getting our MC Awards Booklet together at the very last minute.  While Besty, has done outstanding job being our Treasurer for the past 4 years.  She has undertaken the job of being the Treasurer for the Winn Feline Foundation.  I know that will require lots of her time.  Best of luck to her.  Thanks to both of these folks for the jobs they have done for our MCBC.

It was noted that at the March 2009 show in Indianapolis, Maine Coons will be honored, and that the club will give $5 to the MCBC for each Maine Coon entered in that show.  The money coming to the MCBC must be ear-marked for a Health Study.  Thanks to the club for thinking of the Maine Coons!

I will be calling upon some folks from the different Maine Coon Breed Clubs from around the country with the possibility of holding an all Maine Coon show someplace in the center of the country with the proceeds going to a yet to be determined Maine Coon project.  It could be a health related study, breed rescue, or other.  I will be calling on one person from each of those breed clubs to form a committee to look into this.  We know we must be respectful to shows in all the regions and work with the National Show Scheduling Committee.  You will be hearing more about this in the future.

With the 2 big Maine Coon rescues that had taken place recently, I had asked Cain Haley to speak briefly on this.  Just a little way into her talk, Charlene Campbell, with CFA-BAP in the Southern Region came in.  Charlene spoke to us about the Breeder Assistance Program.  Some discussion was had.

We then discussed the possible ballot items:  Ears, eye shape, eye color, and body color/pattern.  A great majority seemed to be in agreement and thought they were ready to go on the ballot.

I would like to say here, and this is not from that meeting but as per discussion on the MCBC list. It seems that many folks do not understand where blue eyes come from or how hearing develops.  Due to that we will have a presentation on what is known to date at our next BC meeting at the November International Show in Atlanta.  Sheila Haskins and Norman Auspitz will present this along with myself.  We will wait to put the eye color question on the ballot at a later date.  I do feel that it is my job as MCBC Secretary to at least present all the facts as we know it before making any decision.  I hope many, many of you can attend as we have much new information. 

One other thing I would like to mention is how Breed Council membership works in regards to the time frame.  In any breed, Breed Council membership runs from January 1st to December 31st.  Please check your application for that information.  It is stated as such.  I know you have a long time to renew, until August 1st.  However, it still runs out on December 31st.  So, if you wait until August to renew, you have a lapsed membership and truly are not a member until you re-join.  This is a CFA Central Office policy for all Breed Councils.  And as far as I know, it has been this way since the inception of Breed Councils.  Please pass on to anyone who is not a member and would like to join.  Also, Allene, at CO can help you with that.

Thanks again to all for attending and I will look forward to seeing you at the International Show.  Time and place will be announced on the MCBC list and at the International show as to when and where our meeting will be.

Respectively submitted,

Martha Auspitz,

Maine Coon Breed Council Sec.