AboutNorman Auspitz Expertise I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
Question I work in a pet store where a customer came in showing off her "miniature siamese" kitten. I am very konwledgable on cats and cat breeds and work closly with an oriental shorthair breeder and own one myself. My question is, is there a such thing as mini siamese cats and is this healthy for the breed? This customer also stated she plans on showing her cat in a cat show soon. My fellow employee had bred and showed cats for years and said there is no such thing. Are breeders really trying to miniaturize cats and do you think that this is morally right? I am just very curios because I had a cat(orphaned which I bottle raised) who was only four pounds full grown. Her siblings were normal sized. She died at the age of 8 due to cancer. Is there a link between this genetic mutation and cancer? sorry I have so many questions but I always felt sorry for my tiny cat and I cant imagine anyone actually purposely breeding this kind of genetic defect.
Answer Jenn,
No, there is really no such thing as a mini Siamese. Also, I agree with you that this mutation, however it may work cannot be good for the breed. I know that the Cat Fanciers' Association will never accept such a thing, although I cannot speak for any other associations.
As to links between this mutation and cancer, who knows?
Unfortunately, there are people who pursue these types of novelties with no thought to what may or may not be good for the cat!!!!!
