I think anybody who adopts a domestic kitten (or cat!) has a wild-enough little buddy in their house. Just play and you'll see the wild come out! Thanks for this thoughtful, balanced opinion video Jackson!
This is mostly for people who are planning on getting a hybrid, id just like to add that domestic cats cant really be compared to hybrids in that regard, its not the same and you shouldn't expect it to be the same. Don't think that just because you do great with domestic cats that you will be fine with a Bengal or Savannah. They are an insane amount of work (like second job level) and they often don't behave/react the way you would expect a cat to behave (for example my Bengal has completely different body language). Do your research and make for damn sure you are able to take great care of them (also id suggest waiting/looking for any that need to be re-homed/rescued, there is more than you would think), there are already far too many neglected hybrids.
My current foster kitten (and the others I've fostered in the past) can confirm this! If not for my sweet adult girl, Macchiato, I'd have a lot more play biting and claw marks all over my feet from them wanting to play with me when I'm working.
I helped care for an F2 Savannah named Bobby Joe for several years. He had very serious allergies because the local climate was so very different from what his species would normally live in. He had issues with his lungs, coat and eyes. His owner was a vet student who adopted him when a client who brought him into a clinic she was an intern at surrendered him rather than pay the vet bills related to his condition. Working with Bobby Joe gave me a visceral understanding of just how unfair these cats lives are. They are more often than not burdened with medical or behavioral issues related to their ancestry and those who buy them are usually unprepared to do what is necessary to help them work through those issues.
every cat i have owned (and i have a more then a few) have had some kinda allergies from very serious to mild. I never thought about the climate, i always thought it was our shitty packaged food. I remember seeing a Dodo video where someone adopted a chipmunk and feed it fruit and nuts and it had horrible allergies too, no one seems to notice it or comment. people in general are pretty uneducated.
@@devotae It probably had something to do with the food too. With Bobby Joe it was the climate because he was a Savannah, meant to live in a hot dry place but the weather where he lived tended more towards cold and wet especially in the winter.
@@devotae my cat has allergies that are definitely seasonal, not food based. We moved from the very hot and humid southeast to the much dryer and colder midwest (in America) and they now only bother her when it's hot outside and we've gotten a lot of rain. So heat and humidity (and probably some of the plants that like those conditions) are clearly what affect her. She gets insane dandruff, will scratch her ears bloody, and her eyes get really irritated and runny. Humidity seems to be the real enemy, but it also needs heat. It used to be almost constantly when we lived back in the southeast, same with our late dog, but once we moved further north, both of their allergies got so much better. So did my husband's actually (I'm lucky, allergies aren't an issue for me, I tend to have sinus issues instead)
My mother was telling me about a radio host she listens to who is recently a first time cat owner. He got savannah cats as his first ever pet cat! And now he claims that getting cats was a mistake and that no one should get them. Drives me insane really.
Cats are pretty docile & they always come home if allowed outdoors. Cats have been domesticated for a very long time. It's not something you compare to a wild animal. I even tamed street cats & they never scratch me. I remember a couple who had a Savanna cat that escaped & the cat was found many kilometers away from home, because it's a larger species & has a larger territory than a domestic cat. You can't really compare a wild creature with thousands of years of domestication.
@@lagopusvulpuz1571 well, I would like to point out that outdoor cats do not always come home, which is a big reason to keep your cats indoors. But yeah, they are not the same animals in any way
I think a normal domestic cat is quite wild enough for most of us. My uncle actually said that he thought one of the good things about pet cats was that they kept us in touch with the wild. He was talking about little domestic shorthairs like Muffy and Sylvester, not the current crop of exotic hybrids….
Also a lot of cats in the UK are inside/outside. Having a Savannah or Bengal free roaming could be a massive issue to the local wildlife or other pets. UK houses on average are a lot smaller than the US as well, I can't imagine keeping wild hybrids without some sort of issues like that.
I’m a believer in the rescue of the many domestic cats who are already here and desperate for good homes. Six weeks ago I adopted my first ever cat, a little girl who is a domestic shorthair. She’s a delightful companion and I already love her dearly. On the other hand, my neighbor purchased a beautiful but quite expensive purebred male kitten. Yesterday she offered me some expensive toys for my kitten, explaining that her cat cannot play with these toys because she recently had him DECLAWED. I’m sure my face reflected my horror because she hurried to explain that the surgery was done by an accomplished veterinarian who uses lasers which causes less bleeding. Her reason for taking this action is that she scratches and bleeds easily and her pet must fit into her lifestyle. I’m not convinced. I believe this is a cruel and possibly immoral practice.
Yea thats so messed up!! I have a selkirk rex and I trim his nails once every 3 weeks. I’ve been trimming his nails since he was 3 months old. He tolerates it and I give him kibble afterwards. I have a cat tree he loves with scratching posts. He has never ruined my furniture. Owners don’t need to resort to declawing!
Congratulations on adopting your first cat! Shame that your neighbor is such an uncaring and ignorant individual. Hopefully we will continue the trend of making declawing illegal.
Can't believe declawing is still done these days. There are claw caps for people who have issues with scratches. Omg. I feel extremely bad for the cat.
We’ve got a savannah cat at our house. My housemate rescued her (no payment involved) from a breeder who neglected her due to her lacking outward savannah traits. She was the runt, and is still only about nine or ten pounds. She’s only four years old and riddled with arthritis, and she’s clumsy and constantly injuring herself just by running and jumping. Fortunately, she’s very sweet, if a little skittish. But poor kitty… she’s got a body that will hurt for the rest of her life. These breeders will always create rejects like her, undesirable kittens whose genetics work against them, who in the best case scenario end up in a loving home but struggle with their health forever. It’s an appalling practice.
Unfortunately that's with many domestic breeds too. Interbreeding cats/dogs, or breeding short face animals result in genetic side effects. That's why you see stuff like golden retrievers with arthritis, heart problem & cancer prone, cocker spaniel or toy poodles with tremor or seizures, or flat faced cats prone to asthma as few examples.
@@LiMakingwtf??? That's what you got out of her comment? The point is that these animals aren't similar enough to always come out as what is considered "desirable" It is almost like a human being forced to mate with another primate. Do you think that is disgusting? Well, that's what we are doing to these cats. Its AWFUL!
@@LiMaking You know, actually that is not a bad idea. She looks just like your average tiny black housecat, if a little more angular and muscular, so she's always just been treated as such. We get her the best dry and wet food we can find, but maybe she would benefit from adding raw food into her diet. Her troubles are due to her hybrid genetics and not her diet, but if there's any way we can help her be in less pain we'll try it.
Haven’t finished the video but everyone sharing stories about wanting a specific breed and getting something unexpectedly better so here’s mine: my dad is allergic to cats and although I don’t live with him anymore I would like him to be somewhat comfy when he visits. I got really lucky finding a blue Russian from a hoarding situation but he has lots of trauma and as a result only lets my mother touch him. He’s a sweetly but definitely her cat, not mine. I’ve been wanting a cat for awhile and have been really interested in Siamese cats for a long while too. I found some on pet finder and told myself whenever I’m ready I’d probably go on there to find my new baby. I kept waiting cause it never felt like the right time and then this little stray started lingering around my neighborhood. I fed her every night at the same time and she started getting to my house a little early and would watch me prepare her food through the window. I’d sit out there as she ate and slowly moved the bowl closer till she let me get close enough to pet. As they say, she “took a pet no problem” and soon after that I took her in, did stray hold, she was chipped but her owners didn’t respond, her name is prudence and she’s the biggest sweetie pie. She’s always making biscuits to pay me back even though I’ve told her she owes me nothing in return. She’s my dads allergy nightmare but I have no regrets. I know he’ll understand when he eventually meets her. For those curious, she’s a long haired tuxedo with very very green eyes. She feels like silk, by far the softest cat I’ve ever felt.
The first time I saw a Bengal cat I just wanted one, the pattern was just too pretty. I didn't even know it was a hybrid. So I started to do research on them, and found out, but I mean so many people do have them, so what's wrong with being a hybrid. Then I came across your video and I was like okay so these cats are just wild... So I made a promise to myself that I will actually not buy any cat, and I will let cat find me. I believed one day, this one cat will just appear in my yard, and wanted shelter.... Then a chihuahua found me. That's the story of how I wanted a bengal cat, but got a chihuahua.
Haha, I think I only found out last year or the year before. Thought they were like a Persian or British cat. Grew up around basic black cats (most often donated to my family) and now love an adopted turtoise cat.
Aaaaww i have a chihuahua too lol in fact hes passed out on me right now lol originally i thought I wanted a bigger dog being a single women but i could NOT be happier hes my best friend and he goes everywhere with me...the universe gives you exactly what you need even when you dont:)
There was a time about 16 years ago when I desperately wanted a Bengal. I lived in a small town so no breeders were in my area so I posted an ad asking to buy one and I got a reply from a lady who said she had some kittens that looked Bengal for free. So I met her to meet the kittens and I found a box full of tabby kittens who looked nothing like Bengals but I took one home anyway and fell in love with her and had her for 16 years until she passed. Turns out I didn't need that Bengal after all. They are very pretty but a plain little rescue kitten is a much better choice and there are a lot of them out there who need homes. I do worry that a ban could have dangerous consequences for the cats who are currently being exploited and I hope if there is a ban put into place that the agencies responsible will take steps to insure the safety of those cats. Who knows what an unethical breeder might do to them once they aren't able to use them as a meal ticket.
@@школаоригами-у5о I'm not against the ban, I just hope someone will protect the cats who are being exploited once they have no value to these people who breed them.
@школа оригами Their concerns is more that many breed bans tend to accidentally cause similar damage to what they're supposed to prevent. Think of the "Bull breed bans" that have lead to officers taking dogs that aren't anywhere near being a banned breed, that don't have any behavior issues, and have even been trained as service animals to some capacity just because they "looked like a bulldog" to the officer. They aren't saying there shouldn't be a ban. They are saying that whatever ban there is needs to be built in a way it isn't going to cause unconsidered harm to existing animals.
Unfortunately, the whole concept of breeding for aesthetic reasons is a huge problem for both cats and dogs. I have a rescue Bengal, who nobody wanted from the litter because she was a runt and "not as cute" as the other kittens. I love my little troublemaker to death, and we can't see our lives without her, but at the same time, there are so many strays that need homes and people are paying hundreds to sometimes thousands for a living creature that is more of an accessory than a new member of the family.
@@sims41ife35 Those kind of people sicken me. My cat is my baby, not my "accessory". I don't "own" her, I *love* her. I'm her mother and will anything to make sure she is safe, happy, and always feels loved.
You do realize that some people just like the breed and temperament of the breed, right? Selecting a breed is all about containing random variation. If you're looking for a roommate, you won't just pick the first person that knocks on your door. You'll likely talk to them, see their history, ask for their employment, their family situation, their likes, their dislikes etc. If you adopt a random kitten, its temperament, its likes, its dislikes, its activity level, are all random. You may get a cat that's super energetic, or you may get a cat that likes to sleep 22 hours a day. Both are fine but some people want one thing and not the other (perhaps they don't have enough time to deal with an energetic cat or they want an energetic cat to bring some chaos in their lives). You shouldn't be shaming people for wanting to own a specific breed. Obviously, the whole F1 issue is a separate story. There's no reason why you should want an F1, but breeds in general are fine.
@@XxzephyrusxX1 I understand having preference, but considering the large overpopulation issue that we have, I think people need their priorities in check. You can always adopt cats based on temperament. When it comes to breeding, it wouldn't be an issue if so many animals weren't being put down because people prefer to buy them from breeders. Those same cats would otherwise be in a perfectly suited home, but unfortunately, they were born the wrong breed.
My friend woke up one morning to find a kitten under her tire that she managed to pay attention to just in time. Apparently, a local (illegal) breeder's breeding female had escaped and gotten pregnant. The breeder waited to see what the litter would look like then decided the offspring wouldn't get anything for him, so he decided on this method of disposal. That's how my friend got a Bengal kitten. I do hope that registration will help cut down on such breeders in the future, and that it includes harsh penalties for those who breed illegally and unethically.
Ugh. They place a cad under someones tires to run over? And they are still walking around town (as in not in prison, where they belong)? Apart from animal cruelty, that is (psychological) assault on the humans that could have run over the cat.
My 3 domestic cats have plenty of personality and “wild cat” behaviors. I feel sad about the wild cats that are in breeding captivity. I hope people listen to your wise words. Thank you for all you do!
Agreed, my 3 cats, especially my boy, can be pretty wild when they want to be. But then, when they want to be, they can be little snugglebugs. They have domesticated me not the other way around and I wouldn't have it any other way, even when I wake up to a mouse carcass outside my bedroom door.
in NZ our PM jacinder Arden is talking about having people register their cats just like dogs ,they say it's because of conservation efforts but it's just another tax on the working classes and revenue gathering for her bullshit woke courses
I've always been a dog person, until I adopted two stray cats, a year apart from each other. Now both have 7 years old, and are the light of my life. To me, they are both beautiful and perfect and have nothing to envy to any breed. A lot of influencers buy these cats just for looks when they could easily rescue a cat and give a great example to all their followers.
I agree with your idea about the influencers and pets. Imagine if an influencer with over 50,000 followers (better if in the 500,000+ range) did a video or series about adopting a pet? Especially older ones? People move and can't take their pets or die and have no one to take them. The lucky ones end up in a no-kill shelter. What about the towns that still have a Pound? Certain amount of weeks to work their charm and then they're dead. Could be the sweetest, best house trained animal and they're gone, spending their last days in prison. Or worse, no one cares and they end up on the street, having to figure out how to eat and stay sheltered. It's heart breaking. One act of kindness from someone who has listeners could change that, maybe thousands of times.
A former boss of mine purchased two Savannah cats (an F2 and a F6, if I recall correctly?) with the intention of breeding them for money. He brought them to the office on a regular basis and let them roam around. The F2, a female who cost almost as much as my yearly salary, ended up being shy, but a total sweetheart. The male F6 was really friendly as a kitten, but after reaching maturity he was scary. He'd still be friendly, but sometimes it was like a switch flipped and he'd become aggressive, hissing and growling and coming towards you. It always came out of nowhere. He also sprayed everywhere and made the place stink. People who buy animals just for how they look or to make money off of them have no business owning animals. Those kind of people also seem to never do research on the needs or behavior of the pets they're buying. They don't research how abusive the industries churning out exotic and special breed pets are. It really disturbs me just how little these people actually care about the well-being of the animals involved.
That's so sad. Those poor cats. Yeah, people who profit off of animals are not good folks in my eyes. Even if you supposedly "love" the breed, you're still doing something cruel to them by breeding hybrids and subjecting them to a lifetime of frustration and suffering because they shouldn't be kept in captivity with humans. So very sad how the animals always suffer in these scenarios.
Not saying my cat is any type of hybrid, but I suspect he's several generations of feral/street cat (he's at least 3 generations back of being born on the street). He's a DSH, but his markings are distinctive, he has a very long tail and high back legs. He has a very high prey drive and incredible energy. He also has a temper that goes off in an instant and he is very territorial/aggressive with other animals and people. Point being is that I think that he has a long enough lineage or heritage as being feral/street cat that he's lost some of the docile traits people purposely bred into cats. Cats are wild enough as is. We don't need to breed wild animals into domestic cat lines. As it is, people have a hard enough time understanding cat behavior and how to properly care for them.
My male Maine coon is a cutie pie, I can’t count the times people told me not to spay him because I could get money from breeding. Everyone of those people where surprise seeing my hard no, completely ignoring how much work is to take care of that kind of situations. I really can’t understand how people think about money before well being of a breathing creature 🙄
You are trippin. I have both Savannah Cats and regular domestic tabby cats and let me tell you. My regular cat is more aggressive towards people she has bit my friends scratched them and destroyed alot of my furniture. My Savannahs just run around but don't hurt my guests or destroy my things. It's all about the character of the cat not the breed.
Back in 2006, I really wanted a Savannah cat, but that's just because I was a kid who didn't know any better. 😅 I am much happier with my found/adopted Siamese boys.
@sparkymularkey6970 - And they don't look that way from a breeding program, either. There was a naturally occurring mutation in the fairly isolated country of Siam that spread though the population.
My opinion on this has changed a lot. I used to be a supporter of responsible hybrid breeding with good, responsible breeders. I'm not anymore. I have an F2 Savannah cat, and he is my world. He's the sweetest cat I've ever owned and he's very social and happy. HOWEVER. I've begun to see more so the pain of Servals being in captivity. And my Savannah boy, sweet as he is, is not a cat I would recommend for just anyone. He requires lots of attention and cleaning up after. He pees everywhere. And when he gets sick, he's not very calm about vet visits. My normal, rescue cats are wonderful and much easier to care for. I think it's time to make the hybrid market less of a thing and focus on what we have
I totally agree with you. My son has 2 Bengals and even he got so frazzled he thought about giving his boy cat away, thinking some one with a bigger house would be better for him. I told him he has to fix any of the problem behaviours to make rehoming somewhat viable.Son ended up working from home and the cats are fine now. Being wild cats, intelligent and more highly strung it takes being owned by a responsive owner, a few play sessions a day and someone who is home for most of the day. My son, his child and these bengals are a very happy loving family. Yet realistically how many people have the money for their vet visits, special vet foods, have a well paying IT career where they can insist on working from home 95% of the time.Or are motivated to work out any of the cats problems and solve them? Has son who is the same. Plus he is fit enough to keep up with the cats activities and rescue them from danger or escaping.
Exactly, so glad this debate is going on here in the UK. Particularly, after the first Covid wave, many people were purchasing cats and unfortunately irresponsible breeding has increased. Poor cats are caught up in the middle of a lot of greed and very little thought of the consequences.
It's the aiding the illegal traders that tipped it for me, too. Never thought of where the wild sperm or eggs were coming from. Our pair of males had died and when we were missing cat presence, my boyfriend was enthralled with Savannahs. The same man who grumbles at having to do the AM feeding wanted a cat that needs sooooo much maintenance and space. We have a small house. Thankfully, you Jackson, had just done the episode with the Savannahs & I made sure he actually watched it, not play a game and give the show a glance once and a while. We both learned a lot and he decided a Savannah was a pack of trouble we didn't need. We still got wild cats, in the form of adopted feral kittens who've grown to be happy indoor cats who sometimes harken back to their kitten days. We talk them down and they say it was fun but prefer being the gentle cats who get loved.
I got a rare exotic breed of cat called a shelteris catus. A beaitiful yet menacing breed of cat that eats lots of food, sleeps most of the day, and curls up beside me whenever I am around. Truly a arvelous creature.
My brother was crazy about Bengals. Very crazy wild cats. One of them died of stress from having to move homes and live with other cats. The other died of a virus the local cat population had. The surviving one was given for adoption and my mom took it in. He is doing great and is a sweet guy, but is nothing like a domestic cat. I'm all in for hybrids being banned. They are indeed beautiful, but we must stop owning pets for superficial reasons.
I'm on team "if you want a hybrid, go to the local shelter and adopt the biggest, lankiest, leggiest, big-steppy-est brown tabby they have, make a $20,000 donation, name it Savannah, and then just tell people you spent $20,000 on your F-whatever "Savannah" cat"
ahaha so true ! And true for every other breed, too ; I got a few strays around my home that could legit pass for Egyptians Mau, and one who definitely looked like a Siberian one.
Gonna be honest: Only reason I'd even consider wanting such a hybrid is... they're much larger. Domestic cats are beautiful but so tiny, why can't we have cats at least the size of a pitbull if not a german shepherd?! Then again I've seen videos of larger than usual tame cats, super rare though.
What about Maine Coons? No where near as large as pitbulls, but they are very large cats. I'm sure a rescue near enough to you will eventually have one.
THANK YOU JACKSON! You always impress and amaze me - 2017 I was in India trying to find an ashram - I ended up in this village in Northern India on the banks of the Ganges - never found the ashram did find a 4 month old kitten crawling in the dirt eating cookie crumbs while two large dogs were in the most frightening stand off with each other growling and salivating ever closer to this destperate little kitten. I decided to pick up the skeletal kitten take it to a vet, get it fed healthy, neutered and return it to the village. The kitten turned out to be blind and have a weakness in his back knees from the lack of protein in his diet. The kitten turned out to be extremely determined, fiesty, fierce and as he grew became more and more like the shape of a Bengal - extremely lean and muscular. He is exactly why I agree with you regarding wild cats - this boy was wild not a domestic or feral cat and only because he is blind and I found him at a young enough age was it possible for him to become a domestic cat - but he is hard work - 2 hour long walks everyday often 3 walks and playtime are absolutley necessary for him to be calm and happy. He cannot stand to be left alone ever- he gets very depressed if he's left alone more than a couple of hours while he is sleeping. - he cries and howls so louds when you don't get ready to get him out the door for his walks fast enough - he is adorable, loving and full of character but he is lucky that his family can work from home and give him all the time and attention he requires - I feel so sad that that these F1 are abandoned because people didnt realise what a job it would be - I didn't realise what a job it would be! I just rescued a starving a kitten and now he runs my/our lives haha! But the trajedy is the captured wild animals used for mating too as you say - their mother will most likely have been shot and the cubs/kittens grabbed from their dead mother's side -- then kept captive in a cage and forced to breed with the wrong species - it's sickening really isn't it? how can we continue to be so cruel? and really is it as much as 1 million cats killed in America every year! I am devastated to hear this news it's appalling - thank you Jackson for this video as always and love and light to you to you and yours too
Thankyou for saving a kitten in need! Even domestic cats long to socialize and play around outside so consider it abuse if an owner forces a cat with an active personality to stay inside all the time. Not all cats like to laze around alone, although it's certainly convenient to believe that all cats are like that.
11,000 kids go missing every year in the US, never to be seen from again. There are some cruel people out there and their cruelty isn't just saved for cats (and dogs).
@@jessechristian8665 There are surprisingly large number of cruel people, and that's an appalling number of children I can hardly take it in? Really? We are all just so self absorbed with our lives, are own careers and our own children to care enough to be giving enough and active enough to really make change happen - it's very overwhelming and where to start? I started with a kitten as I am long term chronic ill ( over 10 years now ) and a couple of rescue cats is about all I can manage. It's my belief that every all of us need to take a year off from our lives 2-3 times over our life times and just donate our time, love and energy and money to the people and communities around the world who don't have -
I agree with this 100%. I wanted a Bengal, and then a Savannah, and started following rescues. These poor cats are being re-homed (or worse) because their owners aren’t prepared to raise a wild animal. It’s so heartbreaking. These cats then are supposed to be adopted with established behavioral issues at no fault of their own. They are gorgeous animals, but we instead adopted from a local rescue and they’re wonderful pets. We have to consider the welfare of the animals above all. 🐾❤🐈
I tried to report a backyard breeder when he called the vet clinic I was working in to ask if there were any vets that would take out the teeth of his serval because it kept killing the domestic cats. Unfortunately I was too flabbergasted to try and coax his information out of him so there was nothing the investigators could go on. Major regret on my part.
@@yvonnesanders4308 This is not about indoor/outdoor cats. And a serval is not a regular cat, it's a wild and exotic animal not meant to be owned. This person was not letting their serval out and it returned with dead domestic cats, no, this person was forcefully trying to make that serval breed with the domestic cats to create savannah cats because they sell for a ton as stated in the video, however, the serval had none of it and saw the smaller felines as prey items.
That is... sad. I admittedly also underestimate the difference between being wild versus domestic: They can be pretty significant. I like the idea of such cats living alongside people as well, but if it's harmful to either them or other creatures... not okay of course, dunno what to say.
I used to have a bengal. (My ex has him now.) We got him because I loved the look and my ex wanted a big personality with dog-like traits and wild traits. I think he underestimated the amount of work and patience that takes. But we both adored this cat. After watching this video, I totally agree with the ban on F1s. And after volunteering at a shelter, I'll never shop again.
I got a part silver Bengal for free. Someone tossed a litter on the highway. My guess is probably a mill breeder had an accidental half stray batch too watered down to sell.
If you want dog-like traits in an animal, isn't it more logical to get a dog to begin with? Not expect a different species to act like a dog for your benefit?
I hope to do both. Get my Bengal and a shelter cat. I love orange tabby and I love Bengals. I don't want a low energy cat. I need something I can train and play with daily.
The last time I went to a pet shop (because the shelter wouldn't get back to my husband and I), the cat got mean and left. Towards the end, he wouldn't even let my father in law touch him. Now, only adoption. My husband put the kibosh on a second cat, unfortunately.
I totally agree with you Jackson! I was infatuated with the Savanah years ago and really wanted one. Thankfully I couldn't afford the price tag (sticker shock!) So off I went to my local rescue and adopted a beautiful long-haired tuxedo male kitten and his equally gorgeous sister, a black long-haired beauty. They were found on the side of the road along with their momma who had recently given birth to them. They were the sweetest things. I had the male Avery, for 10 years. I lost him to a lung tumor much too soon. I still have Addison his sister, she just turned 16. I also have a 14 yr old half siamese from the same rescue and she is my furry support baby. Adopt don't Shop!!!
Thanks Donna SO much! I've seen a few videos of long haired blonde women being fancy with their Savannah's. I didn't think or know it was wrong. Now I understand! Thanks to this video, I do! I'm so glad you fell in love with the right guy (and gal!) 😻🥰
Thank you for sharing about Avery and Addison - they both sound beautiful, and I'm sorry you lost your boy too soon. I can understand the appeal of having one of these cats that seem wilder and more exotic, but even in domestic cats, you get some of that wildness. I just got my first cats, a litter of three kittens that were born to a feral mom on my property, and they are wild enough for me. It feels like living with little lions. lol.
I wonder what are the adoption rules in your country. Once tried to adopt a cat (in Ukraine). But it appeared to be an unrealistic process because adoption centers had some ridiculous rules. Some don't let you adopt a cat if you have small children. Some don't let you adopt a cat if you are from another city, as they want to visit you regularly to check how it is going. And it is nowadays, when video calls are available for free. Some adoption contracts have a point that they can withdraw a cat without explanation if they don't like something. This opens ways for blackmail. The majority of adoption centers require cat protection on all windows, no matter if you ever open a window or not. This is so frustrating 😞 Many cats can't be adopted because of these over-protective requirements. So we ended up buying a cat. No restrictions about small children, not forced to net all your windows, and no privacy issues.
I would also like to know what your take is on munchkin cats, where people actively breed cats with known medical issues, just because they think they look "cute". I consider it animal cruelty. A couple of monts ago, Norway issued a ban on certain flat-faced dog breeds. I hope this trend continues around the world...
Yes, I would love to see more banning of breeds with know health issues that often need surgery to correct, such as pugs and frenchies. Or at least more regulations on HOW they can breed their conformation so that they're breeding for health and not just looks. I don't care how cute something is, if it needs surgery just to breathe that's a massive problem.
if you are interested in my personal thoughts then that's what I think about flat-faced pets Are they cute? Yes, absolutely. Is it animal cruelty? Yes. Do I want a worldwide ban on flat-faced pets? Also yes.
We had an English bulldog when I was growing up. I loved that dog dearly. He was like another sibling to my sister and I and was a comfort through some really difficult times of my life. So when my mother called me at college to tell me that he had died at eight years old of sleep apnea, I was absolutely devastated. Sleep apnea is a problem with interrupted breathing during sleep. It's an incredibly common problem with flat-faced dogs like bulldogs and pugs. So he just went to sleep one night, stopped breathing, and never woke up. This was an eight year old dog whose only other health problem was a mild grass allergy. And part of the reason bulldog puppies are so expensive is that they have to be born by c-section. We could only afford him because he came from a breeder who bred show dogs and he had what's called "long bone disease." Which isn't really a disease. It means his legs were too long, his back legs were slightly bowed, and he was too narrow through the shoulders to meet breed standards. He could not be a show dog, and we had to sign a contract saying we would get him neutered (which we did, of course) so he couldn't pass that on. But puppies have to be born via c-section, because they're so broad through the shoulders and so narrow through the hips that the female dog's pelvis just is not wide enough for them to be born normally. And there are all sorts of rules with them. They cannot be subject to any sort of extremes of temperature, as they cannot compensate and it could kill them. (And I mean the sorts of extremes your average herding dog might expect to endure.) You cannot over-exercise them because it can kill them. There are just all these things these dogs cannot do because of the way they're bred to look. And it's all for the look. They were bred for bullfighting, which they aren't used for anymore, thankfully, and they've bred all the ferocity out of them. But they used to be very athletic dogs. Like I said, I adored this dog. He was the absolute sweeted dog ever. Super friendly, loved kids - like legit loved kids, he'd still be wagging his butt and licking them even as they were messing with his wrinkles and jowls, he knew to be gentle with them, he was super patient with them - and he was just all around a great dog. But I don't think dogs should be bred like he was, because that was ultimately what killed him. There are breeders breeding a reconstructionist breed they're calling an Olde English Bulldogge. (I'm not sure if they've dropped that last -ge or not, I've seen it both ways.) And that I can get behind. They're trying to breed them so that their shoulders are a bit narrower, their hips are a bit wider, their legs are a bit longer, and they actually have a snout. It's still not a long snout, but it's enough of a snout to prevent what happened to our bulldog. Basically keeping the personality, but breeding back in some of the athleticism and general dogginess. And that I can get behind, because it doesn't leave them with a ton of medical risks simply because humans think they look good that way.
There are so many RUclips videos on these cats and I Dislike everyone I see. I don’t and never will support silly people wanting something that is cute. Then they can’t be bothered and go onto something else.
Thank you, Jackson. The first time I heard about a bengal cat, I was appalled that people would crossbreed domestic and wild cats, mostly, I think, because they like the richness of the fur of the F1 result. This is the same society that allows declawing because cats can damage the furniture. The contradictory behaviors of human beings can have awful effects on animals. I appreciate so much that you explained your thinking step by step to your final conclusion.
I have a rescue bengal, and I agree with the ban. I love her to death, but people dont know what their needs are, she came with a pile of behavioral issues and took alot of patience and work. She requires 4-5 hours a day of walks and play to keep her happy. Im sure a high percentage of these rich people buying these dont know what they are getting into (i underestimated it, honestly, and I knew), and there are alot of neglected cats.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Honestly, I think that people like the idea of "owning" a wild cat, so they don't care if it's the best situation for the animal or not. I'm glad your cat has you because you sound like a very loving owner, but that has to be exhausting meeting all of her energy requirements. I already feel like my own two domestic kitties don't get enough play; I can't imagine meeting the energy needs of a hybrid.
Yeah, my greatest regret of the pandemic is that I got long covid and can't play with my rescue Bengal enough anymore. Poor thing is so droopy when we can't play, and I feel so so bad for her, and I just don't have the energy in my body anymore. Being a disabled parent is hard.
@@ladycaticorn2950 I did too, when I saw a woman walking a cheetah down the street. I outgrew the urge. Having four domestic cats (two little panthers, a calco and a tuxedo) is the closest I will get to having a "wild cat" in my home. 🙂
I have a different take on bengals: -they’re hypoallergenic and one of the few (if not the only) short-haired vs Fucked Up Fur Genetics (like sphinx and rexes) or Long-Haired (like angoras and ragdolls) -ANY rescued animal is going to have temperament issues -there are plenty of dog breeds that are “higher energy” than others and thus needing more specific care and diets -bengals can reproduce. They don’t have to be produced by crossing a domestic cat with an asiatic wild cat -MANY cats are “high prey” and cannot be conditioned to households with prey-animals. Likewise MANY dogs are the exact same way-even small dogs, but especially larger dogs to smaller dogs. -Quite frankly the Traditional Method of keeping cats Indoor-ONLY increases their anxiety and makes them asocial and agoraphobic. -Dog breeds have varying activity and anxiety levels depending on breed that MUST be addressed, which also varies individual to individual. Cats are similar in those regards individual-to-individual. Why WOULDN’T their breeds as well So…Do your research before getting a bengal. See if it’s an animal you can actually take one. But that should be a Given, we need to normalize socializing and enriching cats Anyway, and bengals don’t just “look cool”; they actually DO fit a specific niche (ie, a hypoallergenic breed that’s 1) short haired and 2) actually healthy.)
@@anonymousfellow8879 well, Jackson is talking about banning the catch and use of wild creatures and their first offspring. If a bengal suits you go to a breeder or a rescue and be happy with a f2 to fxxxx generation product. And thats ok so far - agree with you, we all have to pick the right animal that adapts well into your home and way of life. I do not agree with claiming that all rescue animals have temperament issures. Thats just not right.
In the UK there's also issues around conservation of the Scottish wildcat. They often breed with feral domestic cats in the wild, and there's fewer and fewer true wildcats left. Another reason it's so important to spay/neuter cats and adopt them, that's just one of the many problems feral ones cause.
I'm in a part of Canada where there used to be a large feral cat population in one park, and they were messing up the ecosystem. A local shelter had a campaign called "Spay Day" where they would carefully trap the cats, spay them, and release them. They weren't natively wild, but strays. Now the population is much more under control, and there are more birds who eat the bugs. In areas outside the city, I think the wolf/coyote hybrids got to them...
Scrolled forever to find this comment! Scottish wildcat conservations are on my yearly charity list, all the way from the us of a. I really hate to see their decline!
All my cats have been from neighbors or rescues. Every single one of them was a wonderful pet. And if you want a fancier breed, they do show up in shelters. One of mine was a Thai!
There's now a rescue Scottish fold in a shelter I know... And they announce clearly that the owner will need to have the ability to care for a chronicly ill cat, because that's what she'll be. There's no Scottish fold cat that doesn't get chronic pain when aging. Which is why a rescue is the only responsible way of having one of them.
Thanks Jackson for mentioning how many cats are killed every year and touching on the subject of injustice to exotic hybid cats which end up on the short side of the stick.
