"What concerns me most is that we all know that Our Cats will not continue without this contract and if we lose them and the new magazine does not succeed for whatever reason, we will not be able to go back to Our Cats as they will no longer be in production. This could leave the Cat Fancy in utter chaos, personally I think write ups should go on the pens and we wont need to subscribe to a magazine at all. Can you please tell me if this new magazine will become the official publisher of the GCCF as well as printing show reports? As far as I can gather it would appear that an increasing number of people who currently subscribe to Our Cats will not be buying the new magazine and it would appear that to make this move without the general consensus of exhibitors is detrimental to everyone. I cannot believe that such a monumental decision has been made without thorough investigation and I am a strong believer that if something looks to good to be true it usually is. Publishing is a highly competitive market and producing a few glossy magazines is easy, just think about the number of new publications that come onto the market and disappear after a few issues, we want to make sure that the background to this new publishing company is strong enough to be in it for the long term. I would expect this has been ascertained in advance of offering a contract? The members who support GCCF through showing and breeding deserve this consideration. It appears that this was all hastily decided behind closed doors and it is this attitude that has lead to the complaints from members."

C. Mason (Felonie Birmans)

"Having been a member of the cat fancy for almost 25 years I have seen quite a number of changes during this time. In my opinion some for the better some not quite so, none of which can begin to compare with the change that is scheduled to take place in February 2008. Quite frankly I am appalled and disgusted that the contract for the GCCF official magazine has been awarded to Mr and Mrs Shafto. Surely if the GCCF were no longer happy with Our Cats a conference with them should have taken place and grievances aired? If these could not be resolved then tenders should have been requested from various other professional bodies. Furthermore why weren’t clubs or their members notified in order that their voices could be heard? Notification is soon received by exhibitors should we make any mistake at all on a show entry form. Personally I think it an extremely sad affair that a long standing breeder such as myself should have to think of joining an alternative governing body after all these years – does the GCCF no longer care about its members? I have always been happy with our Cats and feel very sad that their long standing contract is being terminated and placed with Sea View Design Group."

Jackie (Helsbels Siamese)

"I feel that I have no choice but to write to the GCCF to express my concern and dismay at the recent decision concerning the publication of Judge Critiques. I am surprised that this decision was not made with the consideration of the cat clubs – not just at an executive level. I look forward to your response."

Stefanie (Manolo Siamese)

"I have had a GCCF registered prefix since first applying in 2002. Since this time, every kitten I have bred has been registered with the GCCF, and not only do I show my own cats approximately once a month at GCCF shows, I also encourage my kitten owners to do the same as I am sure your records will show. As such, I am totally disgusted that the GCCF has chosen to make such a major decision without consulting any of the breeders who have a GCCF registered prefix. During my time of breeding and exhibiting cats, I have been a huge fan of the Our Cats newspaper and currently subscribe to it and am more than happy with their prices and the service they are offering. I would like to ask the GCCF what lay behind their decision to award a contract to a “company” with absolutely no publishing experience. The GCCF is a business not unlike any other, however in the case of this contract being awarded I am disgusted at the GCCF’s decision, and if this is to be the GCCF’s way forward, then I will have no part of it. Should this contract stand, then as of next year when critiques are no longer going to be published in Our Cats, I personally will be withdrawing all funds currently being paid to the GCCF. I am more than happy to register my prefix, my cats, and every single kitten I breed with TICA and since hearing this news, I have already been on the TICA web site and downloaded the necessary forms for myself, and for my kitten owners who are currently exhibiting under GCCF rules. I will cease to attend any GCCF shows, and my kitten owners will all be advised to do the same. At the end of the day, the GCCF office is there for us, the breeders, the show exhibitors, and pet owners of registered cats and it is we people who continue to fund the GCCF's existence. The GCCF is not the only cat fancy organisation covering the UK."

