TICA® and Wisdom Panel™ began a history of collaboration promoting cat knowledge and genetic research with The State of the Cat study, a partnership started in 2017. The project reached its goal of screening 1,000 pedigreed cats for genetic disease, traits blood type and genetic heterozygosity using Optimal Selection™ Feline and MyCatDNA™. This massive effort culminated in a groundbreaking scientific publication published in PLOS Genetics in June 2022, titled: "Genetic epidemiology of blood type, disease and trait variants, and genome-wide genetic diversity in over 11,000 domestic cats". This study is the largest genetic study of pedigreed and domestic cats of its kind, and has contributed significantly to our understanding of the distribution and prevalence of genetic disease and traits in cats. 

Now, TICA® members and non-members can continue to enjoy the benefits of this longstanding partnership with Wisdom Panel™ through the newly launched integration with Optimal Selection™ Feline and MyCatDNA™, available at discount through both the TICA® website and record management portal, TFMS. This partnership was officially announced by the Wisdom Panel™ PRO team and the TICA® board of directors at the TICA Annual held in Hampton, Virginia, US 2024. Reception was very positive for this update to TICA® services. 

As respective leaders in our fields, both businesses are very excited for the opportunities this partnership will bring in promoting the pedigreed cat breeding profession, genetic research in cats, and cat health and beauty for cat lovers of all kinds. 

References: 

Anderson H, Davison S, Lytle KM, Honkanen L, Freyer J, et al. (2022) Genetic epidemiology of blood type, disease and trait variants, and genome-wide genetic diversity in over 11,000 domestic cats. PLOS Genetics 18(6): e1009804. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1009804