I had a rescue bengal. We think she lived to about 19 years old (we don't know because rescue). She had been declawed by a previous "guardian". I loved her to pieces. Sure she was gorgeous, but I don't remember her for her looks. I remember how she used to gently pat my face if I slept past her breakfast time. I remember brushing her on her heating pad as part of our nighttime routine. I remember the look on her face when I wouldn't let her eat human food. I remember her meowing at me when I did not read her mind quickly enough. None of these memories are tied to the fact she was a bengal. None of these personality traits are bengal - I've had plenty of cats that were just as vocal rescued from underneath dumpsters. There is plenty of variety, in looks and personality, at your local shelter. We currently have a kitten at our shelter (only about 4 weeks old, so we don't have any idea what his adult coat will be) that is white with cream tabby stripes, and lilac-pointed, except the points are tabby-striped, too. We are certain he is going to be gorgeous, however it turns out. Have you seen dilute torties? I am also a strong advocate of the domestic Haus Panther (standard black). If you are looking at exotics because you are an adrenaline junkie wanting to take your pet guardianship to the "next level", go to your shelter and say, "I would like to foster a cat with behavior challenges". Guaranteed, your shelter has at least one cat that needs one-on-one work in a foster setting. Most of these are going to be shy cats that have been abandoned or abused, unfortunately. There is NOTHING that beats the first time a shy cat lets you give them scritches. NOTHING. I love all cats, just like I love all dogs and I would hate to see any of the animals that are already here banned. I whole-heartedly agree with making it illegal to own wild cats unless you are a licensed zoo or wildlife rescue.
I wasn't finished !! LOL. My 1st rescue Bengal acted up when bored. I played with him regularly and he became the Perfect Bengal!!! no mouse ever survived more than a day in my farmhouse lol. I thought he needed company so I adopted a neglected Bengal which had not been touched or played with for the first 6yrs of his life!!! That too is abuse. I patiently pet her however she did not get along with my male Bengal. After 8 months, I was able to love on her, pet her from head to tail and I gent tug on the tail to get my Bengals used to tail tugs in case a young kid would do it so the kid doesn't get scratched. I am definitely alpha. I found her a loving home with a friend since she hated my first cat and truly attacked any chance she got. I had to keep a room between he and male because she often rushed thru door to get to him. She is very happy with new owner. I then got a young male Bengal. He sprayed, but the owner didn't get him fixed. I got him fixed asap and now I have Two Loving Perfect Bengals. Yes they climb and play king of the mountain regularly. Yes they play rough with each other then clean the others fur and curl up together. They are my perfect pets and have saved my sanity through Covid. I wouldn't know what to do without them. Oh I was allergic to girl Bengal but her fur showed she was further down the f generations. My newest boy is hypoallergenic. I deduct the the closer to F4 and up, the less allergenic they are.
"She had been declawed by a previous 'guardian'. " As you can see, my cat is a Savannah f5. Not for a ban on them. But as far as "declawing" a cat, I'd like to declaw those who do that with the same method used on the cats - amputation at the first knuckle - and see how well they do with that...
@@cdc3 Yep, thus the quotes. I really hope the practice becomes outlawed universally. I really feel the declawing impacted her for the rest of her life, causing her discomfort and later pain in her front paws.
@@ildonoa3928 Just noticed another thing which you wrote earlier, " I remember how she used to gently pat my face if I slept past her breakfast time." We raised a couple of litters of the most beautiful Siamese cat I have seen, having both the cranky blue point mother and the schizoid extremely dark seal point father (inside he was meek and mild, when he got outside he was a terror to anything which moved). In the first litter, a woman called and was going to buy out last kitten of 6 but she didn't show. We kept him. He was the most gentle giant, weighing in at 22 lbs. Toddlers would roll right across him and he would just lay there. When he got in bed with you, he'd duck under the covers, turn around and stick his head out inbetween your body and arm, face up like a child. When we told him it was bed time, he'd trot off to bed. if you were down or depressed, he'd jump up on your lap, stare into your eyes and gently pat your cheek with his fully armed paws. I never knew him to get angry or upset. Many, many tears when he died at 18 of cancer. Funny thing is, when we had the second litter, the same woman called and wanted one of them. We sold her a male who cost her less than the toys she had already bought for him. Seems she was on her way for the first cat and had a stroke. Later, after her new cat was a little older, she called and told us that late at night she had fallen and because of the stroke was too weak to get up in her bedroom. The cat left her, went to her 40 y.o. son, woke him up and led him to his mother. That cat had it made for the rest of his life!
I think it is so noble of you to take such an unbiased approach to this topic. I can tell you are a good person who actually cares what is best for these cats. Best wishes.
I used to really want Savannah cat for as long as I knew of them for their huge size and beautiful pattern... BUT I recently started fostering cat and ended fostering a pregnant mom cat and saw just how many homeless cats and ton of kittens needing foster nevermind forever home...I started worrying about these kittens that I myself watched being born ever finding their homes...and realized I myself am never going to get savannah or even any "pure breed" breeder cats.
Thank you for fostering and making the choice to only take in rescue kitties! You are a part of the solution, and I appreciate you. I also fostered kittens recently, and I realized that I would never buy from a breeder for the rest of my life because there are too many wonderful animals in shelters without homes and at risk of euthanasia.
I would love a "posh" pedigree cat, but I won't get one because I only have other people's leftovers. You only have to visit a rescue shelter or dedicated cat rescue to realise that we already have a big enough problem finding homes for "regular" cats, let alone the feral cats or hybrids. I never have kittens, I only adopt the older cats and this time I adopted the Mom cat who had raised 6 kittens because kittens are easier to home.
I have given myself the chance to have pedigree animals that are put up for adoption. I wanted to have an Egyptian Mau and after some searching I found out there is nothing Egyptian about this breed. So I went local and adopted two so called Native Egyptian Maus directly from Egypt, basicly straycats that fullfill the profile to be of the ancient Egyptian temple cats. So I saved two precious lives and still had my dream to own an "Egyptian Mau". Though the one of them probably was more a regular housecat or other breed mixed in (but he could pose like a Bast statue and had this dignity the breed is known for). Sadly this organisation seemed to have been a scam all together after I found out years later. This cat sadly passed away (as he was way older than I was told) but was biggest cuddle bug ever. I wouldnt have wanted to miss them both in my life. Since I emigrated the other cat stayed with my parents due to import and quarantine rules of the cat. My parents love her, and I adopted a tortie here from the shelter of what I call Icelandic cat breed. She is precious but totally different than the other two, with her less fancy sides (tortitude), but most important is her easy handling. She slams my face if I cuddle too long, and lets me know if things arent going the way she wants. She is full in control hahaha, but a sweetheart all the same.
I worked at an exotic animal sanctuary that cared for an unwanted F1 savannah cat named Hoss, who highlights another issue with breeding cats like him. Savannah cats (especially F1) are really prone to health issues because domestic cats and servals are so physiologically different. Hoss had horrible sinus issues because his sinuses weren't formed properly (domestic cats and servals have really different head sizes, so breeding them is kind of a crapshoot). He was constantly sneezing up thick mucus and was always on medication. Also, the goal of breeding savannahs is to get a cat that looks "exotic" but acts a little more like a house pet, and Hoss was the exact opposite. He looked nothing like a serval, just like a really oversized tabby cat (cute in his own way, but definitely not Instagram-worthy) and acted like a serval. Savannahs that end up like this can get abandoned or worse because that's not what's going to make a breeder money.
They should make a rule that breeders need to care for animals that don't fit her standard or find them loving homes that ARE equipped to deal with an undomesticated and medically challenged animal. Creating animals by "survival of the fittest" is not very ethical.
I got to pet an F1 Savannah once. She was docile and being used as a surrogate mom for the F3 kittens at a Savannah cat shop at the mall where visitors could play with the kittens.
Accidents happen all the time though it's just the law of nature. Any cat or dog with a flat face are also prone to issues sometimes severe, as well as stray cats born with malnutrition. I've got 2 ragdoll/Norwegian forest cats that aren't hybrids and they are also full of chronic sinus problems and constantly need cleaning because their faces (eyes & nose) get all crusty. The vet told me that sometimes cats get exposed to respiratory infections and even with the vaccine it can develop to a chronic issue as the case with these 2 big brothers who one developed asthma on top and needs medications. So it's just not an issue that only happens with hybrids but many domestic breeds. At least, the people that take in exotics usually have the money and will to keep their pets safe and secure unlike those that are very low income take in a cat for their kid to play with and leave it outside to roam once they get bored of it. The bigger issue I believe is people making their cats obese and then the cats live it out miserably, developing diabetes and getting very short lifespans.
Thank you for this poignant, real-life experience. The truth should always be the first thing considered in any decision and you made a very strong point.
I had a cat that was the grandkitty of a bobcat. Neighbor was a retired wildlife officer and had a few cats that were offspring from one of the bobcats he was taking care of. My cat, named Aunt Clara after the absent minded Bewitched character(she forgot her tail), was almost completely black and the most muscular cat I have ever picked up. Yet she was a bit on the small side. She was also super smart and a real sweetheart of a cat, as long as you were not a bird, mole, or gopher. She caught birds while wearing a cone after getting stitches in her leg. One day my neighbor saw her crossing the street when a car caught her by surprise and she just stood still, waited until it passed over, and then continued walking. I really miss that cat.
i had a bobcat hybrid, gorgeous, smart and very loving... but... she would stalk deer, no local wildlife was safe and she could be very destructive when pissed and would find something of yours and piss on it if you made her mad. i raised her socialised with other cats/dogs and children, so she was good with people. still, she destroyed my bedroom door when i tried to lock her out of it at night, then she figured out how to open doors... i trained her to hand, whistle, and verbal commands and leash, she was basically a dog that could purr. we miss her a great deal which is why we picked up a pair of bengal kittens, but we're also prepared for what we're dealing with.
Hint: Your cat's ancestor, what was it? Yeah: A WILD CAT! If nobody had domesticated those, then you would not have a house cat, so you are quite the hypocrit!
@@dreamingflurry2729 While I understand the point you're trying to make, did you know it's commonly believed by experts/anthropologists etc, that cats "mutually domesticated" themselves? Basically, once humans stayed in one place and started farming, cats realized where there are humans there are mice. Hence why they were worshiped in ancient Egypt, they kept mice rats and snakes away, and eventually became companion animals as well. I think there's a big difference between cats over a millennia choosing to live with us, and taking a wild creature from its habitat and expecting it to be (or breed) a pet because we think it's cool or novel. Again, while I can appreciate your point, I think it's an apples and oranges situation to compare modern housecats to these exotic and first/second gen wild hybrids.
I completely agree, wild should stay in the wild. What is our obsession with "wanting a wild animal"?! It's absolutely ridiculous. Admire, respect, and love these beautiful animals for what they are...wild animals living in their natural wild environments, completely and utterly free. Don't buy into this terrible hybrid exotic trend. It's bad news. I hope the ban goes ahead.
It's people that are looking for attention by any means. It's the same kind of people that get pitbull and Doberman puppies to crop their ears, and their tail right to he coxyx. Complete hair-brained savages.
@@minhducnguyen9276 I bought my first Chausie because my husband wanted a big cat. He's only 12 lbs. Darn it. But he's the most amazing cat I ever had. My husband still wanted a big cat so we got a maine coon kitten. He grew up to be 13 lbs. No big cats for us lol. both were great cats, but my Chausie....theres never been a cat in my life I've bonded so much with. And I say that even though he is a naughty little devil. Naughty but sweet, loving, social, smart, and FUN. When I lose him someday I'm going to be utterly destroyed.
A friend rescued a Pixie Bob that had been used as a breeding stud. He had to lock it in the bathroom for many days at first until it got used to the new home situation, and it drew blood every time he came in to feed it/clean litter. Eventually it became a really sweet house cat, but with some quirks. If you were petting him, you could NOT talk to anyone or have your attention focused on anything but him. He would see you were petting absent mindedly and bite your hand HARD, drawing blood of course. The house also had a super friendly and hyperactive pitbull who loved to lick everyone and everything... except for the cat. This dog was obviously many times the cat's size and a giant brick of muscle and energy, but she was completely terrified of that cat and would avoid any and all confrontations despite her instincts urging her otherwise. One of the people in the house was home frequently and so could devote a lot of time to spend with the cat to avoid him getting bored and tearing up or peeing on stuff; you'd have to be insane or clueless to have an animal like that in a small apartment where you're gone most of the day, but that's clearly one of the core groups of people JG sees on MCFH
and what's crazy about that is. There is no wild in pixie bobs. some claimed it so. But genetic testing proves they're pure domestic. So just goes to show, how wild our domestic cats are, they don't need to be bred with actual wild cats that are far too genetically separate for it to have any consistent positive outcomes. :( Your friends rescue was just a very damaged, traumatised unsocialised cat. And trauma while young will leave a lasting imprint on their behaviour. Poor thing.
I've never worried about a pet's pedigree (or lack of). Generally pets find me instead of the other way around, and they have lower rates of inbreeding than any animal bred for pedigree.
My sister found mine on facebook. I'd LOVE a bengel but I have such a small space that it wouldn't be fair to it. Also money. It's just a lot but my black cat was free to a good home.
I think pedigrees with certain animals are absolutely important. But if you're simply just looking for a pet just to lay around the couch with and not have for a working purpose, or due to allergies, or to accommodate certain lifestyles then yes.
I remember when I first heard about hybrid cats and I was surprised they were allowed. Also, with how cats are escape artists, and we already have a huge problem with feral cat populations, the thought of those feral populations being injected with serval or Asiatic wild cat genetics is frankly a little terrifying. Edit: It's not terrifying to ME, people, I'm not scared of feral cats even if they have some wild blood in them. It's terrifying for the ENVIRONMENT. If you're on Jackson Galaxy's channel and you don't know the toll outdoor and feral cats take on the environment, go look it up and learn
This is an excellent point! Considering how many people believe that cats are self sufficient, it’s not hard to believe that someone who can’t handle the challenges of an exotic, wild animal might just turn the animal loose to fend for itself and thereby create a dangerous environment. Just a bad idea all the way around !
Wild cat DNA in feral cats is not an issue. At least, it wouldn't make the feral cat problem worse. Domestic and feral cats are well adapted to destroy a local ecosystem already. Servals or Asiatic cats may be less adaptive than normal cats in most residential environments in the world. Wild cats survive by staying away from people. Domestic and even feral cats are adapted to live around humans. First come the humans, then the rats, then the cats.
The impact would almost certainly be tiny - the ratio of hybrids to non-hybrids is such that within a few generations, wild cat genes would be diluted to practically nothing. In 5 generations, for example, you are talking 1.56% wild cat DNA, constrained to relatively small proportion of the feral cat population. If there is a 'risk', it's that genetic diseases present in wild cat populations could be introduced, but this is probably pretty unlikely.
Thank you for clarifying how this type of cat is created. I must admit that I'd never ever really thought about the Wild Orination Cat (F0) who was now in captivity, just being breed! Terrible. I will now take more notice of this.
Wonderful video, Jackson. It reminds me very much of the high demand for civet coffee being the cause of horrific conditions for thousands of beautiful civet cats.
Domestic cats also hunt, seriously, the only thing that makes hybrids worse is that they are more agile, but any owner of a Bengal will most likely keep it inside (those cats are expensive and might even get stolen if you let them roam freely, not to mention run over by cars!)
Excellent points...especially about wild cats being in captivity as a kitten machine. I no longer lust after a Savannah. I love my part Bengal and count myself lucky and schooled. Thanks.
Basic brown tabbies look just like their wild ancestors and are usually the sweetest natured cats as well. The Ocicat is a purely domestic breed (originated with a Siamese/Abyssinian mix) that has been bred to look even wilder, if you must have a cat with a spotted coat.
I met a feral cat that lived around my home. So I decided to adopt him. He was very different then any other cat I had every met. So I sent his DNA to see what he is. He turned out to be part Bengal and Savannah. He is now huge... I named him Bobcat. There is so much interesting to tell about him, but I can't in this forum. I believe him to be an F5.
I thought about that too, when watching the video: There will be - there is - hybrids that escape or are abandoned, and now you have essentially "small lions" (only saying it like that for effect) roaming among the wild cat population. Which can definitely cause issues with regards to other wildlife, the ecological balance, and also - selfishly - the safety of humans and domestic animals.
@@SIC647 That's exactly how I feel. I hate it when people get these large savannah cats and let them roam free. They end up killing other people's pets in the area. Bangles are fine, but I hate the idea of the other ones that are large and wild. It's so irresponsible
Catchick I went onto your channel in hopes to see videos of your feral kitty but there isn’t one 🥺 do you have any posted on another platform? Would love to see your baby 😍
Sadly the same can be said about dog/wolf hybrids, considering the very different behaviours from a domestic dog and a wild wolf, the animal tends to be pretty miserable and confused. Wolves and dogs have different body languages, meaning, even if you know the body language of a dog, you won't of a wolf. Of course, everything depends on the individual hybrid, but the growing numbers of hybrids getting euthanised in shelters because hybrid rescues are full are just sad. Hiring a dog-trainer won't always help the situation, since they tend to specialise in dogs and not wolves, so the person has to be specialised in both animals and hybrids to be able to help properly.
See but that's on the individual people really need to research before getting any animal. This can be a husky as well as a German shepherd some people just don't know how and some trainers just can't work with all these animals. Wolves I support as being pets for people who can respect and house them correctly. It's safer than some of the home states that are killing 90% of their gray wolf populations. Things just aren't cut and dry my aunt had 3 wolves all loved her very much she was a member of the pack 100% it's just takes more work. People who don't understand this has no business with these animals. As someone who has worked with unconventional exotics learning body language/behavior is everything. Think of it like this though with the rate greed goes there will be no where left for these animals, so living in captivity will be all there is. Sure there are zoos, but if you bring in households that can supply what these animals need ethically it takes some stress off the zoos as far as a genetic standpoint goes.
@@houndgirl7365 I agree that some people *can* provide decent care for wolves/hybrids, I just think that the proportion of those people compared to the proportion who *try* and *fail* to provide decent care is negligible. This is why hybrid breeding should be discouraged. It's not about the 1 person who'll do it right, it's about the 99 people who won't. Also I totally agree about Huskies. My local shelter is always full of purebred huskies. People want them because they're beautiful/impressive and think they're just like any other dog. The dog ends up in the shelter when the owner finds out that caring for a husky is nothing like caring for a pug. Edit: I don't think research is the problem. It's true that all animals require research but I think the problem is people who are unrealistic or in denial. Research doesn't fix the arrogance that a lot of people have towards pet ownership. The result is sad when it comes to dogs and cats, and downright dangerous when it comes to hybrids.
@@kira3835 I've researched different breeds and learned that I will never have a Husky or Shepard. I just don't have the energy needed for those breeds. Even though they are my two favorites. I think I'll just stick with cats.
@@kira3835 you are right there, but who gives the right then to state "sorry because these people can't take care of their dogs we can no longer reproduce 'huskies' in captivity." The same thing could be said about any breed not just huskies. Yes people will screw up they always do unfortunately but that's why there are organizations out there to ensure people aren't being inhumane. To state people can't have wolves because there are people who mess up is ridiculous if that's the case let's get cattle, horse, livestock, and general reptile owners on the chopping block. When one strand is pulled on it always goes deeper. What people don't like is their view point of "these animals belong in the wild and shouldn't be in homes" well yes they require special care, but what wild? Pups are being murdered in their dens with their parents. There are packs that are being eliminated in their own region because people lobbied for it. What now? Just let them die off because people are too ignorant to realize the role they play? Do we step in maybe have RESPONSIBLE breeders do thorough housing checks to ensure these animals go to a proper home with the space/care/financial backing they need? There are more than one ways to do things besides outright banning from the general public. I know right now these same arguments are being had about keeping exotics in the US that we are fighting because it's ignorant and will do way more harm than good. Overall people need to remember to outright ban fixes nothing and makes everything worse. Plus it would be sad to see how many people mix up German shepherd husky hybrids with wolves which could lead to unfair euthanasia. My stance about having exotics ethically just won't ever change not with their habitats shrinking as they are just look at the military macaw endangered due to deforestation, but in captivity this species is thriving.
@@houndgirl7365 and who gives you the right to incite and demand the unwarranted slaughter of animal mothers to steal their kittens/pups for breeding stock so that you and others can boost your worthless egos by owning exotic hybrids as "pets"?
Australia has a ban on importing or breeding many of those cat breeds already. The only hybrid cat breed that escaped the breeding ban was the Bengal, because they had already been imported to Australia before the ban was enacted. Not long after Bengals arrived, the Government was looking into whether they should allow the import of Savannah Cats and decided that no, they pose too great a risk to the Australian environment. Since then, all new exotic hybrid breeds have been unavailable. You also can't import dog hybrids, or any breed of dog specifically bred for fighting, including American pit bulls, or cross-breeds of those dog breeds. Some of these do exist here, but they aren't common, and no more can be imported so... Edit: Should note, you're not allowed to breed new F1 bengals. Only bengals bred from other bengals are allowed. All bengals in Australia are G5 or greater, since no new wild genetics have been added since. They're still heavily restricted from imports, but having a bengal of G5+ can be allowed under specific circumstances.
The American Pitties are by far some of the most misunderstood dog breeds with a lot of misinformation being touted as "facts", I have NEVER in all my years on this earth met a bad pittie but I have however met bad owners that should NOT have the dog, or any dog for that matter! Sadly the statistics for those dogs are skewed by bad owners training the dogs to do bad things, they are attracted by the muscular aggressive look of the dog instead of the other characteristics that would make it a great loving family dog....Which sadly is the reason for the disproportionately high number of attacks and deaths associated with that breed...They also don't accurately report on breeds when it comes to the pit's here in America. If the police says it "looks" like a pit...then its a pit...Even if it's not. Honestly I think the feral cats I care for are more dangerous than any of my friends well trained and well loved and socialized pit bulls. I wish we could just ban bad people from having pets or any animal under their "care".
@@Blackinterceptor999 I think a part of the (not entirely) unique struggle that Oz is under relates to the already outrageously high death rates among native animals. To quote the Smithsonian.. “Every year, feral cats kill 1.4 billion native Australian animals-around the same number that died in the catastrophic 2019-20 bushfires when more than 73,000 square miles burned.” So, I can entirely understand why, as a nation, there needs to be a collective effort to keep wild breeds out. An animal who is less removed from the ‘hunt to survive’ mentality is going to be a less successful hunter. What I don’t understand is the ban on ‘fighting’ breeds of dogs. All dogs are fighting dogs, if they’re trained in such a manner….
@@Blackinterceptor999 it seems like most “ pit bulls” you see in the US are American staffordshire terriers or mixes. There are definitely some that are really high energy and have a really high prey drive that are quite dangerous if their owners don’t exercise them safely and fail to manage any behavioral issues (this can also be an issue in other dog breeds like German shepherds, Belgian malinois, or even labradors). A lot of news reports of pit bulls killing dogs mention that the pit bull was off leash for some reason or another. A lot of pit bulls are definitely quite typical goofy dogs and not vicious killers, so you are right that some people are too quick to judge pit bulls. At the same time, some people need to stop pretending that their dogs are completely harmless. Behavioral issues are common in all sorts of dogs and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to admit it. My sister’s dachshund mix would probably bite the neighborhood children if they try to pet her, but I make sure to keep her away from them. There’s a huge lack of responsible dog ownership. There really just needs to be more research done about whether pit bulls are really more dangerous (or if it’s because of the owners or something) and if so, why. There’s so much speculation about locking jaws, a unique “fighting style”, inherent aggression, blah blah blah. It doesn’t seem like it’s been properly studied. Really though, these dogs will keep showing up until dog fighting is put to an end.
@@Blackinterceptor999 I'd trust a pitbull around my kids ten times wore that I would ever trust a Chihuahua or a Dauschund. Those two breeds bite more children than any other, they just don't get the headlines because they don't do the damage that a pit can. . Pits listen pretty well to their owners, which is why a bad owner can make a very dangerous pit.
The best cat I have ever owned cost me $40 and I got her in a McDonald’s parking lot. She’s made me fall in love with cats again and I don’t think I’ll have another like her.
I mean, it's essentially the feline version of puppy mills with an exotic bent to it. I fully endorse the adopt-don't-shop philosophy. My 15 year old best friend was a mutt and she's saved me every day.
I so agree with you Jackson. I find it heartbreaking to see all these beautiful cats waiting for a loving family to take them home but instead they are on the “list” to be put down. This turns my gut inside out and my heart ache’s because the anguish I feel because I alone can only do so much.
I adopted a Bengal this year. This is his FIFTH and final home. What's appalling is how many people get a designer cat because it's popular, many not even having a cat before and not understanding that these cats are much more needy and destructive than their domestic cousins, and then mistreat and abandon it when it behaves as such. Education is so vital.
I agree with this idea and seeing where it leads…and I’m an owner of an amazing male Bengal cat…That we adopted from a local shelter. He is every bit a Bengal in every way, and we were able to save one more kitty from living or dying in a shelter! I don’t think people realize these hybrids actually can be found in animal rescues and shelters all over the country.
My roommate had a Bengal. I loved this cat more than anything. When he had to go to his country of origin to renew his visa things got complicated and I had his Bengal and other cat to myself for a year. So intelligent it was like living with a person. He was also probably one of the least destructive or troublesome cats I've ever had. But I'm an introvert and my cats are my social life so he got tons of play and exercise. He's since passed away but having had a Bengal was a major highlight in my cat experiences.
I think that's what it is all about; catering to the needs of your cat. If you can, then you have a great animal friend. If not, then you have quite the opposite. Good on you on meeting the needs of your cat.
I can’t imagine teaching “no” to a more stubborn, more wild cat than any of the domestics I’ve had. It’s already hard, and an angry cat is so strong already. Nobody needs a bigger cat.
If anything, all research and genetics should be placed on making house cats smarter, and more domesticated. My last male cat was so sweet, from the moment I got him, you could put him on the back of your neck and walk around and he would just pur. And I'd hold him upside down and he'd pur. He never got angry. I picked him specifically out of the liter, there was only one super nice male cat, the rest were mostly just regular cats. Some cats have incredibly nice behavior. Our of any given liter, I've observed that some of the cats in the liter are actually not able to be good pets, they are not social and they want to do wild things. But others in the liter are so sweet, and want to be cuddled. All breeding should be done to maximize the behavior of cats, because behavior is the number #1 most disliked thing about cats. And cat owners need to pay more attention to cultivating good behavior, not encouraging more wild cats.
If people want a wild cat, it should be required that they own a 100% pure wild cat. Because the biggest problem that exists is if stray hybrids start roaming the streets, and contaminate the gene pool. Domestic cats do make amazingly good pets, and it would be incredibly stupid to introduce large wild cat genes into the base house cat gene pool.
The real wild cats are not stubborn at all. 80% of wild kittens won't live to adulthood, and probably only 10% survive long enough to have their own offspring. So the survival wild cats are in the top 10% group. They are incredibly intelligent and flexible, capable of assessing situations and making adjustments. The problem with domestic cats is that there's no natural selection based on IQ, EQ, and long-term physical health. The situation is worse with pure breeds, given the small gene pools and inbreeding.
Amanda I agree with you. I owned a Savannah cat for 13 years and loved so much. She was highly intelligent, dog like, and wasn’t a risk to no one. I preferred this type of cat do to her characteristics because we moved to a place where we wanted an indoor pet but reminded us of our dogs. Savannah was a gift to my children. A domestic cat as well as a Savannah can be wild you must do your research well prior to selecting a breeder. Don’t stereotype the trait.
@@analili0 I don't think you understood what they were saying, at all. They weren't supporting the owning of a wildcat, they're just saying that because a wild cat survived to adulthood, it somehow makes them not stubborn, as if she knows the moods of a wild animal lol. Owning a wildcat is not a thing people should be doing. Wildcats should stay where they belong, in the wild.
Hi Jackson, I'm glad you tackled this topic. I just want to say that back in 1994 I bought a 3 year old STUNNING male Bengal who was a show cat and 'stud' at a breeder who seemed to be a reputable one from all the research I did and adored her cats. The reason I chose a Bengal, my ex hated cats (I should have known better!!) so I found a breed that he would agree to. Stupid...I KNOW but I wanted a cat soooo bad!! I fell in love from one picture!! Shamrock was fixed before I got him, his stud days were over!! And although this is not proving your theory on behaviour but he was certainly not an F1 or F2, he was the most amazing cat I ever had. He was so affectionate, loving, protective of me, amazing with everyone he met, very well behaved, only sprayed once when he first arrived. And he was especially amazing with my daughter who came along soon after he arrived.... he chewed one toilette paper roll in protest of the new bundle, then fell in love with her and endured her baby abuse like a pro and guarded her with his life!! He was my feline soul mate and everyone who met him, fell in love with him, not only because he was stunning and back then the breed was so new no one had ever seen a cat like him, but his personality, he was so funny, playful, caring, so smart, SO vocal and expressive...he never was not talking except when he was sleeping!! Not to mention 26 pounds of muscle and sheer awesomeness!!! He was just difficult to bathe, trim nails and clean ears, the vet had to sedate him. He had very few health issues, lived to 21 years old which wasn't nearly enough for me. He died 10 years ago this week and I still cry thinking about him. But.... since him I've only had rescues and would NEVER buy another cat from a breeder or any other pet. What you say is true, how can you justify buying an expensive designer cat...$20,000++ when so many cats are on death row desperate for a home. I have two wacky rescue cats and a rescue Boston Terrier who was so wild from abuse she would have been euthanized. And they are my life. They aren't perfect, they have issues, they aren't fancy but they are my sweet, loveable, goofy babies and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I saved them all from abuse, neglect, abandonment or worse. I can't think of a better reason to adopt versus shop. We need to stop this cycle of puppy and kitty mills and the abuse that industry causes by not supporting them financially. And I adore the look of Savannahs and all the other hybrids but a cat like that should never be locked up in an apt or a house all day and expected to thrive. They won't. They need to have access to a large, safe outdoor enclosed habitat, and not alone preferably. They need stimulation and allowed to be who they are, and people who know how to care for them so they lead a happy, healthy life. The F1's and F2's will never be your typical house cat nor should they be expected to. I'm sure many are abused and caged for being exactly what they are bred to be.... an exotic wild animal! And that's not fair!! And just because you see one one tic tok doesn't mean you need to run out and buy one. Why are people so easily influenced????? I love Giraffes but I know my apt is not the right space for one no matter how cute they are!! PLEASE PEOPLE...ADOPT!! A rescue will spend the rest of their lives thanking you!!
I'd prefer to see servals in a protected indigenous habitat and doing well there. For that matter I'd like to see other wild cats protected and faring well.
I have 2 rescue cats. Both females, a tabby and a tortie. I feed the stray cats and have been around cats my whole life. I've wanted a Bengal for years. I never knew where they originated from. I'll keep to rescues and feeding the strays. Your information was very helpful.
Thing that kills me is we are literally GIVING AWAY cats who need a good home. And killing those because there are way more cats than people wanting to adopt them. Go adopt a kitty in need, this is also kind of indictment of "pure bred/show cats" as well IMO. Also domestic cats are already wild animals who can survive on their own cunning outdoors, I can't imagine adopting a cat that has even more of the crazy/wild cat genes in them.
Sadly a lot of animal shelters are playing gate keeper when it comes to their animals- I get it, I really do, they want to make sure the animal is going to a good home but it's gotten so excessive to the point that they require just as many hoops to jump through as adopting a child and this would be all fine and dandy if they didn't put them down after a certain amount of time. They want to know your income, how much you work, where you live, what your house looks like, you have to have a home inspection and some even require background checks. My sister got declined from adopting a cat for the sole reason that she already had one and they didn't want the cat to feel stressed being around another cat, unfortunately the cat ended up being put down. This is why back yard breeders are still thriving.
@@Valkari22 Really??? I've adopted twice from a shelter, one was the local government humane society(1992), a kill shelter. We nick named him Methuselah once he overcame the unlucky age of 13, he lived to 18. The other kitty was adopted from a non-profit no kill shelter(2010), sadly he passed away last year. Both times they were like hey come take a cat, we have them running out our ears, pay the adoption fee that day(less than $100), you got a cat. Or cats, some were a package deal if they were siblings/had lived together. I will say the no kill shelter had all their cats spayed/neutered. Really wish the county government would find the funds to spay/neuter, they have the funds here in Nashville and surrounding areas considering all the growth.
Oddly, enough, I helped a guy in my neighboring town who had to surrender his Bengal cat (who he had for three years at that point) due to financial hardship and needing to move as a result of it, so the cat couldn't stay with him. He was asking for $3K on OfferUp, so I sent a message talking about how the local animal shelter can set up appointments for a safe surrender for $50, and the SPCA will give his cat whatever he needs to get adopted into a loving new home. Weeks later, I saw the Bengal cat (I think his name was something like Tom?) in the cat adoption center where I used to work, and I met with the older couple who was filling out the paperwork to adopt him. I shared the original owner's number with that couple so that they could let him know Tom was going home -- and the original owner wound up thanking me for helping him do all of that because he was afraid of Tom being abandoned or winding up in an awful place. Bengals and Savannahs are not common in my region, thankfully, but if anyone has $20,000 they're eager to spend, donate to the local animal shelters. It's tax deductible, last I checked!
Love what you do Jackson! My 4 daughters and I are relegated to dog ownership (I am both a dog and cat person) because my husband is VERY VERY allergic to cats. I also taught my girls that you adopt for life, no matter what, and so they know not to go into the decision lightly. My 14 year old even wrote an article about why you should not get a dog for Christmas. We also have related cat behavior to our own human behavior at times because of how well you explain things in My Cat from Hell. Thank you for all you do!
I'm so happy to hear this! I adopted a cat with behavioral issues, but wouldn't give up on her even when she scratched my face up a couple of times. I felt like: I adopted her for life and learn about her behavior and what I can do to help change it. We had a behavioral therapist over and she made recommendations. Stimulation with play and food puzzles helps a lot, but also knowing a cat's boundaries. Not all cats like to be petted and they do show love by sleeping on you or next to you instead. The best way is to let them come to you if they want your attention. So, thumbs up for teaching your daughters that animals are for life. All people should be aware of that. It's traumatic for animals to go back to shelters, then back to a home and a shelter again. We should be more mindful of their feelings than that.
Jackson, I SO agree with you! Your thoughts made me remember horrific stories of puppy mills. Would people just stop for a minute, and consider the sad lives of caged wild animals?
I completely agree with you, Jackson. I’ve been seeing this trend spread like wildfire, and completely don’t understand the surge to domesticate these clearly wild cats. All my cats have always been shelter rescues, always will, and there are countless incredible kitties already needing homes for us to give them. Breeding seems selfish and heartless on a number of levels. Animals bring us so much joy as they are, especially the not-so-Insta-perfect ones! Thanks for being such a loving advocate and having the courage and education to use your influence for good.
I support rescue and every cat I've ever had has been a rescue. I know two people personally (and I don't have a wide circle of friends by any means) who have gotten designer cats within the past year. I also have feelings about the designer cats who are hairless cats, ones with shriveled ears or short stumpy legs, etc. It seems cruel to me. In response to any questions I raise, I ALWAYS get the "But they've been doing it to dogs forever!" Bah! Is what I say, Fie. However, thank you Jackson for all that you do, I've been watching you for years and have always appreciated how you approach each animal and situation carefully and with great thought. Thank you! Thank you!
The dog comparison is not very good if your friends know anything about dog breeding. Yes dogs are bred, but they are often bred to preserve a specific working purpose (herding, tracking, etc). Breeding just for specific coat colors is seen as unethical even in the dog world.
I'd tell em so what? Dog breeding can be pretty terrible sometimes too. Just because something else is bad that does not in anyway make what you do good.
I agree. Every time I see a cat with short legs i think, How cruel! What a mean thing to do to a predator. Dachshunds were bred to go into burrows. Cats wait outside for days.
They’ve been doing it to dogs forever… and look at the resulting health issues. German Shepherds with heart issues, joint issues, spinal issues and skin allergies. Bulldogs, Pugs and Boxers who can hardly breathe. Cocker Spaniels that go insane (Red Cocker Syndrome). Dachshunds who die because their spine implodes. Sharpeis with rashes so bad they’re either itchy or in pain most of their lives. Yeah, keep it up people. Part of humankind seems to have forgotten the particle ‘kind’ in their name. Unscrupulous breeders who have no consideration for the individual’s AND the breed.s welfare aren’t part of humanKIND. They’re a separate group called humanCRUEL. Most of my pets are and have been rescues for a reason. When not a rescue, they came from a reputable breeder.
The genetic anomalies that were perpetuated through breeding, such as the Persian, Munchkin, Scottish Fold, etc have genetic health issues! The original Persian breed looked nothing like the one is bred today! Same with the Pomeranians and many other breeds! Why do we keep shrinking these dogs, affecting their brains, health, temperaments and wellbeing!?? It is incredibly cruel to keep breeding flatter noses and faces , short necks and big heads when a dog struggles to breathe , often has cleft palates, skin fold allergies, has difficulty in mating and giving birth! These Often results in the short life spans and a lifetime of serious health issues! A dog struggling to breathe is not cute!! The Veterinarians tried to get them officially banned, but so far, unsuccessfully! There are breeders, however, who have been working very hard to improve these breeds, by producing the Bulldogs, etc with the longer necks, smaller heads, longer noses and longer legs, etc! Their dogs are much healthier, more active, give normal births, normal breathing, longer lifespans, etc! The Olde Englishe Bulldogge is one such example of the improvement! There are others! I heard of improved Pug breed Research, research! Why put a cat or a dog through a lifelong torture to breathe and walk, etc!?
Thank you, Jackson, for mentioning the hybrid cat rescues! We've adopted several Bengals (F4 to F5) over the years from rescues across the country, and though they've been a handful in so many ways, I can't imagine our lives without them. It definitely takes a lot of patience and education on the adopter's part, but it can be well worth it.
Wildcat Sanctuary takes in a lot of hybrids because their owners can't handle the natural behavior issues. Mostly refusal to use a litterbox and territorial marking. Wild nature is wild.
You've put forth your opinion in a measured and calm way, I really admire that! I tend to get all riled up and preachy and that converts no one of course. I hope this message gets heard by those who need to hear it. So many shelters overrun with loving beautiful cats and people still buying scottish folds, or bengals... it breaks my heart.
I have a Bengal/Abyssinian mix. His name is Severus. He is a shelter rescue, and I love him dearly. He is so unbelievably smart and easy to train! He is my best friend and my right hand man. He is also neutered. Severus is my baby, not a stud service. He's also extremely healthy.
The addition of the Aby in the mix is probably why your hybrid is so loving and intelligent. My neutered 19-yr-old Aby is the most intelligent cat who has ever lived with me. He is also the most loving (as was his brother who, unfortunately died when he was only 9). I have had cats my entire long life, different breeds and personalities, but my soft lovesponge is the love of my life. He happens to be gorgeous, but that is just incidental.
I had an F3 Bengal, who came to me at age 1, because the owner (who bought him from a breeder) couldn’t keep him. I had known this kitty since he was a kitten. I wanted him so badly! Well…he was part Abyssinian and part Asian Leopard cat. Inside the house, he was the sweetest house cat. All Aby. Polite, fun, lovable and obedient. But since he had been raised his first year freely living inside/outside, it was impossible to keep him a prisoner indoors. Not and keep our sanity. 🙄 He was the most intelligent, sensitive cat I’ve ever had. Definitely like having a four-year-old in the house. We quickly learned how much ENERGY he had, and required lots of active, creative play time. This is why Bengal owners get those running cat wheels, just so the animals can run off some of that agile energy. And yes, did I mention they are consummate acrobats? They need high places to climb and jump. Sometimes our Bengal boy (neutered) would leave our yard and be gone for 24 or more hours. Nerve wracking for us. He was out HUNTING. Our neighbors said they never saw him without a mouse in his mouth, and he never let anyone pet him. When he would come home (at 3:00am, strolling in like, “Whut? Where’s breakfast?”), he would have this wild glint in his eyes. He was no longer our pet. He just used us to eat, and disappear again. Very frustrating. We would have to capture him when he came home and ground him for about two weeks, until he remembered he was our beloved pet. Then, rinse, repeat. We had him for nine years. He finally died of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a common breeding trait with these hybrid cats. We were devastated when he passed away. We couldn’t get another cat for six years of mourning him. But oth, I was relieved not to have a wild animal in my house anymore. It was stressful and exhausting. I don’t think I could do it again, even though I long to. Give me a sweet, rescue tabby cat any time. A regular domesticated cat. So you think you want a Bengal (or two)? They’re the most amazing pets, but be sure to read up on them thoroughly. Unless you have Jackson Galaxy next door. 😸😻😻😽
thankfully i'm prepared... i raised a F1 bobcat/siamese, she was an accident, and i had her till renal failure took her at 19. i made sure my hubby understood what we were getting into when we started talking about bengals to replace her(she's been gone 7 years now, but we also had two tuxes, sadly gone now too), especially when he only met her when she was already a far more mellow 13. so, now i have a pair of f5 half siblings in the other room since a few days ago...
You are 100% right. All my kitties that are in my life are family. Most my kitties were homeless. Some are seniors, middle age, and two are very young. Some with special needs. I love them with my life.❤❤🙏
Got a 3year old Bengal from the SPCA. Very intelligent, affectionate, high energy and high maintenance. Think the girl that had him originally just had him for his looks but couldn’t handle how much of a handful he is.
I agree totally! I had a Bengal. He had been passed around from person to person because they thought he was a bad cat. When the actuality was he was too wild and too much cat for the novice. I took him in at 3 years old. He was diabetic (untreated until I got him), he could be sweet & cuddly, but wild and sometimes scary. I loved him a lot. Mourned him intensely. But, I would never get another one! And I consider myself a experienced cat owner. So many of these designer cat get surrendered because of the lack of education about the breed. Same with other kinds of pets. Its frustrating to see it so much.
Hope, I had the same experience. I had two Bengals - brother and sister. The brother - Apollo was the sweetest most demure, unterritorial and lowest hunter instinct cat I have ever owned - he unfortunately, escaped one night and never came home. We looked for days but later discovered a coyote den near our house and suspect that's what happened to him. His sister on the other hand was a crazy girl. High hunter instinct, demanded to go outside (we had a cat door and she was in every night), brave, climber, territorial and queen of the house. We did have marking issues with her but she also was tiny (8 pounds) and when she wanted to be, the sweetest girl. I had her for 12 years before life happened and my husband died and I had to leave out 3 acres for an apartment. She would have been miserable. After interviewing several prospective parents, Star went to a family on a farm and was able to live out her remaining years on the farm and being an only cat which she loved! But from my experience, I will never own another hybrid no matter how exotic they look. They are not meant to be indoors. Unless you are willing to have your house smell like cat urine, I wouldn't recommend owning one. We had all of those issues but I took on the responsibility of owning a hybrid and would not abandon either one since I had chosen them. I now own either standard breed cats (Tonkinese) or rescues (usually Siamese).
THANK YOU JACKSON ❤ I hear about cats needing help daily , all the rescues are full . I have been talking to one of the ladies that works there about how, although necessary , rescue and shelters are just a bandaid . . . We need to try to make changes to the root of this "problem" but it's a lot harder to do . Idk where to start, but I know it's with laws and regulations .
Jackson, thank you so much for doing a piece on hybrid cats. From me, its a catch 22, I owned a wonder f2 bengal for 13 years, and yes, you definitely really have to love love love and have tons of patience to own one, they are extremely smart cats, and you can definitely see their wild streak in them. Bandit, i miss still and its been 4 years, we didn't know it at the time but they have a tendency to have heart issue, and passed away suddenly with a stroke. Getting back to why its a catch 22 is i so agree that there are so many, unwanted cats that end up being unthanized, and you buy the breed of a bengal that takes away from one homeless cat being rescued. Well, i know have 5 rescues because my heart is full of love for any cat in need.
The US had two serval escapes within a month of each other, from different private homes. Servals are wild cats and require special care. They're kept for breeding purposes. I completely understand the proposal to ban hybrids. Let F3s continue to breed to one another (assuming males are fertile at F3), but no new hybrids should be created. And if you can afford a bengal, you can afford to fix it.
It was a requirement for my getting a Savannah, but only because she was not "breed standard" enough. Of course, I do not have any interest in having kittens around at all!! I agree with the basic notion of not allowing anymore F1s. There are also nos new hybrids being created, so that would essentially cut that particular concept out. I am not opposed to that either. You need a special license (for servals, afaik).
Thank you for addressing this! I volunteer at my local shelter and sometimes we have Bengals. People think they're so beautiful, but have no idea of their energy needs and when I tell them, I can tell they're not really paying attention. There are so many high energy kittens every year that people can't keep up with. If they want wild, that's the way to go!
I work in vet med, I have 5 domestic short hair cats adopted from our local SPCA. Awesome cats, every one of them. We see Bengals at the clinic all the time with behavioral problems. Inappropriate marking and over grooming are the most common... It's heartbreaking because we know the cats are not happy and the owners are frustrated. That is hard on the cats and their families. Many of the cats end up at the shelter or worse.
@@BlackSeranna yep... they can rip their fur out and get raw patches from excessively grooming themselves. my F1 bobcat would do that when stressed and there was nothing we could do about that, except of course try and deal with whatever was stressing her out.
Jackson, I've been a fan for years and I've wanted to hear more from you on the subject of these hybrids, so thank you for beginning to address it. The two issues I have are around the breeding situation; a poor domestic cat is put in a room (or a cage) with a wild animal, and is a slave to their mating drive. What a horrifying experience for the domestic cat, and how many don't survive the process before a breeder is found? My other issue, which you didn't mention, is about prettiness. As we all know, a large part of the appeal of these hybrids is how beautiful they are--but in every litter there will be pretty ones and less perfect ones. I think we know what happens to the kittens deemed 'inferior products'. In my opinion, the entire hybrid process is heavily tainted with animal abuse. I hope you continue to voice concern over these issues!! The kitties need our help.
The 'inferior products' are sold as pets. You make it sound as if they are casually killed. I've owned a few occicats and most have been the spotless, runts, or the ones with some physical nonconformity to the breed spec sheet. Now, the wild animal issue doesn't come into it with occicats, but 'inferior products' are still generated and, at least at every cattery I've been to, they are treated well and homes are found for them.
@@GHollandESQ hopefully. but there are "puppy mills" for dogs as well as for cats. some years ago farmers sold their surplus kitties for some Euro in the newspaper. These days, you can get a mixed-race or "pure" BSH for half the price a serious breeder would ask for - but bred with less care, less precaution, less vet checks ... the market is booming. Even before the Big C struck. Its just not fair - the sensible and fair breeder inverts lots of money to detect genetic flaws, to vaxx the offspring and to bring it up well. The greedy "producer" does no such thing. And there are sooo many cats out there...
There are no ugly cats, just because they have a fault in the showring doesn't mean they aren't gorgeous animals and fine loving pets. They are sold as pet quality with a spay/neuter demand.
@@GHollandESQ And the pet trade causes suffering as these cats are not suited to a human home environment. You partake of this trade, you are culpable of animal cruelty whether your ego allows you to acknowledge it or not. You're culpable of encouraging wildlife trafficking which in itself means the death of wild animals at source or in transit. But of course, the money is so special, isn't it? The real draw for people is selling those poor cats for thousands. Greed. Greed is it.
@@littleblackpistol the cats I am talking about are suited to the home environment. Occicats are domesticated, not hybrid. A while back I looked into getting a savannah, but with the outdoor enclosure requirements and the time commitment for enrichment, not to mention the price (which you mentioned) I realized that I really didn't want one. When the time comes, I'll just head to the local shelter and get a moggie like I've done for the past two cats I've owned.
I ended up adopting the last kitten in an accidental pregnancy, they were all free. Fell in love with that little face. Took a bunch of pictures because I was so happy! I didnt want a cat at first, it was just a last minute decision since they were giveaways. Took a bunch of pictures because of happiness, next thing you know someone approached me on one of my social medias and asked me "Omg, how much did you pay for your Russian Blue!? 😍" ...needless to say I made their jaw drop whem I broke the news to them. I litterally dont care how much the breed is worth, she is my fur-daughter, and no money in the world would take her away from me now! :3
If you like getting a jack in the box! I myself respect people who adopt from shelters or directly from the street and know how to deal with issues that might come up (like litterbox training!), but I myself would only consider a kitten I know has been properly socialized (and litterbox trained) and buying from a breeder asures that, it also makes it less likely that the kitten has a disease (especially of the hereditary kind) or parasites, as reputable breeders will take care of immunisations and many will even spay/neuter before even selling kittens! That I get to chose the looks and most likely personality (some breeds tend to behave a certain way after all) is just the icing on top! ps: Bengals look great, but ATM, if I wanted a cat? I'd go for a jet black cat - a Bombay :)
I think breeders have their place in certain circumstances but since I only do rescue work it really doesn't affect me at all. I like the cats and kittens that have been abandoned and have no place to go. Those are my favorite
I've never been able to get on board with the hybrids, largely mostly due to the point you raised about all those Serval cats in captivity solely for the purpose of a breeding program. I'm glad they're illegal in Australia and I think Bengals are only allowed from G5 onwards which is some improvement but still those cats had to start somewhere. It's definitely a complex issue.
Thanks so much, Jackson, not only for addressing this topic but for taking us through your thought process regarding the proposed ban. Humans get so deeply into “Oooh pretty” and “I want” that they tend to disregard the consequences of their actions. Only those who love animals should live with them, and anyone who genuinely loves them would not knowingly contribute to their suffering. Information and education are vital. All the best to you!
I really like how you explained this issue. Made it very clear why this legislation makes sense. Personally a lazy Persian is my type of cat but for those wanting a more wild cat I hope they see this video and rethink why they want a wild cat that doesn’t belong in domestic homes.
My family adopted a tabby boy from our local shelter when I was kid. He was “just” a regular domestic cat but for me, he was a tiger! Unfortunately he passed away after 17 happy years with us but he was a good boy!
A major but often unknown issue in uk is that the Scottish Wild Cat is now becoming threatened because of breeding with the domestic cat. It will be beneficial because of the conversations and increased awareness in our societies that it will spark just like this one. Thank you Jackson 😊
All of my fur babies (3) were neglected and abused before I adopted them. All three are sweet, loving, adoring, protective and grateful. I am very thankful to have these sweet babies who now feel secure and loved. 🥰😻💞 Adopt, don't shop. 💞
I have two Arabian Maus from the UAE and have rescued and fostered countless others whilst living there and being part of the cat charity there. They are descendants of interbreeding between domestic cats and the Gordon’s wild cat which was native to the area but pretty much now extinct because they technically became maus as the country became developed. They are brilliant cats but definitely have a wild streak to them. Very versatile and opportunistic. I have a great affection for the, but this interbreeding happened naturally in the wild. I am in agreement with you that keeping an exotic in captivity for the purpose of breeding hybrids is not cool.
I have a UAE rescue cat to who is arabian mau :) she is completely insane... more energy then all my other cats put together but incredibly loving. A really super breed, and natural with fewer health problems then other hybrids like bengals and savannahs.
I totally agree- if you want a fantastic high energy loyal affectionate intelligent breed with rescue an Arabian Mau ! Beautiful natural breed. I totally adore our Arabian Mau pair.
Jackson continue your study in this. You have really good points. I have four domestic rescue cats ranging in ages of 16 plus years to six years. All fixed. So true, adopt don’t shop.
I know I comment this on a lot of your videos, but thank you for showing our feline family undying love and care and showing those of us who don't know any better to be better owners. Thank you Jackson Galaxy. Thank you.
I think anybody who adopts a domestic kitten (or cat!) has a wild-enough little buddy in their house. Just play and you'll see the wild come out! Thanks for this thoughtful, balanced opinion video Jackson!
And not enough people understand how much play a domestic cat needs to be healthy and truly happy long term.
💯% my thoughts!
