Scottish folds were banned by the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) in the 1970s, and it stands ever since. The GCCF is a cat registry based in the UK and has banned the Scottish Fold cat because of the genetic mutation that provides the unique ears shape. The GCCF considered the mutation to be painful to the cats. However, the Scottish fold breed is registered as a breed in the rest of the world.