Hello from New York!

[Medesha]

I've always loved cats. For a long while though, a result of my mother's fear that I was allergic to them after a childhood bout with respiratory issues, I couldn't have one.

In high-school suddenly, I had several. A group of ferals attached themselves to me, my house. More like, the food. I've fed them, spayed/neutered them when I could catch them, and given away the kittens I could catnap, socialize and find good homes for. I've seen gorgeous kittens throughout this experience; Pseudo-Siamese out of a calico and a tuxedo cat, yellow tabbies from two tuxedos, a Russian blue from god knows where.

I was doing it mostly by myself, buying the kitten formula and bottle feeding them and litter-box training them when the mother wasn't comfortable enough with me to stay in the house. It wasn't easy: several kittens had pretty serious eye infections that meds couldn't completely cure, and last summer there were ten kittens running around the house: a not insignificant undertaking.

I've finally succeeded in getting my neighborhood colony spayed and neutered. And now that I've gotten that situation pretty much under control, I'm very interested in getting a Savannah cat.

I've just finished with college and I'm planning on taking the next year off and try and finish this demon I'm writing before going on to graduate school- so I will have plenty of time for an addition to the family.

I'd first read about Savannahs years ago, and they've been at the back of my mind ever since. Savannahs are gorgeous, energetic and playful! When I knew I wanted a different kind of cat, I knew it was the only one for me.

Anyone have any good recommendations for a cattery in/near or willing to send to New York? I don't live in the city, so Savannahs are legal so long as they are F5 or more. Does an SBT count as an F5 or more?

This forum has been a wealth of information and a pleasure to read through.

 

[admin]

Welcome Medesha! Sounds like you have had quite the adventures!

An F5 SBT and below would work for you...there are F4 SBT's but they are not legal in NYS.

There are plenty of breeders in the breeder's directory who would probably ship to NY: http://www.savannahcatchat.com/forums/savannah-cat-breeders/

Most catteries in NY are not open to visitors...sounds like you have plenty of time though, correct? You are not looking for a kitten right now?

 

[Medesha]

I am actually looking for a kitten right now. My sister is going away to college and possibly for the summer and I'm going to be alone in the house. Would really like some company. I've been looking around and have heard that several people have had them shipped without issue, is that generally the case? I understand there is an added cost.

I'm still a bit confused about the... categories for the Savannah cats. I understand the F1, F2, F+ system, but I'm not exactly sure what the A, B, C SBT part explains. Does the latter have any particular effect on the kittens, appearance-wise or anything?

 

[admin]

Actually, I am going to quickly write a post about the A, B, C, SBT Savannah...and I'm sure others will chime in here as well.

 

[Patti]

Welcome Medesha, I hope you find the kitten of your dreams!

Basically:
A means one parent is not a Savannah
B means both parents are Savannahs
C means both parents and grandparents are Savannahs
SBT means that all parents, grandparents and great-grandparents are Savannahs (three generations of SV x SV breeding, at which point the cat is recognized as a 'true breed' rather than a foundation cat used to create the breed).

 

[J.B.]

Yaaay taking a year off before grad school, I'm right there with you! I think that a lot of Breeders have more details about the A, B, and SBT on their websites in like Info sections. The lower the generation though, a little less "servally" they can get(no prominant tear marks, ocelli, ect) and they also get smaller. But they are still GORGEOUS! And the lower the generation, the more likely they will be a cuddle cat that will allow you to pick them up and what not. Aaaand they are less expensive! But every cat is different

 

[admin]

Here is more info on the code designations: http://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads/savannah-cat-a-b-c-or-sbt.955/

 

[Medesha]

Thank you all so much for the information!

I think I'm hoping for a boy, tawny-colored. Although some of those melanistic ones, especially the white ones are pretty, too!

My house is basically cat proof right now, so all I have to do is find the Savannah for me. But there's so many sketchy sites out there with so much false information! I'm really just trying to find a good breeder, but I'm a little out of my depth.

Usually cats come to my door!

 

[admin]

So Melanistics are black and Snows are white with spots...check our breeder directory - no sketchy breeders on this forum.

 

[Patti]

LOL, you would be quite lucky to have a Savannah show up at your door! There are many reputable breeders on this forum, and on the Savannah Yahoo Groups as well. Good luck with your search!