Cat Fanciers Association CFA Cat Fancier Association Neglect Internet

I recently contacted the Cat FAnciers Association, the organization that registeres what are supposed to be reputable breeders.  I explained my situation with breeder Olga Giro, of My Exotic Furs Cattery who sold me a kitten in which the kitten's mother tested positive for FIP antibodies during the preganancy (FIP is the cat version of HIV). Olga knowingly sold me a kitten and did not disclose the mother had tested positive during the pregnancy even after I told her about our persian cat who we are extremely attached to and love very much. One of the main reasons I considered Olga and the kitten is because Olga is a CFA registerd breeder. Well beware, that doesn't mean anything.  According to the CFA they are only a registration organization.  They explained that they have no way to enforce any penatlities or cruel/poor business and animal practice.  So why would they not revoke Olga's CFA status/membership?  They would not answer this and referred me to the Better Business Bureau, which I did contact and they also tell me there is nothing they can do.  Moral of the story, when you consider purchasing a pet through a CFA breeder to rely on their CFA status.  It obviously means nothing.  Olga  was very sneaky and since the kitten had all the shots I did not take her to the vet until she was due for her next shots. After my vet informed of the FIP test/exposure, I did alot of research and found that kittens can shed this disease however they also carry it to other cats. I allowed the kitten to share everything w my other cat. My persian was exposed to the kitten during the most contagious time. The persian got very ill months after we brought the kitten hom and had to be hospitalized for 3 days. Though he did bounce back, I didn't find out about the FIP test until he was better so it's hard to detect FIP once they get better. Time will tell if his life will be shortened and become ill again. I am very concerned. Olga included the FIP positive test results of the mother with the papers for the kitten but never disclosed or mentioned it to me. Olga denied everything, she said the mother does not have FIP and tested negative a year after she tested positve. She's playing games, I did my research. She's a dishonest, cruel person. I asked her if she had the kittens tested, since the mother tested positive, she said no. I would have never purchased the kitten. It's to late for us, but hopefully our experience will help others. Do your research before getting a new pet/kitten and be prepared with all your questions.