Domestic vs Savannah Analogies

[Trish Allearz]

It's definitely a tricky road to travel- I like the word exotic, to be honest, but heck, I come from a town where exotic dancers are a dime a dozen, so maybe I should avoid that word completely- hehehehe

The fact is the AR threat is real to us- it's not a myth or smoke cloud that experienced SV people hide behind. I think we can all agree after the Ohio fiasco last year (where thankfully, SVs were pulled off of the bill for banned animals- but as I understand, OH has reserved the ability to toss back on any animal they see fit) that we have to be extra cautious in how we portray the breed.

I still find it very sad that we have to be so overcautious with our terminology when describing our breed. If I was a dog breeder and I said a Saluki was exotic to the common dog owner, no one would bat an eye. But to call a SV exotic- which to me it is an exotic looking cat- we have to worry about the AR crazies. It's frustrating and annoying, all rolled up in one!

 

[Wyldthingz]

What is also frustrating is that Fish and Wildlife have to approve an international flight for an F6? That is asinine as an F6 Savannah is NOT going to effect the serval population in Africa! It is a money making Government crap.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I asked the USDA vet about that, she was surprised that given when they are F5 or further they don't need a CITES permit but still we need to apply and pay for an eDec to export them...but she thinks that Bengals and Savannahs will always need to do that, no matter what the generation. So very silly.

I agree, Trish, it is very sad that we have to be so cautious about how we use words with our breed. There's even Exotic Shorthairs that have NO exotic cat heritage! Yet, using it with our breed is dicey...because of situations like Ohio. We were fortunate that the legislators listened in that case, but it did take a strong effort to get their attention!

 

[DB in RR]

There are many responsible breeders that are not only NOT moderators here, but NOT here on this list at all. Some don't have time or for their own reasons don't post here. This is a group among many just so you understand that, DB.

Sure ... there are many reputable dealers besides the moderators here. On the flip side, we did approach a breeder that sounded like a scam.... so we were weary. By the way - I like the name Wyldthingz, and I love the look of Daisy.

DB

 

[Sam]

We view Layla as a cat because well.. She is and so are lions. Layla is a loving f2 female that just like any other cat big or small is playful, curios and a trouble maker. The only difference between Layla and any other cat besides the size is the pure athletic ability to run, jump, maneuver like no regular cat I have ever had. Heck my dog of 17 years with Shepard and collie mix couldn't match this little girls will power. One thing about SVs or at least our Layla is how almost human like emotional she can be with her facial impressions. I still to this day never been able to pet a cats tummy, Layla loves it.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Our British Shorthair Georgie is ridiculous about begging for his tummy to be pet. He will flop on the ground in front of yo (or on the judge's table at a show)... just ridiculous! The Savannahs will let me pet their bellies but they don't beg for it like Georgie..

 

[admin]

Well, since I had to answer many questions this past weekend about savannah cats and dispel several myths and have fought ridiculous legislation over the past two years AND am trying to get the ban lifted on savannahs in NYC, I will say that it is very difficult to change the minds of legislators, once they think or see or hear some of the words that are used to describe savannah cats by others. Many of us here have worked VERY hard to try and protect our breed and 2013 will be no different, I expect. So let's just understand that many of us are extremely sensitive to descriptions, analogies and such.

There are breeders who just don't get it and won't until savannahs are banned in their state(s) and then it will be too late Calling savannah kittens, "cubs", is something I really detest as it conjures up in my mind, a lion or tiger or cheetah, etc. Just like there are many buyers who don't and won't get why they should not purchase a savannah cat if it is illegal in their state/county/village, until their savannah cat is confiscated. And then it is too late and the cat is ALWAYS the one who suffers.

it is a shame that we need to be so careful about what we say, but it is reality in this day and age. BCR and HSUS are real threats everyone - to all of us...not just breeders but pet owners as well. Maybe when everyone realizes this and joins together to fight back, we will win. Right now, we are winning very small battles, but it is not enough as we watch the African Serval continuing to be banned in more and more states http://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads/save-the-serval-save-the-african-serval.888/

That being said, I love this discussion - hopefully we all understand each other and where we are coming from and will enlighten others.

 

[DB in RR]

We view Layla as a cat because well.. She is and so are lions. Layla is a loving f2 female that just like any other cat big or small is playful, curios and a trouble maker. The only difference between Layla and any other cat besides the size is the pure athletic ability to run, jump, maneuver like no regular cat I have ever had. Heck my dog of 17 years with Shepard and collie mix couldn't match this little girls will power. One thing about SVs or at least our Layla is how almost human like emotional she can be with her facial impressions. I still to this day never been able to pet a cats tummy, Layla loves it.

Cayenne like her belly rubbed too! To the point she rolls on her back and kind of beckons to be rubbed. Hershey , our domestic, has never done this, and if you attempt to rub his belly, he might tolerate it for 10 seconds and then hiss, and claw til he is on his feet.

Interesting,

David

 

[Sam]

Cayenne like her belly rubbed too! To the point she rolls on her back and kind of beckons to be rubbed. Hershey , our domestic, has never done this, and if you attempt to rub his belly, he might tolerate it for 10 seconds and then hiss, and claw til he is on his feet.

Interesting,

David

Agreed, our previous domestic cat would have destroyed my hands at the attempt of rubbing her tummy.