Main Sections

Ocicats: A Breed Apart & Vermont Felines

photo provided Meet “Hank”, officially called Spots O’Lots Abenaki, a Chocolate Spot Ocicat who lives with his family in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Posing for the camera, Hank seems to know that he is a rarity on the Vermont feline scene.

photo provided Bill, the Ocicat family photo ham is a chocolate silver and Simba, a chocolate silver Ocicat watch with interest their owner Gloria Warden move toward the kitchen and some treats.

photo provided While there is no wild cat DNA in the breed, the Ocicat brings to mind the power of the cats of the wild and each possesses its own unique spot pattern and color. Owner Gloria Warden feels, “ I can’t ever see myself without owning an Ocicat. They are a wonderful companions. Never a dull moment with an Oci around.”

Tuesday July 27, 2010

By Cookie Steponaitis

         Whether it is at the zoo, animal parks or from watching documentaries on wild cats, most of us have a secret passion to own or be near them. There is the majesty of the Lion; the mesmerizing speed of the Cheetah, and the stealth of a Black Panther that holds us spellbound and draw us into the world of the wild cat. When we come home at night tired and ready to unwind, we truly appreciate the welcome and nobility of their domesticated cousins who pounce at our feet, chase catnip balls playfully around the living room, or stare at us serenely from their perch in the kitchen, waiting impatiently for us to pay tribute and feed them their meal. Domesticated as they may be, they have moments when they hearken back to their larger and wild ancestors, stirring in us a chill while also providing us with a glimpse of the beauty and savagery of the wild.

         Vermonters have always had an eclectic sense of what makes the perfect pet and our homes and farms reflect our diverse passion for the unusual. Camels, miniature donkeys grazing alongside miniature horses and even exotic birds, snakes and rodents can be found in large quantities and are bred to improve the quality and preservation of the breed and bloodlines. The Ocicat is part of the unique club of diverse and wonderfully special pets.

         Ocicats look like small, wild, sleek spotted cats and resemble their wild cousins the Ocelot. They were created by mixing the domestic breeds of Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair. The typical coat is a spotted tabby, but the breed is diverse in color offerings that include tawny, cinnamon, blue, fawn, chocolate, lavender and silver.  Spending time around these magnificent cats allows you to experience the unique combination of a wild appearance and domestic harmony. Although they mostly resemble the wild Ocelot, there is actually no wild DNA in their breeding lines. When you spend time with Ferrisburgh Ocicat owner Gloria Warden, it is easy to see how these cats are steadily increasing in numbers and being purchased by proud Ocicat owners around America and the world.

     “I first started looking for a breed of cat that would fit our lifestyle when my youngest daughter was headed off to college. I was leaning toward an Abyssinian, until I was at a CFA cat show and saw an Ocicat. I started researching this fascinating breed, finding out they could be more puppy like as well as having a strong sense of independence. At that time and even now there were not any in our area. While visiting our daughter Shannon in school in Arizona we visited some Ocicat breeders. That Christmas Eve, 2001, my daughter came walking off the airplane carrying a big Santa hat, and when she was about six feet away from me this little kitten poked his head out of the hat and I started to cry. He was my first Ocicat and he was a cinnamon. We named him Ramases and to this day he was the most amazing cat I have ever owned, and a love of the breed was born.”

         In addition to raising them as pets Gloria has begun to breed and show these unusual cats. “The mother of our kittens was a national champion. We started showing the two chocolate spotted as kittens and in their first show they won their breed classes and were in the top ten kittens in the show. While our work schedules have prevented us from traveling the national circuit, we could never part with our Ocicats. Some people have doorbells and we have spotted Ocicats. Currently all our animals are neutered and we haven’t done any breeding for two years.”

         While Ocicats are still a rarity in Vermont, nationally the breed is being recognized and is growing quickly in popularity. Currently the marvelous spotted cat is found in thirty-nine states, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, England, Holland, Sweden, Italy, Africa and Thailand. Ocicat breeder F. Mercy remarked over thirty years ago, “…that humankind may have the pleasure of caressing the tiger.” The Ocicats at the Warden’s proudly posed for photos and seem to know that for the camera and the record they are unique and a growing phenomenon.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives