Welcome to the Southern British Shorthair Cat Club

The Southern British Shorthair Cat Club is one of the largest Breed Clubs representing the British Shorthair Cat within the UK. Established in 1992, the Club was formed to represent Breeders and Enthusiasts of British Shorthair Cats and Kittens throughout the South of the United Kingdom. We are affiliated to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) and with a membership totalling approximately 400, we play an active part in representing the views of our members. The Southern British Shorthair Cat Club is a very progressive club and it has had an Internet presence since 1997.

News/Announcements

20 April 2013

Notice of AGM

The 2013 SBSHCC Annual General Meeting will be held in New Haw on 23rd June 2013 at 12:20. The agenda for the AGM is available in Word or PDF format, and contains directions to the New Haw Community Centre venue.

Any items/proposals for inclusion on the AGM Agenda, need to be proposed and seconded by fully paid up Club members; as per our club rules any such agenda items have to reach Hon. Sec., Stephen McConnell no later than 4 weeks before the AGM, i.e., 23rd May 2013; please could members make every effort to communicate any such items to hthe Hon. Sec., as early as they can. It is desirable for the proposer and/or seconder of such agenda items to be present at the AGM to present any proposal to the membership.

We have a number of committee vacancies and also committee members who have reached the end of their terms of office by the AGM and who have indicated their willingness to stand for re-election. Nominations for any of the vacancies are invited from fully paid-up Club members. The nominations must be signed by the nominee, proposer and seconder (email confirmations will be acceptable) who must also be fully paid up Club members. Nominees should also provide a brief profile of themselves.

The Committee look forward to welcoming members to the AGM, afternoon tea and refreshments will be available.

BAC Project: Agouti Gene upon the Red and Cream Cat

The BSH BAC are working with the Genetics Team at Langford, to undertake a study of the Impact of the Agouti Gene upon the Red and Cream Cat. The link to this webpage is http://britishshorthairbac.wordpress.com/projects.

The Southern British Shorthair Cat Club are supporting this project with the BAC and the Genetics Team at Langford to further our knowledge of the British Shorthair Breed. If you would like to help make a donation please see the link to the donations/sponsors pages http://britishshorthairbac.wordpress.com/sponsors-2.

If you have any cats which fit any of the categories and are able to help with the project by submitting DNA swabs (Free of charge) then please fill in the form available on the website and email to Lizz Benson mail@limatz.plus.com.

Thanks for your support

Stephen McConnell
SBSHCC Hon Sec

GCCF Easy Mind System (EMS) Proposal

Transferring to the EMS coding system is for discussion and voting at the GCCF Council Meeting in June 2013. The EMS codes were introduced by FIFe as an easy method of writing a visual description of a cat that could be used for all breeds, all colours and all patterns without too much complication. A Guide and a List of EMS codes are available in PDF format. Members with any views on the subject should email Honorary Secretary Stephen McConnell as he will be representing the club at this meeting.

The Tenth Championship Annual Show was held on March 2nd 2013 at the Addlestone Community Centre; the Classified Results are available here.

DNA testing services for colour, blood-group and genetically inherited diseases (e.g., PKD, PRA) are available from Langford Veterinary Services at discounted rates to club members. Members should email (sbshcc@virginmedia.com) to request the code needed to take advantage of the discount rate.

A kitten and rehome list is available to members - members can email details on kittens to the Kitten List (sbshcc@virginmedia.com), or rehomes to the Rehome List (at the same address), and we will get the details published as soon as we possibly can.

What is a British Shorthair

The Breed Profile page describes the British Shorthair's physical characteristics and personality in words and pictures. You can also read the breeding policy followed by the club in our Genetics page.

And The Manx Cat?

There are a number of differing categories of Manx Cat. The Manx Breed Profile page will focus on the Shorthair Manx varieties which are probably of more relevance to our Members as it is the only type currently recognised by the GCCF.

And The Selkirk Rex?

In June 2004 the GCCF Council granted preliminary recognition to the Selkirk Rex. The curly coated Selkirk Rex is a medium to large cat with heavy boning and cobby type, similar in shape to a British Shorthair. The first Cats arrived in the UK in 2002. The Breed Profile page of the website will attempt to cover the unique differences of this newer breed.

The Club's Annual Show

The Club holds its Annual Championship Show under GCCF rules on the first Saturday in March. For more about past shows and for details of the next show please visit the Annual Show page.

Schedules are available from the Show Manager, Shelagh Heavens. Please enclose an A5 stamped self addressed envelope with your request.

Members Pages

Many of the club's members have their own breed related web pages, links to which may be found on the Members Pages. All our Breeders are expected to exceed the minimum standards of breeding specified by the GCCF.

Kitten List

If you are looking for a British Shorthair or Selkirk Rex kitten, then please take a look at our Kitten List. This is a list of kittens, updated on a monthly (or more frequent) basis, which are available from members of the Southern British Shorthair Cat Club.

Please note that this information is published in good faith by the club on behalf of its members and does not constitute a recommendation, or give a guarantee of availability.

Rehome List

Alternatively, if you are looking for an older kitten or a retired cat which is in need of a new home, please take a look at the Rehome List. This lists cats available from members, the general public and rescue organisations.

Membership

New members are always welcome. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Southern British Shorthair Cat Club, then please apply online through our Membership page.

Donations

The Club welcomes donations to help us with our various activities, donations can be made to support our general activities or can be for specific activities for instance our Annual Show, Re-homing / Rescue Activities, the Selkirk Rex Kitten List / British Shorthair Kitten List or to help promote the British Shorthair or Selkirk Rex breeds. We are very grateful to those people who continue to support the Southern British Shorthair Cat Club in this way - contact Donations if you are able to help in any way.