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About Norman 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.

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Cats - Maine Coon cat

Expert: Norman Auspitz - 10/31/2009

Question

Georgie

One of my Maine Coon cats has always tried to escape our contained garden area. We have six cats and all are happy except George. he is four years old and has escaped a few times but always returned within several hours. This time he has been gone a month, no body found on local roads, leaflets printed and delivered through area along with newspaper adverts etc...hired a pet detective who felt he was close to home too or maybe being held by someone.
The latest call I received from a local man said he's with a clony of ferral cats in the local field! It's been a mild summer and I know he's a good hunter so could have survived there with "friends"...is this possible?? We're so worried and miss him very much but have done all we can to locate him.
His behaviour is totally different to our other Maine Coon, who loves to stay close and although loves to hunt in the garden is a scardy cat!! George was more adventuous always and I fear it may be his undoing. I'd very much appreciate your opinion.
Tricia

Answer
Tricia,

It sounds to me like you have done all you can do. It also sounds as if Georgie, if the cat you were called about living in the local field is, indeed, Georgie, may be much happier on his own. He is gorgeous, but cats often do choose their own way.

It is very possible Georgie will do very well in the wild. He seemed not to like being in a loving home environment for whatever reasons. Maine Coons developed the way they did to withstand the harsh summers and winters in Eastern Canada and Northeastern United States, so he may do very well.

It is hard to say what Georgie objected to in the household, but, if he has found his nitch in the wild, so be it.

Best regards... Norm.

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