EMS code

EMS code is a system used to identify cats by codes. The code for a specific color, pattern or other trait is always the same, no matter what breed.

The EMS code, created by Norwegian Eva Minde for FIFe, is now used by various feline organizations, including the Maine Coon Union. It was accepted during the FIFe General Assembly in 1990 in Borås, Sweden.

EMS codes :

  • three capital letters for the breed
  • the color of the coat is indicated in lowercase letters, common to all breeds.
  • One or more groups of two digits that futher describe the cat`s color, pattern, eye color, tail type.

EMS codes used in MAINE COON CATS

  • MCO – Maine Coon
  • Domestic cat (used on foundation cats)
    • HCL- Domestic cat longhair
    • HCS- Domestic cat shorthair

Fur-Colors

  • n-black (or brown) in other breeds this can also be used on tan, fawn, but this is not colors on a MCO.
  • a-blue
  • d-red
  • e-cream
  • f-black tortie (or brown tortie)
  • g-blue tortie
  • w-white

Fur-Patterns

Silver and golden

  • s-silver or smoke
  • y- golden

White spot

  • 01- Van (over 75% of the cats coat is white)
  • 02- Harlequin (from 50-74% of the cats coat is white)
  • 03-Bicolor (from 25 to 49% of the cats coat is white)
  • 09 -White, (under 25% of the cats coat is white)

Pattern

  • 11-Shaded
  • 12-Shell
  • 21-Agouti (unspecified pattern)
  • 22-Tabby
  • 23-Tigre
  • 24-Spotted
  • 25-Ticket

Eye Color

  • 61-Blue eyed
  • 62- Orange eyed
  • 63- Oddeyed (1 eye blue)
  • 64-Green-eyed