Cats An unusual theme for stamps

Unlike the better known wild animals, cats are a rare theme for stamps. Australia Post recently issued a set of five Cat Stamps. The five cute cats selected for the set are well-cared for cats of varying coat lengths and personalities.

People in Australia are passionate about their pets. Cats are the second-most popular pet in Australia – the first being dogs, and boasts of one of the highest rate of pet and pet cat ownership in the world.

Australia Post has named each cat in the issue to show that they are loved and well-cared-for family members and companions. They represent a cross-section of pet cats in Australia.

The cats (from left to right) are described as follows:

• The very playful Charo is a Siamese breed, an ancient breed dating back to the Royal Palaces of Siam and one of the earliest pedigreed breeds brought to Australia.
•  The handsome, loyal and caring Bubu is a domestic shorthair, which is by far the most common type of pet cat in Australia, also known as a moggie.
• Sweetie is very affectionate and sweet-natured. She is a tortoiseshell Maine Coon, which is the largest domesticated breed of cat in the world.
• Cato is cheeky and loves jumping out from hiding spots to surprise people. Cato is a Ragdoll, named because of their tendency to become limp and relaxed, like a ragdoll, when picked up.
• Briony is curious and loving. She is the only current “true blue Aussie” breed, named Australian Mist because of the misted veil over the markings on its coat.

There are many cat associations in Australia both at national and state level. The first social cat club founded in the state of Victoria dates back to the year 1919. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy was the first national cat association, also set up in Victoria in 1928.There were only two other such associations globally at the time. The Council describes itself as “a happy group who help each other in man y ways, from setting up and pulling down shows, to sharing knowledge and experience”.

The Australian National Cats Inc. (ANCATS) is a unique organisation responsive to all the needs of cats, their owners, breeders and exhibitors. It’s the first and only national cat registry and is affiliated to the World Cat Federation. It maintains national breed standards, and conducts judges training programmes and breed committees. ANCATS presents both national and regional Cat of the Year awards.

The Australian Cat Federation Inc (ACF) formed in 1972, promotes unity and harmony across the Australian Cat Fancy. It looks after the welfare of all cats and promotes the responsible and ethical breeding and showing of pedigreed cats.

The ACF Inc holds a National Show in June each year, with venues across Australia. International and Australian judges officiate at these shows. It has developed a breed standard for each pedigreed cat breed it recognises and provides a national forum for the recognition of new breeds of cats and the subsequent development of standards for those breeds. 

Cat Owners Associations in the different states are affiliated to the Federation. 

Several products were associated with the stamp issue. These included a first day cover, stamp pack, five booklets of 10 x 70c self-adhesive stamps, booklet collection, roll of 200x70c self-adhesive stamps, set of five maxi-cards and a postal and numismatic cover.