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Joyce Sroufe
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
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June 5, 2005--Attention cat lovers, there is a new kind of kitty on the way. Joyce Sroufe of Ponca City is
on the forefront of this new breed as we take a relaxing visit to her breeding farm. |
“Here in nature in the morning, you hear the birds chirp, and you just kind of wake up with the
world. It’s peaceful for my cats too. They enjoy the serenity.
But Joyce Sroufe’s cats are different than your cats.
“You can just watch kitty’s play forever.”
Joyce runs the A-1 Savannah breeding farm near Ponca City. She is one of a few breeders in the U.S. who is breeding a new kind of cat. A cat called a
Savannah. |
It’s a cross between the domestic house cat and the African Serval.
“I would say she is two and a half times as big as a normal cat. She feels like she weighs a
good 25 pounds but I’m sure she’s only about 22.” |
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“I started working with the Savannah’s and they are the cat that absolutely fits the bill. You
have that wild cat look with a very domestic side that is easy to live with in the home.”
“Anything that is sparkly and moves, they are game.”
“Remember a days work is never done until you get to the last litter pan. The rain last night
definitely helped out.”
“It’s almost like having a two year old in your house. They kinda find things to get into.” |
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At prestigious cat shows in New York, Joyce has done well with her breed but knows not everyone
will agree with the hybrid cat concept.
“One thing people don’t understand who may worry about the hybrid is that the domestic genes
override a lot of the wild traits very quickly. |
In that first generation you already see a domestic side, a very friendly cat.”
The cats are illegal in some states and cities, supporters of the cats like Joyce believes that
is unfair, because they say the hybrid cats are like any other house cat.
“They each have their own personality, just like little people.”
The cats are sleek with big ears and spots and stripes that indicate their wild heritage.
There are no reports anywhere in the U.S. of a Savannah ever hurting anyone.
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Meanwhile, the U.S. department of agriculture will take up the issue of Hybrids at a meeting
in Kansas City later this month.
“For me, I’m in my own little world. It takes me away from all the meanness that is in the
world today. I’m caught up in these cats and it’s a lot of work and yet it is very relaxing.” |
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Larry’s Note: Joyce says the Savannah Cats are not illegal in
Kansas, but are illegal in the city of Wichita and may be in other cities
in the state.
If you
do decide a Savannah is on your pet list, then you should know the cat starts at around $4,000.
For more information on Savannah cats, you may reach Joyce at:
(580) 765 - 6907
joyce@exoticcats.com |
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