What is LOOF ?

The Federation for the management of the Official Feline Origins Studbook, more well known as LOOF, has been created in 1996 to centralise the management of all purebred cats pedigrees in France. The Ministry of Agriculture officialised its recognition by the November 4th, 1996 ministerial order and confirmed it in the Nr 2006-991 decree and the August 1st, 2006 ministerial order.

Missions entrusted to LOOF

The foremost mission of LOOF is to handle the Official Cat Stud Book, i.e. emit the pedigrees of French purebred cats. Without a LOOF pedigree, a cat born in France, even if its parents have a pedigree, cannot be called a purebred cat. It may at most be recognized as a cat having the "appearance" of a given breed. (Nr 2008-871 decree, dated August 28th, 2008).

Other missions entrusted to LOOF include:

• generating official documents for breeding cats;
• defining selection objectives for each breed, including its breed standard, in cooperation with the involved parties;
• promoting cat breeds;
• organizing or supervizing the organization of cat shows, training and nominating feline judges;
• organizing the initial and continuous education of breeders; this includes the organization and delivery of a course called CETAC (« Certificat d'Etudes Techniques de l'Animal de Compagnie ») focusing on cat breeding. This course covers the following aspects: regulations, genetics, behaviour, reproduction, nutrition and sanitary management. Participants, if they pass the final exam, may obtain a « capacity certificate » which is mandatory in France to be able to sell kittens of more than one litter in a given year (as mandated by the January 6th, 1999 law, confirmed by the Nr 2008-871 decree, dated August 28th, 2008 concerning the welfare of pets).

How is LOOF organised ?

LOOF is an association directed by a Board of Directors (benevolent people elected by the General Assembly) which nominate among them a President, 2 Vice-Presidents, a General Secretary, a Treasurer, a Vice-Secretary and a Vice-Treasurer, collectively called the « Bureau ». The organisation also relies on the existence of several commissions and on the work of employees who ensure the stability of the structure.

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