The OCA is a special interest club affiliated to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy to promote the breeding and showing of Oriental cats. The Club was formed in 1971 and was affiliated to the GCCF in 1975. The Club has approximately 200 members from all over the UK, and a number of overseas members. A Committee of 12 is elected annually by the members to represent the club at shows and provide a contact point for current and new members. Our constitution was revised at the AGM in April 2008.

Irene Rothwell and Jane Francis-Wilson represent the club at the GCCF meetings and John Bunce and Carol Ward at the Oriental Joint Breed Advisory Committee.

 Your cat's health.

Chlamydophilia disease
Anxiety in cats.
Home health check.
Cardiomyopathy.

Caring for your cat.

Microchipping
The overweight cat.
Cat proof garden.
What should I do if...?

OCA Welfare and Re-homing Scheme.

For some years now the OCA has run a rescue and re-homing scheme for home-less and maltreated Oriental cats. This is supported by a small financial fund, which allows for emergency veterinary treatment, including neutering and spaying, and support prior to their re-homing.  -->>

Problems in cats.

"In our busy small animal practice I am frequently called upon to advise clients on the best way to deal with behavioural or psychological problems in their pets". -->>

 More photos in the OCA photo album -->>

 Introducing your cat to other pets.

Bringing a new cat or kitten into your home and introducing it to your resident cat or dog can be quite nerve racking. You want them all to get on together and welcome the new feline into the house, but this seldom happens quite so easily - even though your reason for getting another cat may be to keep your resident cat company, it may not rush out and welcome the newcomer with open paws! Careful introductions can help to smooth the way towards harmonious merging of animals - controlling the situation rather than leaving the animals to sort it out for themselves will give a much better chance of a smooth meeting and the best possible start together.

Read the full article from the OCA Yearbook.

Breeding from your Queen.

Before choosing a stud you should consider why you wish to mate your queen. Remember that you are planning a litter of kittens for your sake, not for hers; there may be birth complications and she may even need a caesarean section, so if you planned to have a litter of kittens for her sake, have her spayed instead.
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What is 'the Red series'?

In the Oriental the Red Series comprises Red, Cream, Apricot, Black Tortie, Blue Tortie, Chocolate Tortie, Cinnamon Tortie, Lilac Tortie, Fawn Tortie, & Caramel Tortie. In various other breeds the Silvers would be referred to as Cameos, Shell Cameos and Particolours. The GCCF recognises 120 variations of the Oriental in the Red Series: in non-agouti (Self/Torties and Smoke), and in Agouti (the Tabbies and Shaded) with or without Silver. The various breed numbers are detailed here.

The Genetics of Red

The mode of inheritance of red colouring in the cat is highly unusual in that it is ‘sex-linked’. The ‘red’ colour is carried on a sex chromosome and results not only in the mosaic pattern of the tortoiseshell, but also the specific relationship between gender and colour.
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