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Orion when he was a kitten |
Orion is the silver spotted cat and is smaller but smarter. He chases and fetches fake mice, enjoys going out on a leash, and is generally aware of what's going on at all times. He follows Richard around everywhere, more like a small dog than a cat. He sleeps between Richard's legs at night and is the more vocal of the two cats.
His brother, Rigel, is the larger tawny (butterscotch-colored) spotted cat. Rigel is a klutz -- he knocks things off desks when he jumps up; he falls off things a lot. Yet he has a wonderful sweet personality and a tiny "mew" voice that endears him to you. He gets tired easily (read he flops down a lot)... and sleeps under the covers in Gale's arms if she lets him.
The Ocicat is an amazing breed of cat. Here's what the Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc., web site http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/ocicat.html says about ocicats:
"The Ocicat is an agouti spotted cat of moderate type. Originating from interbreeding of Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair, it is the only spotted domestic breed selectively bred to emulate the cats of the wild.
"The ideal Ocicat is a large, active animal with an athletic appearance. It is very solid and well-muscled and has a short, tight coat with a satin sheen that shows off muscles and spots to their best advantage." [Our two oldest cats are brothers but are quite different in size: Orion is small, about 12 pounds; Rigel is quite a bit larger at 14+ pounds.] \
In 1964 the original Ocicat was the unexpected result of an experimental breeding which attempted to produce an Aby-point Siamese. Virginia Daly, noted CFA breeder living in Michigan, knew the possibility of getting the sought after Aby-point and was willing to invest the time she knew it would take to breed the two generations that were necessary. But the ivory kitten with golden spots was a surprise! Mrs. Daly's daughter named the breed the Ocicat, because of its resemblance to the ocelot. Tonga, the first Ocicat, was neutered and sold as a pet. When the Detroit newspaper publicized the lovely spotted cat and when noted geneticist, Dr. Clyde Keeler, expressed his desire to see a domestic cat which would mimic some of the vanishing wild species, the breeding was repeated to produce more Ocicats. Other breeders followed Mrs. Daly's recipe to develop other Ocicat lines with a broad genetic base.
"The Ocicat was recognized for CFA registration in 1966, but it took another twenty years to develop the breed and gain the support for provisional status. The Ocicat was advanced to championship status May 1987. They can now be seen at many shows, and a few Ocicats have been exported to other countries where their popularity is increasing.
"Feline enthusiasts have always been awed by the spotted cats of the wild: ocelots, margays, leopards and others. Never before was there such an effort to breed an entirely domestic cat which can offer the spotted beauty of the wild cats, while maintaining the lovely, predictable disposition of the domestic cat. With so many wild spotteds disappearing as their native habitats are destroyed and invaded, it is increasingly important that this man-made breed can satisfy people who want something 'exotic.' How sad that so many wild spotted cats have suffered abuse and destruction. Perhaps the Ocicat will do its part in preventing the poaching and importation of the endangered wild cats.
"While the Ocicat looks wild, its temperament is anything but ferocious. It is a lot like a dog in that it is absolutely devoted to its people. [We call our two animals "dats" because they are so much like dog-cats. They enjoy sitting on us (lap cats), they follow us around, and one fetches small stuffed mice we throw for him to retrieve.] The Ocicat is not a demanding, clinging-vine type, but is confident as well as dedicated to its owners. Most Ocicats are also quite extroverted around strangers, not at all bashful about checking out the possibilities for a few playmates or a lap to curl up on when visitors come to call.
"Ocicats are quite bright and easily trained. Many will fetch, walk on a leash, respond to voice commands and readily adapt to household rules. [Both cats will "speak" on command; Orion also sits and sits up on command, and we're working on "lie down" and "shake hands."] Because of their adaptability, they are a joy to work with and easily get used to traveling. Their sociable nature may make them less suited than some other breeds to being left alone for long periods of time, but it does make them a good choice for a household already blessed with other cats or dogs. [When we went to get an Ocicat as a companion for Max, we didn't intend to come home with two, but it was the best possible decision. Max subsequently passed away, and the oldest two have been great companions for each other. They still play together (even though both are neutered males) and sleep together often. If you're thinking about an Ocicat and don't have other pets, I strongly suggest you get two. You'll be glad you did.]
"Though Ocicats fill the need for the exotic, they are easy to keep and require no special care. Their diets are the same as any domestic and their short coats need only the occasional bathing and grooming. They are not prone to any particular health problem and their broad genetic background gives them vigor and vitality.
"There has been tremendous controversy about the genetics of inheritance associated with the spotted pattern. In the earlier days of the cat fancy, when life was simpler, all patterned cats were believed to display one of the three tabby patterns: ticked (Aby), mackerel (tiger striped), or classic (blotched or bull's eye). The spotted pattern of the Ocicat, at least on the better examples of the breed, is notedly different from other spotted breeds or varieties. While some believe this comes from a different gene altogether, there is no conclusive evidence and it might be that selective breeding is responsible for the Ocicat's lovely pattern.
"Ocicats come in many colors and at least all those colors associated with the three foundation breeds: tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, fawn, silver, chocolate silver, cinnamon silver, blue silver, lavender silver, and fawn silver.
"Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.
"There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Ocicat breed. For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805."
Links for More Ocicat Information:
Another article: http://www.fanciers.com/breed-faqs/ocicat-faq.html
Another article: http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/articles/ocicat.html
An Ocicat WebRing: http://www.ctc.volant.org/cats/ociring.html
Ocicat pedigrees: http://www.ocicat.f2s.com/
Breeder's referral list: http://www.breedlist.com/ocicat-breeders.html
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Ocicats