CFA's first licensed cat shows were held in Buffalo, New York and Detroit, Michigan in 1906.

The association today has a known presence in Europe, China, and Japan along with its well-established activity in the United States and Canada.

By alphabetical order according to breed division:[2] The CFA offers a number of services to catteries, purebred feline owners, and the general public.

Certificates are awarded to Catteries of Excellence[3] that meet strict health codes for the cats and their environment.

Other activities of the CFA include setting breed standards and offering breeding guidelines, training show judges, promoting and inspecting catteries, supporting and publicizing research on cat health issues, influencing legislative issues, providing disaster relief and breed rescue programs, publishing books and magazines and informing the general public on topics relating to cats.