SAVANNAHGANS - THE International Savannah Cat Magazine WI2022
SAVANNAHGANS® - THE International Savannah Cat Magazine
Happy New Year! I can't believe this is the eighth edition already! It's crazy to say, but this magazine was born during a pandemic and may very well be what kept my spirit alive during the initial lockdown! It gave me time to not only be creative but to realize my dream of doing something for the Savannah community that's unique and brings us all together through our mutual love of these fantastic animals.
My husband Jamison and I own four Savannahs. We've run the gamut of experiences, including a breeder scam, a fatal disease (FIP), and the discovery of a cure! We're delighted for all the FIP kitties who now get a chance at life thanks to the lifelong research of Dr. Niels Pedersen of UC Davis! Our Luna (FIP Survivor), whom many have followed since her diagnosis and treatment in 2017, turns FIVE this month! This issue will cover FIP in its entirety, including the current successful treatment and stories to back it!
By now, you likely know SAVANNAHGANS® earned the support of our first corporate sponsor, Dr Elsey's--and they are sponsoring us again for 2022! Please click on Dr. Elsey's banner on the top of our website to take the litter quiz, print coupons, or read up on their blog! Sponsors are vital to support our growth--which is indeed happening! Sponsors, ads articles, media contributors, and the new breeder directory also support our development! Thank you to everyone who advertises with us and helps to keep this e-magazine free to readers everywhere! Many Savannah owners are unaware the magazine exists, so let's spread the word by posting and sharing the different content so many contribute
I publish informative and entertaining content from Savannah enthusiasts and experts in a whimsical, electronic, FREE publication. I combine factual, heart-warming stories melded with health and safety education. The list of knowledgeable contributors sharing stories and experiences with our readers is steadily growing, so there's no lack of great content to publish! Current and future owners can easily search our website to find tons of great information and facts about our wonderful breed.
Savannahgans® welcomes ALL cat lovers to enjoy our content Whether you're searching for a great product, health advice, feeding tips, or an excellent DIY project, it's here FREE in each quarterly issue and at www savannahgans com We share all donations and revenue generated through our affiliate links with the Savannah Care and Rescue Funds
Owner, Editor, Writer, Designer, Marketing, and Social Media:
Illustrator, Graphic Designer and Art Director:
Featured Writers:
Media Contributors:
Featured DIY:
Featured Breeder:
On the Cover
Debra Roberts, Savannah owner, R.N., and blogger
Jacqueline Luttrelle, Savannah owner and artist
Debra Roberts, Savannah owner, R.N., and blogger
Evelyne Beek of Cattery CatVision
Vicki Pelcak, Savannah Owner
LeeAnne Gibson, Savannah Owner
Kristine Alessio of Gattobello Savannahs
John Blose, Savannah owner
Garrett Steensland, Breeder and Savannah Owner
Holly Sutton Francois, Savannah Owner
Holly Stoughton, Savannah Owner
Kelly Ann Bennett, Savannah Owner
Tiana Buscemi, Savannah Owner
Corinne Martinek, Savannah Owner
Kaitlynn Mitchell, Savannah Owner
Laura Dodge Root, Savannah owner
Evelyne Beek of Cattery CatVision
F3C "Luna" owned by Debra [and Jamison] Roberts of Savannahgans® Magazine
What's New and Acknowledgements
By: Debra Roberts, Dr. Niels Pedersen, LeeAnne Gibson, and Vicki Pelcak
Winners and Prizes
By: Evelyne Beek of Cattery CatVision
By: Evelyne Beek
By: Laura Root
By: Kristine Alessio
F3 Luna ~ the First FIP
Survivor
With GS-441524 Is FIVE Years Old!
Luna's 84th and final injection
Luna's original story can be read HERE.
Dr. Pedersen's favorite photo of Luna (Appalachian Trail, TN)
Luna joined SAVANNAHGANS® editor/owner Debra Roberts and husband Jamison in March 2017 and fell ill with FIP a few weeks later (dob 1/9/17)
Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Is There a Cure?
The Answer Is Now "Yes"!
Written by: Debra Roberts, owner of "Luna" the first FIP cured cat in 2017 from the
This article and all other contents related to the GS-441524 drug trial is used with permission from Dr. Niels C. Pedersen, DVM Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus (Savannah Luna--the first GS-441524 trial survivor with Dr Pedersen, Dr Montgomery, and Michael Bannasch, RVT, and Jamison Roberts following her five-day admission at UC Davis for the GS drug trial.
The initial field testing of GS-441524 for FIP treatment conducted by Dr Niels Pedersen at the University of California, Davis, involved 12 weeks of a subcutaneous injection. Our Luna was the first cat to be accepted into this drug trial in April 2017 (a prior trial took place in 2016 with a different drug that had success in six cats (out of 26).
While we waited impatiently for the drug to be approved by the FDA, we eventually learned this wasn't going to happen and is because the drug company's (Gilead Science) decision was to not pursue GS-441524 for veterinary use--despite the overwhelming success of the trial, having cured nearly every cat who entered
While the injectable form of GS-441524 has been most commonly used, there are now many oral forms of the drug available on the Chinese market today This article serves to outline the various options of oral compounds as of this writing, January 1, 2022. While I hope you never need this article, the reality is many will--and it's important to know your options.
Following the publication of the trial, Chinese manufacturers of GS-441524 copied the diluent, drug concentration, and the subcutaneous route of administration used in the published field trial. The first company to offer GS-441524 on the unapproved "black" market was "Mutian " Mutian was also the first to research and provide an oral form of the drug Mutian researchers found that effective blood levels of GS-441524 could be achieved by merely increasing the concentration of the drug in their oral preparations. Therefore, the subcutaneous route was chosen for field testing in cats based on ease of administration and resulting blood levels
Other companies (e g , Aura, Lucky, and others listed in this article) subsequently offered their versions of orally-administered GS-441524 Currently, Mutian, Aura, and Lucky brands are the most used oral forms of GS-441524 in the US
Current brands of capsules/tablets are now available for purchase as "supplements" (this is how they get around FDA approval-calling them "supplements" rather than a drug), and their labels list several common innocuous chemical compounds and medicinal herbs. They never list GS-441524 as one of the ingredients. Selling as such is likely done to avoid scrutiny by customs Regardless of the list of ingredients, the active component in all oral products is GS-441524 The sellers keep the
UCDavis drug trial
exact concentration of GS-441524 in the various oral products a secret. The concentration is likely several times higher than needed if the drug were given by the subcutaneous route
Trial researchers were initially critical of the oral route for two reasons. First, oral forms are more wasteful of a rare and expensive resource Second, the published research on oral absorption of nucleosides (GS-441524 is a nucleoside) documents a concentration limit or ceiling for oral absorption. This limitation makes it difficult to achieve the extremely high blood concentrations required to treat certain forms of FIP (e.g., neurological) and/or to overcome the problem of acquired drug resistance Newer information obtained from field use of the oral forms of GS-441524 of Mutian and Aura brands indicates this problem may not be as severe as first believed. Most forms of FIP respond equally well, whether given pills or injections
Today, more owners and veterinarians embrace the oral GS-441524 for part or all the treatment. The cost of oral GS-441524 has steadily declined over the last two years, and quality increased The problem of injection site reactions, coupled with more effective oral preparations of GS-441524, encourages oral treatment. An increasing number of cats receive treatment using oral drugs for all or part of their course.
Formulation and Dosing
Note: Suppliers of oral GS-441524 never list the amount of active drugs in their tablets or capsules
Some suppliers also provide pills with a higher concentration of GS-441524 for use in cats with ocular and neurological FIP to limit the pills given at one time. In addition, one supplier (Aura) has tablets labeled for administration every 12 hours (h) and yet another for every 24h
The one tablet/kg q12h (q=every) tablet contains one-half as much GS-441524 as a one tablet/kg q24h tablet. The rationale is that the q12h dosing would prevent a fall-off in the blood concentration prior to 24h This belief is inconsistent with the original pharmacokinetic data, which shows blood levels sustained at effective levels for at least 24h
All established oral preparations, except for Mutian, are tablets The tablets are relatively small, while the Mutian capsule is considerably larger, making the tablets easier to administer. Mutian capsules are also liquid rather than powder-filled, and if cats bite down, the contents may be lost There are reports of adverse reactions with cats who have ruptured the capsules Newer preparations such as "Sweeper" offer a soluble film form of GS-441524 to avoid difficulties in "pilling" some cats
Administration
All oral brands have similar instructions for administering capsules or tablets, and fasting for half an hour before and after giving the medication is the general recommendation Small treats may encourage cats to take them, and many cats will consume them when put on a plate with a coating treat (e.g., Churu).
Cost
The price of oral GS has significantly decreased in the last year Nevertheless, the relative cost of oral GS-441524 is 20-40% higher (depending on the supplier) than their injectable version.
Factors Affecting Oral vs. Injection
Cats who experience vomiting/regurgitation and diarrhea are considered poor candidates for oral GS-441524 Therefore, cats
with severe gastrointestinal disease often start with injections until the problems resolve Most people have started with GS-441524. The injection form is less expensive and the dosage more accurately managed. Absorption of GS-441524 is also more reliable by the subcutaneous than oral route, which is often a critical factor in the initial treatment of cats that are severely ill and unstable at the onset. Whether or not a cat continues injectable GS-441524 is often a condition on the ability of the owner to do injections most effectively, the willingness of the cat to adapt to the injection pain, and the occurrence of injection site sores Oral medication is often a welcome respite for the owner and feline patient in such situations
Comparison of Treatment Success Between Injectable and Oral GS-441524
Assuming that dosage calculations are accurate and proper dosing done, the success rate with oral GS-441524 currently mirrors the injectable formulations Nevertheless, there are reports of differences in responses between oral and injectable GS441524. It's difficult to assign these dramatic differences in response to the drug form, as GS-441524 given by subcutaneous or oral routes ends up in the bloodstream and ultimately in the tissues A small number of cats haven't responded well to oral GS-441524 as initial treatment or have led to relapses when replacing injections Alternatively, switching cats to oral GS441524 at an equivalent dosage has resolved a disease that was not responding well to injections. It's more likely that the brands of injectable or oral GS-441524 used before such switching weren't good Indeed, there've been many cases when switching to a different oral or injectable brand immediately improved the response
We assumed that only the injectable form of GS-441524 could achieve the extremely high blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels necessary to effectively treat neurological disease, especially in situations where the virus has evolved variable degrees of drug resistance More and more cats with neurological FIP have achieved a cure with an entirely oral treatment due to either more experience with oral treatment in complex cases of FIP or to the increased quality of the oral formulations However, oral brands such as "Aura" and "Lucky" have been quite effective in cats with neurological FIP and some cats who failed to respond to an extremely high dosage of injectable GS441524
A summary of currently available brands of oral GS-441524 information on oral forms of GS-441524 is sparse regarding treatment outcomes, but with a growing number of brands available, attesting to the popularity of this form of treatment.
GS-441424 is absorbed from the intestine with about 50% efficiency as subcutaneous or intravenous administration There is also a theoretical upward limit to absorption through the intestine, limiting the blood levels obtained. Given the absorption limitations of oral GS-441524, one would expect the oral dosage to be around twice that of injections However, the recommendation with most oral brands is at an equivalent dosage to injections. The recommended dosages vary from brand to brand and do not always correspond to the equivalent dosage for injectable GS-441524, suggesting the actual concentration of GS-441524 in oral preparations may be higher than for injectable GS-441524 as listed in the tables below and as provided by the FIP Warrior CZ/SK website.
Mutian Capsules
Mutian is the original and most well-known oral GS441524. Mutian comes in capsules containing 2.5, 5, and 10 mg of GS-441524
Recommended Form of FIP Dosage Tablets: q24h (10 mg tablet)
Wet FIP: 6 mg/kg 0.6 tablet/kg
Dry FIP: 8 mg/kg 0 8 tablet/kg
Ocular FIP: 10 mg/kg 1 0 tablet/kg
Neurological FIP: 12 mg/kg 1.2 tablet/kg
Spark Tablets
Spark tablets contain 2 5 mg of GS-441524
Recommended Form of FIP Dosage Tablets: q24h
Wet FIP: 6 mg/kg 2 tablets/kg
Dry FIP: 8 mg/kg 3 25 tablets/kg
Ocular FIP: 10 mg/kg 4 tablets/kg
Neurological FIP" 12 mg/kg 5 tablets/kg
Aura Tablets
Aura is a long-established brand and is sold in tablets every 12 or 24 hours for administration The 12-hour pill is said to increase bioavailability compared with 24-hour pilling. The thought therapeutic effect of q12 hour treatment is thought to last a little longer than for q24 hour treatment. Treatment every 12 hours is also used in cases where very high blood levels are needed, such as complex cases of neurological FIP
The actual amount of GS-441524 in each tablet isn't stated, but it appears that one q12 hour tablet is equivalent to 2 5-3 mg/kg daily of the injection form of GS-441524, while one q24h tablet/kg daily is equivalent to 5-6 mg/kg daily injectable GS441524.
Capella
Capella has only recently offered an oral version of GS-441524
This brand's injectable product has a solid reputation, and the oral form is also trusted and growing in popularity
Lucky Tablets
Lucky pills are sold in 6 and 12 mg sizes and have an identical formulation to the comparable "Aura" tablet, although in a different shape.
Recommended Form of FIP Dosage Tablets: q24h (12 mg tablet)
Wet FIP: 6 mg/kg 0.50 tablet/kg
Dry FIP: 8 mg/kg 0 67 tablet/kg
Ocular FIP: 10 mg/kg 0 83 tablet/kg
Neurological FIP: 12 mg/kg 1 00 tablet/kg
The Role of Genetics and What Breeders Need to Know to Avoid FIP in the Cattery
Written by: Dr Niels Pedersen DVM, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Medicine and Epidemiology, UCDavis
What should breeders know in terms of genetics and how to proceed with breeding once a kitten from their cattery has been diagnosed with FIP?
Susceptibility/resistance to FIP is polygenic, meaning it involves specific genetic differences (traits) among the many genes involved in immunity Each genetic difference contributes to a positive or negative risk If a cat inherits a lot of positive risk factors, it'll be more susceptible to FIP. If the kitten inherits a lot of adverse risk factors, it will be less susceptible.
However, it's important to understand that genetic risk factors account for about 50% of FIP resistance/susceptibility We can determine the remainder of the disease risk by several environmental factors affecting the immune system. Potentiators for FIP include loss of maternal systemic immunity by separation at birth, early weaning/loss of lactogenic immunity, age, malnutrition, other common infectious diseases, over-crowding, gender, early spay/neuter, routine vaccinations, re-homing, FeLV, FIV, pregnancy, old-age, complex genetic predispositions, and congenital heart disease. Therefore, if environmental risk factors come and go, the risk for FIP will also fluctuate over time, adding to the confusion of how much genetics play a role in FIP incidence.
Inbreeding is the fastest way to accumulate too many adverse genetic risk factors Inbreeding causes more and more genes (traits) from each parent to be the same, i.e., homozygous. Suppose by circumstances, individual cats in a breed or bloodline are inbred for too many adverse risk factors In that case, they will pass those on to their offspring, primarily when bred to closely related cats that carry that same set of risk factors in a homozygous state. Therefore, if you have a tom that's highly inbred for many adverse risk factors, it's more likely to pass on FIP susceptibility if bred to related queens carrying the same set of risk factors Therefore, it's not unusual for breeders to see more FIP cases in kittens from specific matings. The best way to prevent kittens from inheriting too many of the same risk factors is to find a mate (usually a tom) that hopefully doesn't carry this same set of risk factors
Research suggests concentrating on toms, not because queens don't carry the same risk factors, but because toms can produce many more kittens and have a more significant genetic influence If you're a purist, you'd not want to keep either toms or queens that produce FIP kittens--but that is too much for most pure breeders to do. The big problem in all of this is that we don't know which genetic traits carry a risk for FIP, and there's no test for them Therefore, we must rely on the history of FIP in offspring
With the advent of treatment, it's much easier to identify cats presumably at the highest genetic risk for FIP and neuter them after being cured. It's admittedly crude and like hitting a gnat with a sledgehammer, but it's the only way to alter the influence of genetics on FIP incidence in pedigreed cats.
F6 Savannah Cat Gemma and Her Journey to a Cure of Occular Dry FIP
By: LeeAnne Gibson
I 'm from Holyoke MN I believe there are no bad animal breeds, only animals that are misunderstood I'm a small business owner of a property cleaning business I love the outdoors, and spending time with family and furbabies!
FIPSURVIVOR
My name is Gemma, and I'm an F6 SBT Savannah cat I was born on June 12, 2020, and I'm a bit unique--not my breed, as there are many Savannahs like me, but my personality is what stands out! My mom is LeeAnne Gibson
I arrived at my new home on August 29, 2020. I'm a support companion for my "new" older brother Lex, an F4 SBT Savannah rescue cat (from the same breeder) who suffers from severe anxiety Being a support companion means I must have a specific temperament. I stand my ground yet know when my brother needs me to keep him calm I'm perfect in every way for this, and Lex and I bonded instantly and rely on each other for entertainment, socializing, and support. Savannahs have lots of energy! We're intelligent and have a knack for getting into trouble! Lex and I love to play chase; it's our favorite game Mom calls it "the zoomies " Little did I know I was about to be the one who needed the support.
In May 2021, just before my first birthday, mom came home from work and found me limping She thought I'd injured myself, so we went to the doctor, and they gave me some medicine for pain and told mom to watch me. I was tired and wanted to sit on mom's lap and sleep Mom became nervous about my energy level and how I didn't want to eat much. Lex, my brother, would lay with me during the day while mom was at work.
A couple of weeks later (at the end of May), mom thought my eyes appeared crossed And she was right--my left eye wasn't working very well. I still lay on her lap because she feels warm and comfy. She also said my eye wasn't reflecting light, and it was hazy She took me back to the doctor, and they suspected I'd either hit my head or scratched my eye The vet took my blood and gave me some medicine and eye drops. I'm not too fond of either, but I let my mom give them to me. In a few days, I felt a little better Almost as soon as I felt better, my eye became worse, and my head hurt I cried when they'd touch it. Mom was frantic, and back to the doctor I went. They drew blood to run lots of tests, but nothing told the doctor what was wrong
My first birthday was June 12, 2021, and by the end of July, we were using two different drops in my eye four times a day and two kinds of antibiotics but none of it was working. Mom was getting more worried, and she started staying home from work to be with me She petted me and spoke to me softly My vet sent me to see a specialist in the city. In the middle of August, my eye wasn't as cloudy, but it had sunken, and my third eyelid became visible. Dr. Loracca, my eye doctor, said I had an infectious disease but was unsure sure which one So I had more blood tests and different drops again! He told mom that he'd see me in two weeks.
At my two-week appointment, the vet took more blood to test for Feline Infectious Perientitous (FIP). My initial blood results had shown elevated protein and anemia. My mom was now super sad because FIP is a terrifying diagnosis The doctor immediately put us on the right track to get me started on a brand new treatment for FIP GS441524.
On September 1, before we even had the official confirmation, I received my first shot to start the FIP treatment. FIP is a somewhat rare disease in cats. Only 5-10 percent of the cat population get what I have, and up until now, it's always been fatal I have the Ocular dry form of FIP No wonder my mommy was scared! But we're fighters, and she says I'm a warrior. The shots hurt, and I hide when I know they're coming Treatment isn't fun, but it only took a few days to start feeling like myself I'm eating and playing with my brother now I'm also becoming sassy again, which makes mommy happy! In late October, I was up two pounds to almost ten pounds I have a long journey ahead of me, but I'm doing great and hope to one day be an advocate for FIP-and the cure!
Gemma's Paypal fundraising link is HERE, and all help is deeply appreciated.
Gemma Today!
Gemma received shots for three weeks then switched to pills with shots 1-2 times per week She was getting too many sores on her little body She still has two bald spots Initially, Gemma only weighed seven pounds, so treatment for the shots was $585.00 for two weeks. When she gained weight, the pills ran $900 00 for two weeks By the middle of November, her pills were $22 00 each x eight per day for a total of $126.00 per day for five weeks. Her bad eye is lazier than her good eye, and it looks slightly hazy in the right light or from an angle sometimes The eye specialist will determine if she has some virus left or if it's permanently damaged Currently, she weighs ten pounds and is healthy, except for her eye. If she has to go back on meds, the high cost continues The emotional and financial strain is paralyzing I can't imagine losing her and am fearful of a relapse or the need for more treatment beyond the 12 weeks. Gemma's labs, ocular testing results, and photos that might help others with this complicated diagnosis are posted below Ocular and neurological FIP is the most challenging form to treat
This situation puts things into perspective price-wise with how quickly it can all add up if your breeder doesn't stand behind the kitten you purchased Gemma's total treatment costs with vet and medication are $11,840 to date!
Gemma Before/During Treatment - Note the obvious haziness in her eye, classic with Ocular FIP
F2 Savannah Cat Munchie’s Effusive FIP Journey to a Cure
By: Vicki Pelcak
I'm an Executive Assistant, living in NJ I'm married to Marc and have two children, Rayna and Amber. One of Marc’s lifelong dreams was to have a Savannah. We did a ton of research before making our decision to get our Savannahs and are so glad we did!
FIPSURVIVOR
Our family (Marc, Vicki, Rayna, 17, and Amber 10) got our first Savannah in June 2019, an F6 we named "Calvin " He bonded well with our Domestic Short Hair (DSH), "Pancake," who at the time was about ten. In April 2020, we decided to get Calvin a playmate Calvin was very energetic, and Pancake couldn't keep up with him Marc has always wanted Savannahs, so since we had good luck with our F6, we decided to get an F2 (although I was slightly nervous from everything I'd read) We found our boy--now known as "Munch" or "Munchie" from a breeder through a Savannah cat Facebook group and we instantly fell in love with him!
After signing our contract, we learned Munch had an umbilical hernia that needed repair. Our breeder took care of that at the same time as his neuter. She also said he'd injured a toenail on his front paw a week or two later, and the nail stuck out, unable to retract and it still doesn’t retract. Munchie had a rough start, but we paid the full price for him, despite his issues. Spending so much money on a pet who started with several problems made us nervous--but it was too late--we were in love with him When it was finally time for him to come home on June 14, 2020, I called the flight nanny we used for Calvin to transport Munchie from CA to our NJ home Our entire family (including Calvin and Pancake) bonded instantly with Munchie. He is such a character and so full of love.
On Sunday, September 12, 2021, Munchie wasn't as active as usual He was lying around and was still the same come Monday. When I returned from work, I called my fantastic vet, only to learn he'd retired (he's young and chose to get out of the business!) I was devastated, but I took him to another vet at the same practice on Tuesday Shockingly, he'd lost two pounds since March--and probably more since he was only one year old at that time. He had a fever, and his lungs sounded harsh, so the vet drew blood and took x-rays Come to find out; there was fluid outside of his lungs At this point, she was concerned about Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and collected a sample of the fluid. She said FIP fluid is usually sticky, but Munchie’s didn't seem like FIP fluid While waiting for answers (they were very busy at the vet office), I
searched the web to learn about FIP, and that's when I also found the FIP Warriors 5.0 Facebook page.
The vet sent us home with antibiotics and a $750 bill The bloodwork came back the next day, suggesting FIP. The vet wanted to send the fluid for a PCR test to fully confirm ($350), so I gave the "ok " I didn't know what else to do at that point as Munchie was no better, lethargic, with labored breathing, a fever, and no appetite. It was a rollercoaster ride from that point
I reached out to FIP Warriors 5 0 We were welcomed to the group and assigned an administrator. Our admin was very patient and answered a ton of questions She explained there was no time to waste waiting for the fluid test results, that his labs were "classic FIP " She also told me the antiviral medication (GS-441524) wouldn't hurt him even if it weren't FIP (which she was confident it was) After we decided to treat Munchie, we joined a Facebook Messenger emergency group to find the medication locally since it would otherwise take a few days to arrive--and we most likely didn't have a few days We were in a life-or-death situation, so if we didn't take the chance and trust the FIP Warriors, we could lose Munchie.
As luck would have it, another FIP Warrior member, Dawn, lived less than two miles from us! We went to her house and purchased our first vial of GS-441524, the antiviral Chinese replica used to cure the cats of the 2017 drug trial at UCDavis in California She also gave us the needed supplies (syringes etc ) and support to get started Her cat had just graduated from his 84 days of observation, fully cured and full of energy, which made us very hopeful for Munch.
We returned home with our vial of medication, but I couldn't get in touch with my admin until near midnight to determine his calculated dose (based on his weight). My husband and I were so scared to give him the injection
Munchie Today!
Dawn, who supplied us with the medication, was willing to come over at midnight to help in any way she could and our neighbor, a nurse, came over to help too! We could already see improvement by the next day after just one dose--it was amazing! The following day (Friday), I posted in local groups on Facebook looking for a vet technician to help us A tech, Keri, replied, willing to take this journey with us! We paid her $10 a day, and it was so worth it. Keri gave Munchie his second injection, but he still had a fever and labored breathing However, when Kerri returned to provide him with his third injection, she was shocked by his improvement! And every day, moving forward, Munchie improved. Our vet called back with the positive PCR a week later (she knew I was treating him because I'd notified the office) I don't think she believed me when I told her his breathing was better.
Munchie gained back two pounds during those first few months of treatment Although everything happened quickly, we realize this must've been brewing for quite a while. How did we not notice he'd lost two pounds? He became more energetic than he'd been in a long time, but I guess it just seems like the norm when things happen slowly over time
Munch gets labwork every four weeks during his 84 days of treatment and 84 days of observation. Below is a spreadsheet I kept of his labs to date, compared to the initial set at the time of diagnosis We don't have many pictures that show the dramatic changes since I didn't think to take photos of him so sick and then have turned around so quickly! The images below show his visual improvements (the left is at diagnosis, and the right is now)
Munchie is now a big, healthy boy at almost 21 pounds. We are forever grateful to the FIP Warriors 5.0 volunteers! His GS dosage was 2 8ml daily, and there are 5 0 ml in each $95 vial Although this was an expensive journey, it's been beyond worth it to have our boy happy and healthy! He's currently in his observation period, another 84 days. Below is the breakdown of the cost to treat Munchie with the Lucky Brand of GS The total for everything was approximately $7500
$1150 Vet (@diagnosis)
$4500 for the GS
$850 Vet Tech
$1050 for diagnostic lab work and follow-up
Munchie's Paypal fundraising link is HERE, and all help is deeply appreciated.
Big Tree - by Holly Sutton Francois - F2 Male "Dax"
Winner of a custom leather collar from Savannah Seattle & $100 Amazon gift card from Clawson's Ranch Savannahs
PHOTO CONTEST WINNER CATEGORY #3: "AIRBORNE" and 1st
RUNNER-UP OVERALL
Caticopter - by Garrett Steensland - F5 Female "Exzevia"
Winner of a sterling silver Savannah pendant from Fazio's Cat Jewelry and a custom linen photo pillow from Barron Photografix
Ninja Cat - by
OVERALL
Holly Stoughton
- F4 Male "Neji"
Winner of (6) custom engraved wine glasses from SAVANNAHGANS® Magazine and a 16x20 art print from Wild Whims
Cattery CatVision
An In-Depth Interview with Savannah Cat Breeder Evelyne Beek of
Cattery CatVision
How'd you come up with your cattery name of "Cat Vision"?
We wanted a cattery name with meaning because we wanted to improve the breed. I also wanted this in my cattery name because we came to Vision (vision for cat breeding)
Where's your cattery located?
Our home and cattery is in the Netherlands in a small village (Fijnaart)
Would you please tell us a bit of yourself, your background, family, occupation(s), and how you got started with Savannah breeding?
I'm Evelyne Beek, 29 years old, and I live in the Netherlands in Fijnaart with my boyfriend (Andy), and we run our cattery together. I've been in contact with animals all my life, mainly cats and horses, and I love it! I have a horse (Wall Street) whom I adore, but I must say, cats are my life's passion Our cats are primarily with us as companion animals (pets) We enjoy their presence every day, and they bring enormous love and coziness to our lives
Now something about our cattery, "Cat Vision " We breed two breeds; Savannahs and the Kurilian Bobtail Our cattery was founded in 2017 when we started breeding Savannah cats We also have space for three cats we rescue from the streets and shelter. We started small with six cats and grew quickly to 19.
We moved in 2018 because our house was too small for a cattery. We bought a detached big house and completely converted it for our cats We now have an ideal space for the cats with several enclosures for the kittens, but mainly for the females in heat who spray We've converted all of our garages, so our males have a nice place We have four inside enclosures with a cat flap to the outside enclosures and a big enclosure for our Serval, Mombasa.
We only breed SBT generations for now I like to breed cats that may go to TICA shows We share our cattery with our Serval Mombasa. He's very good with all our females, so we hope to breed F1 Savannahs soon.
Is your family involved with your cattery work? If so, how?
Yes, my boyfriend Andy Ooman and I run our cattery together My dad supports me, but he is more of a dog lover
What's your typical daily routine at your cattery from morning till evening?
A typical day out of bed is to start feeding and doing a lot of cleaning, cuddling, and playing with our cats All our cats live with us and make a mess of our house It's a full-time job to be busy with our cats, but that's why we do it! I'm their staff, and I love it! 1. We never go on vacation because that’s not possible with the cats--and I can't leave my cats for so long.
What's the best part about breeding?
The best part is when the kittens are born healthy, as that's so important for me I love to watch the kittens being born and see them grow up I cuddle them a lot!
What's the worst/most challenging part about breeding?
What I dread the most with breeding is that sometimes it goes wrong in the cattery A virus can enter, and the kittens get sick or worse. But also the idea that some people think breeding is easy. They don't realize what an expensive hobby this truly is and how much energy it takes from a breeder to bring the kittens properly into the world
Do you recommend people try breeding Savannahs? Why/Why
not?
People should only try breeding if they are truly serious and want to breed in the right way and with tested and good breedtypical cats! If people come here to buy, stating they only want to try a litter once, we don't do that. Then you get those people who start breeding without a pedigree, which happens here in the Netherlands, unfortunately, a lot
Do you have a breeder mentor(s) you wish to acknowledge?
Yes When I started breeding, Caroline Geres of Cannelle Savannahs helped us get well on our way, and our first cats came from her. She's also been my mentor, and now she's a very good friend too. We're always grateful for her help.
What's the best tip or advice you ' ve received from another breeder?
Start small, see what the good and bad points are of Savannahs, and learn from them. Have emergency savings for when things go wrong; i e , a C-section can happen in an instant
Provide quarantine spaces in your home where you can put new cats, but also cats that get sick to protect your cattery Above all, have fun and do it with your heart.
What's the biggest weakness of the Savannah breed?
Some Savannahs look like Bengals in the face and pattern, and Rosetting is often noticeable The ears and body style need work on many bloodlines. I think PK-DEF and PRA is also a weakness.
What's the biggest strength of the Savannah breed?
As we see it here, the Savannah is a strong breed (provided you breed with healthy cats) Our Savannah cats are never sick and very strong in their resistance.
What's the most important thing a breeder does?
Breeders should strive to produce healthy purebred kittens without any other breed's hereditary diseases and to socialize them to the best of their ability For the adult cats, I think breeders should treat them like pets and let them live in the house as well (if this is possible, as, with some cats, it isn't always possible)
What should new breeders know they may not have considered?
It's not always easy to breed Savannahs, and that it isn't always fun If it goes well, it's super nice But there may be things that go wrong, which causes much grief and costs a lot of money. Also, the females can spray if they're in the heat, which many new breeders may not know
Do you feed your Savannahs a raw diet, and do you recommend raw feeding to your families? Why/Why not?
Yes, we're a big fan of raw meat! Raw meat contains "good bacteria" (probiotics), ensuring that the dog or cat gets a better resistance. Raw meat contains no preservatives, chemical additives, flavors, fragrances, or colors.
If not raw feeding or supplementing, what food brands/types do you recommend and
why?
We recommend foods with few additives and high protein content (for muscle, organs, skin, and energy) and little carbohydrates, which can cause intestinal irritation
We like the brands below:
Ziwi Peak
Orijen Wildcat (Etosha)
Husse Acana Applaws
Thrive True Instinct Riverwood
Porta 21
Taste of the Wild Purizon
Do you have a favorite Savannah Cat website or cattery?
Yes! SKVN ( Savannah Cat Association Netherlands) and the SAVANNAHGANS® websites are favorites. However, they are sometimes difficult to read because of the language barrier for Dutch people My favorite catteries, whereas I love their lines and the type of their cats, are:
Alberta Savannahs Sundaze Savannahs
Bastet Exotics Drinkwater Cats
Savannah Temple Getta Savannah
Felis Savannah IwannaSavannah
Do you breed any other breed of cat or animal besides Savannahs?
Yes, we also produce the Kurilian bobtail cat which is very different from the Savannah
What do
you think about
the phasing out of F1, F2, and F3 Savannahs?
It's heartbreaking The Savannah is a great, healthy breed and good to keep as a pet If they're going to prohibit this, the gene pool also becomes smaller, and that's not good for the breed development
What can you tell us about owning and breeding with Servals?
We currently breed SBT, but we do have a Serval, and honestly, he still lives in our house and sleeps in our bed. Mombasa is a super friendly serval of 10 months During the day, we take him outside in his enclosure with his females He comes inside with the girls in the evening and chills on the couch In general, he doesn't break anything in the house; he only chews on his scratching post. We now have the Christmas tree, which is also very fun for him, not for me! My Savannah F7 Navarra is in my Christmas tree more than Mombasa, and she destroys it! Mombasa regularly goes to the photo studio to capture his growth by www kattenfotografie com He has no problem in the studio, and he likes the photographer He wants to go in the car and sits next to me in the passenger seat. We don't have a litter from him yet, but he does try to cover our females when in heat He does very well and is very friendly to all our females
Mombasa remains a wild animal, which you can see in his behavior If we play with him or cuddle, we can become covered in scratches He means it as being sweet, but it's not always nice We also have to keep a close eye on him when we go for a walk because he was so fast the last time he caught a duck. I was shocked, but the duck fortunately survived!
What special/unique traits and characteristics are specific to SBT's and F1s?
In F1, you want the look of the Serval, but with an easier character. In SBT's, it's important they have straight, big ears, long legs, nice spots, a nice slim body as a Savannah should, and a beautiful, wild look in their facial features They should have a friendly character, be curious, and be playful.
F1's are active and large cats that need space and an enclosure outside They also require a special diet as an F1 doesn't eat kibble but raw meat. Some F1's like to cuddle, but F1's are NOT lap cats.
What
else would you like the Savannah world to know about you and your cattery?
We are a Dutch-recognized and certified cattery, breeding is my passion, and cats are my life. We have all of our cats in the house; for that reason, I can't live without them They give so much love and joy to our lives. We also have a website that I'm always busy with, keeping everything up to date: www cat-vision com We also have a Facebook page: Cattery CatVision Savannah Kat & Kurilian Bobtail We have F4 SBT male kittens from Cannelle Savannah Ndidi X Wyldthingz Lord Loki and a litter of F5 SBT females from CatVision Vivita Amora X Wyldthingz Lord Loki. We hope our SGC CatVision Ramsey A Miti is pregnant is from QGC Alberta Ezra, but we'll have to wait a few weeks!
An Explanation About TICA Cat Shows With Breeder Evelyne
Beek of
Cattery CatVision
1. Preparing for the Show
1 1 Proper preparation for the show is very important. While cats/kittens find going to shows exciting, the show can be stressful with many other cats and people without proper preparation. We teach our cats from kittenhood to be picked up frequently and hold certain positions for the judges The kitten/cat must be social and not anxious, as this doesn’t work during a show Some kittens are more temperamental than others, so it may help to take the temperamental kitten to shows as a kitten first, so they learn early that shows needn’t be scary. If you take a temperamental adult cat to a show that hasn’t been there as a kitten, the cat may be frightened and exhibit escape behaviors. In consultation with the jury, some cats may be held on your lap, so the cat feels more comfortable
2. What You Need to Show Your Cat
2.1. For the show, you’ll need several items, the most important being a large show cage. We recommend the large Sturdi brand pop-up kennel These kennels are easy to clean and set up. It’s also nice to dress up your Sturdi with advertisements of your cattery.
✤ A show cage (Sturdi)
✤ A litterbox and litter
✤ Your cat must be TICA-registered
✤ Several toys
✤ A basket
✤ Dry and canned foods
✤ Cat treats
✤ Two blankets
✤ Bags to change the litter box
✤ Combs and grooming products
✤ Flyers, business cards, or photo books of your cattery
✤ The show catalog
✤ Food and drink for yourself
✤ Pen, paper, and your show number
✤ Nail scissors to trim the nails before the show
3. Cat Show Classes
3 1 TICA has several classes:
✤ Kittens (4 to 8 months)
✤ Adult cats (from 8 months)
✤ Castrates (alters)
✤ Domestic cats (HHP)
✤ Domestic cat/kitten (HHP Kittens 4 to 8 months)
✤ New breeds (PNB and ANP) and new colors (NEW trait)
✤ Each class is divided by breed, color, and division (=color group). There's no distinction between females and males They must compete against each other during judging.
There are two different types of show rings:
✤ AB - ring (= All breeds)
✤ SP - ring (= Longhair or Shorthair breed)
Always make sure that your cat is TICA-registered; otherwise, you'll lose any points and titles
4. What Do the Judges Look For?
4 1 The jury looks at the cat's body, legs, spots, ears, tail, and head. For Savannahs, they must be slim and muscular and long-legged There should be no vertical stripes and also NO lockets. The judges look for nice dark spots with a clear undercoat. The jury also looks at how the ears are placed, which should be close together and large. The tail shouldn't be too long, not touch the ground, and be low-set with a round tip. The head must be longer than it is wide, and the face forms It should form an equilateral triangle with a horizontal line above the eyes, two lines along the jawline, with the muzzle above this triangle. The forehead and ears should form a rectangle from the brow line to the top of the ears. The head is small in proportion to the body
4 2 There are also faults in the Savannah, the jury does judge you on this and they don't like cats with:
✤ Rosettes
✤Spots in another color like brown or black
✤ White spots on the body (lockets or bikini)
✤ Small ears
✤ Vertical stripes on the body
✤ Cobby body (wide-body)
5. Judging Your Cat and How It Works
5 1 At TICA shows, there are different rings where the judges judge your cat, how we experienced there are at least 4 rings per day but at most shows, there are multiple rings. You also have the all-breed rings and the
specialty rings The all-breed rings are more difficult because here you are competing against all breeds long and shorthaired The specialty rings are easier because the cat count is lower and here you compete with your Savannah only against all breeds of shorthair.
5 2 How does judging begin? The clerk of the jury places numbers above the cages each number is linked to a cat If you see that your number is on the cage, you place your cat in it and wait until the jury judges your cat. There are always seats for the jury here you can take place The judge takes the cat out of the cage and starts judging the cat
5 3 When the judge is done judging he puts the cat back in the cage and proceeds to judge other Savannahs if they are on show When all Savannahs are judged from the same division you get a card “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Best of Color or Best of Division If there is, for example, one silver Savannah, this cat will always be “Best of Color” and “Best of Division”. When all Savannahs are judged, the jury decides who’ll become “Best of Breed” (brown and silver Savannahs) The first two spots of “Best of Breed” make a change for a final if there are enough Savannahs others make only the first change of final points you need to get titles. Below I’ve shown the points of “Best of Color and Division”:
6. Finals
6 1 Finals are the most important part of the shows and where you can get titles. You can always become the “best of the breed,” but without finals, you can’t get a title. I’m now going to explain how finals work. After the judges have judged all the cats in the class, they‘ll check which cats are eligible for a final. The number of places in a final depends on the number of cats present in a class (cat count). With more than 25 cats, they are ten places. With 24 cats, there are nine final places. With 23 cats, eight final places. With 22 cats, there are 7. With 21, there are 6. There are five final places when there are 20 or fewer cats in a class
6 2 When the jury chooses which cats go to the finals, they place the number on top of the cages. It’s called by the clerk final “please check your numbers ” You then walk to the ring to see if your number is there. If your number is on one
6 2 When the jury has chosen which cats have a final, the jury places the number on top of the cages. It’s called by the clerk final “please check your numbers”. You then walk to the ring to see if your number is there. If your number is on one of the cages, it means you have a final. You pick up your cat (provided it’s not in a judging ring because judging comes before finals) and place your cat in the cage with your number. The jury always starts at the last place, and also always tells the good points of the cat and why she/he has a final place. With finals, you get points for the official standings and the estimated standings on the TICA website (these final points are important) I will show you the points
6 3 Besides the points obtained for the final places, points are also awarded for the number of cats in a certain ring. For example, 40 cats are judged by the judge and your cat gets second place in an AB final. In this case, your cat will receive 190 + 38 points
7. Titles
7.1. You can get several titles at TICA below all the titles with the necessary finals and points. But, the shows are now different because of Covid-19 so they are now in isolated areas.
Normal Show Points:
✤Champion 300 points from 4 different judges and 1 final
✤Grand Champion 1000 points with 6 finals from 4 different judges, at least 3 of which must be in the Top 5 SP or Top 10 AB
✤Double Grand Champion 2000 points plus 1 final in the Top 5 SP or Top 10 AB as a GRC/GRCA/GRM.
✤Triple Grand Champion 3000 points plus 1 final in the Top 5 SP or Top 10 AB as a DGC/DGCA/DGM
✤Quadruple Grand Champion 4000 points plus 1 final in the Top 5 SP or Top 10 AB if a TGC/TGCA/TGM
✤Supreme Grand Champion 6000 points plus 1 Best Cat as a QGC/QGCA/QGM
Isolated Areas Points:
✤Champion 150 points from 2 different judges and 1 final
✤Grand Champion 500 points with 3 finals from 2 different judges, at least 3 of which must be in the Top 5 SP or Top 10 AB
✤Double Grand Champion 1000 points plus 1 final in the Top 5 SP or Top 10 AB as a GRC/GRCA/GRM.
✤Triple Grand Champion 15000 points plus 1 final in the Top 5 SP or Top 10 AB as a DGC/DGCA/DGM
✤Quadruple Grand Champion 2000 points plus 1 final in the Top 5 SP or Top 10 AB if a TGC/TGCA/TGM
✤Supreme Grand Champion 3000 points plus 1 Best Cat as a QGC/QGCA/QGM
Regional Award
Besides the points won and the final places, TICA keeps track of the Best 25 Adult Cats, Kittens, Castrates, and Domestic Cats of a certain region These winning cats receive a certificate (award) after the season and a nice ribbon which is presented at the festive banquet during the annual Regional Show. In addition, the cat receives the honorary title “RW” (Regional Winner)
8. Evelyne Beek from Cattery CatVision On Shows
8 1 We love to go to shows and always look forward to them. We think it’s important that our cats are judged at shows because it’s not only instructive but very fun! We also like that at least five different judges evaluate our cats, which is why we prefer to enter TICA cat shows
We have different show cats within our cattery. CatVision Ramsey A Miti is my favorite and the pride of our cattery. She earned her title SGC (Supreme Grand Champion) and she loves shows. Alberta Ezra of CatVision enjoys all the attention from shows and he earned the title QGC (Quadruple Grand Champion). Their show career is nearing the end after this season Next year we’ll go to shows with our other Savannahs. We attend shows several times a year at every TICA show in the Netherlands and Belgium We hope to expand this even more soon. We’re also at TICA shows with SKVN (Savannah Cat Association, The Netherlands) to explain the Savannah cat with Caroline from Cannelle Savannahs. We always attend shows with our friend Lilianne from Horizoncats and have a ton of fun!
Join
DIY Floating Wall Stairs for Cats
by: Laura Root, Savannah Owner
Construction of the Floating Stair:
Let's begin with the Stair itself Before cutting your pieces to size, practice cutting 45-degree angles on some scrap If you're using a table or contractor's saw, it's a bit easier because you'll set up your fence in a very methodical way. If your material is ½" thick, and you want the final width of your stick to be 4", set the fence at 3-1/2" The Front will have a 45 degree cut on all four sides; your Top, Bottom, and two sides will have a 45 degree cut on only three sides, while the 4th side will be a straight 90-degree cut because it will butt up against the wall when you install the finished project.
To help keep everything uniform, I suggest cutting the height (3-1/2" on the fence to yield 4" high) on ALL of the pieces before going to the other cuts to ensure the height is uniform and assembly VERY easy! Cut the top and bottom of both sides and the top and bottom of the Front piece with this sitting on the fence
For the next cuts, set your fence to 14-1/2" (to yield 15" length) and cut the FRONT edge of the Top and Bottom and the FRONT edges of the two sides
Your third setting at the fence should be at 17-1/2" (to yield 18" length) to cut the SIDES of the Top and Bottom pieces and the SIDES of the FRONT piece.
Assembly:
Begin laying out your side and front pieces in a row with the mitered edge down. Make sure to line them up so that they fit perfectly together Then take the top and bottom pieces and line them up with the front piece, as in the photo
Onc mite Sup Con
Befo glue deep
This I use piec side piec sure
Befo attac plac with Now thro
Once the glue is dried, carefully remove all of the Frog Tape; the joints should be nice and tight, with not much in the way of glue seepage. Carefully sand all five sides of the Stair and finish with stain/topcoat or paint to your preference. After the finish is completely dry, fit the Floating Stair over the Support Frame
Using 1 – 1-1/4" wood screws insert them from the bottom into the center support and into each side of the Support Frame (approximately ¾" f
A piece of adhesive fy lounging spot or a secure stairway to the Cat H Now inspired by yo s or bookshelves!!! Enjoy!
Equipment List:
Saw that allows 45-degree cuts (Circular or Table Saw)
Sandpaper, 120 grit
Drill and Screwdriver
Stud finder
2-1/2" Wood screws (for going into studs), screw holders, and 1-1/2" screws (for going into just drywall)
My New Savannah Kitten Hates Me! What Should I Do?
By: Kristine C. Alessio
Kristine owned Gattobello Savannahs and is the former TICA Regional Director, SW Region
HELP!
Having a new kitten is a wonderful experience, especially a Savannah kitten You have a new family member to be with you for years For your new kitten, they're embarking on a journey away from their mother, siblings, and home and this can be terrifying. As a breeder, I'd send my kitten buyers' home with a new kitten package of vet records, food, and advice on their kitten's transition to a new home. Thankfully, I've never had a buyer go through a scared kitten phase, but I did expect it.
Buying my first non-Savannah show cat taught me that even the friendliest kitten can have a long adjustment period after leaving the breeder's home. When Fuzzy (SGCA HMS Fuzzy Licks), a beautiful blue and white British Shorthair kitten, arrived at my house, he was terrified. He hid under my daughter's bed for three or four weeks. During the second week, I called his breeder, a highly respected TICA judge, and asked, "What's wrong with him, he's supposed to be a show cat and a child's pet, and all he does is hide!". The breeder answered, "He was an outgoing kitten; he's shell shocked go easy. As long as he's in his room, eating, and using his litterbox, don't worry" After the third or fourth week, Fuzzy played After that, he was the perfect show cat, great in the Junior Exhibitor ring with his then five-year-old owner (my daughter Emily) He won "Best TICA British Shorthair Alter" for two years in a row And this from the kitten that hid and was afraid to be touched for over three weeks. I thought back to the breeder's advice and began adding this to my new-kitten packages
Fast forward 15 years, and my onl been with rescues who came to me with their eyes still closed and my F4 Savannah "Shackleton " There hadn't been an outside kitten in my house in years. When talking to Lynda Ryskamp at Salem's Pride Savannahs about pedigrees, I mentioned I'd cut off my right arm to have an F2 male from my favorite lines when I was breeding (Gattobello Firework, Gattobello Spitfire, Gattobello Firefly). As it turned out, Lynda had Spitfire's F1 daughter, and she had 3-week-old kittens, including a boy When I saw Winston (Sir Winston Catchill) as a tiny kitten, I knew it had to be! Winston would fly to San Diego in the main cabin with a kitten nanny. When his brother suddenly became available (he was mistaken for a girl but was a boy), Feline Marshall Montgomery (Monty) also became mine because two kittens are always better than one!
I couldn't wait to meet them as we prepared the kitten room with new toys, beds, and food I counted down the minutes to their flight from Detroit to San Diego to get in When Winston and Monty arrived with their pet nanny, they were together in the carrier in tiny harnesses. Winston had just had his neuter a few days prior Once home, I opened their carrier Monty had pooped, and they were smelly and MAD even madder after the clean-up. They were growling, spitting, and hissing, very angry, scared kittens. My heart sank, but I remembered my own advice, so I put down their food and left them alone
The following day, I peeked in, and they hadn't eaten but did use the litterbox. I left them alone. On the second day,
they started to eat They were beginning to play a tiny bit with a feather toy on the third day. But they'd hiss, spit and growl at me They'd run and hide if I stood up I continued my progress, and slowly they settled into their toys, treats, and space By the third week at my house, they'd returned to normal kitten behavior. Gone were the tiny hellions that wished they could eat me, bite me or have me gone Monty is a lap cat, loves his mommy (me), and Winston, though he isn't keen on being picked up, will rub all over my legs and sit with his head on me. They're precisely how every new owner wants their new Savannah kitten to be, friendly, confident, and outgoing
So, what went right? What do you do when your new kitten arrives and hides, growls, hisses, spits, and won't eat? It's easy to blame the breeder or think your kitten isn't socialized But that isn't always the case, and my advice is practical, straightforward, and works.
Do:
Realize your kitten is hiding or acting aggressive because they are scared. It's a lot for a kitten to go through going to a new home. Have a kitten room with no other pets, toys, and things for the kitten to explore Let your kitten feel that this room is a sanctuary--a safe place to eat, play, and use the litter box without intrusion from people or other pets
Use food to get him to associate good things with you
Chicken baby food is a commonly used reward for show cats, and it works too. Dried chicken treats work wonders So does what I refer to as "cat crack" Friskies prime filets
Use toys as a way of getting your kitten used to you. Few Savannah kittens can hold out for very long when a Da Bird or similar wand toy is flying around Move the toy across your body and let him walk on you without trying to pick him up or pet him.
Put an item of your clothing in his room so he can get used to your smell.
Keep a bed or blanket from the breeder's home in his room when he first arrives
Use a Feliway plug-in Not all cats react to it, but it usually has a calming effect.
Reach out to your breeder with concerns Most breeders have good advice about your kitten and have raised him from the day he was born may have insight into his likes and dislikes. Keep your breeder posted on his progress. Breeders want to know how their kittens are doing and want both you, the buyer, and the kitten to be happy
Don't:
Force attention, petting, handling, etc , on him Most cats, most Savannahs, don't want to be held
Introduce other cats or pets while your kitten is still hiding and scared.
Remove your scared kitten from his hiding place, whether under a bed, sofa, a cat tree He needs his safe place.
Run the vacuum or any other noisy household appliance in his room; clean up can wait
Approach him when using the litterbox; he needs to be safe there of all places.
Allow small children in his room when he is hiding. The noise and movements of small children can be scary to cats As a Mom who bred cats throughout my daughter's younger years, I learned kittens could be terrified of little kids.
Once you've done all the Do's and avoided the Don'ts, your kitten will likely start interacting with you. Once you've established his trust, slowly move on to petting, letting others interact, meet children, and eventually other pets The key is PATIENCE in abundance Your kitten may hide for four weeks or even six weeks, but it doesn't mean they'll hide forever or always be untouchable.
F2 Winston wtih F4 Shackleton
Daughter Emily with her little champion "Fuzzy"
Monty Grooming Me
F2 Monty
SAVANNAH CAT RESCUE
Founded in 2003, Savannah Cat Rescue (SVR) is a volunteer service (not brick and mortar) by Savannah breeders: Kristine Alessio and Brigitte Cowell Moyne with a core group of volunteers across the United States and Canada The mission of SVR is to rescue Savannah Cats and provide education to the public about the Savannah Cat Breed
SVR cats come from various places, primarily breeders who've sold kittens to owners who are unprepared or unable to care for a Savannah. The second, the breeder didn't assume responsibility when new owners needed help or decided to return the cat. A good breeder will always take back a cat they've bred, regardless of age or circumstances Luckily, most Savannah breeders fall into this "good" category!
When owners first contact the SVR, they prefer to help them work through any problem(s) they may be having Suppose a resolution is unsuccessful or the owner's lost the patience or ability to deal with the situation In that case, SVR can take possession of the cat with the owner's agreement (a legal surrender form).
SVR identifies qualified foster homes and places rescued cats for evaluation until placed into a permanent home SVR will work with foster homes
Adoption fees for each Rescue Savannah are usually $200, and donations also fund SCR.
If necessary, to rehabilitate cats, have them vetted (vaccinated and spayed/neutered), and evaluate any special needs or requirements. SVR gives first preference to foster homes if their home is a good fit.
Although the Savannah breed is young, it's growing fast, and the numbers of Savannah cats and catteries producing Savannahs are increasing SVR expects to see more Savannah cats in Rescue in the future, but this is NOT a reflection of a breed problem, merely a fact of feline life
We showcase available rescued Savannah cats on the SVR Facebook page or https://groups io/g/SavannahCatRescue
SVR never knows when a cat will become available in any location Rescue Savannahs are typically adult cats of varying generations, ages, and genders and are rarely kittens. All Savannahs available for adoption through SVR will be spayed or neutered and come from a foster or the current owner's home.
Check the Hybrid Law site to ensure Savannahs are legal where you live before inquiring about an available Savannah. SVR will NOT adopt to anyone living in an illegal area! If in doubt about your community's legality, homeowners association, city, county, state, or province, contact your local Animal Control officer Always make sure you're in legal compliance with the number of pets you may own. We do require landlord permission and proof to own a cat if you rent or lease your home
Shared with permission from SVR. Please consider donating to the SVR here.
Savannah Cat Care Fund
Savannah Cat Care Fund (SVCCF) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to provide financial assistance throughout the United States to Savannah pet cat owners who cannot afford emergency care for their Savannah cat. SVCCF financial assistance applies to all illnesses and injuries requiring immediate emergency or urgent care
The fund started because we were disheartened by the Savannah cats euthanized or surrendered when the owner(s) couldn't pay veterinary bills This fund has been years in the making, and as our breed grows, so do its needs.
The Savannah Cat Rescue team felt a need to have an organization to help pet Savannahs BEFORE being surrendered or euthanized A group evolved, and the idea came to fruition with many people's help The SVCCF works with Savannah Cat Rescue to save our precious Savannahs. The SVCCF works with the community and anyone in need of emergency funds to save or help their Savannah cat
The goals of the Savannah Cat Care Fund are:
To generate financial support for the organization's initiatives, through outreach and fundraising, with a primary focus on providing financial assistance to Savannah pet cat owners experiencing financial hardship due to unanticipated emergency/urgent cat care expenses
To work with Savannah Rescue and help/save Savannah cats BEFORE they're surrendered or euthanized due to an owner's inability to provide emergency veterinary care
To work with veterinarians on accepting pet insurance and allowing owners to pay only deductibles and copays; To provide education and resources to Savannah owners as needed.
We define a Savannah cat as (a) a Savannah with TICA registration; or, (b) a Savannah rescued from SV Rescue with proof of such; or (c) a cat with no registration papers but deemed a Savannah by the SVCCF Board of Directors or their appointees; or, (d) a Savannah recognized and confirmed as such by the cat's breeder
Written with permission by the SVCCF. Please consider donating to the SVCCF here.
F2 Lord Baron and his Lady Sissy owned by Corinne Martinek and bred by Catwalk Cattery
Ruby F5 owned by Tiana Buscemi, a sweet rescue girl!
F4 Beetlejuice owned by Kelly Ann Bennett and bred by Volbarre Savannahs
F6 Thistle owned by Kaitlynn Mitchell and bred by Alberta Savannahs
CUSTOM 16 OZ.
STEMLESS SAVANNAH CAT
WINE GLASSES
Our stemless wine glasses feature a crisp and chic design. They feature a fluted bowl with a protruding brim and thick bottom to ensure the glass stays balanced on flat surfaces. Made with strong and durable glass, they hold up to 16 oz. of your favorite blends.
It's curved to fit in your hand perfectly. The bowl shape enhances wine flavors and is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and more.
The larger size holds up to 16 ounces of red or white wine or your favorite cocktail. Perfect for casual entertainment and durable enough for everyday use.
The low center of gravity and broad base reduces the risk of tipping over and eliminating stem breakage, common among traditional wine glasses P R EO R D E R H E R E !
**Free U S shipping on FOUR glasses or more** (contact me for international shipping options).
Currently on back-order due to shipping backlogs, but you can preorder today!
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7-year-old
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