ELECTED
I
live in St. Louis, Missouri. During the day, I am a part-time college Chemistry
professor. I have a Masters of Science degree in Chemistry (Biochemistry
emphasis) and a PhD in Chemistry.
I volunteer with one of my altered Maine Coons in a pet therapy group called
Love on a Leash. We visit patients at a local hospital, residents of nursing
homes, and have, in the summer, worked with children in a reading program.
I am married without children and the cats are our only pets.
I believe that my enthusiasm & experience in the cat fancy and within the MC
breed itself allows me to help in furthering the breed and educating others.
My Experience
I originally showed my two neuters in CFA, starting in 2000, but switched to
TICA after my mentor suggested I give it a try. I found the TICA world to be one
of beautiful cats, friendly faces and openness to new exhibitors. To date, I
have shown & bred several Regional Winners & Supreme Grand Champions. This
season, I am actively showing a MC kitten, champion and alter. I have attended
shows in almost every US region and enjoy meeting not only MC exhibitors, but
have made great friends who work with other breeds as well.
I adopted my first queen in 2003, maintain a small breeding program (currently 3
queens and one stud), and average 2 litters per year. I find that keeping my
numbers down (both breeding cats and spays/neutered pets) allows me to afford
high quality vet care, socialization and diets for them all. I screen all of my
breeding cats for HCM (via DNA testing and echocardiograms), HD (via OFA/Penn
HIP) and SMA (via DNA).
I am a Breeder Member in MCBFA and editor of MCBFA's quarterly newsletter The
Scratch Sheet. As editor, I both write and solicit authors (fanciers, breeders
and veterinarians) of health articles as well as any other information I believe
would be useful to the MC community. In doing so, I have made wonderful contacts
with folks from all over the world.
I am the primary maintainer of the HCM and SMA DNA databases which reside on the
“UnmodMChealth” Yahoogroups.
Within TICA, I am on the Awards Review Committee for The International Feline
Foundation. We review grant proposals submitted by research groups focused on
feline health and make recommendations to the Executive Council & the TICA
board, as to which study we believe should be funded based on various criteria.
I am also an active participant working on the new TICA Mentor Program. We're
currently working on the Program's manual, applications and criteria for
mentors."
I enjoy hosting & attending educational seminars at shows. Most recently, I
presented my views on ethical breeding practices and one on the non-profit
business of breeding cats at the Northwest Regional Show (that is also featured
on the MCBFA.org website).
I have been interviewed for articles within Cat Fancy and various other
cat-related magazines.
As a Great Lakes Regional Member, I am quite active as well. I maintain the
regional website, am President of the Buckeye oHIo Rollers Cat Club who hosts
two shows per year, am Deputy Regional Director, and attend most shows within
our region.
The Committee
I believe that first and foremost, the committee's job is to represent the
members of the section and to keep members current on all issues relating to the
breed.
I believe the committee chair's job is to act as a facilitator of discussion &
be active within TICA, the breed and the committee itself. For example of
facilitating discussion, he/she should encourage members to openly discuss, in a
friendly manner, the polydactyl proposal for the purpose of educating members. I
think Beth Hicks acted as a great role model for this position.
Each committee member should be active not only in the show halls, but as a
breeder and within the breed. They should be available to all of the members and
prospective members at shows and on this list.
The committee should be working together to promote the breed by encouraging new
members, hosting breed seminars at shows, compiling a breed booth for use at
multiple shows, active in fundraising & educating towards MC research and
rescue, etc...
I'd also like to see that we get together at the Annual to celebrate the top
winning MCs (similar to what is done in CFA).
I'd be happy to answer any further questions members have, either publicly or
privately.
My goals & breeding program can be viewed here: www.chemicoons.com
Liz Hansen