This is mostly for people who are planning on getting a hybrid, id just like to add that domestic cats cant really be compared to hybrids in that regard, its not the same and you shouldn't expect it to be the same. Don't think that just because you do great with domestic cats that you will be fine with a Bengal or Savannah. They are an insane amount of work (like second job level) and they often don't behave/react the way you would expect a cat to behave (for example my Bengal has completely different body language). Do your research and make for damn sure you are able to take great care of them (also id suggest waiting/looking for any that need to be re-homed/rescued, there is more than you would think), there are already far too many neglected hybrids.
My current foster kitten (and the others I've fostered in the past) can confirm this! If not for my sweet adult girl, Macchiato, I'd have a lot more play biting and claw marks all over my feet from them wanting to play with me when I'm working.
I got a street cat from a reservation near by, and he looks like a miniature bobcat. He’s the absolute best cat I could have ever asked for ❤
I helped care for an F2 Savannah named Bobby Joe for several years. He had very serious allergies because the local climate was so very different from what his species would normally live in. He had issues with his lungs, coat and eyes. His owner was a vet student who adopted him when a client who brought him into a clinic she was an intern at surrendered him rather than pay the vet bills related to his condition. Working with Bobby Joe gave me a visceral understanding of just how unfair these cats lives are. They are more often than not burdened with medical or behavioral issues related to their ancestry and those who buy them are usually unprepared to do what is necessary to help them work through those issues.
every cat i have owned (and i have a more then a few) have had some kinda allergies from very serious to mild. I never thought about the climate, i always thought it was our shitty packaged food. I remember seeing a Dodo video where someone adopted a chipmunk and feed it fruit and nuts and it had horrible allergies too, no one seems to notice it or comment. people in general are pretty uneducated.
@@devotae It probably had something to do with the food too. With Bobby Joe it was the climate because he was a Savannah, meant to live in a hot dry place but the weather where he lived tended more towards cold and wet especially in the winter.
@@devotae my cat has allergies that are definitely seasonal, not food based. We moved from the very hot and humid southeast to the much dryer and colder midwest (in America) and they now only bother her when it's hot outside and we've gotten a lot of rain. So heat and humidity (and probably some of the plants that like those conditions) are clearly what affect her. She gets insane dandruff, will scratch her ears bloody, and her eyes get really irritated and runny. Humidity seems to be the real enemy, but it also needs heat. It used to be almost constantly when we lived back in the southeast, same with our late dog, but once we moved further north, both of their allergies got so much better. So did my husband's actually (I'm lucky, allergies aren't an issue for me, I tend to have sinus issues instead)
I can see that point, thanks for clarifying. I think they should exist too, but obviously to be happy. I hope a solution will be find over time.
Domestic cats are desert dwelling originally.
My mother was telling me about a radio host she listens to who is recently a first time cat owner. He got savannah cats as his first ever pet cat! And now he claims that getting cats was a mistake and that no one should get them. Drives me insane really.
That radio host should go back to school and take biology class to learn the difference between domestic animals and wild animals.
Cats are pretty docile & they always come home if allowed outdoors. Cats have been domesticated for a very long time. It's not something you compare to a wild animal. I even tamed street cats & they never scratch me.
I remember a couple who had a Savanna cat that escaped & the cat was found many kilometers away from home, because it's a larger species & has a larger territory than a domestic cat. You can't really compare a wild creature with thousands of years of domestication.
@@lagopusvulpuz1571 well, I would like to point out that outdoor cats do not always come home, which is a big reason to keep your cats indoors. But yeah, they are not the same animals in any way
@@lagopusvulpuz1571My regular domestic cat’s territory is so huge I think he’s got multiple owners.
Sounds like a great journalist. Bravo to his research skills. Even making an a&& of himself after the mistake.
I think a normal domestic cat is quite wild enough for most of us.
My uncle actually said that he thought one of the good things about pet cats was that they kept us in touch with the wild. He was talking about little domestic shorthairs like Muffy and Sylvester, not the current crop of exotic hybrids….
Also a lot of cats in the UK are inside/outside. Having a Savannah or Bengal free roaming could be a massive issue to the local wildlife or other pets. UK houses on average are a lot smaller than the US as well, I can't imagine keeping wild hybrids without some sort of issues like that.
I’m a believer in the rescue of the many domestic cats who are already here and desperate for good homes. Six weeks ago I adopted my first ever cat, a little girl who is a domestic shorthair. She’s a delightful companion and I already love her dearly. On the other hand, my neighbor purchased a beautiful but quite expensive purebred male kitten. Yesterday she offered me some expensive toys for my kitten, explaining that her cat cannot play with these toys because she recently had him DECLAWED. I’m sure my face reflected my horror because she hurried to explain that the surgery was done by an accomplished veterinarian who uses lasers which causes less bleeding. Her reason for taking this action is that she scratches and bleeds easily and her pet must fit into her lifestyle. I’m not convinced. I believe this is a cruel and possibly immoral practice.
Yea thats so messed up!! I have a selkirk rex and I trim his nails once every 3 weeks. I’ve been trimming his nails since he was 3 months old. He tolerates it and I give him kibble afterwards. I have a cat tree he loves with scratching posts. He has never ruined my furniture. Owners don’t need to resort to declawing!
Congratulations on adopting your first cat! Shame that your neighbor is such an uncaring and ignorant individual. Hopefully we will continue the trend of making declawing illegal.
If your lifestyle involves maiming your cat, you shouldn't have the cat. Also that vet should be fired. Shame on them!
She shouldn’t get any cat if she’s going to declaw them; it has nothing to do with the breed!
Can't believe declawing is still done these days. There are claw caps for people who have issues with scratches. Omg. I feel extremely bad for the cat.
We’ve got a savannah cat at our house. My housemate rescued her (no payment involved) from a breeder who neglected her due to her lacking outward savannah traits. She was the runt, and is still only about nine or ten pounds. She’s only four years old and riddled with arthritis, and she’s clumsy and constantly injuring herself just by running and jumping. Fortunately, she’s very sweet, if a little skittish. But poor kitty… she’s got a body that will hurt for the rest of her life. These breeders will always create rejects like her, undesirable kittens whose genetics work against them, who in the best case scenario end up in a loving home but struggle with their health forever. It’s an appalling practice.
Unfortunately that's with many domestic breeds too. Interbreeding cats/dogs, or breeding short face animals result in genetic side effects. That's why you see stuff like golden retrievers with arthritis, heart problem & cancer prone, cocker spaniel or toy poodles with tremor or seizures, or flat faced cats prone to asthma as few examples.
what are you feeding her? could it be that she needs more raw meat in her diet, due to her more wild part?
@@LiMakingwtf??? That's what you got out of her comment? The point is that these animals aren't similar enough to always come out as what is considered "desirable" It is almost like a human being forced to mate with another primate. Do you think that is disgusting? Well, that's what we are doing to these cats. Its AWFUL!
@@LiMaking You know, actually that is not a bad idea. She looks just like your average tiny black housecat, if a little more angular and muscular, so she's always just been treated as such. We get her the best dry and wet food we can find, but maybe she would benefit from adding raw food into her diet. Her troubles are due to her hybrid genetics and not her diet, but if there's any way we can help her be in less pain we'll try it.
@@WhiteWolfos Truth
Haven’t finished the video but everyone sharing stories about wanting a specific breed and getting something unexpectedly better so here’s mine: my dad is allergic to cats and although I don’t live with him anymore I would like him to be somewhat comfy when he visits. I got really lucky finding a blue Russian from a hoarding situation but he has lots of trauma and as a result only lets my mother touch him. He’s a sweetly but definitely her cat, not mine. I’ve been wanting a cat for awhile and have been really interested in Siamese cats for a long while too. I found some on pet finder and told myself whenever I’m ready I’d probably go on there to find my new baby. I kept waiting cause it never felt like the right time and then this little stray started lingering around my neighborhood. I fed her every night at the same time and she started getting to my house a little early and would watch me prepare her food through the window. I’d sit out there as she ate and slowly moved the bowl closer till she let me get close enough to pet. As they say, she “took a pet no problem” and soon after that I took her in, did stray hold, she was chipped but her owners didn’t respond, her name is prudence and she’s the biggest sweetie pie. She’s always making biscuits to pay me back even though I’ve told her she owes me nothing in return. She’s my dads allergy nightmare but I have no regrets. I know he’ll understand when he eventually meets her. For those curious, she’s a long haired tuxedo with very very green eyes. She feels like silk, by far the softest cat I’ve ever felt.
The first time I saw a Bengal cat I just wanted one, the pattern was just too pretty. I didn't even know it was a hybrid. So I started to do research on them, and found out, but I mean so many people do have them, so what's wrong with being a hybrid. Then I came across your video and I was like okay so these cats are just wild... So I made a promise to myself that I will actually not buy any cat, and I will let cat find me. I believed one day, this one cat will just appear in my yard, and wanted shelter.... Then a chihuahua found me. That's the story of how I wanted a bengal cat, but got a chihuahua.
Haha, I think I only found out last year or the year before. Thought they were like a Persian or British cat. Grew up around basic black cats (most often donated to my family) and now love an adopted turtoise cat.
@@MissMoontree aha yes funny I also did get 2 black cats, looked like bats when they were kitten, but absolutely gorgeous once they grew up
@@ooXChrissieXoo Looking like bats is not a bad thing - they're super cute!
Aaaaww i have a chihuahua too lol in fact hes passed out on me right now lol originally i thought I wanted a bigger dog being a single women but i could NOT be happier hes my best friend and he goes everywhere with me...the universe gives you exactly what you need even when you dont:)
Moth Girl lol my little black chihuahua looks like a fruit bat lol too funny.
There was a time about 16 years ago when I desperately wanted a Bengal. I lived in a small town so no breeders were in my area so I posted an ad asking to buy one and I got a reply from a lady who said she had some kittens that looked Bengal for free. So I met her to meet the kittens and I found a box full of tabby kittens who looked nothing like Bengals but I took one home anyway and fell in love with her and had her for 16 years until she passed. Turns out I didn't need that Bengal after all. They are very pretty but a plain little rescue kitten is a much better choice and there are a lot of them out there who need homes.
I do worry that a ban could have dangerous consequences for the cats who are currently being exploited and I hope if there is a ban put into place that the agencies responsible will take steps to insure the safety of those cats. Who knows what an unethical breeder might do to them once they aren't able to use them as a meal ticket.
you have good cause to be concerned. I share your concerns myself :)
The problem is that if they do not ban, much more cats would be exploited :/
@@школаоригами-у5о I'm not against the ban, I just hope someone will protect the cats who are being exploited once they have no value to these people who breed them.
@школа оригами Their concerns is more that many breed bans tend to accidentally cause similar damage to what they're supposed to prevent. Think of the "Bull breed bans" that have lead to officers taking dogs that aren't anywhere near being a banned breed, that don't have any behavior issues, and have even been trained as service animals to some capacity just because they "looked like a bulldog" to the officer.
They aren't saying there shouldn't be a ban. They are saying that whatever ban there is needs to be built in a way it isn't going to cause unconsidered harm to existing animals.
Unfortunately, the whole concept of breeding for aesthetic reasons is a huge problem for both cats and dogs. I have a rescue Bengal, who nobody wanted from the litter because she was a runt and "not as cute" as the other kittens. I love my little troublemaker to death, and we can't see our lives without her, but at the same time, there are so many strays that need homes and people are paying hundreds to sometimes thousands for a living creature that is more of an accessory than a new member of the family.
Indeed I also think those who are willing to pay for an animal would only see it as an accessory.
@@sims41ife35 Those kind of people sicken me. My cat is my baby, not my "accessory". I don't "own" her, I *love* her. I'm her mother and will anything to make sure she is safe, happy, and always feels loved.
Sadly, I don't think that mindset will ever stop so long as we have animals for sale like goods.
You do realize that some people just like the breed and temperament of the breed, right?
Selecting a breed is all about containing random variation.
If you're looking for a roommate, you won't just pick the first person that knocks on your door. You'll likely talk to them, see their history, ask for their employment, their family situation, their likes, their dislikes etc.
If you adopt a random kitten, its temperament, its likes, its dislikes, its activity level, are all random. You may get a cat that's super energetic, or you may get a cat that likes to sleep 22 hours a day. Both are fine but some people want one thing and not the other (perhaps they don't have enough time to deal with an energetic cat or they want an energetic cat to bring some chaos in their lives).
You shouldn't be shaming people for wanting to own a specific breed.
Obviously, the whole F1 issue is a separate story. There's no reason why you should want an F1, but breeds in general are fine.
@@XxzephyrusxX1 I understand having preference, but considering the large overpopulation issue that we have, I think people need their priorities in check. You can always adopt cats based on temperament. When it comes to breeding, it wouldn't be an issue if so many animals weren't being put down because people prefer to buy them from breeders. Those same cats would otherwise be in a perfectly suited home, but unfortunately, they were born the wrong breed.
My friend woke up one morning to find a kitten under her tire that she managed to pay attention to just in time. Apparently, a local (illegal) breeder's breeding female had escaped and gotten pregnant. The breeder waited to see what the litter would look like then decided the offspring wouldn't get anything for him, so he decided on this method of disposal. That's how my friend got a Bengal kitten. I do hope that registration will help cut down on such breeders in the future, and that it includes harsh penalties for those who breed illegally and unethically.
Ugh. They place a cad under someones tires to run over? And they are still walking around town (as in not in prison, where they belong)? Apart from animal cruelty, that is (psychological) assault on the humans that could have run over the cat.
@@57thorns the issue is establishing intent, which is clear to us but not to the authorities involved.
idk
My 3 domestic cats have plenty of personality and “wild cat” behaviors. I feel sad about the wild cats that are in breeding captivity. I hope people listen to your wise words. Thank you for all you do!
Yes, thanks Jackson
Agreed, my 3 cats, especially my boy, can be pretty wild when they want to be. But then, when they want to be, they can be little snugglebugs. They have domesticated me not the other way around and I wouldn't have it any other way, even when I wake up to a mouse carcass outside my bedroom door.
in NZ our PM jacinder Arden is talking about having people register their cats just like dogs ,they say it's because of conservation efforts but it's just another tax on the working classes and revenue gathering for her bullshit woke courses
Me to. Enslaved wild cats just to breed.. hoomans are 🥶😔
I got 4 wild baby's I took in. They are grown now and sleep with us. My son tamed them out. I'm off grid, not to worried about it.
I've always been a dog person, until I adopted two stray cats, a year apart from each other. Now both have 7 years old, and are the light of my life.
To me, they are both beautiful and perfect and have nothing to envy to any breed.
A lot of influencers buy these cats just for looks when they could easily rescue a cat and give a great example to all their followers.
I agree with your idea about the influencers and pets. Imagine if an influencer with over 50,000 followers (better if in the 500,000+ range) did a video or series about adopting a pet? Especially older ones? People move and can't take their pets or die and have no one to take them. The lucky ones end up in a no-kill shelter. What about the towns that still have a Pound? Certain amount of weeks to work their charm and then they're dead. Could be the sweetest, best house trained animal and they're gone, spending their last days in prison. Or worse, no one cares and they end up on the street, having to figure out how to eat and stay sheltered. It's heart breaking. One act of kindness from someone who has listeners could change that, maybe thousands of times.
Influencers should be banned too. The disgrace of 20th century. :(
@@AnnaMaria-zm8cv 😁😃👍
Lovely story!
A former boss of mine purchased two Savannah cats (an F2 and a F6, if I recall correctly?) with the intention of breeding them for money. He brought them to the office on a regular basis and let them roam around. The F2, a female who cost almost as much as my yearly salary, ended up being shy, but a total sweetheart. The male F6 was really friendly as a kitten, but after reaching maturity he was scary. He'd still be friendly, but sometimes it was like a switch flipped and he'd become aggressive, hissing and growling and coming towards you. It always came out of nowhere. He also sprayed everywhere and made the place stink.
People who buy animals just for how they look or to make money off of them have no business owning animals. Those kind of people also seem to never do research on the needs or behavior of the pets they're buying. They don't research how abusive the industries churning out exotic and special breed pets are. It really disturbs me just how little these people actually care about the well-being of the animals involved.
That's so sad. Those poor cats. Yeah, people who profit off of animals are not good folks in my eyes. Even if you supposedly "love" the breed, you're still doing something cruel to them by breeding hybrids and subjecting them to a lifetime of frustration and suffering because they shouldn't be kept in captivity with humans. So very sad how the animals always suffer in these scenarios.
Not saying my cat is any type of hybrid, but I suspect he's several generations of feral/street cat (he's at least 3 generations back of being born on the street). He's a DSH, but his markings are distinctive, he has a very long tail and high back legs. He has a very high prey drive and incredible energy. He also has a temper that goes off in an instant and he is very territorial/aggressive with other animals and people.
Point being is that I think that he has a long enough lineage or heritage as being feral/street cat that he's lost some of the docile traits people purposely bred into cats. Cats are wild enough as is. We don't need to breed wild animals into domestic cat lines. As it is, people have a hard enough time understanding cat behavior and how to properly care for them.
My male Maine coon is a cutie pie, I can’t count the times people told me not to spay him because I could get money from breeding. Everyone of those people where surprise seeing my hard no, completely ignoring how much work is to take care of that kind of situations. I really can’t understand how people think about money before well being of a breathing creature 🙄
TBH that behavior is not that uncommon for unspayed males even if they're not hybrids.
