Editing Munchkin cat (section)

=== Registry history ===
The Munchkin cat was first introduced to the general public in 1991 via a national network televised cat show held by [[The International Cat Association]] (TICA) in [[Davis, Oklahoma]].<ref name="Helgren2006">{{cite web |url=http://www.iams.com/pet-health/cat-breeds/munchkin |title=Iams Cat Breed Guide: Munchkin |last=Helgren |first=J. Anne |date=2006 |publisher=Telemark Productions |access-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318141815/http://www.iams.com/pet-health/cat-breeds/munchkin |archive-date=March 18, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the breed would not be officially recognized at that time. Critics predicted that the breed would develop back, hip and leg problems similar to those that plague some [[dachshund]]s.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/23/us/a-cat-fight-breaks-out-over-a-breed.html?pagewanted=1 |title=A Cat Fight Breaks Out Over a Breed |work=The New York Times |date=July 23, 1995 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=February 7, 2010}}</ref> For many years, the Munchkin breed was not accepted in feline competitions due to the controversial breeding.<ref name=":0" /> Solveig Pflueger, a show judge, [[geneticist]], and chairperson of TICA's Genetics Committee was a strong advocate for the official recognition of the breed. Pflueger was also a breeder of Munchkin cats herself, having been initially sent two cats from Hochenedel.<ref name="NYT" /> Amidst much controversy, the Munchkin was proposed as a new breed by foundation breeders Laurie Bobskill and Robert Bobskill of Massachusetts and accepted by TICA into its new breed development program in September 1994. Veteran show judge Katherine Crawford resigned in protest, calling the breed an affront to breeders with ethics.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Helgren98">{{cite web |url=http://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/Munchkin |title=Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds: Munchkin Cat |last=Helgren |first=J. Anne |date=1998 |publisher=Barron's Educational Series |access-date=February 7, 2010 |archive-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522062757/https://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/munchkin/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Munchkin breed achieved TICA championship status in May 2003.<ref name="TICAintro" />

Currently, the only registries that fully recognize the breed are TICA, the [[Southern Africa Cat Council]], the [[Australian Cat Federation]], the [[World Cat Federation]], and Catz Incorporated (New Zealand).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldcatcongress.org/wp/cat_breed_comp_mus.php |title=Breed Comparisons - Munchkin &#124; World Cat Congress |website=www.worldcatcongress.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Breed Numbers |url=https://catzinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Breed-Numbers.pdf |website=Catz Incorporated |access-date=January 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Munchkin Shorthair |url=http://wcf.info/WCF-EN/standard/shorthair/munchkin.html |website=World Cat Federation |access-date=January 20, 2024}}</ref> There is controversy among breeders of pedigree cats as to what genetic mutations are abnormal and potentially disadvantageous to the cat.<ref name="morris">{{cite book |title=Catwatching & Catlore |last=Morris |first=Desmond S. |publisher=Arrow Books Ltd. |date=1988 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/catwatchingcatlo0000morr/page/183 183&ndash;186] |isbn=0-09-922901-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/catwatchingcatlo0000morr/page/183}}</ref> Katie Lisnik, director of cat protection and policy at the [[Humane Society of the United States]], has said: "Breeding animals for exaggerated physical characteristics, particularly when it compromises overall health, is irresponsible".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thedodo.com/munchkin-cat-breed-2231333420.html |title=People Are Breeding Cats To Have Too-Short Legs |website=The Dodo|date=February 2017 }}</ref> Several [[Cat registry|cat registries]] do not recognize the Munchkin: [[Fédération Internationale Féline]], which refuses to recognize what they consider a breed based on a "[[genetic disease]]", [[achondroplasia]].<ref name="FIF">[https://web.archive.org/web/20071226123710/http://www.fifeweb.org/wp/lib/lib_rls_breg_2007_03.html Breeding and Registration Rules]: 2.7.3 Genetic Diseases. Fédération Internationale Feline</ref> The [[Governing Council of the Cat Fancy]] likewise refuses to recognize the breed, considering this breed and others like it to be "unacceptable" because they are based on an "abnormal structure or development".<ref name="GCCF">The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, [http://www.gccfcats.org/health.html The GCCF says Health Comes First] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504022515/http://www.gccfcats.org/health.html |date=May 4, 2015 }}</ref> The breed is also not recognized by the [[Cat Fanciers' Association]].<ref name="CFA">Cat Fanciers' Association,[http://www.cfa.org/breeds.html CFA Breeds] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629034229/http://www.cfa.org/breeds.html |date=June 29, 2007 }}</ref>