| Publication: The Frederick News-Post; |
Date: Oct 7, 2007; |
Section: Pennypincher; |
Page: B-14 |
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Fads make unusual animals popular pets
By DIANA CLEMENT
Special to the News-Post
MANY PEOPLE are attracted to
unique pets. There are many reasons for this, ego and status seeking not the
least of these. Humans are curious and tend to be caretakers, as well.
Many animal welfare professionals cringe when an exotic animal threatens
to break into the pet market. There is a short period during which keepers of
these exotic and “rare” pets can make a profit, but eventually, all animals that
don’t keep their homes end up needing shelter
somewhere. Though some animal control agencies will refuse to take animals they
are not required to house (dogs), Frederick County Animal Control has not
refused to accept animals in need, although FCAC often relies on experienced
rescues to handle the placement of exotics, to ensure their new caretakers are
well qualified.
Sugar gliders and hedgehogs,
alpacas and emus have had their place in the spotlight, but recently, strange
cats seem to be all the rage. Most people have seen or heard of folded ear,
hairless and tailless cats. These cats are purposefully bred but cannot always
be bred to each other since some traits are linked to serious birth defects. The
Scottish Fold, Manx and Peterbald have been around long enough that breeders
understand their genetic makeup and needs and cat shows allow breeders to
exhibit these cats for beauty points.
There are always new
mutations in cats showing up randomly. When they do, everyone takes an interest.
New colors and sizes of cats have always been popular. The Tiffany is solid
chocolate and there are several breeds that try to recreate the wild appearance
of a leopard or tiger coat in their stripe pattern.
In 1999, at Karma Farms in Texas, some barn cats
were born with short front legs. The cats did well in the barns, and some were
captured, neutered and kept as pets. Photos were posted on websites. As
wonderful a resource as the Internet may be, rumors started through e-mail and
the farm owner was criticized for breeding freaks. At the same time people who
wanted to own an oddity, called to purchase kittens who became known as Twisty
Cats. The farmers were threatened. Cats were stolen.
Several years have passed
and Twisty Cat fever has been replaced with an interest in dwarf cats. Though
these cats are too new to be readily exhibited or even accepted at cat shows, it
does appear that they are healthy, affectionate pets. They have been around long
enough to spawn the formation of the Dwarf Cat Association, which represents
breeders of Munchkins, Minskins, Skookums, Bambinos, Dwelfs and Genettas among
others. These cats have short legs. Some also have curly coats or no fur at all.
Another trend
is to create the smallest cats possible. Tiny Persians and random-bred cats are
now competing for the world record. So far, according to Messybeast.com, the
smallest cat may be Mr. Peebles, who weighs only 3.3 pounds. But a youngster
named Heed may break that record.
The problem with the
miniature cats is that they are randombred. There is no guarantee that your
kitten will stay as small as his parents. In fact, small cats are common at FCAC
because stray adults come in who have experienced illness or lack of care during
critical periods of development which, theoretically, stunted growth.
Very large cats are also popular. The Maine Coon
cat has been around for generations. The largest, Leo, weighs 35 pounds and is
48 inches long.
What is the cost of an extreme
feline? Some of these special kittens involve a waiting list and over a
thousand-dollar investment. Although they are different from the average cat,
the idea of a purebred is that eventually they will all look the same. Doesn’t
it seem much wiser to save some green and get
the most unique cat there is? A random-bred, good old Frederick cat from the
Frederick Animal Control Center on Rosemont Avenue. No one else will ever have a
cat just like yours.
Blackie
PETS AND PEOPLE
Cody Available for adoption this week are Cody, a 1-year-old
male beagle/terrier mix, brindle with gray, 1 and Blackie, a 5 /2-year-old male
domestic shorthair cat, black and white. Cody has been at the shelter since
Sept. 15. He is current on all his vaccinations and has been neutered. Blackie
has tested negative for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus.
He also has a current rabies vaccination and has been neutered. Meet Cody and
Blackie at the Frederick County Animal Control Center, 1832 Rosemont Ave.,
Frederick.
