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In cats, as in other living creatures, mutations sometimes occur. Such mutations in cats can affect characteristics such as the length of the tail, the shape of the nose or the ears, or the color and texture of the coat. Before cats were domesticated, a mutation that favored survival in the wild - such as a thick, waterproof coat for a cat in a cold, wet environment - would be passed on to the cat’s descendants. A mutation that was not favorable - for example, a nasal structure that made breathing difficult, or a coat color that would make the cat stand out to predators - would not be passed on. Once cats were domesticated, however, people began to select cats for particular traits. Because cats were protected and cared for by humans, the ability to survive in the wild became less important. There are now many different pedigreed breeds of domestic cat. The first recorded cat show took place in London’s Crystal Place in 1871. In 1906, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) was formed. That year, it held cat shows in Buffalo, New York and Detroit, Michigan. The Cat Fanciers Association creates breed standards, registers purebred cats and attempts to ensure that cats are healthy and well cared for. Britain’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), a similar organization, was founded in 1910. The American Cat Fanciers Organization (ACFA) was founded in 1955. Other organizations for cat fanciers can be found in many countries around the world. |
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