Anita Stixrud
On Friday, local KOMO News stated that seven-month-old Tabia had disappeared from the home of Anita Sitxrud, who had a few reasons to be especially concerned about the cat. For one, Tabia had never been let outside the house before. Secondly, Tabia is no ordinary house cat. She is a $10,000 Savannah, a rare hybrid domestic cat breed that is half serval, a species of African wildcat. Finally, Stixrud said that the cat was a very important part of her son's life, who has Asperger's Syndrome and a heart condition.
The story stated that the Stixrud family was offering a reward for Tabia's return, though it did not state how much.
However, a follow-up report by KOMO News that ran Sunday morning stated that Tabia was found unharmed on the family doorstep late Saturday night. Anita Sitxrud then told KOMO News that she believes the cat was brought there by somebody, rather than just showing up on its own, though no evidence of such appeared in the news report.
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A stunning kitty.I wonder what her temperament is like.
They are said to be good cats. Like having a dog, is one description I've heard. Very good disposition, good w/kids, dogs, everyone.
Ok did anyone read the words "African Wildcat" in that article? Servals are the most hissy, grabby, domineering cats around. The fact that they are forced to mate with a domestic cat doesn't lessen their disposition any. They are wildcats and they are territorial, and will protect what they feel is their territory. There is a reason the sanctuary i volunteer at has 19 servals and 1 savannah cat Every last one that i care for has injured a child or adult or became just too hard to care for.
Think about it.....when you want to go on vacation, who will watch your wildcat?
IDK about this breed exactly, but my sister owns a bangel-mix / semi-wild (aka semi-psycho) breed. LOL Although she LOOKS beautiful, I will remind u that EVERYTHING that glitters isn't ALWAYS gold.
She jumps in showers, eats meat (rips it out of ur hand while ur trying to eat), makes the strangest noises ever heard in ANY animal kingdom and last BUT NOT LEAST ... she drags kids by their pampers! LOL / JK ...
PS: And wassup w/ these "RICH, LONELY, DOCTORS" on here?
And lastly a word of advise to "bangel owners" don't ever bleed near your MENTAL savages or they'll drag YOU by your pamper too!! hahaha / JK
First time a got a good look at your cat, I could tell it was not a purely domestic cat...,very expensive too. I've heard stories about other people paying big money to have domestic and wild cats mate.
I only have one concern. What if these hybrid cats start running wild, could be a problem. I can see other people's pets mating with these hybrids. Beyond that, I thing other people's pets might be dinner for these hybrids.
Where I live there are plenty of deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, etc. I am aware of some of my neighbor's pets were killed.
Very attractive animal you have. Not sure we've thought this through carefully.
What happens when the target is someone's child. Could get pretty ugly.
Jeff,
There are currently two such hybrid breeds. The first one is the Bengal the second the Savannah. The cats are considered exotic until they are at least 4 generations removed from the wild ancestor(s). Breeders call these early generation cats "foundations", and the responsible breeders are aware that they have special needs. It is hard to breed the foundations because the males are not able to produce off spring. Like the mules cant. BTW, mules are hybrids of horses and ponies. Hybridization happens all the time in the wild. When we were in Africa last year we saw a cat that I am certain was some kind of hybrid.
By the time we hit the 4th generation they are more house cat than wild cat. Yes, these babies often have peculiar habits, there is just something "different" about them. Looking above it looks like a breeder quality Savannah - note the large ears and long legs. Of course, the spots - gorgeous, but not on its own enough to denote a wild cat. It is entirely possible that the above cat is 4th generation and thus a normal housecat.
Most bengals and savannah's that are responsibly bred are very gentle. A $10,000 kitty is most likely responsibly bred. My part bengal here in the house (we figure he is 6 or 7th generation, and only part bengal) is one of the sweetest, gentlest and friendliest cats I have ever known. Yes, he does chase birds and insects, but that is all he chases. Unless he "knows" you and comes running to tab your leg for some snuggles. The kids around the apartment complex all come out and ask if "Niles can come out and play now". They adore him. Bengals sometimes have trouble with their digestive system - I know Niles's brother has that. They might need a slightly more fibrous diet.
Niles has a lot of mannerisms that mark him as different - but aggression is not among them.
Now, both Savannahs and Bengals sometimes do have aggression. As do some normal housecats. Responsible breeding and good owners is important for all animals. But trust me - given those - the Savannah's and the Bengals are pretty much normal housecats.
Of course, those who doesnt know how to handle the cats should never take on a "foundation" cat. Too much exotic in those....
Malene
DUH!! If you had a $10,000 cat would you let it run wild?? I sure in the heck wouldn't.
You can chill out on the hybrids roaming the streets eating peoples small dogs and children. These cats are thought to be the speicies that all house cats were bred from. Just like dogs came from wolves. These animals escapeing would do no more damage the neighbors little fuzzy killer already does. House cats are already estimated to kill over 1,000,000 song birds a year in the US.
Beautiful cat...but $10,000??
I'll keep my little buddy Joe...he ain't too good looking, but he was cheap!
I'm with you. Free Cats make just as good a pet as a $10K Cat. Hmmm.......I did buy a Cat once. She was a Calico Kitten and the pet store had her for a while and they put her on sale for $2.
The Savannahs are cute cats ...but $10K???????
It is simply adorable. But why spend $10,000 on a cat when there are some that are just as adorable, if not more, at the Humane Society or SPCA for way cheaper than that. My Pita looks almost exactly like this Savannah, and I adopted him from the SPCA.
I thought I read some where, I think it was on AOL, that cross breeding loike this is highly unlikly for all types of genetic reasons too numerous for me to remember. Mabe it was a different cross, but I am sure it was a cat and they were talking about an actress that had purchased a cross breed and an expert was quoted as saying, Nope, Can't be done, just a big cat. Not that it wasn't beautiful. AND, even though I have a farm and own me dream horses, Friesian and Nokotas, I still love may cats, except maybe for the little Dumpling that is trying to eat my toes right now. He wasn't much help wrapping Christmas Presents or very good at folding laundry but they always make you smile. I'd just rather rescue a kitty from the SPCA. $10,000 for a cat, wow so much that I could do for so many more animals....
What sense does it make to breed hybrids when we can't deal with the hundreds of thousands living on our streets right now?
10k for a cat? now that would be one expensive chunk of meat for a nice pot of chili,,muummm good
Dude,
That's just sick!
My husband and I are proud owners of two Bengals. Because they are pet quality and not used for breeding, we signed spay and neuter contracts with the responsible breeders we got them from. The breeders we worked with also took much time in educating their clients on care of the breed and serve as wonderful resources in case we have problems with the cats. People who see them for the first time (they are indoor cats only) know they are special just by their appearance. We also have them microchipped just in case they get out. If they get out, our hope is we too have an angel in the neighborhood to return our dear babies. I know just how special and unique this cat is and what it means to it's owners.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE???-------------------------
Spending 10,000 on one cat??? Do you know how many non-science experiment cats could of been saved from death with that money???????
OH, NO BUT SHE HAD TO HAVE THE BEST, NEWEST, MOST DIFFERENT CAT, RIGHT???
What a truly selfish person!!! Some people get EXACTLY what they deserve!!!
Her son could of and would of bonded to any of the hundred cats she could of saved with that money.
Darwin,
Chill Dude! You are going to give yourself a stroke!
Dude!
Chill before you give yourself a stroke!
exotic auto place in Bellevue WA had a full Serval cat. Sweetest animal, but had a sense of humor. On a 50 foot leash, when you were talking to salesman and distracted he would walk around you and you would trip on your first step. Then he would come back and lick you to see if you were OK.