You are trippin. I have both Savannah Cats and regular domestic tabby cats and let me tell you. My regular cat is more aggressive towards people she has bit my friends scratched them and destroyed alot of my furniture. My Savannahs just run around but don't hurt my guests or destroy my things. It's all about the character of the cat not the breed.
Back in 2006, I really wanted a Savannah cat, but that's just because I was a kid who didn't know any better. 😅 I am much happier with my found/adopted Siamese boys.
Meezers are the best!
@sparkymularkey6970 - And they don't look that way from a breeding program, either. There was a naturally occurring mutation in the fairly isolated country of Siam that spread though the population.
My opinion on this has changed a lot. I used to be a supporter of responsible hybrid breeding with good, responsible breeders. I'm not anymore. I have an F2 Savannah cat, and he is my world. He's the sweetest cat I've ever owned and he's very social and happy. HOWEVER. I've begun to see more so the pain of Servals being in captivity. And my Savannah boy, sweet as he is, is not a cat I would recommend for just anyone. He requires lots of attention and cleaning up after. He pees everywhere. And when he gets sick, he's not very calm about vet visits. My normal, rescue cats are wonderful and much easier to care for. I think it's time to make the hybrid market less of a thing and focus on what we have
Also, I absolutely HATE the idea of getting a pet for status or social media points. Pets are family, not accessories!
I totally agree with you. My son has 2 Bengals and even he got so frazzled he thought about giving his boy cat away, thinking some one with a bigger house would be better for him.
I told him he has to fix any of the problem behaviours to make rehoming somewhat viable.Son ended up working from home and the cats are fine now. Being wild cats, intelligent and more highly strung it takes being owned by a responsive owner, a few play sessions a day and someone who is home for most of the day. My son, his child and these bengals are a very happy loving family. Yet realistically how many people have the money for their vet visits, special vet foods, have a well paying IT career where they can insist on working from home 95% of the time.Or are motivated to work out any of the cats problems and solve them? Has son who is the same. Plus he is fit enough to keep up with the cats activities and rescue them from danger or escaping.
@@saylremiexactly!
Exactly, so glad this debate is going on here in the UK. Particularly, after the first Covid wave, many people were purchasing cats and unfortunately irresponsible breeding has increased. Poor cats are caught up in the middle of a lot of greed and very little thought of the consequences.
It's the aiding the illegal traders that tipped it for me, too. Never thought of where the wild sperm or eggs were coming from. Our pair of males had died and when we were missing cat presence, my boyfriend was enthralled with Savannahs. The same man who grumbles at having to do the AM feeding wanted a cat that needs sooooo much maintenance and space. We have a small house. Thankfully, you Jackson, had just done the episode with the Savannahs & I made sure he actually watched it, not play a game and give the show a glance once and a while. We both learned a lot and he decided a Savannah was a pack of trouble we didn't need. We still got wild cats, in the form of adopted feral kittens who've grown to be happy indoor cats who sometimes harken back to their kitten days. We talk them down and they say it was fun but prefer being the gentle cats who get loved.
Savannah's are gorgeous, but very high maintenance, as you know.
I got a rare exotic breed of cat called a shelteris catus. A beaitiful yet menacing breed of cat that eats lots of food, sleeps most of the day, and curls up beside me whenever I am around. Truly a arvelous creature.
Very cute. I think it went over everyone’s head though
My brother was crazy about Bengals. Very crazy wild cats. One of them died of stress from having to move homes and live with other cats. The other died of a virus the local cat population had. The surviving one was given for adoption and my mom took it in. He is doing great and is a sweet guy, but is nothing like a domestic cat.
I'm all in for hybrids being banned. They are indeed beautiful, but we must stop owning pets for superficial reasons.
I'm on team "if you want a hybrid, go to the local shelter and adopt the biggest, lankiest, leggiest, big-steppy-est brown tabby they have, make a $20,000 donation, name it Savannah, and then just tell people you spent $20,000 on your F-whatever "Savannah" cat"
This is so true. My gigantic former tom cat tabby gets mistaken for a bengal all the time because he has a few rosettes. He is such a handful.
ahaha so true ! And true for every other breed, too ; I got a few strays around my home that could legit pass for Egyptians Mau, and one who definitely looked like a Siberian one.
Gonna be honest: Only reason I'd even consider wanting such a hybrid is... they're much larger. Domestic cats are beautiful but so tiny, why can't we have cats at least the size of a pitbull if not a german shepherd?! Then again I've seen videos of larger than usual tame cats, super rare though.
There you go, Candice. Best idea yet!!
What about Maine Coons? No where near as large as pitbulls, but they are very large cats. I'm sure a rescue near enough to you will eventually have one.
THANK YOU JACKSON! You always impress and amaze me - 2017 I was in India trying to find an ashram - I ended up in this village in Northern India on the banks of the Ganges - never found the ashram did find a 4 month old kitten crawling in the dirt eating cookie crumbs while two large dogs were in the most frightening stand off with each other growling and salivating ever closer to this destperate little kitten. I decided to pick up the skeletal kitten take it to a vet, get it fed healthy, neutered and return it to the village. The kitten turned out to be blind and have a weakness in his back knees from the lack of protein in his diet. The kitten turned out to be extremely determined, fiesty, fierce and as he grew became more and more like the shape of a Bengal - extremely lean and muscular. He is exactly why I agree with you regarding wild cats - this boy was wild not a domestic or feral cat and only because he is blind and I found him at a young enough age was it possible for him to become a domestic cat - but he is hard work - 2 hour long walks everyday often 3 walks and playtime are absolutley necessary for him to be calm and happy. He cannot stand to be left alone ever- he gets very depressed if he's left alone more than a couple of hours while he is sleeping. - he cries and howls so louds when you don't get ready to get him out the door for his walks fast enough - he is adorable, loving and full of character but he is lucky that his family can work from home and give him all the time and attention he requires - I feel so sad that that these F1 are abandoned because people didnt realise what a job it would be - I didn't realise what a job it would be! I just rescued a starving a kitten and now he runs my/our lives haha! But the trajedy is the captured wild animals used for mating too as you say - their mother will most likely have been shot and the cubs/kittens grabbed from their dead mother's side -- then kept captive in a cage and forced to breed with the wrong species - it's sickening really isn't it? how can we continue to be so cruel? and really is it as much as 1 million cats killed in America every year! I am devastated to hear this news it's appalling - thank you Jackson for this video as always and love and light to you to you and yours too
thank you for saving him
Thankyou for saving a kitten in need! Even domestic cats long to socialize and play around outside so consider it abuse if an owner forces a cat with an active personality to stay inside all the time. Not all cats like to laze around alone, although it's certainly convenient to believe that all cats are like that.
11,000 kids go missing every year in the US, never to be seen from again. There are some cruel people out there and their cruelty isn't just saved for cats (and dogs).
@@jessechristian8665 There are surprisingly large number of cruel people, and that's an appalling number of children I can hardly take it in? Really? We are all just so self absorbed with our lives, are own careers and our own children to care enough to be giving enough and active enough to really make change happen - it's very overwhelming and where to start? I started with a kitten as I am long term chronic ill ( over 10 years now ) and a couple of rescue cats is about all I can manage. It's my belief that every all of us need to take a year off from our lives 2-3 times over our life times and just donate our time, love and energy and money to the people and communities around the world who don't have -
I agree with this 100%. I wanted a Bengal, and then a Savannah, and started following rescues. These poor cats are being re-homed (or worse) because their owners aren’t prepared to raise a wild animal. It’s so heartbreaking. These cats then are supposed to be adopted with established behavioral issues at no fault of their own. They are gorgeous animals, but we instead adopted from a local rescue and they’re wonderful pets. We have to consider the welfare of the animals above all. 🐾❤🐈
I tried to report a backyard breeder when he called the vet clinic I was working in to ask if there were any vets that would take out the teeth of his serval because it kept killing the domestic cats. Unfortunately I was too flabbergasted to try and coax his information out of him so there was nothing the investigators could go on. Major regret on my part.
Wow! I would have been speechless too.
Wow. Keep your animal inside away from other cats or give it up to someone experienced
@@yvonnesanders4308 This is not about indoor/outdoor cats. And a serval is not a regular cat, it's a wild and exotic animal not meant to be owned. This person was not letting their serval out and it returned with dead domestic cats, no, this person was forcefully trying to make that serval breed with the domestic cats to create savannah cats because they sell for a ton as stated in the video, however, the serval had none of it and saw the smaller felines as prey items.
That is... sad. I admittedly also underestimate the difference between being wild versus domestic: They can be pretty significant. I like the idea of such cats living alongside people as well, but if it's harmful to either them or other creatures... not okay of course, dunno what to say.
You tried, that's good. And someone else may have reported him.
I used to have a bengal. (My ex has him now.) We got him because I loved the look and my ex wanted a big personality with dog-like traits and wild traits. I think he underestimated the amount of work and patience that takes. But we both adored this cat. After watching this video, I totally agree with the ban on F1s. And after volunteering at a shelter, I'll never shop again.
Burmese are “the dogs of the cat world” and much easier personalities that Bengals.
I got a part silver Bengal for free. Someone tossed a litter on the highway. My guess is probably a mill breeder had an accidental half stray batch too watered down to sell.
If you want dog-like traits in an animal, isn't it more logical to get a dog to begin with? Not expect a different species to act like a dog for your benefit?
I hope to do both. Get my Bengal and a shelter cat. I love orange tabby and I love Bengals. I don't want a low energy cat. I need something I can train and play with daily.
The last time I went to a pet shop (because the shelter wouldn't get back to my husband and I), the cat got mean and left. Towards the end, he wouldn't even let my father in law touch him. Now, only adoption. My husband put the kibosh on a second cat, unfortunately.
I totally agree with you Jackson! I was infatuated with the Savanah years ago and really wanted one. Thankfully I couldn't afford the price tag (sticker shock!) So off I went to my local rescue and adopted a beautiful long-haired tuxedo male kitten and his equally gorgeous sister, a black long-haired beauty. They were found on the side of the road along with their momma who had recently given birth to them. They were the sweetest things. I had the male Avery, for 10 years. I lost him to a lung tumor much too soon. I still have Addison his sister, she just turned 16. I also have a 14 yr old half siamese from the same rescue and she is my furry support baby. Adopt don't Shop!!!
Thanks Donna SO much! I've seen a few videos of long haired blonde women being fancy with their Savannah's. I didn't think or know it was wrong. Now I understand! Thanks to this video, I do! I'm so glad you fell in love with the right guy (and gal!) 😻🥰
thank you for being a great animal parent,, i've had 12 cats come through my life. no regrets,
Thank you for sharing about Avery and Addison - they both sound beautiful, and I'm sorry you lost your boy too soon. I can understand the appeal of having one of these cats that seem wilder and more exotic, but even in domestic cats, you get some of that wildness. I just got my first cats, a litter of three kittens that were born to a feral mom on my property, and they are wild enough for me. It feels like living with little lions. lol.
I wonder what are the adoption rules in your country. Once tried to adopt a cat (in Ukraine). But it appeared to be an unrealistic process because adoption centers had some ridiculous rules. Some don't let you adopt a cat if you have small children. Some don't let you adopt a cat if you are from another city, as they want to visit you regularly to check how it is going. And it is nowadays, when video calls are available for free. Some adoption contracts have a point that they can withdraw a cat without explanation if they don't like something. This opens ways for blackmail. The majority of adoption centers require cat protection on all windows, no matter if you ever open a window or not.
This is so frustrating 😞 Many cats can't be adopted because of these over-protective requirements. So we ended up buying a cat. No restrictions about small children, not forced to net all your windows, and no privacy issues.
I would also like to know what your take is on munchkin cats, where people actively breed cats with known medical issues, just because they think they look "cute".
I consider it animal cruelty.
A couple of monts ago, Norway issued a ban on certain flat-faced dog breeds. I hope this trend continues around the world...
Hear hear!
Yes, I would love to see more banning of breeds with know health issues that often need surgery to correct, such as pugs and frenchies. Or at least more regulations on HOW they can breed their conformation so that they're breeding for health and not just looks. I don't care how cute something is, if it needs surgery just to breathe that's a massive problem.
if you are interested in my personal thoughts then that's what I think about flat-faced pets
Are they cute? Yes, absolutely.
Is it animal cruelty? Yes.
Do I want a worldwide ban on flat-faced pets? Also yes.
We had an English bulldog when I was growing up. I loved that dog dearly. He was like another sibling to my sister and I and was a comfort through some really difficult times of my life. So when my mother called me at college to tell me that he had died at eight years old of sleep apnea, I was absolutely devastated. Sleep apnea is a problem with interrupted breathing during sleep. It's an incredibly common problem with flat-faced dogs like bulldogs and pugs. So he just went to sleep one night, stopped breathing, and never woke up. This was an eight year old dog whose only other health problem was a mild grass allergy. And part of the reason bulldog puppies are so expensive is that they have to be born by c-section. We could only afford him because he came from a breeder who bred show dogs and he had what's called "long bone disease." Which isn't really a disease. It means his legs were too long, his back legs were slightly bowed, and he was too narrow through the shoulders to meet breed standards. He could not be a show dog, and we had to sign a contract saying we would get him neutered (which we did, of course) so he couldn't pass that on. But puppies have to be born via c-section, because they're so broad through the shoulders and so narrow through the hips that the female dog's pelvis just is not wide enough for them to be born normally. And there are all sorts of rules with them. They cannot be subject to any sort of extremes of temperature, as they cannot compensate and it could kill them. (And I mean the sorts of extremes your average herding dog might expect to endure.) You cannot over-exercise them because it can kill them. There are just all these things these dogs cannot do because of the way they're bred to look. And it's all for the look. They were bred for bullfighting, which they aren't used for anymore, thankfully, and they've bred all the ferocity out of them. But they used to be very athletic dogs. Like I said, I adored this dog. He was the absolute sweeted dog ever. Super friendly, loved kids - like legit loved kids, he'd still be wagging his butt and licking them even as they were messing with his wrinkles and jowls, he knew to be gentle with them, he was super patient with them - and he was just all around a great dog. But I don't think dogs should be bred like he was, because that was ultimately what killed him. There are breeders breeding a reconstructionist breed they're calling an Olde English Bulldogge. (I'm not sure if they've dropped that last -ge or not, I've seen it both ways.) And that I can get behind. They're trying to breed them so that their shoulders are a bit narrower, their hips are a bit wider, their legs are a bit longer, and they actually have a snout. It's still not a long snout, but it's enough of a snout to prevent what happened to our bulldog. Basically keeping the personality, but breeding back in some of the athleticism and general dogginess. And that I can get behind, because it doesn't leave them with a ton of medical risks simply because humans think they look good that way.
There are so many RUclips videos on these cats and I Dislike everyone I see. I don’t and never will support silly people wanting something that is cute. Then they can’t be bothered and go onto something else.
Very well argued points. I totally agree with you.
I volunteer at a pet rescue and I have seen the bengal cats coming in.
Love from London 🤗
Thank you, Jackson. The first time I heard about a bengal cat, I was appalled that people would crossbreed domestic and wild cats, mostly, I think, because they like the richness of the fur of the F1 result. This is the same society that allows declawing because cats can damage the furniture. The contradictory behaviors of human beings can have awful effects on animals. I appreciate so much that you explained your thinking step by step to your final conclusion.
I have a rescue bengal, and I agree with the ban. I love her to death, but people dont know what their needs are, she came with a pile of behavioral issues and took alot of patience and work. She requires 4-5 hours a day of walks and play to keep her happy. Im sure a high percentage of these rich people buying these dont know what they are getting into (i underestimated it, honestly, and I knew), and there are alot of neglected cats.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Honestly, I think that people like the idea of "owning" a wild cat, so they don't care if it's the best situation for the animal or not. I'm glad your cat has you because you sound like a very loving owner, but that has to be exhausting meeting all of her energy requirements. I already feel like my own two domestic kitties don't get enough play; I can't imagine meeting the energy needs of a hybrid.
Yeah, my greatest regret of the pandemic is that I got long covid and can't play with my rescue Bengal enough anymore. Poor thing is so droopy when we can't play, and I feel so so bad for her, and I just don't have the energy in my body anymore. Being a disabled parent is hard.
@@ladycaticorn2950 I did too, when I saw a woman walking a cheetah down the street. I outgrew the urge. Having four domestic cats (two little panthers, a calco and a tuxedo) is the closest I will get to having a "wild cat" in my home. 🙂
I have a different take on bengals:
-they’re hypoallergenic and one of the few (if not the only) short-haired vs Fucked Up Fur Genetics (like sphinx and rexes) or Long-Haired (like angoras and ragdolls)
-ANY rescued animal is going to have temperament issues
-there are plenty of dog breeds that are “higher energy” than others and thus needing more specific care and diets
-bengals can reproduce. They don’t have to be produced by crossing a domestic cat with an asiatic wild cat
-MANY cats are “high prey” and cannot be conditioned to households with prey-animals. Likewise MANY dogs are the exact same way-even small dogs, but especially larger dogs to smaller dogs.
-Quite frankly the Traditional Method of keeping cats Indoor-ONLY increases their anxiety and makes them asocial and agoraphobic.
