TICA vs ANCATS: what pedigree registration means for buyers

Buyers often see "TICA registered" or "ANCATS registered" in listings without knowing what either actually means. Both are legitimate pedigree registries — and understanding the difference helps you tell a genuine pedigree from an empty claim.

What a pedigree registry actually does

A registry records and certifies a cat's lineage. When a kitten is registered, its parents, grandparents and breed are documented in an official database, and the kitten is issued papers that trace its bloodline. Registration is what makes a cat a verifiable pedigree rather than simply a cat that looks like a breed. It does not, on its own, guarantee health — that's what DNA testing and vet care are for — but it does guarantee provenance.

TICA, explained

TICA — The International Cat Association — is one of the world's largest genetic cat registries, headquartered in the United States but with members and registered cats worldwide, including many Australian catteries. It maintains breed standards, registers pedigrees and sanctions cat shows globally. A TICA-registered kitten has its lineage recorded in an internationally recognised database.

ANCATS, explained

ANCATS — Australian National Cats Inc. — is one of several respected registries in Australia, where pedigree cats may equally be registered with TICA or other bodies. Because many Singapore catteries, including ours, import foundation lines from Australia, you'll often see ANCATS papers here — though an imported cat may just as well carry TICA registration. It serves the same essential purpose as TICA: documenting and certifying lineage.

TICA vs ANCATS: does it matter to a pet buyer?

For most families bringing home a companion, the choice of registry matters far less than the fact that the kitten is registered at all. Both are legitimate. The registry becomes more relevant if you intend to show or breed, in which case you'd work within a specific registry's rules. For a pet, what matters is that the papers are genuine and the lineage is real. At Meowtelier, kittens are registered with TICA or ANCATS depending on the line.

How to verify a kitten's registration

• Ask to see the registration paperwork or pedigree certificate before reserving
• Check that the parents' names and the breed match what you've been told
• Be wary of "registrable" or "papers coming later" with no documentation to show
• Remember that registration certifies lineage, not health — ask separately about DNA testing

Registration is one piece of a responsible purchase. Pair it with an AVS-licensed cattery and DNA-tested parents, and you have the full picture. See how we apply this in how we choose our kittens.

Frequently asked questions