Your one-stop destination for all things "Savannah"
Spring 2020 Inaugural First Edition
Featuring: Ethics of Declawing A Rescue Story A Feline Infectious Peritonitis Cure Breeder Interview Myth Buster DIY Cat Tree and more!
From the Editor Debra Roberts
Welcome to the inaugural FIRST edition of
SAVANNAHGANS® - THE International Savannah Cat Magazine The support and enthusiasm from the Savannah Cat community to create this vision has been incredible! Every contributor I've approached has excitedly jumped to share their wisdom, skills, talent, and education with our readers. I'm excited to expand my circle of Savannah enthusiasts and bring you lots of great content from worldwide! 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 for it. I'm thankful to be acquainted with incredible breeders and owners who've worked with me to build this first issue. I aim to bring you informative, supportive, and entertaining content from Savannah enthusiasts and experts in a fun and whimsical publication filled with art, photos, heart-warming stories, and more. My vision is to meld amazing stories with education so current and future owners can find whatever they want to know about our wonderful breed. We welcome all cat lovers to get in on the action regardless of breed! Whether searching for a breeder, diet, safety tips, behaviors, health advice, or fun merchandise, you'll find it in each quarterly issue. I look forward to meeting many more as we create our future content.
Be sure to visit our website at www.savannahgans.com and our Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages.
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WHAT'S IN THE SPRING 2020 EDITION? Featured Artist
7
Savandalism
9
Health and Safety
13
What the "F"
26
Breeder Spotlight
27
Featured Story
36
Myth Buster
40
In Memorium
42
Rescue & Care Funds
45
Featured DIY
50
Ask Auntie "Vannah"
55
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Peri Hughes' F1 "Fubuki" of Sweetwater Savannahs
CHECK OUT MY PORTFOLIO AT WWW.WILDWHIMS.COM Email Address: spotisse2@yahoo.com
Contact number: 619-392-7021
Featured Artist Jacqueline Luttrelle I was born with a desire to create what I saw around me, and I started drawing as soon as I could hold a crayon. I've been a professional artist for many years, graduating from the Art Center, College of Design, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Illustration. I've done both Illustration and graphic design part-time since 1985. I started my career as an Art Director for an ad agency in La Jolla, CA. I moved to other companies, including printers, where I ran their art departments. I've recently hung my Contract Illustrator" sign-up full-time. In 1990, I bought my first Mac and learned to draw in Illustrator, finding it an excellent medium to add to my skills. I'm also proficient in watercolor, acrylics, and all dry mediums. I commission work for many Savannah owners, including website graphics and logos, and painted pictures of their cats. I'm excited to share my creative style and ideas "SAVANNAHGANS® Magazine."
Do you have a talent you'd like to feature for a future edition? Pitch us your idea here! Page 6
LIFE IS UNCERTAIN. GET A SAVANNAH CAT. and here are 10 reasons why!
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1. You'll never be bored on a Friday night...or Saturday, or Sunday... 2. You'll never dine alone. 3. You'll never oversleep again. 4. Water is NEVER an issue. 5. They'll help you use less toilet paper by emptying every roll. 6. They ARE the entertainment for your guests. 7. They blend in with any decor. 8. They'll help you take down the holiday decorations, especially the tree. 9. They'll tend to your plants while you're gone...and while you're home. 10. They'll help you eliminate that ugly heirloom you felt guilty donating.
"Savandalism is a Phase They Never Outgrow"! Dana Frazelle, owner of Melanistic rescue Savannah "Shad"
Do you have another reason to add a Savannah cat to your life? Pitch it to us and we'll add it to the list!
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Debra Robert's F3 kitten Luna, making herself comfortable for the night.
Deborah Frierson's F1 Atticus of Amara Savannahs, quietly removed the wreath from the hook over the fireplace, careful not to knock off the candlesticks. He dragged the wreath to the bed and created his own holiday nest.
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Peri Hughes "F1 Fubuki and F7 Figel" have taken care of the plants more than once and decided the "face" planter would look better with a shorter "do".
Do you have a Savandalism story you'd like to share for a future edition? Contact us here! Page 11
Why You Decl Should aw Y Nev o ur C er +Z PA uri's St at GE o S 1 ry 6-1 8
A Cure for Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Luna's Story plus current FIP news Pages 21-25
Non-t Plant oxic House Recom menda Pag tion es 1 9-20
Declawing and Solutons From a Certified Pet Behaviorist PAGE 14-16
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Questioning Ethics of Declaw, Not to Mention Deleterious Impact on Behavior (used with permission)
by: Steve Dale, Certified Animal Behaviorist
Steve Dale is a certified animal behavior specialist who has been a trusted voice in pet health for over 20 years. You have likely heard him on the radio, read him in print and online, and seen him speaking at events worldwide. His contributions to advancing pet wellness have earned him many awards and recognition around the globe.
Why Veterinarians Declaw
for declawing? How is this consistent with the veterinary oath to not harm?
What We Know Today, And New Tools
According to a survey of American Association of Feline Practitioners members, veterinary professionals don’t even want to deal with declawing and won’t mind public officials making the call. It’s a surprising choice, but their wishes are coming true. Downing’s testimony in Denver in support of a You can contact Steve declaw ban arguably moved the needle. Her for help with your cat words were both scientific and emotionally by calling our toll-free powerful. “What gives veterinarians the right to number: 866-554amputate because of cat owner convenience?” PETS (7387). Downing is also a national leader regarding You can also email veterinary ethics. And she doesn’t beat around your questions the bush, “Let’s be honest, this is also an ethical to Steve. When issue,” she says. Following Denver’s declaw ban emailing please and similar laws in other cities, in 2019, New include your name York became the first state to ban declawing. and a number where he can reach you.
Political observers expect more states to follow in 2020 and beyond. Oddly or not, in New York, the State Veterinary Medical Association fought the ban and lost; the same thing happened in Denver as the Denver State Association fought the ban and lost. In both instances, veterinary medicine appeared to the public as “money grabbers.” What other explanation may there be
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Indeed, some studies show that declawed cats do not cause behavior problems in homes. While declawed cats don’t scratch, they may be more likely to bite. That’s a concern of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Declawed cats may also be far more likely to suffer medical effects; some may impact behavior such as urinating and/or defecating outside the litter box, mainly because it hurts to get to the box and/or to use the box. And when cats begin not using the box, they are often given up – or at the very least, there are cracks in the human-animal bond. Also, there are new tools regarding behavior modification to encourage appropriate scratching on posts. For example, a pheromone product called Feliscratch by Feliway now directs cats to posts. The product is inexpensive, non-invasive, and natural. And it works even better with the most simple behavior modification. Check out my video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb_x8xANli8 Feliscratch is my go-to scratching aid! I learned this from Steve Dale when we got our first Savannah a few years ago. At first, I wasn't sure I wanted to put the purple liquid on our scratching posts, but it does work! The color doesn't stay as it does fade away. Feliscratch helps redirect scratching onto the scratching base and is clinically proven to reduce or stop unwanted scratching in the home. When applied on the scratching surface, FELISCRATCH sends a message to the cat visually (blue lines) and invisibly ("territory messages") to direct the cat to scratch there. For some reason, Amazon and PetSmart have inflated pricing, and it often takes much work to find. You can get it now at Chewy.com for $5.99!
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Declawing linked to aggression and other abnormal behaviors in cats by SAGE ~ May 23, 2017 (used with permission)
The surgery, which involves removing the distal bone of the toes, is banned in many countries.
Declaw surgery (onychectomy) is illegal in many countries but is still a surprisingly common practice in some. It is performed electively to stop cats from damaging furniture or to avoid scratches. Previous research has focused on short-term issues following surgery, such as lameness, toe chewing, and infection. Still, this procedure's long-term health effects have yet to be dated. According to research published today in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, declawing increases the risk of long-term or persistent pain, manifesting as unwanted behaviors such as inappropriate elimination (soiling/urinating outside the litter box) and aggression/biting. This is detrimental to the cat (pain is a significant welfare issue, and these behaviors are common reasons for relinquishing cats to shelters). It has health implications for their human companions, as cat bites can be severe. For the study, based in North America, the author group investigated 137 non-declawed cats and 137 declawed cats, of which 33 were declawed on all four feet. All 274 cats were physically examined for signs of pain and barbering (excessive licking or chewing of fur), and their medical history was reviewed for unwanted behaviors. They found that inappropriate toileting, biting, aggression, and overgrooming occurred significantly more often in the declawed cats than the non-declawed cats (roughly 7, 4, 3, and 3 times more often, respectively, based on the calculated odds ratio). A declawed cat was also almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with back pain than a non-declawed cat (potentially due to shortening of the declawed limb, altered gait, and chronic pain at the surgery site, causing compensatory weight shift to the pelvic limbs). As Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons recommended, the surgical guideline for declawing is removing the entire third phalanx (P3), the most distal toe bone. Despite this, P3 fragments were found in 63% of the declawed cats in this study, reflecting poor or inappropriate surgical technique. While back pain and abnormal behaviors increased in these cats, the authors emphasize that even optimal surgical procedures do not eliminate the risks. They explain that removing the distal phalanges forces the cat to bear weight on the soft cartilaginous ends of the middle phalanges (P2) previously shielded within joint spaces. Pain in these declawed phalanges prompts cats to choose a smooth surface, such as carpet, in preference to the gravel-type substrate in the litter box; additionally, a painful declawed cat may react to being touched by resorting to biting as it has few or no claws left to defend itself with. Lead author of the paper Nicole Martell-Moran, a veterinary practitioner in a cat-only clinic in Houston, Texas, USA, comments: 'The research reinforces my opinion that declawed cats with unwanted behaviors may not be "bad cats," they may need pain management. We now have scientific evidence that declawing is more detrimental to our feline patients than initially thought. I hope this study becomes one of many that will lead veterinarians to reconsider declawing cats.
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ZURI'S RESCUE STORY When I approached Brigitte Cowell Moyne about a rescue story, her first thought was of an F2 Savannah named "Zuri".
Written by: Debra Roberts with Sarah Johnson, Zuri's owner surrendered on 5/12/2014. In Zuri's intake evaluation, someone stated that she "shouldn't be placed into a home as a pet and could likely never be domesticated." This was when Savannah Cat Rescue (SVCR) and Brigitte Cowell Moyne stepped in. Zuri was placed in foster care while undergoing surgical repair on all four feet due to retained bone fragments from her botched declaw surgery in 2008--six years later! She also had regrowth of her nails, which caused her feet to sustain lacerations, causing even more pain. She also had arthritis as a result.
I also mentioned I was writing about the issues and complications of declawing, so it was quite clear this story about Zuri needed to be written. I contacted Zuri's current owner, Sarah Johnson, and she was immediately excited and on-board to share Zuri's story of her rescue, the declawing of all four paws by her first owners, and how she was ultimately surrendered to the Humane Society when her breeder refused to take her back. Zuri was born 5/14/2008. She was declawed on 11/24/2008, by her owner, on all four paws at just six months of age. This would prove to wreak havoc for poor Zuri the rest of her life. As a result of this declaw, Zuri sadly developed fearful behaviors as well as flinching, and pulling away anytime her toes were touched--even when under heavy sedation by the vet as she couldn't be examined. She was in immense pain and tended to favor her right foot. She also refused to dig or bury her litter box waste; despite her excellent litter box habits. Zuri also showed aggression towards other cats, but was oddly fine with dogs. Her owners ultimately surrendered to the Humane Society, stating they couldn't touch her. She was
Being no stranger to rescuing a cat with a botched declaw surgery, Sarah came to Zuri's rescue, ready to give her a chance despite all odds. Zuri had her corrective surgery on 6/17/2014 and, on 7/24/14, went to live with Sarah and her family. The ride home in the car was a challenge and resulted in Zuri having diarrhea. Once home and in quarantine, Zuri assumed a safe place under the bed, where she stayed until venturing out the following morning. She played with a feather teaser but was still shy and guarded.
On 7/28/2014, Zuri was starting to explore the upstairs area, no longer staying under the bed! Zuri ate well, and with Brigitte's advice, Sarah put some food on her finger and offered it to Zuri. Not only did Zuri take the food, but she also pushed her entire head into Sarah's finger, demanding to be petted! This behavior is a huge accomplishment and completely unexpected! From that moment forward, Zuri made friends with KC, their other Savannah cat, and Jake, their dog. True to her history, she took to Jake better but did get along with KC. The hiding stopped, and Zuri enjoyed being petted and eating her favorite snack of freeze-dried chicken. Zuri's sad and angry "look" turned to calmness; she became quite the talker and started playing consistently. She even walks on a harness--all these milestones happened quickly--and against all odds! Zuri is now 12 years old and has been a treasured member of the Johnson family for six years. Sarah's daughter, Ashley, is Zuri's "person," and they snuggle together, something else the vets at the Humane Society said she'd never do. Zuri's tragic ordeal and her ultimate happy ending with her new family following her botched declaw's surgical repair are lessons to be learned. You never know if you might have a diamond in the rough, just like Zuri! Never give up on these amazing animals, never declaw ANY cat, and be patient.
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Zuri happy in her Furrever Home
Safety Brief: Cat-Safe Houseplant Review: The Areca Palm Also Known As:
by: Debra Roberts
Golden Butterfly Palm, Cane Palm, Golden Feather Palm, Yellow Palm Are you disappointed by the endless list of felinetoxic plants? The list is long and includes many familiar and favored greenhouse treasures, according to the American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) website. This quarter's cat-safe, non-toxic plant review and recommendation is a natural beauty--the "Areca Palm." According to ASPCA, many palm trees are toxic to domestic animals; the "Areca Palm" is considered safe if consumed by cats or dogs. As a plant lover and gardening enthusiast, one of the hardest things was parting with many of my favorite plants when deciding to welcome cats into our home. Because I love how plants clean, filter, and humidify the inside air we breathe and bring serene beauty to our decor, I went to work looking for the perfect house plants that wouldn't harm our cats when they nibble on them--and trust me, they will! With Areca Palms, the perks are endless. Each stem boasts dark, lush, green leaf fronds that bring a tropical look and feel to your home or patio. They are ideal for indoor growth or zones 9 to 11 outside (warm and humid areas yearround).
Where to Buy
Areca Palms thrive in four to five hours of daily total Areca Palms: to partial sunlight and reach maturity six to seven feet tall. They're fast-growing, and my Savannahs United Nursery are less curious about my larger floor plants than the smaller ones they can knock over for fun!
Costa Farms
I've had great success buying my plants on Amazon and Etsy. Check out the links to the right for my favorites.
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Keri Libbe's F2 "Ronin" Ronin is from Stacee Dallas of Starfell Savannahs
The Story of Luna: A New Kitten, Fatal Disease Diagnosis, and a Miracle Cure After careful research and education to learn about Savannah cats and ultimately selecting a reputable breeder, Luna joined our family in March 2017. Luna's an exceedingly friendly, funny, quirky, overly loving cat loaded with personality. When I picked her up in Boston from her breeder, Luna was spunky, alert, playful, and seemingly healthy. She exceeded all the expectations of what we thought a Savannah kitten would be. She quickly melded into our home and our hearts as our first pet. Luna was due for her second feline distemper combination vaccine and a vet follow-up examination soon after her arrival. On April 13,
2017, she received that vaccine, the routine protocol for healthy kittens. After receiving the vaccine, Luna immediately refused to eat, slept continuously, and felt hot. My husband and I thought she looked a little distended around her abdominal midline. I mentioned this to her vet during this visit but was reassured it was just a "normal kitten belly." The only abnormality noted during her exam was a grade III heart murmur. Luna was deemed otherwise healthy with a plan to reassess the heart murmur in a few months and consider a referral to a veterinary cardiologist if it didn't resolve.
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Luna's FIP Diagnosis: The Right Place at the Right Time The abdominal distention was worsening as the days went on, so on April 21st, we took Luna to the veterinary emergency hospital. I'd already researched the causes of abdominal distention in kittens and read about Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). FIP was in my mind; however, it's not common. I thought at the worst; it'd be a parasite. The vet aspirated some fluid from her abdomen during the exam and brought it to the exam room in a specimen tube. She was sure; given the fluid assessment, lack of appetite, lethargy, and fever of 105 degrees, Luna had the effusive (wet) form of FIP, which leads to fluid accumulation in the abdomen and chest. She told us the grim prognosis and that she had a few days, to maybe two weeks at best, to live. She suggested we come back in a few days to consult with an internist to discuss any life-prolonging options and a second opinion or euthanize if her condition deteriorated over the weekend.
On April 24th, we saw the specialist for a second opinion. Luna had an echocardiogram, x-rays, ultrasound, and more blood tests, which confirmed the diagnosis of FIP. This time was a long, grueling three days. We came to terms with the reality of losing our new baby while scrambling and researching to see what we could do to save her. FIP is 100% fatal, with no treatment or cure. How could this be happening? We'd waited so long to get her (even having a bad prior experience with another breeder three months earlier was a scam). There had to be a way to save her, and I would find it. I thought to myself, "surely there's something out there in the works for FIP." Being a nurse in a large hospital system, I'm familiar with clinical trials and research. So, I called and emailed every major veterinary college in the country during that long, grueling weekend, waiting to see the specialist. To my surprise, on April 23rd, I received a call back from a veterinary technician, Michael, at UCD, who's the assistant to Dr. Niels Pedersen (professor and researcher, who's worked on a cure for FIP since the 1960s).
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of a new drug trial pending institutional approval. We discussed the details of Luna's diagnosis and testing, and I was instructed to email her records and results ASAP. I received another call on the 24th (the same day Luna saw the specialist) to further discuss the trial and the possibility of flying with Luna to Sacramento--IF they could get the approval pushed through. Luna would be the first privately owned, naturally acquired FIP-infected cat to start this new drug trial if we made it. She was at the perfect age to respond to the drug, an antiviral RNA inhibitor, to make this even more surprising. Luna would go to their clinic for 5-10 days of drug trial and monitoring. Time was limited, as she was deteriorating fast with a fever of 105 degrees. Dr. Pedersen told us to get there as soon as we could. We made it to Sacramento on April 28th, seven days after her diagnosis. Dr. Niels Pedersen explained the protocol in detail, complete with diagrams of how the drug works to stop viral replication. We then went to the room where Luna would stay for the next 5-10 days, and that's when she received her first injection and thorough examination.
The Anti-Viral Trial Drug Known as EVO984/GS-441524 Went to Work Immediately
A Happy Ending for Luna and a Hopeful Future for Cats Diagnosed With FIP
Luna responded extremely fast to the drug "EVO984/GS-441524," even seeing improvement in her fever and behavior after only one injection. Luna responded so well that we could come home on day six. She would receive another 11-plus weeks of daily injections to complete her treatment regimen. It was like bringing home a healthy new kitten free from fever, malaise, and abdominal distention.
Luna's last injection of EVO984/GS441524 was on July 23rd, 2017. She's thriving, shows no signs of disease, and her lab work remains perfect today. She loves to go camping and on backpacking adventures--she's hiked up to 13 miles with us, either walking on her harness or riding on our backpack. It's not every day you see a cat on a leash or at a campsite! Luna's been FIP-free for over three years. She's living an everyday, healthy life and is enjoying her three buddies, Savannah cats, Titan, Calypso, and Phoebe, whom we added in October 2017 and November 2018. Steve Dale, the animal behaviorist of Steve Dale's Pet World, interviewed me about Luna's drug trial. You can listen to the radio interview (Flash Player required) journey and any current information on the drug trials at U.C. Davis on their website.
I continued to administer the antiviral injections daily at home for 12 weeks. Dr. Pedersen guided us the entire time as to when to have blood work repeated by our local vet. Dr. Pedersen reviewed the results, along with periodic weight checks, so that he could adjust the dosage accordingly. As a side note, this is the second drug trial since 2016 conducted by UCD for FIP. The first drug, GC376, was able to put five out of 20 FIP cats into successful remission, who, to date, haven't relapsed. Luna's drug, EVO984/GS-441524, has been even more successful, with approximately 26 cats achieving complete remission, now known as a cure.
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Graphics by: Mandi Murphy, Savannah owner, UK
To learn about the most recent developments and treatment of FIP, continue to the page 24. Please consider donating to the continued drug trial research efforts at UC Davis:
To learn more about Luna and Feline Infectious Peritonitis, check out her stories and FIP-related updates and articles
2020 – GS-441524 SPRING UPDATE Niels C. Pedersen, DVM, PhD School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis (used with permission)
https://youtu.be/YMhDyTcOv3o
DEAR VETERINARIANS, CAT OWNERS AND PUBLIC: I received many questions about the Remdesivir is known as a prodrug. A relationship between GS-441524 and a prodrug is altered by infected cells to promising treatment for Covid-19, yield the active ingredient, which is GSRemdesivir.GS-441524 is the 441524 along with the addition of one biologically active component of phosphate group (i.e., GS-5734). Remdesivir that cat owners use Gilead scientists slightly altered GSworldwide to safely and effectively cure 5734 to protect the added phosphate cats of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) group and allow absorption into cells. for over 18 months. FIP is a common This form of GS-441524 is what is and highly fatal coronavirus disease of known as Remdesivir. Once in the cells, cats. GS-441424 and Remdesivir are cellular enzymes remove the protection almost identical drugs. Remdesivir is to yield GS-5734. GS-5734 further the form of GS-441424 that Gilead activates with the addition of two more Sciences has chosen to use in humans phosphates in the cells to the for COVID-19 and is now in clinical triphosphate form of GS-441524. trials in China, the USA, and
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This molecule inhibits the production of viral RNA. We chose to use GS-441524 to treat the coronavirus disease FIP because it had identical antiviral properties to Remdesivir and, at the time, was not considered by Gilead Sciences for use in humans. GS-441524 is also much cheaper to make than Remdesivir. Therefore, there was no apparent conflict between using one form for cats and another for humans. However, Gilead believed that our cat research would interfere with their ability to get Remdesivir approved for humans and refused to grant animal rights for GS-441524. This refusal and the desperate need worldwide for FIP treatment led to a Chinese black market for GS-441524. FIP is also a significant problem in pet cats in China, and Chinese cat owners are even more desperate for treatment for FIP than owners in other countries. We published the first papers describing GS441524 treatment of cats with FIP in 2018 and 2019. Thousands of cats have since been treated. Despite this experience, medical professionals, including researchers, must be made aware of the use of GS-441524 for a coronavirus disease of cats and its relationship to Remdesivir. Veterinarians have considerable experience with coronaviruses, conditions, and vaccines for swine, calves, and poultry. Pet ferrets also suffer a severe FIP-like disease caused by coronavirus species. What will happen to supplies of GS-441524 for cats if Remdesivir is proven safe and effective as a treatment for COVID-19? GS-441524 is the first critical step in the production of Remdesivir, and it is logical to assume that there will be competition between cats and humans. On a positive note, worldwide approval for Remdesivir may also help change minds against granting animal rights to GS-441524. If approved for human use, Remdesivir, if not GS-441524, would become “legally” available through veterinarians. However, the safety and efficacy of Remdesivir for FIP have not yet been established.
Use this checklist in collaboration with your veterinarian. Please do not redistribute or post without author permission. For a printable version of this checklist in full-size, click the text below
FIP Checklist Page 24
What's the "F" is that "F" Word? by: Debra Roberts
One of the first things people new to the Savannah world ask is, "What does the 'F#' mean when reading about Savannahs"? First, defining what the "F" means when referring to our beloved Savannahs is essential. The "F" stands for Filial and is descended from the Latin "filius," meaning "son," and "filia," meaning "daughter." English (used since at least the 14th century) always applies to both sexes. So, now we know that filial refers to a son or daughter descendent. We now apply that to mean the African Serval's son or daughter, the point of origin where the Savannah begins. An easy example is F1 = the son or daughter of a serval. F2 = the grandson or granddaughter of a serval, and so on. Now, let's move on to what the number means. The number refers to how many generations removed the Savannah is from its African Serval parent/ancestor. In Savannah, breeding is generally a male serval bred to a domestic or Savannah female, mostly the latter. An F1 Savannah Cat is a first-generation offspring from a serval parent. An F2 is a second-generation offspring, with the serval being their grandparent. An F3 is a third-generation offspring, making the serval their great-grandparent and down the line to F8. To take things one step further, you'll also, at times, see a letter following the filial and number, such as F3 "C." The letters are for Savannah to Savannah breeding only. For example, our Savannah Luna is an "F3C". Here's the breakdown:
A = one parent is a Savannah, and the other parent an outcross, which is the serval in this case. The father is a serval and the mother, a Savannah. (Fact: F1-F4 and some F5 Savannah males are sterile). B = both parents are Savannahs with at least one parent being an "A" and at least one grandparent on either side, an outcross/serval. C = one parent is "B" and other can be "B, C, or SBT" and at least one grandparent is an “A”.
You will also see "SBT," which stands for "Stud Book Tradition." SBT means the kitten has Savannah parents for at least three generations, making them a pure-bred Savannah Cat. In summary, any generation male (usually F5-8), when bred to an F1 female, produces an F2 kitten. An F2 female bred to any generation male produces an F3, and so forth. Here's another example: an F3 female and an F6 male produces an F4 kitten. Lastly, any female bred to a male serval produces an F1 kitten.
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Breeder Spotlight A broad-ranging interview with Savannarama's Paul Casaudoumecq
A Broad-ranging Interview, with Savannarama's Paul Casaudoumecq, About Savannahs, Breeding, Ownership Tips, and the Future. How did you get started with Savannahs? I came across a picture of a Safari Cat on Select Exotic's website. It was a fantastic picture, so I researched and quickly realized new Safari kittens didn't exist for the most part. Later, I returned to Select Exotics to look at their Savannah Kittens and purchased an F3. They advertised the kitten as having a "crazy play drive," She lives up to the billing. She's all energy, all the time—a perfect pet.
I've visited your cattery, and you have more than one Savannah! How did you go from one to a cattery of Savannahs? My first Savannah was so energetic that I had to get her a second Savannah to keep her company. My 2nd Savannah thought my 1st Savannah was a jerk and buddied up with my 18-year-old domestic cat. So, I got a 3rd Savannah to play with my 1st Savannah. A few months later, I got a 4th Savannah for my 2nd Savannah, but my 4th Savannah teamed up with my 3rd Savannah, leaving my 1st Savannah mostly alone; we were back to square one. By the time I could sort that out, they'd reached breeding age.
Do you have a favorite exotic or hybrid cat website? Ironically, I probably see Silver Storm Bengal's website more than any other. They have a lot of "Wow" cats!
Paul with his F4 companion, "Bond"
A "Wow" cat? What's that? A cat you look at and say, "WOW." A cat that grabs your eye instantly.
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If you put two "Wow" cats together, will they make an of off the charts "Super Wow" cat? Not necessarily, at least not that I've seen. You try to visualize what a litter will look like, but you only know once you try. If a litter appears ordinary, you stop there. If a litter is spectacular, you repeat— simple stuff. I once put two "Wow" cats together, and their offspring were pretty ordinary.
What about Savannah Cat websites? Do you have a favorite?
Not really. I see all the Savannahs I'll ever need to see in the various Savannah Facebook groups.
Within the Savannah Community, where would one go to see a "Wow" cat? I've always liked Snow Canyon's "Cassie," which was a "Wow" cat off the top of my head. Laura Lawson's "Holli Jo," Peri Hughes' "Fubuki," Keri Libbe's "Echo," Spotitude's "Dreamkeeper,"…there are many more. Every cattery in existence for three-plus years almost certainly has produced a "Wow" cat or two.
What's the difference between a "Wow" cat and a "Grand Champion"? In theory, all Championship cats should have very similar attributes. Whereas a "Wow" cat would be unique.
What's the best tip you ever heard from another breeder? Wean your kittens at eight weeks to make them more social.
What's the biggest weakness of the Savannah breed? I think it's the production of too many Savannah cats with weak spots. Nothing says, "I'm not an exotic cat," like faded spots. That's my pet peeve. Ask this same question to 100 breeders get 100 different answers.
What's the biggest strength of the Savannah breed? Their 'personalities' for lack of a better word.
Do you recommend people try breeding Savannahs? I don't recommend, nor do I discourage. It's a free country, whatever you do, do it well.
What's the best part about breeding? Meeting and interacting with people across the country and watching their Savannahs grow up to be an important and valued family member.
What's the most important thing a breeder does? Breeders should raise healthy cats that live long lives, and they should find appropriate homes for those healthy cats. Both are equally important.
What should new breeders know about breeding they probably haven't considered? I think people underestimate the complexity of owning a stud. They can be very noisy. As in, your neighbors will call the police on you; that level of noise.
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Also, they mark territory by whizzing on everything. So, you have to put much thought into how you will deal with these issues and give your stud the quality of life he deserves.
Is marking territory a phenomenon that's limited to stud cats? No, not at all. Some intact Queens can be just as bad, if not worse--sort of a “Bell Cow” syndrome.
What's that? In a herd of cows with no bulls, they sometimes put a bell on the alpha female's neck.'‘The Bell Cow'’ Where she goes, the herd goes, so they can always locate the herd by the bell sound. The Bell Cow tends to adopt traits of a bull, such as protection, marking territory, etc. I've seen this phenomenon in Savannah cats when no stud cat is around. The intact alpha female can mark many territories, which is not always possible.
You're able to call your cats from a distance, and they come! How do you do that? Training!
What’s the process? Like dogs, domestic cats take visual cues from their humans, so you want to make eye contact when you work with a cat or dog. Call your cat by name, and immediately reward them if your cat makes eye contact.
What sort of reward? With dogs, food, affection, or playtime motivates them. With Savannahs, I've found they are motivated by chicken! So, start with that. If your Savannah isn't motivated by chicken, see a vet. Just kidding. If they are uninterested in chicken, try some other food, playtime, affection, or a combination.
So that's it? No, that’s just how you get them to stop thinking about whatever they’re thinking about and lock their eyes on you. A simple process, as simple as 1, 2, 3: Say their name, wait for eye contact, and give a reward. Next, you only give the reward when your Savannah locks eyes and moves towards you. The movement towards you merits a reward. Distance becomes the goal once you’ve mastered eye contact and movement towards you. So you start by calling their name from 4 feet away. Eye lock plus movement towards you equals reward. Then try 8 feet, then 16 feet, and so on.
Any other critical information we should know about? It sounds too easy! It's easier than it seems, but two things must happen for this to work. First, NEVER use your cat's name when upset with them. Use "No" or something similar when you disapprove of their behavior. Your cat's name should only be associated with positive events.
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Second, the whole family has to buy in. Everyone must use the same words and techniques.
You take pictures with your Savannahs outdoors. Everyone must ask how you do it? They do.
What gear do you use? Canon EOS 70D.
Is it necessary to have a prosumer camera to take good pictures? Nope, if you want good pictures, get the best starter camera/lens combination you can afford from Canon or Nikon. There's a massive difference in results. Relying on your iPhone won't work.
Do you use your iPhone for pictures? Only once in 5 years, I drove my F3 Trigger to Table Mountain on a long, curvy mountain road. He had motion sickness for the last 20 miles. When we arrived, I realized I had forgotten the camera. We would not drive 2 hours back to get the camera, so I busted out the iPhone. It was a blazingly sunny day, and the glare made it so I couldn't even see what I tried to photograph. We got lucky; they turned out great.
What do you do to get the vivid backgrounds? Many of those pictures are in spring, and the super vivid ones are almost certainly on a cloudy or partly cloudy day. Colors tend to ‘pop’ with a cloud screen above you.
Could the average Savannah owner take nice outdoor shots? Sure. Get a harness and a leash and someone to walk your cat while you take pictures. Get out there early in the day or late. Mid-day is no good. Have the sun behind you as a general rule. See what happens. Remember, your camera doesn't see color and shadows like your eye does. Your natural vision is far more nuanced than current CCD sensors can replicate. So, you have to experiment a bit.
What about indoor shots? Grab your camera, turn on the lights, turn on your flash. More light is better. Remember, your Savannah is probably earth-toned, so having an earth-toned background makes for a muddy shot. Liven it up with some high contrast background.
How do you get your cats to come with you when you shoot outdoors? They’re trained, remember. We have no cars, people, traffic, neighbors, swamps, or rivers. There’s nowhere to go and nothing to spook them. So they follow me. We take pictures, then go back to the house or catios.
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So what do you think about outdoor cats? In 95% of the USA, there are only two kinds of outdoor cats: Ones eaten by coyotes and those about to be eaten by coyotes.
That raises an interesting question. What happens when a cat slips out the door? Our first rule here is that we don’t chat in the doorway--get in or get out--but no chatting in the entrance. That way, nothing gets out. But occasionally, they do, so my advice to folks whose Savannah slips out the door is to cancel dinner, cancel whatever plans you had, drop everything, and find your Savannah. Time is not your friend.
Have you taken up raw feeding? Yes and No. I bought a specific meat grinder for the job. I made 100+ lbs. of raw food over several weeks. But to be honest, my cats didn’t like it. So now my meat grinder is acting as a paperweight in the kitchen.
What do you make of Cat Shows and Competitions for Savannahs? If you're an Owner or a Breeder, and that appeals to you, go for it and give it your all. TICA wants the breed to be more active at shows.
What's this rumor I'm hearing about F1 Savannahs being discontinued? TICA has created a rule to phase out the registration of new F1s in September 2020 and, by extension, at some later date, F2s and F3s. The Savannah Breed Committee has been working on a solution, so we'll see what happens.
What do you think about these phase-outs? I'm not a fan. Look around. Do you see any F2 - F6 Savannahs that look anything like a Serval? Where are the F3, F4, F5s with Serval coloring? Where can I buy an F2 with a butterscotch Servally basecoat coloring? Not taupe, crème, sandy brown, eggshell white, or earth-toned. Where are the dark, inky spots and butterscotch coloring of a Serval? Until I see 50 - 100 F2s that look like that, we shouldn't discontinue using F1s in breeding programs.
So if there were 100 F2s with the butterscotch coloring and high contrast spots, you'd be OK with phasing out F1s? If that were true, I think the case to phase out F1s might be stronger, but I would still vote "no." I have no issue with F1s. F1s aren't for me, but they're a critical resource for the breed and should never be phased out by TICA, in my opinion. People will breed them, so phasing them out encourages a lawless ethos behind Savannah production. The bad policy will yield bad results. It would be one thing if this movement for change were coming from inside the Savannah community. It's not. The action comes from folks at TICA with an animus against the breed. That's a huge problem.
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What about F2s and F3s being phased out? Of course, I'm highly opposed to this at any time in the future. To me, F2s and F3s are stand-alone animals. They have traits, looks, personalities, and quirks that we can't replicate at the F4, F5, F6 levels, etc. No matter what we do as a breed, no F4 will equate to an F2 or an F3. You might be able to replicate one or two aspects of an F2 at, say, the F4 level…but not the "whole package." If someone says, "I have an F4 extremely close or superior to an F2 in looks and behaviors,"--they don't know what they're talking about. Ultimately, people should always be able to buy F2s and F3s sanctioned by TICA. If not, I suppose some entity will step up and begin approving F1, F2, F3, F4A – F4C, F5A – F5C Savannahs.
I’ve been told that the Savannah community is using the wrong terms for F1, F2, F3 and that it should be G1, G2, G3, etc.? Maybe so, but getting several hundred breeder websites and 25,000 Savannah owners to change their lingo wastes everyone’s time and would sow mass confusion in the Savannah marketplace. Language conveys specific concepts, so you know what I mean when I say specific terms. When I say “F2,” 99% of Savannah breeders and owners understand what I mean. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Paul getting a head butt from F4 "Bond" Page 32
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THE STORY OF F5 "LOVE BUG" AND HOW SHE FOUND HER PURRFECT HOME by: Christopher Dodson, Savannah Owner
My fiancé (Joe) and I were living in San Francisco at the time. We'd recently lost our cat, Rex, of seven too young years, to heart disease. It was a rough time as he was the cat that made Joe a cat lover (and many other people, too). I'd followed the miraculous survival story of my aunt and uncle's cat – Luna – and that's when Savannah cats arrived on my radar. Rex was half Siamese by a fluke, so the idea of a more complex and exotic cat wasn't much of a stretch. My aunt and uncle were flying to northern California to pick up two Savannah kittens from a well-known breeder, so I drove to Sacramento to meet them at the cattery. A few older kittens were less well-established than the others because of unavoidable circumstances. That didn't bother me since Joe and I are "projects" as much as this cat would be. These kittens were skittish, more so than the others, and I had difficulty determining if I could bond with any of them. While I was conversing with my aunt, one of the cats approached and licked my toes. I got a few good pets on her and said, – "OK, she's the one!"
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After being introduced to her new home, she was at rock bottom in the trust of humans. She put herself under our guest bed for over a month, and I'd visit her and extend my arm to be near her. I needed her to love me as much as she needed to be loved. I repeated phrases to soothe her and placed objects with our scent close to her. I could tell she had much love to give, but her nerves got the best of her. There were days we'd forget we had a cat. We hadn't named her but settled on an interim name of "Shadow" as she feared her own. My attitude towards her was, "You have a fantastic loving home, but it's up to you to enjoy it."
Shadow eventually came out of hiding when she heard us using her toys. "Love Bug" playing fetch on her human's rooftop in Miami, FL
The smells of us cooking also brought her out, knowing she'd get scraps. She saw I understood what scared her and that I'd shield her from it. Trust was creeping in. She started having fun in our ridiculous four-story condo, perfectly designed for cats like her. Now, after a cross-country move to Miami, she's the most obnoxious bundle of love and joy. She talks to me to no end, howls when she wants attention, and has her well-earned new name, "Love Bug." Oh, yeah, she likes Joe, but she loves me! AND TODAY--the magazine's release date--is Love Bug's 4th birthday, June 15th)!
Do you have a cool Savannah story to share for a future edition? Contact us! Page 39
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MYTH BUSTERS SO, YOU THINK YOU WANT A BIG CAT? I've followed Savannah Cat forums and email lists since 2006. One of the most common comments I see from prospective Savannah owners is about the cat's size. Everyone wants a large, beautiful, wildlooking cat. "The bigger, the better." There's nothing wrong with wanting that, and it's part of what drew me to the breed. People happily share stories about their cats and are quick to warn newcomers about the energy and time requirements of an enormous, high-energy hybrid cat. I share those stories too. But one story's often not shared in these forums, and I think it covers a very sad and often ignored part of pet ownership. I believe any Savannah, regardless of size, will make you fall in love with them. They're outstanding, personable, wonderful members of the family. Our first F1, "Nimar," was unbelievably social and affectionate, insanely clever, and his antics kept us laughing. I couldn't imagine life without him. He had social traits people reference when they say, Savannahs are dog-like." He was adorably stubborn, and I've never met a more intelligent animal. We would continually invent new games for him because he would get bored quickly.
By: Jenn Culler, Savannah owner
Nimar was big-but not as big as they can gethe was 23lbs and tall. He could run nearly 40mph IN the house and jump from the floor to the top of the fridge with no effort. He was the poster child of what many people think they want in a Savannah. He was perfect in my eyes and turned many non-cat-people into cat lovers. In 2014, he developed a runny nose that progressed into a series of severe sinus infections uncontrollable. We had to have him knocked out several times for sinus flushes. We had several antibiotics to administer (liquids, pills, and shots). In 2015, he developed diabetes in a few weeks and fell very sick. As it turns out, he had Acromegaly (a pituitary tumor that spits out a wicked mess of growth hormones that do insane things to the body). We administered insulin injections and antibiotics twice daily after a stint in the ER for diabetic ketoacidosis. We checked his blood sugar regularly as we couldn't get him regulated well on any. Recall how I said he was "adorably stubborn"? That's not so adorable when trying to administer life-saving medication! Some days, all went well, and other days we fought. He didn't want his ear pricked for the 9000th time, so he became a bucking bronco at the start of my approach.
Nimar was insanely strong, too strong to manage on my own when he was in a mood.
He was insanely strong, too strong to manage on my own when in a mood. Sometimes, it took both humans in the house to wrangle him. Fortunately, he was distractible by food, making the insulin shots less dramatic, but the pills were a fight. Getting him in the crate for a vet visit was a nightmare, even before he became ill. We tried it all, from treats to leaving the crate out. We did that because the cats play and sleep in them. On a travel day, he knew he would disappear. After finding him, I'd refrain from calling the National Guard to get him in the crate. Crating him involved welding gloves, a blanket party, tears, and blood (from me). Due to his condition, we often visited the vet weekly, and the battle never lessened. A note about vets: Some are afraid of large cats. You can always pick another if you're in an area with plenty of vets. I've had vets be overly cautious because they are concerned for their staff. When Nimar ate a bunch of string, we had an ER vet call to take him home because he was a snappy ass.
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While waiting for Nimar's birth, we'd hoped for a 30# cat (believed to be the average Savannah size.
Nimar was an exceptionally social lover. He loved to sit on the sofa with us and watch movies. He cuddled with me in bed. He was the happy purveyor of headbutts and leg rubs. I'm sure there are large Savannahs that would sit and purr through a shot or a blood test, but I'd bet there are many more who wouldn't. It's harder to manage care when you add size and strength, and I'd kick myself when the insulin didn't all make it in because he was too fast for me.
Throughout Nimar's three-year battle with Acromegaly, I thanked the powers-that-be he was ONLY in the low 20s. I don't know that I could've managed a more enormous cat! We did what we could and hoped at best; most of the meds made it into the cat! If it were our domestics, one of whom is 20lbs, slower, and not nearly as strong, and nowhere as bright, it would've been less stressful to manage. There were days when his breakfast or dinner took an HOUR because we had to wait for him to settle to give him the insulin shot rather than force him down to administer it (which rarely worked as he was Houdini when it came to restraint).
II now always wantedthea large, wild-looking understand time and effort to care cat. for a large cat that gets ill. Thanks to our incredible team of vets, we could keep him with us as long as his disease would allow. I would've done anything for him. Losing him left us floundering and in the market immediately for another Savannah (the hole he left was so big it took three more to start to fill it). Every potential Savannah owner should consider this when searching for their perfect kitten.
Jenn Culler is a dedicated cat mom, avid blogger, artist, public relations data cruncher, and total history/re-enactment geek living in the wild woodlands of WV. You can read Jenn's blog and more about Nimar here.
Do you have a Savannah Rescue Story to share for a future edition? Contact us! Page 43
A Memorial Tribute to Margitta Graeves January 2, 1962 - October 29, 2019 By: Brigitte Cowell Moyne KIREMBO SAVANNAHS
"Margitta was a close personal friend Paige Dana and Katrin's. We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to share what made Margitta so memorable for our Savannah breed. Our friendship became forged in the Savannah breed. In the long years spent developing and promoting our breed through the new breed program with TICA (The International Cat Association, the primary cat registry that accepted our breed)."
Along with the many emails about Savannah breeding issues, our friendships grew until we had direct personal conversations. We bonded personally, and we wouldn't have met if not for the Savannahs. Getting involved with Savannahs was the first time I've made friendships online and felt close to and loved people I hadn't met. I've also found that the bonds are authentic and valid when meeting those people. Margitta and I never met but knew and cared for each other. Her death devastated me, Paige, Katrin, and many others in the Savannah "world." The Savannah cat breed's history starts with the surprise birth of a Servaldomestic hybrid kitten, Savannah. It then mentions three key people responsible for "founding" this breed and starting the breed recognition process with TICA. It was merely an interesting hybrid without that recognition, not an actual breed. Those credited with founding our breed are: Patrick Kelley presented the first written breed standard to TICA. Joyce Sroufe, the exotic cat breeder Patrick, convinced to try breeding her Servals to domestic cats. Lorre Smith-Lemire took our breed through the earliest stages of the new breed program with TICA.
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There are people equally crucial for our breed achieving full breed status. There are those who determinedly and selectively bred down generations to produce wonderful "purebred" Savannahs. These cats are called the SBT Savannah (Stud Book Traditional), the cat fancy term for purebred, where only three generations of the pedigree have that breed.
Margitta is the only breeder to which I've exported one of my kittens, as I don't ship. I prefer my babies within reach if they need me in the future. Margitta could be exceedingly persuasive and, over the years, wore me down. It was an honor that she was determined to include one of my cats in her program. Even though I didn't import directly from Margitta after establishing my cattery, I only needed males, and the timing was never right between us. I did add two cats to my program solely because their mom's moms were from Margitta. I went on the waiting list when I saw the Savannah's arrival in the US.in the US.
Margitta exemplified this. Her Kiwanga Savannahs program started early in our breed in 2000, and she began as one of the only breeders in Europe. She carefully selected her outcrosses and weeded out cats to keep the ones that exhibited the traits we wanted in Savannahs.
Additionally, I've placed cats with a breeder specifically because they'd bought their male from Margitta, and I wanted to see the progeny with my cat. This kind of backand-forth connection shows how valued her breeding program is.
For the next two decades, many breeders in the United States imported cats from Kiwanga Savannahs in Germany simply because her cats were impressive in type. Adding a cat from Kiwanga to your breeding program was worth the bother and expense. Look at the pedigrees of Savannahs with superior physical type, and you are bound to find Kiwanga mentioned somewhere.
I'm not alone in this. Not only were Margitta's cats integral to the development of our breed, so was Margitta. Although she could be disconcertingly direct, and often her sense of humor didn't translate so
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Margitta's website is still open today as a memorial tribute
well, from German to American English, Margitta was dedicated to our breed. She spent hours, days, months, and years giving advice and offering opinions. She was initially one of the Yahoo group's core admins for mentoring Savannah breeders and the same Facebook group. You could rely on Margitta not to give a meaningless "pretty kitty" comment. Her love for the breed kept her enthusiastic and determined to help others. When she said something, she aimed to make someone think or help them with a problem. Margitta's death was a shock to all. She wasn't elderly but fit and active, so her passing was unexpected. As the shock dissipated, her loss started to be felt—her influence in our breeder group, advice, and opinions. The Savannah breed lost a key player, but her legacy lives on in the cats she produced, the programs they've joined, and their future descendants.
"In the fight against Savannah breeding bans, we grew together and felt that we have the same views and goals. We became a duo like lightning and thunder. Without Margitta, I often have the feeling I have lost the energy and the shining radiance."
KATRIN ALBERTSMEYER ALMASI SAVANNAHS
"Margitta was a pioneer, mentor to many, fierce protector of the Savannah breed, and tireless advocate. She was my friend - somewhat similar to the sister you fight with, but love just the same." PAIGE DANA OF AGATO SAVANNAH CATS AND KITTENS
"Margitta was a rock to me. She was trustworthy, honest, and a good friend with amazing humor. If we hadn't talked in a while, it was like yesterday when we did. I got to know her in 2008 and bought my first cat from her. We chatted on-off since. She was my go-to person and always helpful. Frank and I are going to miss her. She was always talked about warmly in our house, and her cats are superb. In the breeding world, she's one of a kind. You can spot her cats a mile away, with their look and good size".
CAMILLA HESBY JOHNSEN OF SAVANNAH NORWAY
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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 they are placed into a permanent home. SVR will work with foster homes to rehabilitate cats if necessary, 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 number of Savannah cats and catteries producing Savannahs is increasing. SVR expects to see more Savannah cats in rescue in the future, but this is NOT a reflection of a breed problem; it is merely a fact of feline life.
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 educate the public about the Savannah Cat Breed. SVR cats come from various places, primarily breeders who've sold kittens to owners unprepared or unable to care for a Savannah. 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 have 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 have. If a resolution is unsuccessful, or if the owner's lost the patience or ability to deal with the situation, SVR can take
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Available rescued Savannah cats are showcased 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. Please check the Hybrid Law site to ensure Savannahs are legal where you live before asking about an available Savannah. SVR will NOT adopt anyone living in an illegal area! Please contact your local Animal Control officer if you need more clarification about your community's legality, homeowners association, city, county, state, or province. Always ensure you're legally compliant with the number of pets you may own. We require landlord permission and proof to own a cat if you rent or lease your home. Adoption fees for each Rescue Savannah are usually $200, and donations fund SVR.
Written with permission by 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 cats. 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 (SVR) team felt it needed to have an organization to help pet Savannahs BEFORE being surrendered or euthanized. A group evolved, and the idea came to fruition with the help of many people. The SVCCF works with SVR to save our precious Savannahs. The SVCCF works with the community and anyone needing 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, primarily focusing on providing financial assistance to Savannah pet cat owners experiencing financial hardship due to unanticipated emergency/urgent cat care expenses. To work with SVR 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, (b) a Savannah rescued from SVR 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. Page 48
DIY CAT TREES by: Keri Libbe, Savannah Owner We started making cat towers and trees because our Savannahs grew too large to maneuver comfortably and safely in the trees we'd purchased. Our Savannahs include three-year-old F2 Echo (20lbs) and near one-year-old Ronin (nearly twice Echo's physical size and 24lbs). We also have Zeke, a 10-year-old Maine Coon whose size isn't an issue for most trees. During a trip to Madison, WI, to see our daughter, who was finishing Vet school, we visited a pet store that sold fantastic trees from Paw Friendly Furniture. We purchased a very aesthetically pleasing seven-foot tree. We removed the top bed and made an uncomfortable nine-hour trip home to fit in our SUV. I love everything about the tree, as it's the one our DIY trees are based on. I'd gladly purchase more of their beautiful, reasonably-priced trees, but sadly, the out-of-state shipping is cost-prohibitive. Paw Friendly initially agreed to let us buy their larger beds to build our trees, but they no longer sell their beds separately. Note: If you're in the Madison, WI area, their trees are sold in several pet stores and are instantly recognizable. So, that's how we started. Being active in the Savannah Facebook groups, people always ask about my trees. We don't build trees to sell and aren't experts, although we have construction experience and appropriate tools. I'm sharing my DIY instructions from our recent build for those wanting to try one. We made these trees and some towers, and four of our cats.
WOOD. I start by finding downed trees that are interesting. Ideally, they've not been lying on the ground, so there's no rot, and the wood is dry. I use a bark stripping tool, chisel, and hammer to remove the bark. I then used a palm sander and sand by hand. I finish the wood with natural beeswax and orange paste. Other non-toxic finishes would also be acceptable. I started this build with maple branches, but most of our builds have been hickory from our Kentucky property. I try to have at least one substantial base (about 4" in diameter), typically the tallest, but not always. Note: The logs need to be heavy to balance the tree. If they don't have enough weight, they will topple.
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BEDS. You can take apart cat trees you already have and reuse parts if they're acceptable for the size of your cats. I've repurposed some beds (for the lower "steps" if they're a color match) and roped poles from the trees I already have. Most builders use screws, so finding them on the carpet is the most challenging part. We initially purchased the cat beds for most of our trees but can no longer get them from our provider. Our scoop beds are between 21 and 22 inches long. The bed on the right is one of our custom beds. The one on the left is one we took from a purchased tree for comparison. I know some people have substituted platforms for the beds, found others in their area who'll make them, or made their own. There are no right or wrong ways of doing it. (The round beds we've used are 20" in diameter, but we didn't use one on this tree.)
BASE. I typically use the pre-cut 1" x 24" (or 1" x 30" for our large/tall trees, which you must order in particular order) pine rounds you can buy from Home Depot. You could also reuse a base from a purchased tree. I put felt furniture protectors on the bottom. The weight of the branches and how you space them out make the tree stable. The base doesn't have to be weighted if you plan it correctly. I stain these and use my beeswax/orange protector on them.
LAYOUT. You need a vision before you start. I space the scoops/beds about 20" apart (less if your cats are smaller). How you arrange them is the fun part. It can be done in any manner if there's room to jump from one to the next and enough attachment points between the beds and branches for stability. This picture shows the six and eight-inch lag bolts we use to attach the base to the branches from the underside and our template board Doug holds. We start by leveling the branches so they stand on their own. Then, we place them on the template board and start playing with the layout. Once we have a couple of branches we like and an idea of where the beds will go, we drill the holes into the template board and attach the branches with lag bolts.
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The large branch is attached to the bottom template. You can see the lines on the template board tracing the circular base we use in the actual tree. This ensures we're placing the branches appropriately. The second photo shows the cuts made to accommodate the scooped bed. We use a compound miter saw. (There's a table saw behind this, so I mention the miter saw for clarification).
TEMPLATING BASE. This is a better picture of the base template. It's an old 3/4" piece of plywood. When we've adjusted the branches to their approximate position, we draw a circle around each, using some identifier to establish how they were oriented on the template. You can see the branch I removed in the lower-left corner, with the pencil drawing to the right of it will be placed. Next, drill one hole through the base on the template board for each branch/pole. Depending on their diameter, the branches/poles will be attached with one to three lag bolts. (We start with one to turn the branches and adjust them for bed positioning more easily). We use a short bench to place the pole back on the template and drill up from the bottom into the branches/poles, making pilot holes. We adjust the design by positioning the beds in place (the best you can without screws at this point). When satisfied, unscrew the lag bolts and detach the branches from the template. At this point, you have a finished template and pilot holes in your branches/poles. We then clamp the base to the template to drill the holes for the finished tree. Next, drive each lag bolt partially up through the base and set the appropriate branch/pole using the predrilled pilot holes. Countersink the lag bolts so they don't mar your floors. You should have one bolt in each of the branches at this point. This allows you to turn the branches if needed when attaching the beds.
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ROPE. I use 3/8" - 1/2" sisal or hemp rope. I order it from www.ropeandcord.com because it's cheaper in bulk. You can also buy it at Michael's or a local box store. You can use a hand or pneumatic staple gun to affix the rope. I put the rope in places they'll use for scratching and aesthetically in higher areas.
ATTACHING BEDS. I space the beds approximately 20" apart. The more points of contact, the more secure the tree. With the lower beds, I try to have a base as well as attachment points to all of the upper branches. We use 3" screws and drive them through from the bed into the branch, so no screw heads are showing. (With smaller branches, you may need shorter screws.) Use a level, or it won't look as lovely as you're hoping). In this case, we had to attach a smaller branch to one of the poles to stabilize the top bed I wanted between the branch crotch. When everything's in place and no longer turning branches, we add lag bolts where needed, attaching the larger branches/poles to the base.
DIY
Do you have a DIY project to share with your fellow readers? Let's hear it!
CAT TREE Learn more about making your own amazing cat tree!
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Ask Auntie Vannah
Q&A Ask us anything Sa"Vannah" you want to know and we'll address it in a future issue!
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Is there a subscription fee to read Savannahgans® Magazine? This e-magazine and website is a labor of love from one Savannah lover to all others. However, there are many expenses to cover. Shopping through our links (Litter-Robot, Ferris Cat Wheel, and Amazon Products) may earn a small revenue that helps with publishing and legal expenses.
There's so much great information here! How long did it take to put this issue together? This venture started in February of this year and, minus the 6-8 week COVID hiatus, finished on June 14th!
How often will Savannahgans® Magazine be published? The plan is to release issues in January, April, July, and October on the first of each month.
How will Savannahgans® Magazine be available for me to read? Please go to our website and click the top tap, "THE Magazine." The most current issue will be on top, followed by the past issues below. Since the first issue was published between seasons, I'll play "catch-up" until I get on the intended schedule.
I have a great Savannah story I'd like to share. How can I get it published here? You may submit your story idea by visiting our website and clicking the "contact" tab on the top menu.
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WATCH FOR THE SUMMER ISSUE COMING IN AUGUST!