Exotic Cat Breeds

          From domestic shorthairs to oriental mixes to maine coons, common cats breeds vary in body shape, size, facial features, coat texture and color, and behavior. While the Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes 40 pedigreed breeds, the breeding of new hybrid felines are slowly increasing in popularity. Here is a breakdown of the most popular new breeds of cats:

          #1 Savannah: Savannah cats are crossbreed hybrids of a domestic and a serval, a wild African feline. They are gold with black spots and markings and are extraordinarily large for housecats because of their wild ancestry. Savannahs weigh up to 30 pounds and can jump up to 8 feet in the air. They are known for being highly intelligent, social, and loyal. Savannahs are easily trained to walk on a leash, fetch, wake up owners, and perform tricks on command. Their personalities are often compared to dogs. Purebred savannahs (50-50 ancestry) cost up to 25,000 to purchase from breeders. The most notable thing about Savannahs is that they are simply HUGE!

A small Savannah cat plays with a domestic shorthair.

     

          #2 Bengal: The Bengal cat is a cross between a common domestic shorthair cat and an Asian Leopard Cat. Despite their name, they are not closely related to the Bengal tiger. Bengals are of similar size and temperament to regular housecats, but they have exotic spotted markings.

Bengal cats are known for their exotic markings.

  

          #3 Safari: Safari cats are a cross between the South American Geoffroys cat and a domestic housecat. They are large in size and have exotic markings, resembling a small leopard. Safaris are extremely rare as only 80 are currently registered with The International Cat Association. Like Savannahs, they are difficult to breed and very expensive to come by.

Safari cats closely resemble wild felines.

The Cat House on the Kings: A No-Kill No-Cage Animal Shelter

          The Cat House on the Kings is California's largest no-kill no-cage animal shelter. Located just outside of Fresno in the town of Parlier, the organization provides a solid example of a different way of caring for cats. Along with prepping cats for adoption like many other facilities, the Cat House provides a home for unadoptable cats: those that are too old, sick, or wild to live happily in a human home. Since its founding in 1992, the Cat House has rescued over 18,000 cats and 5,000 dogs and spayed and neutered over 40,000.
          The concept of the shelter is a simple: fence in a large, safe area full of food, water, medical care facilities, and opportunities for shelter, and allow the animals to roam as they please. The 12-acre lot has a main house, visitor's center, and caged ward for kittens and animals undergoing medical care. Inside each building are lots of furniture, climbing structures, and soft places to sleep and play, along with plenty of cat doors to allow the animals to come in and out as they please. Cats can play inside, outside, climb trees, find shelter, play with others, or wander off on their own. The animals here seem truly happy and are much more full of energy and curiosity than most animals found in shelters. The Cat House on the Kings provides a wonderful sanctuary for abandoned cats, as well as an alternative solution for loving owners who can no longer keep their animals. Cat owners can surrender their feline for a fee, ensuring that he or she will be safe, cared for, and happy.

Cats roam free at the Cat House on the Kings.