Laws on domestic cat breeds wild cat species and animal rights law enforcement

The European Union cannot be ignored when discussing animal welfare law in relation to individual states. The European Constitution contains an section on animal welfare (Article III-121). This is what it says:In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall,since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the requirements of animal welfare, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage.As I understand it the European constitution is not yet in force. However, this would not be a issue in the founding members or early EU/EEC member states as they have strong legislation in place already. It is the some of the new members that need pushing into creating better animal welfare law, such as Romania. Member states have obligation to formulate laws that bring into effect EEC legislation. Some EEC member states have animal welfare written into their constitutions. For example, Article 20a of the German constitution, the Basic Law and in Article 11 para. 1 on the Austrian Federal Constitution.Switzerland, although not a member of the EEC has the longest standing references to animal welfare in their constitution. All the more reason to ask why there have been allegations that Switzerland is the center of the fur trade in Europe. See cat fur Switzerland. It is alleged that cat fur is being shipped to China from Switzerland.The European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals (effective May 1992) is a treaty entered into by member states of the EU and any other country who would wish to be bound by the terms of the treaty. A treaty is a form of contractual obligation between the signatories to ensure compliance with the terms of the treaty. In respect of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals the terms are a framework for promoting the welfare of pet animals and ensuring minimum standards of care over a wide range of issues. The parties to the treaty have an obligation to implement its terms. This will be achieved by the creation of primary and/or secondary legislation. The UK Animal Welfare Act 2006 would seem to be based in the treaty. Member states can legislate for stricter and more wide ranging terms than as stated in the treaty if they wish. The treaty states the minimum terms. Romania would seem to be in breach of this treaty. What can be done? Not much frankly. An acceptance that the breach will be corrected slowly would seem to be the process.

In Romania: Well, sadly I am unable to bring good news as at Oct 2008. Things will no doubt change in time. It'll take too long, far too long for the feral cats and dogs and wildlife of Romania who are meant to be protected by Romanian animal welfare law but are not because of poor drafting of the law and lack of enforcement.There are other issues such as a lack of education as to animal welfare at a grass roots level. There would also seem to be corruption at local government level and organized crime. Then there is the EU. Romania joined the EU/EEC in 2007. Some would argue that it happened to soon as there is continuing organized crime in Romania (at 2008). The EU constitution in respect of animal welfare is not yet in force. Yet the EU could do more to push Romania in the right direction.

History.

The domestic cat has gone through phases of popularity and persecution. During the period of the early Egyptians she was worshiped but that does no mean the domestic cat was well treated, see Egyptian Cat art. In fact the Egyptian Mau, an ancient breed, is persecuted in Egypt but an exotic looking and quite rare cat in the West. Before that, when the wild cat domesticated herself her usefulness was welcomed by the hunters who had become farmers.
During the Middle Ages in Europe she was persecuted as a result of misguided religious Christian fervor.And now we have the era of the cat shows, more different cat breeds and wild/domestic cat hybrids; even tame wild cats as domestic cats. This represents a return, almost, to the Egyptians attitude towards domestic cats. Despite the apparent popularity of the domestic cat there is still an almost hidden but widespread cruelty towards this animal. I am talking about feral cats, no kill cat shelters and animals of China and cat meat. And see Laws and cats.

How many Different Cat Breeds?

A cat breed is a cat breed officially when it is recognized by a cat fancier's association. Some associations are more conservative than others. These conservative registers have a smaller number of different cat breeds than the more adventurous ones.
The IPCBA (International Progressive Cat Breeders Alliance) recognizes 73 different cat breeds. The CFA (cat Fanciers Association, the largest in the USA) recognizes 41 different cat breeds. TICA (The International Cat Association, the second largest in the USA) recognize 64 breeds but sub-divides breeds into short and long hair . The GCCF (Governing Council of Cat Fanciers, the largest UK registry) recognises 32 (on my count from the website) different cat breeds. The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFE) recognize 42 different cat breeds and sub-divide breed by hair length.
Perhaps it is no surprise the IPCBA have the largest number of different cat breeds as they are "progressive". The smallest number of different cat breeds is found with the GCCF who I think are quite old fashioned in their outlook. Although I agree with caution in recognizing new breeds for the sake of controlling the commercialization of cat breeding and in turn protecting the welfare of both wild and domestic cats.
There are a greater number than 73 different cat breeds. Some breeds come and go. Some breeds struggle to get accepted. This can be because the breed is based on a wild cat (Bengal) or on a genetic mutation (Dwarf cats) as just two examples. There are a great deal of cat breeds that are yet to gain acceptance with the mainstream associations but are, for example, recognized by associations such as the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry.

Well hello there...

...and welcome to my lair... I mean, my humble abode. This is the personal domain of me, Tzi-Tzi. It is littered with everything from my inane ramblings to cool wallpapers; so there is plenty to keep you amused.

There is no more intrepid explorer than a kitten

If you yell at a cat, you're the one who is making a fool of yourself.

I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals. „Winston Churchill”.

There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast.