Meet the Ashera: A $22K kitty
By Gina Spadafori
May 30, 2007
From a media release from Lifestyle Pets:
LOS ANGELES, May 30 /PRNewswire/ — On first sight described by many as a mini-leopard, the Ashera is a new ultra-exotic breed of domestic cat that already has wealthy animal devotees paying to get on the waiting list. Developed by crossing two exotic feline bloodlines with a regular cat, the distinctive result is the Ashera, which features leopard-like spots and contrasting tiger stripes. Growing up to 30 lbs., the Ashera is believed to be the largest pet cat available today. Asheras are highly intelligent, very affectionate and have great temperaments, requiring the same care as any ordinary moggie.
Lifestyle Pets Inc., based in Wilmington, developed the Ashera by way of a proprietary blend of the exotic bloodlines of the African Serval and the Asian Leopard Cat and subsequently crossing with a domestic cat. Although other feline hybrids do exist, the Ashera is unique in that genetic monitoring is used to standardize breeding and ensure that the defining features and size of the Ashera remain exceptionally consistent.
Fully socialized, the Ashera gets along well with children and other pets, acting and playing like a regular domestic cat. Unusually for cats, the Ashera takes well to being walked on a leash.
A Beverly Hills family expecting delivery of their Ashera this summer said: “We can’t wait to welcome this amazing cat into our family. We have already seen one of the first Asheras and our children are especially excited!”
Priced at $22,000, the Ashera will be limited to less than a hundred per year, with only fifty Asheras available annually in the United States.
Earlier this year, the Hollywood glitterati got a sneak peak of the Ashera during Oscar week and a kitten was later shown on the entertainment news show “Access Hollywood.”
International clients have also shown great interest, with the first Ashera kitten for a Russian client planned for delivery to Moscow at the end of 2007.
Well … um … ah … OK …
Wait … there’s more! From the Web site: For an additional $6K, you can knockl four-six months off the standard nine to 12 month delivery date.
“Lifestyle Pets Inc., based in Wilmington, developed the Ashera by way of a proprietary blend of the exotic bloodlines of the African Serval and the Asian Leopard Cat and subsequently crossing with a domestic cat.”
a proprietary blend, eh?
well I’ve got a few of those around here. They’re of the special Brooklyn variety and their blend is so “proprietary”, I haven’t even been clued in . . .
Comment by straybaby — May 30, 2007 @ 9:44 am
Maybe people who can afford a $22,000 cat should consider also adopting several Katrina pets. I’m just sayin’.
Comment by Katherine — May 30, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Oh, yes, you are sooooo right Katherine! And just how many homeless street animals could be provided for with $22,000??? For each cat sold they should make a donation…How about the part about paying an extra $6,000 to speed up delivery. On my own it takes $200-250 to get a animal fixed and their initial check-up and shots, of course an organization would have a better price…If they donate 10% for each sale that could help about 10-11 animals. I’m just sayin’. Actually I wasn’t gonna say nothin’ but Katherine got me started…I was just gonna mark that up to all the greed we keep seeing all the time, anymore, anyway… … …
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 30, 2007 @ 10:39 am
Okay, I have seen Savannah’s (bred from Servals) and they are just as exotic as this kitty (and like to walk on a harness). This is crazy… At least they are “limited production models”. I agree that it would be nice for such a project to ask for a donation to a local shelter as part of the asking price…..something….Geez…
Comment by Amara — May 30, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Creating new “designer” pets to suit the whims of people who enjoy looking at the beautiful coats of tigers, leopards, and cheetahs and want to look at them in the comfort of their own homes bothers me. As an alternative to wearing real fur, it at least doesn’t require the death of wild animals — but I’m not convinced that the inter-breeding of wild and domestic animals is good for the resulting hybrid animals. I love looking at tigers, lions, cheetahs, etc., but I hate seeing them locked up in unnatural habitats. Dogs have been domesticated much longer than cats, and my “house” cats are still capable of showing their wild instincts. I am not convinced it is fair to create a new animal that may feel many wild instincts and then force it to live in a house, even a very expensive one. As has been mentioned already, $22,000 could help rescue a lot of cats in need. People are free to do what they want with their money, but I wish people would think more about the consequences of their behavior, and think more about all the shelter/stray cats that need homes and feral cats that need medical care (s/n, shots, etc.)
Comment by Shadepuppy — May 30, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Wow, that is one expensive kitten. Wonder if vets would be a little nervous when treating such an expensive critter.Their Pet parent would have plenty of money to make their lives miserable if something would go wrong.
Comment by Serijna — May 30, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Sounds like they are basically a cross between a Savannah and a Bengal. I admit I like the exotic look but I’ll stick with a Bengal from a reputable breeder.
Comment by Brandi — May 30, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
The middle of this article has some info on the company and cat’s simalarities to an already recognised breed of Savannah.
http://tinyurl.com/22a3po
Comment by Rose — May 30, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
This is ridiculous and sad.
Comment by Tammy — May 30, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
What a joke!
And foolish people may just purchase one of these “designer” cats.
But, guess what?! They already exist without any waiting list and without a $22k price tag!
According to the international cat association “(TICA)”, the world’s largest genetic registry of pedigreed cats, any descendant of a Serval is a Savannah Cat.
And, if you Google Savannah Cat, you will find more than 140 breeders of cats that have the exact same genetic makeup of this so-called new breed.
Good grief!
Comment by S.Clark — May 30, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
As far as I have heard this is a scam. the person who is so-called breeding this animal is looking for someone to invest in this venture with them. I breed bengals, and i have a chausie [Jungle cat hybred], and My friend has a Serval. this cat looks no different than they do. It looks like a savannah. I emailed the person and said i was very interested, We’ll see if i get an answer. I don’t think so.
And with that kind of money there are millions of animals looking for good homes???
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 30, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
My 10lb Tabby cat mini the mouch was leash trained.. together we hitched thru 5 states.
( years ago) she was remarkable, and is missed.
this 30lb cat sounds like a clever con job.
if it’s real the animals will probably have
all manner of health/genetic troubles..
i feel sorry for the animals, this guy is a
puke and ought to be locked up? im sure they’r
laws that set a size for domestic animals.
if not it’s time for ‘em.
Comment by johnypaycut — May 30, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
There are laws coming coming out all the time about wild and hybred cats. So people shouldn’t still be trying for more. I do think it’s a con job.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 30, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
robo-cat with blood
Comment by Kat — May 30, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
This website is a joke right?
Comment by Great Dane Addict — May 30, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Well, if the recall and Menu had been a bit slower (sarcasm fully intended) I could have spent 22 grand easy and still ended up with 3 pets taking dirt naps!
One can only hope that a cat that costs that much is kept indoors and hand fed safe food, if there IS any safe food.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 30, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
does this thing breed true?
likely: no.
Is this thing going to have ibs and crap diareah all over the place?
Is this going to hunt and try to kill anything, including small dogs and babies?
….
Comment by A1 — May 31, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
One could get a serval and a leopard cat for less than 22K for both of them. But, you may need a permit. You may need a permit for this kitty, as well.
I read somewhere that these people were the same con artists who were trying to breed an expensive non-allergenic cat (forgetting that there already *is* a breed of cat that is less allergenic already. Siberian, I think.)
Your curtains will never be the same, however.
If anyone reading out there wants a gigantic cat, there are two I can think of off the top of my head at the Oakland SPCA. You’ll only be out 150 bucks, but I make no guarantees about your curtains.
Comment by Elaine — June 1, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
The company is also called Allerca,, and they are also in the business of cats said to be less allergenic. In addition to the link to a story in comments above, here’s an interesting blog post on their other cats.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 1, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
Very discouraging to read. The most beautiful cat in the world arrived on our doorstep one winter after many difficult winters living as a neutered and discarded ferrel cat. With winter’s challenges, he came closer and became friends. Now he is family. He is smart, irritable, lovable and amazing. He was even better and smarter before Iams poisoned him with their toxic products. We feel so lucky he survived all this.
These miracle breeds design in the weaker characteristics, not those strengths that made our cat so special.
You will find a much more satisfactory pet and a lifetime friend at the shelter; just attend to needs with love and comfort.
I hope no one shops these kitten mills.
Comment by Larry — June 1, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
————————————————————————————————————————
I am a breeder of the REAL Ashera…the ashera that you see is nothing more then an extremly over priced Savannah. A savannah is a cross between a african serval and a domestic house cat. These cats are sometimes bred with a cat called a Bengal which is part asianic lepord cat. There is nothing speacial to this cat and it is not new the TICA has been registering this cat since 2000.
Comment by matt waits — June 5, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
So you shell out $22k for this cat. But can you afford the veterinary care for it? I’ll be a vet in less than a year and nothing saddens me more than seeing good people who want to provide good veterinary care for their pets but can’t afford it. And it pisses me off that people who come in all decked out in jewelry, driving expensive cars gripe about their bill if it exceeds more than $100!
Comment by Bernie — August 29, 2007 @ 9:12 am
These animals should NOT be in captivity. For studies on post traumatic stress problems in captive animals AND humans exposed to great stress, visit http://www.elephants.com Click on the gold heart on the home page to learn a lot.
Comment by Petey — November 23, 2007 @ 10:12 am