Kat (Schimmel Orientals)

"I am writing regarding the news of the contract for the publishing of Judge Critiques being awarded to Mr & Mrs Shafto from February 2008. I feel that as a member of the GCCF – and an active participant in shows/clubs/breeding - that clubs or members should have been consulted over this development. I have enjoyed and collected “Our Cats” for a number of years. I enjoy the fact that it is published fortnightly and the website is continuously updated. I would also like to point out that Mr & Mrs Shafto have absolutely no publishing experience whatsoever, this again is surely a cause for concern, particularly when in comparison Our Cats is part of a publishing company. I was appalled that the first e-mail I received from this new company listed publicly many many peoples email addresses – some of which were obviously work emails."

Sharon (Withajay Siamese)

"I would like to strongly object to the change of publication of Show Critiques from ‘Our Cats’ to ‘Fancy That’. How on earth has the GCCF endorsement moved from Our Cats, an established publication from an established publishing house, to Fancy That , a new venture with no track record in publishing magazines? My experience of the people who run ‘Fancy That’ can only be gauged by their websites ‘The Planets’ because as far as I know they have no other qualifications or experience in publishing and media. I would like to see the endorsement from the GCCF removed! I have asked for this letter to be published by Our Cats in the hope that my letter may encourage others to complain to the GCCF and help put a stop to ‘Cat World Domination’. I know some people will feel intimidated into not complaining about this issue but believe me now is the time while we still have an impartial forum for our viewpoints to be published. Surely it would be in everyone’s best interests if the power of the media was left in the hands of experienced, impartial reporters and not to self serving individuals who have ideas of ‘Cat World Domination’. I find the prospect of this domination nauseating and feel so strongly that if this decision is not reversed I will with regret have to withdraw my funding from the GCCF and join TICA/FIFE where I will continue to breed and exhibit my beautiful cats which is what I thought being a member of the cat fancy was all about!"

Ross (Burnthwaites Siamese)

"I am writing to voice my concerns about the change in publication of show results from ‘Our Cats’ to ‘Fancy That’. I am unhappy with this decision. I have shown five of my cats a total of twenty five times in two years and not once has a picture of any of my cats appeared on web sites currently owned by the owners of Fancy That. Surely we should leave the judging to the judges and leave publishing magazines to publishing companies with a proven track record. Fancy That ….not bloody likely! I must point out that I feel so strongly about this impending disaster for the exhibitors and breeders of ALL BREEDS under the GCCF that I will have to regretfully withdraw all funding from my cattery to the GCCF and will be moving over to FIFE/TICA if this horrendous lapse in judgment is not rectified. But not without a fight! I await your response."

May (Mazpahs Siamese)

"We would like to make a formal complaint to your office against the awarding of the contract to print show critiques and all official GCCF News to the new publication “Fancy That”. Owned by the unregistered so-called “Sea View Group”. We are totally amazed that such an important aspect of the cat fancy would be given over without due consultation to an untried and trusted company. After discussions with friends and fellow exhibitors in the cat fancy we are aware that you will be receiving many complaints regarding this issue and do not want to labour any of the points that we are sure will be made most eloquently by my colleagues and friends from within our much beloved and chosen breeds. Therefore we ask you consult your members before continuing with this decision, as it will be the end of the Cat Fancy, as we know it."

Steve and Russell (Stenic Siamese)

"I am not a GCCF member (although I breed and show in ANFI, the Italian FIFe club) so this decision to award Seaview Designs, owned by Neil Shafto, the contract for the official GCCF journal does not affect me personally. However, on a personal basis I do not think that Anna Shafto and her husband Neil are the right people to have this contract. (the reasons for which are explained in my letter to the GCCF) So, in short, I just wanted to express my consternation at your awarding this contract to Anna and Neil Shafto."

Susan (Supa Siamese in Italy)

"I feel that I must write to you to express my deep concerns about the decision reached recently by the Comittee, to award the contract relating to GCCF Show critiques to a new publication, which is to be called I believe, Fancy That. Can you please advise me why this decision was made and why it was felt that the publication Our Cats was no longer an acceptable outlet for GCCF show reports. I subscribe to Our Cats and have done so since I started showing my cat in 2004 and I also subscribed to their sister publication, Our Dogs, when I used to show my dogs, some years ago. I have always found Our Cats to be an excellent source of news and views and look forward to receiving my copy fortnightly, whether or not there is a review in it of a show in which I have exhibited my cat. I feel that as a member of the GCCF – and an active participant in shows - that clubs or members should have been consulted over this development. Surely more information should also be made available to interested parties – ie. proposed costs of each publication – subscription charges etc I am not a breeder, but was introduced to the world of showing by the breeder of my cat and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It is a wonderful hobby and one that I do not wish to give up. However, I have no intention of continuing to exhibit at GCCF shows after the New Year, unless the decision to award the contract for show reports to Mr N and Mrs A Shafto is overturned. I would also like to point out that Mr Shafto has absolutey no publishing experience whatsoever, which again is a huge concern to me, particularly when one considers that Our Cats is part of a publishing company. Ms Shafo also runs a website giving the results of shows and on when my cat's details have appeared, these results have been inaccurate, with names mis-spelt and the responses, if and when I have complained have been terse at best and downright rude at worst. But it is not this aspect that concerns me so much. I understand that neither Mr or Mrs Shafto have any experience in publishing magazines and I am at a loss to understand quite why the GCCF should award a contract of such importance to an outlet that is untried and an unknown quantity. I for one am not prepared to subscribe to the new publication, because I have no wish to provide these people with my name, address, e-mail address and credit card details. Since I am not prepared to show my cat, without being able to read what the judges say about her, I will therefore not be showing her in the New Year on the monthly basis that I do now at GCCF shows. I realise that just one exhibitor voting with her feet, as it were, will have no impact whatsoever on the GCCF, but I do hope that you will address the concerns of myself and like minded people, who are both horrified and upset by the decision that has been reached by you and your Committee."

Caryll (GCCF Show Exhibitor)

"I am writing to express my concern and utter disbelief at the way the contract for show reports and judges critiques has been awarded to the Seaview Design Group.  A company without any previous professional experience in the publication of anything like the GCCF’s official journal!!

I personally feel that the contract for such an important undertaking should have remained with “our cats” who without a doubt have MANY years of experience in professional publishing; they act in a very impartial and unbiased manner and treat their readers with utmost respect, courtesy and true professionalism. 

If Governing Council are no longer happy in the way that Our Cats have managed the contract, surely the most sensible way to have dealt with the matter would be to have had a conference with their Managing Director or appointee to try and resolve the situation.  I assume such a meeting DID actually take place without a satisfactory conclusion.

I also presume that various other “professional and experienced” groups were approached and tenders requested and submitted.  Thus enabling the Executive Committee to be in a better position to make comparative choices.  Would it be possible please for a list to be printed of all magazines contacted and those who have submitted tenders in order that GCCF members might feel confident a fair decision has been reached.

I have been breeding and showing Siamese Cats for almost 25 years and have supported the GCCF in many ways.  From time to time I have had immense pleasure judging in the HP section at certain breed shows so I am known to most of you.  I have to say therefore it is with great regret I feel the need to write a letter of this nature.

It is without any doubt my opinion that the contract should remain with Our Cats and their many years of experience and expertise or passed over to a similarly professional magazine publisher who will act in an impartial and unbiased way but certainly not to a member of the cat fancy."

Larry (Household Pet Judge)

"I am writing to you with regards to the recent decision by GCCF to award Seaview Designs, owned by Anna and Neil Shafto, the official GCCF journal. I think that this decision is detrimental to the GCCF world. I have a couple of reasons for this opinion. I have been thinking about showing my two Siamese and use the orientialplanet.co.uk and siameseplanet.co.uk, run by Mrs Shafto, to check the show results. On the face of it these sites appear to be useful reference points, but in the last few months I have been very disappointed to find very spiteful and sarcastic comments on there in place of a picture if owners have not allowed for their cats to have their photographs taken. This has put me off using the planets. I feel that the organisation that should run your GCCF Journal should be impartial, neutral and professional. By allowing Mr and Mrs Shafto to run this, you have allowed the GCCF to, in my view, totally go down hill. I would like to receive a response to my letter of complaint and an explanation as to the decision of this by the GCCF."

