International Feline Federation (FIFe), condemned Russia’s invasion in Ukraine and joined Western sanctions with restrictions on Russian cat breeding.
“The FIFe Executive Board is shocked and horrified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many innocent people have been killed, many more were injured. and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes for their lives,” the organization announced on its website.
FIFe stated, “You cannot just witness these atrocities.”It also prohibited importation and registration for the pedigrees of Russian-bred cats and banned Russian exhibitors from participating in international fairs.
These restrictions became effective on March 1stIt will run through May 31, with the possibility to make future changes. FIFe reported that many Ukrainians are currently trying to look after their pets in such difficult circumstances.
Russia was abuzz with the news. Many cat breeders in Russia greeted it with disbelief and surprise, as well as sarcasm. ”It is complete nonsense. They are punishing their own selves. FIFe will suffer the most if Russian clubs who pay to take part in international shows quit attending and form their own community,” Liudmina Makarova of the Moscow Cat Fan Club told Gazeta.ru.
Edgar Zapazhni (general director of the Great Moscow State Circus), told TASS: “This is only a temporary phenomenon, a measure that is not binding at all”. He added that these measures would not cause anything more than a smile. “I am convinced that our cats and cats will continue to be loved, well fed and happy,” he concluded.