The FIFe has as last international cat association in 2008, finally the recognition procedure for Neva Masquerade as sister colourpoint variant deployed!

The International Felinological Federation (FIFe) decided Neva Masquerade to be a preliminary recognized breed with EMS code NEM starting on the 1^st January 2009.

It has been observed for a long time that in litters of Siberian cats, recognized as a natural breed, from time to time appear white kittens whose ears, muzzles, paws and tails become darker resulting finally in a color called colourpoint. This phenomenon was discussed  widely many times in felinological circles over the last few years in order to describe and classify it. One conclusion was arrived at: Siberian cats must have been mated with colourpoint cats in the past. There is no sense to dwell on which colourpoint breed exactly was mated with Siberian cats, because there must have been at least several of them. This assumption is based on the variety of types of Neva Masquerade cats. Some of them are similar to Persian, other to Sacred Birman and other to Siamese cats. In spite of their variety in type those quasi-Siberian cats, now called Neva Masquerade, have become more and more popular not only in Russia and Europe, but also on the other continents. 

The population of Neva Masquerade cats has increased recently enabling breeders to mate  Neva Masquerade cats among each other without close inbreeding. The type of Neva Masquerade cats is in the process of standardizing by mating them only with Siberian cats. Lots of breeders started thinking about classifying Neva Masquerade cats according to Felinological Federations’ standards. Discussions on the future of Neva Masquerade cats brought not only different suggestions how to solve that situation, but also some misunderstandings. Some breeders promoted the idea of recognizing Neva Masquerade as a separate breed, while others as one of specific color groups of Siberian cats. The former idea was very hard to execute according to FIFe recognition rules, and the latter one provokes a lot of public disagreement. On one hand, as Siberian cats are considered to be a natural breed, the idea to recognize a colourpoint group within a classification of natural color was quite controversial. On the other hand to recognize Neva Masquerade as a new breed, breeders would have to provide 5 generation pedigrees of cats from different lines whose ancestors are only Neva Masquerade cats. The Polish Siberian Cats Club “SIB CAT CLUB” in cooperation with “Neva Masquerade Cats Fan Club” “Nevaclub” decided to propose a third option which was a recognition of Neva Masquerade cats as a sister breed to Siberian cats. We also wanted to forestall the official proposals of other countries which preferred to recognize Neva Masquerade as a colour group of Siberian cats.

Taking all into consideration, SIB CAT CLUB decided to organize a presentation show that took place on the 15^th December 2007 in Warsaw during the International Cat Show. Most of Neva Masquerade Cats presented during the show came from Polish catteries, but there were also Neva Masquerade cats from Russian catteries, which was a great pleasure for us. 29 Neva Masquerade cats were registered to the show, and 15 of them after careful selection were presented to members of Judge and Standard Commission. 12 cats had 3 generation pedigrees and 3 cats had the full 5 generation pedigrees from different lines. The FIFe Judge and Standard Commission consisted of The Freskovec from Slovenia, Miriam Klein-Gabbari from Italy, Satu Hamalainen from Finland, Steven Jones from Norway and Marti Peltonen form Sweden. The inspection of correctness of pedigrees and breeding documentary was executed by Ole Amstrup from Denmark who represented the Breeding and Registration Commission. Judges appraised the presented cats positively, especially tabby ones, as well as the organization of the show and the quality of breeding documentary. We were informed after the show that our proposal to recognize Neva Masquerade cats as a sister breed to Siberian cats might be presented and discussed during the General Assembly of the FIFe.

The Polish Felinological Federation “Felis Polonia”- FPL, that had supported us from the beginning, decided to present the proposal during the General Assembly of the FIFe. After preparing all the necessary documents and translating our proposal into three official FIFe languages, we were ready for the Assembly. I was invited as a specialist in breeding Siberian cats by the Board of “Felis Polonia” to participate in the General Assembly of the FIFe in May 2008 that took place in Smokoviec, Slovakia. I was accompanied by a few breeders of Neva Masquerade with their best cats which were presented to all participants of the General Assembly.

The date of 30^th May 2008, the second day of the General Assembly, became very significant for breeders of both Neva Masquerade and Siberian cats. In that day Anna Wilczek, delegated by “Felis Polonia”, presented our proposal in very expressive and convincing words. The debate among the participants of the General Assembly was very long. An alternative proposal was also presented that supported the idea of recognition of Neva Masquerade as a color group of Siberian cats stated by the Czech representative. Our proposal and endeavors were strongly supported by Ole Amstrup representing the Breeding and Registration Commission and Thea Freskovec. Although the Czech delegate withdrew his proposal after a hard exchange of the points of view, there were some other participants who were against the conception of Neva Masquerade as a sister breed. This caused the result of voting to be quite unsure until the end and made the atmosphere of the General Assembly very tense. The moment of announcing the result of voting by the Secretary of the General Assembly of the FIFe Eric Reijers was very special for me, the Polish delegation and breeders of Neva Masquerade cats who came to Smokoviec to present their cats. After getting to know that our proposal to recognize Neva Masquerade cats as a sister breed of Siberian cats for a preliminary period was accepted by FIFe, we began the festival of happiness and congratulation. 

The decision to recognize Neva Masquerade as a sister breed to Siberian cats with EMS code – NEM comes into force from 1^st January 2009. It is a great success, but also a big challenge for breeders of both breeds: Siberian and Neva Masquerade. The preliminary period for breeders of Neva Masquerade cats is a test period during which their efforts to develop and standardize NEM cats will be under observation and control of felinologist from around the world.

The breeding policy of Neva Masquerade cats should be conducted according to suggestions of the FIFe Commissions indicated both during the show in Warsaw, and the General Assembly in Smokoviec. Neva Masquerade breeders should concentrate on the following:

Ø  Standardization of type and head according to a standard of Siberian cats

Ø  Improvement of coat structure, as it is too soft among most of Neva Masquerade cats

Ø   Intensification of blue eye color

Ø   Extension of population of Neva Masquerade cats in different color groups

One of the most important suggestions of the FIFe Commissions regards the rules of mating NEM cats with SIB ones. ‘Sister breeds’ by definition are allowed to be mated among each other, but rules of mating are established for each case individually.

Recognizing Neva Masquerade cats as a sister breed to Siberian cats is definitely aimed to help Neva Masquerade breeders in creating one standard of NEM cats. Siberian cats as an long existing and natural breed do not need of course any help. Their type is standardized and well known. Thus, using Neva Masquerade cats in breeding Siberian cats seems to be senseless.

From 1^st January 2009, Neva Masquerade (NEM) cats will be allowed to participate in FIFe shows according to new rules. They will be presented in 2 color groups:

Ø      Group 1 – all colors without white

Ø      Group 2 – all colors with white 

A recognition procedure, the same for all new breeds, is as follows: for a preliminary period cats attempting to be a new breed are allowed to achieve only Champion / Premior and Inter-champion / Inter-premior titles. Moreover, those cats are not allowed to be nominated to Best in Show contests.

We strongly believe that Neva Masquerade breeders will achieve their goals in creating a unified standard of  NEM cats, choosing the best and wise solutions, over the next 2-3 years. We, as Siberian cat breeders, would like to advise and help them any time they need our assistance. 

I would like to wish all breeders of both SIB and NEM cats all the best in their breeding plans and full recognition of NEM cats in the future. 

President of „SIB CAT CLUB” in FPL – www.sibcatclub.pl
Jagoda Telega

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