Angela

"I am writing about the recent revelation that Seaview Design Group, whose director is Mrs A Shafto, is to be appointed as the official journal of the GCCF in place of the publishers of Our Cats. I am uncertain about the quality of Seaview Design Group. For example, at the Croydon Cat Show in June 2006, Mrs Shafto sent a photographer who tried to take a picture of my blue point Siamese on her first GCCF show outing without my permission and then had the cheek to claim responsibility for managing my website! I understand that those who do not grant permission for publication of pictures are libeled on websites with rude, untrue and insulting comments. Having looked at various sources of information published by Mrs Shafto, it is noticeable how often cats’ names, titles, awards, owners names etc are either mis-spelt or wrong. Would the GCCF like to reconsider risking their reputation as an upstanding, honest body of people who promote the showing, keeping and breeding of pedigree cats as a hobby whilst linking these activities to someone...................? If not, I feel unable to show my cats at GCCF shows. I would be very interested to know what the GCCF thinks of these comments and wonder whether mine is not the only letter of caution."

Rita (Breeder and Exhibitor)

"We were astounded when we first heard the news that the GCCF are to award the right to publish show critiques to ‘Fancy That’. We have taken ‘Our Cats’ ever since we started showing in 1990. Over the years, we have seen many changes. We were disappointed when the colour magazine went to a tabloid form. However, the show critiques have always been impartially presented& it is wonderful now that reports are appearing so speedily by e mail. The GCCF, as a body, represents the lifeblood of the Cat Fancy: the breeders and exhibitors. Such a step threatens the very existence of a wonderful hobby that of showing & breeding cats!! The articles of general interest are of an extremely high standard. The individual show features are an integral feature of a very professional , long established publication & it would be a retrograde step if this association were to be allowed to cease. The rank & file members of the Cat Fancy should stand up & be counted if they value the facility of accessing their show news, critiques & other items of interest connected with what is an enjoyable hobby,"

Nancy and Peter (Nanpema Siamese & Orientals)

"I must express my shock and concern at the way in which this move has been made, with no prior notification to
the clubs that together make up GCCF. I am further concerned that my email address was used in a general mailing to contact a large number of people in order to encourage purchase of the new magazine, thus giving out my email address to everyone on that global flyer!
This is a matter of concern to ALL in the Cat Fancy. I have been breeding and exhibiting Maine Coons since 1989, and have always maintained that I preferred GCCF to both TICA and FB, and was quite happy to continue registering and exhibiting under them. However, I am so disturbed over the way in which this has been mis-handled, that I am now seriously considering moving my allegiance to one of the other organisations (who must be watching this situation with amazement, and not a little glee at all the new members they are going to gain!).
I would stress that I have no knowledge of the company that has secured this contract, nor their websites, and have no"axe to grind" against them, although I am concerned over some of the comments I have read. I am far more concerned over the way in which the whole matter has been dealt with, which I feel has been unfair to GCCF Breeders and Exhibitors in the extreme."

Lynnette Cannell (Mabalakat Maine Coons)

Dear Mr. Butler,

I enclose a copy of a letter I have sent to Our CATS Magazine which I think sums up my views on the subject. As the Executive Committee has acted on my behalf in this matter, and you, presumably, chaired the meeting at which this arbitrary decision was made, I should like the courtesy of a full explanation of the concerns which have caused the Committee to take this irrevocable and potentially disastrous decision without any consultation with the magazine itself, or with the people who actually BUY the publication in question. Without the support of the latter, after all, any new magazine is dead in the water.

Sue