-Dog breeds have varying activity and anxiety levels depending on breed that MUST be addressed, which also varies individual to individual. Cats are similar in those regards individual-to-individual. Why WOULDN’T their breeds as well
So…Do your research before getting a bengal. See if it’s an animal you can actually take one. But that should be a Given, we need to normalize socializing and enriching cats Anyway, and bengals don’t just “look cool”; they actually DO fit a specific niche (ie, a hypoallergenic breed that’s 1) short haired and 2) actually healthy.)
@@anonymousfellow8879 well, Jackson is talking about banning the catch and use of wild creatures and their first offspring. If a bengal suits you go to a breeder or a rescue and be happy with a f2 to fxxxx generation product. And thats ok so far - agree with you, we all have to pick the right animal that adapts well into your home and way of life.
I do not agree with claiming that all rescue animals have temperament issures. Thats just not right.
In the UK there's also issues around conservation of the Scottish wildcat. They often breed with feral domestic cats in the wild, and there's fewer and fewer true wildcats left. Another reason it's so important to spay/neuter cats and adopt them, that's just one of the many problems feral ones cause.
I'm in a part of Canada where there used to be a large feral cat population in one park, and they were messing up the ecosystem. A local shelter had a campaign called "Spay Day" where they would carefully trap the cats, spay them, and release them. They weren't natively wild, but strays. Now the population is much more under control, and there are more birds who eat the bugs. In areas outside the city, I think the wolf/coyote hybrids got to them...
Scrolled forever to find this comment! Scottish wildcat conservations are on my yearly charity list, all the way from the us of a. I really hate to see their decline!
All my cats have been from neighbors or rescues. Every single one of them was a wonderful pet. And if you want a fancier breed, they do show up in shelters. One of mine was a Thai!
There's now a rescue Scottish fold in a shelter I know... And they announce clearly that the owner will need to have the ability to care for a chronicly ill cat, because that's what she'll be. There's no Scottish fold cat that doesn't get chronic pain when aging. Which is why a rescue is the only responsible way of having one of them.
Thanks Jackson for mentioning how many cats are killed every year and touching on the subject of injustice to exotic hybid cats which end up on the short side of the stick.
I had a rescue bengal. We think she lived to about 19 years old (we don't know because rescue). She had been declawed by a previous "guardian". I loved her to pieces. Sure she was gorgeous, but I don't remember her for her looks. I remember how she used to gently pat my face if I slept past her breakfast time. I remember brushing her on her heating pad as part of our nighttime routine. I remember the look on her face when I wouldn't let her eat human food. I remember her meowing at me when I did not read her mind quickly enough. None of these memories are tied to the fact she was a bengal. None of these personality traits are bengal - I've had plenty of cats that were just as vocal rescued from underneath dumpsters. There is plenty of variety, in looks and personality, at your local shelter. We currently have a kitten at our shelter (only about 4 weeks old, so we don't have any idea what his adult coat will be) that is white with cream tabby stripes, and lilac-pointed, except the points are tabby-striped, too. We are certain he is going to be gorgeous, however it turns out. Have you seen dilute torties? I am also a strong advocate of the domestic Haus Panther (standard black). If you are looking at exotics because you are an adrenaline junkie wanting to take your pet guardianship to the "next level", go to your shelter and say, "I would like to foster a cat with behavior challenges". Guaranteed, your shelter has at least one cat that needs one-on-one work in a foster setting. Most of these are going to be shy cats that have been abandoned or abused, unfortunately. There is NOTHING that beats the first time a shy cat lets you give them scritches. NOTHING. I love all cats, just like I love all dogs and I would hate to see any of the animals that are already here banned. I whole-heartedly agree with making it illegal to own wild cats unless you are a licensed zoo or wildlife rescue.
I wasn't finished !! LOL. My 1st rescue Bengal acted up when bored. I played with him regularly and he became the Perfect Bengal!!! no mouse ever survived more than a day in my farmhouse lol. I thought he needed company so I adopted a neglected Bengal which had not been touched or played with for the first 6yrs of his life!!! That too is abuse. I patiently pet her however she did not get along with my male Bengal. After 8 months, I was able to love on her, pet her from head to tail and I gent tug on the tail to get my Bengals used to tail tugs in case a young kid would do it so the kid doesn't get scratched. I am definitely alpha. I found her a loving home with a friend since she hated my first cat and truly attacked any chance she got. I had to keep a room between he and male because she often rushed thru door to get to him. She is very happy with new owner. I then got a young male Bengal. He sprayed, but the owner didn't get him fixed. I got him fixed asap and now I have Two Loving Perfect Bengals. Yes they climb and play king of the mountain regularly. Yes they play rough with each other then clean the others fur and curl up together. They are my perfect pets and have saved my sanity through Covid. I wouldn't know what to do without them. Oh I was allergic to girl Bengal but her fur showed she was further down the f generations. My newest boy is hypoallergenic. I deduct the the closer to F4 and up, the less allergenic they are.
I had a 'dilute' tortie, but she was called a 'faded' tortie, it made her seem like she had spent too long in the shop window!
"She had been declawed by a previous 'guardian'. "
As you can see, my cat is a Savannah f5. Not for a ban on them. But as far as "declawing" a cat, I'd like to declaw those who do that with the same method used on the cats - amputation at the first knuckle - and see how well they do with that...
@@cdc3 Yep, thus the quotes. I really hope the practice becomes outlawed universally. I really feel the declawing impacted her for the rest of her life, causing her discomfort and later pain in her front paws.
@@ildonoa3928 Just noticed another thing which you wrote earlier, " I remember how she used to gently pat my face if I slept past her breakfast time."
We raised a couple of litters of the most beautiful Siamese cat I have seen, having both the cranky blue point mother and the schizoid extremely dark seal point father (inside he was meek and mild, when he got outside he was a terror to anything which moved). In the first litter, a woman called and was going to buy out last kitten of 6 but she didn't show. We kept him. He was the most gentle giant, weighing in at 22 lbs. Toddlers would roll right across him and he would just lay there. When he got in bed with you, he'd duck under the covers, turn around and stick his head out inbetween your body and arm, face up like a child. When we told him it was bed time, he'd trot off to bed. if you were down or depressed, he'd jump up on your lap, stare into your eyes and gently pat your cheek with his fully armed paws. I never knew him to get angry or upset. Many, many tears when he died at 18 of cancer.
Funny thing is, when we had the second litter, the same woman called and wanted one of them. We sold her a male who cost her less than the toys she had already bought for him. Seems she was on her way for the first cat and had a stroke. Later, after her new cat was a little older, she called and told us that late at night she had fallen and because of the stroke was too weak to get up in her bedroom. The cat left her, went to her 40 y.o. son, woke him up and led him to his mother.
That cat had it made for the rest of his life!
my state is set to become the second US state to ban cat declawing! great news for all cats and cat lovers today
I think it is so noble of you to take such an unbiased approach to this topic. I can tell you are a good person who actually cares what is best for these cats. Best wishes.
I used to really want Savannah cat for as long as I knew of them for their huge size and beautiful pattern... BUT
I recently started fostering cat and ended fostering a pregnant mom cat and saw just how many homeless cats and ton of kittens needing foster nevermind forever home...I started worrying about these kittens that I myself watched being born ever finding their homes...and realized I myself am never going to get savannah or even any "pure breed" breeder cats.
I love this for you 💗
Thank you for fostering and making the choice to only take in rescue kitties! You are a part of the solution, and I appreciate you. I also fostered kittens recently, and I realized that I would never buy from a breeder for the rest of my life because there are too many wonderful animals in shelters without homes and at risk of euthanasia.
Fostering saves lives. Especially when you are able to get the momma cat with the babies. Cheers to you and all the wee ones you care for!
I would love a "posh" pedigree cat, but I won't get one because I only have other people's leftovers. You only have to visit a rescue shelter or dedicated cat rescue to realise that we already have a big enough problem finding homes for "regular" cats, let alone the feral cats or hybrids. I never have kittens, I only adopt the older cats and this time I adopted the Mom cat who had raised 6 kittens because kittens are easier to home.
I have given myself the chance to have pedigree animals that are put up for adoption. I wanted to have an Egyptian Mau and after some searching I found out there is nothing Egyptian about this breed. So I went local and adopted two so called Native Egyptian Maus directly from Egypt, basicly straycats that fullfill the profile to be of the ancient Egyptian temple cats. So I saved two precious lives and still had my dream to own an "Egyptian Mau". Though the one of them probably was more a regular housecat or other breed mixed in (but he could pose like a Bast statue and had this dignity the breed is known for). Sadly this organisation seemed to have been a scam all together after I found out years later. This cat sadly passed away (as he was way older than I was told) but was biggest cuddle bug ever. I wouldnt have wanted to miss them both in my life. Since I emigrated the other cat stayed with my parents due to import and quarantine rules of the cat. My parents love her, and I adopted a tortie here from the shelter of what I call Icelandic cat breed. She is precious but totally different than the other two, with her less fancy sides (tortitude), but most important is her easy handling. She slams my face if I cuddle too long, and lets me know if things arent going the way she wants. She is full in control hahaha, but a sweetheart all the same.
I worked at an exotic animal sanctuary that cared for an unwanted F1 savannah cat named Hoss, who highlights another issue with breeding cats like him. Savannah cats (especially F1) are really prone to health issues because domestic cats and servals are so physiologically different. Hoss had horrible sinus issues because his sinuses weren't formed properly (domestic cats and servals have really different head sizes, so breeding them is kind of a crapshoot). He was constantly sneezing up thick mucus and was always on medication. Also, the goal of breeding savannahs is to get a cat that looks "exotic" but acts a little more like a house pet, and Hoss was the exact opposite. He looked nothing like a serval, just like a really oversized tabby cat (cute in his own way, but definitely not Instagram-worthy) and acted like a serval. Savannahs that end up like this can get abandoned or worse because that's not what's going to make a breeder money.
They should make a rule that breeders need to care for animals that don't fit her standard or find them loving homes that ARE equipped to deal with an undomesticated and medically challenged animal. Creating animals by "survival of the fittest" is not very ethical.
I got to pet an F1 Savannah once. She was docile and being used as a surrogate mom for the F3 kittens at a Savannah cat shop at the mall where visitors could play with the kittens.
😊
Accidents happen all the time though it's just the law of nature. Any cat or dog with a flat face are also prone to issues sometimes severe, as well as stray cats born with malnutrition. I've got 2 ragdoll/Norwegian forest cats that aren't hybrids and they are also full of chronic sinus problems and constantly need cleaning because their faces (eyes & nose) get all crusty.
The vet told me that sometimes cats get exposed to respiratory infections and even with the vaccine it can develop to a chronic issue as the case with these 2 big brothers who one developed asthma on top and needs medications. So it's just not an issue that only happens with hybrids but many domestic breeds. At least, the people that take in exotics usually have the money and will to keep their pets safe and secure unlike those that are very low income take in a cat for their kid to play with and leave it outside to roam once they get bored of it.
The bigger issue I believe is people making their cats obese and then the cats live it out miserably, developing diabetes and getting very short lifespans.
Thank you for this poignant, real-life experience. The truth should always be the first thing considered in any decision and you made a very strong point.
I had a cat that was the grandkitty of a bobcat. Neighbor was a retired wildlife officer and had a few cats that were offspring from one of the bobcats he was taking care of. My cat, named Aunt Clara after the absent minded Bewitched character(she forgot her tail), was almost completely black and the most muscular cat I have ever picked up. Yet she was a bit on the small side. She was also super smart and a real sweetheart of a cat, as long as you were not a bird, mole, or gopher. She caught birds while wearing a cone after getting stitches in her leg. One day my neighbor saw her crossing the street when a car caught her by surprise and she just stood still, waited until it passed over, and then continued walking. I really miss that cat.
i had a bobcat hybrid, gorgeous, smart and very loving... but... she would stalk deer, no local wildlife was safe and she could be very destructive when pissed and would find something of yours and piss on it if you made her mad. i raised her socialised with other cats/dogs and children, so she was good with people. still, she destroyed my bedroom door when i tried to lock her out of it at night, then she figured out how to open doors... i trained her to hand, whistle, and verbal commands and leash, she was basically a dog that could purr. we miss her a great deal which is why we picked up a pair of bengal kittens, but we're also prepared for what we're dealing with.
My cat is a “normal” cat. No behavioural issues, no health issues and happy. Wild is wild for a reason
Hint: Your cat's ancestor, what was it? Yeah: A WILD CAT! If nobody had domesticated those, then you would not have a house cat, so you are quite the hypocrit!
@@dreamingflurry2729 While I understand the point you're trying to make, did you know it's commonly believed by experts/anthropologists etc, that cats "mutually domesticated" themselves? Basically, once humans stayed in one place and started farming, cats realized where there are humans there are mice. Hence why they were worshiped in ancient Egypt, they kept mice rats and snakes away, and eventually became companion animals as well.
I think there's a big difference between cats over a millennia choosing to live with us, and taking a wild creature from its habitat and expecting it to be (or breed) a pet because we think it's cool or novel.
Again, while I can appreciate your point, I think it's an apples and oranges situation to compare modern housecats to these exotic and first/second gen wild hybrids.
I completely agree, wild should stay in the wild. What is our obsession with "wanting a wild animal"?! It's absolutely ridiculous. Admire, respect, and love these beautiful animals for what they are...wild animals living in their natural wild environments, completely and utterly free. Don't buy into this terrible hybrid exotic trend. It's bad news. I hope the ban goes ahead.
If you want huge house cats, just get a Norwegian Forrest cat or Main coon.
@@minhducnguyen9276 Norwegian forest cats are so floof
@@lolitisjustme Unfortunately I couldn't find any huge cat breed that live in tropical climate besides well.. the Savannah which I can afford anyway.
It's people that are looking for attention by any means. It's the same kind of people that get pitbull and Doberman puppies to crop their ears, and their tail right to he coxyx. Complete hair-brained savages.
@@minhducnguyen9276 I bought my first Chausie because my husband wanted a big cat. He's only 12 lbs. Darn it. But he's the most amazing cat I ever had. My husband still wanted a big cat so we got a maine coon kitten. He grew up to be 13 lbs. No big cats for us lol. both were great cats, but my Chausie....theres never been a cat in my life I've bonded so much with. And I say that even though he is a naughty little devil. Naughty but sweet, loving, social, smart, and FUN. When I lose him someday I'm going to be utterly destroyed.
A friend rescued a Pixie Bob that had been used as a breeding stud. He had to lock it in the bathroom for many days at first until it got used to the new home situation, and it drew blood every time he came in to feed it/clean litter. Eventually it became a really sweet house cat, but with some quirks. If you were petting him, you could NOT talk to anyone or have your attention focused on anything but him. He would see you were petting absent mindedly and bite your hand HARD, drawing blood of course. The house also had a super friendly and hyperactive pitbull who loved to lick everyone and everything... except for the cat. This dog was obviously many times the cat's size and a giant brick of muscle and energy, but she was completely terrified of that cat and would avoid any and all confrontations despite her instincts urging her otherwise. One of the people in the house was home frequently and so could devote a lot of time to spend with the cat to avoid him getting bored and tearing up or peeing on stuff; you'd have to be insane or clueless to have an animal like that in a small apartment where you're gone most of the day, but that's clearly one of the core groups of people JG sees on MCFH
and what's crazy about that is. There is no wild in pixie bobs. some claimed it so. But genetic testing proves they're pure domestic. So just goes to show, how wild our domestic cats are, they don't need to be bred with actual wild cats that are far too genetically separate for it to have any consistent positive outcomes. :(
Your friends rescue was just a very damaged, traumatised unsocialised cat. And trauma while young will leave a lasting imprint on their behaviour. Poor thing.
I've never worried about a pet's pedigree (or lack of). Generally pets find me instead of the other way around, and they have lower rates of inbreeding than any animal bred for pedigree.
My sister found mine on facebook. I'd LOVE a bengel but I have such a small space that it wouldn't be fair to it. Also money. It's just a lot but my black cat was free to a good home.
Depends, a colony of barn cats have a tendency for inbreeding.
Tho it is good to adopt
I think pedigrees with certain animals are absolutely important. But if you're simply just looking for a pet just to lay around the couch with and not have for a working purpose, or due to allergies, or to accommodate certain lifestyles then yes.
I remember when I first heard about hybrid cats and I was surprised they were allowed. Also, with how cats are escape artists, and we already have a huge problem with feral cat populations, the thought of those feral populations being injected with serval or Asiatic wild cat genetics is frankly a little terrifying.
Edit: It's not terrifying to ME, people, I'm not scared of feral cats even if they have some wild blood in them. It's terrifying for the ENVIRONMENT. If you're on Jackson Galaxy's channel and you don't know the toll outdoor and feral cats take on the environment, go look it up and learn
This is an excellent point! Considering how many people believe that cats are self sufficient, it’s not hard to believe that someone who can’t handle the challenges of an exotic, wild animal might just turn the animal loose to fend for itself and thereby create a dangerous environment. Just a bad idea all the way around !
Yup. Bye bye local wildlife, invasive super hunter genes coming through 👋
Wild cat DNA in feral cats is not an issue. At least, it wouldn't make the feral cat problem worse. Domestic and feral cats are well adapted to destroy a local ecosystem already. Servals or Asiatic cats may be less adaptive than normal cats in most residential environments in the world. Wild cats survive by staying away from people. Domestic and even feral cats are adapted to live around humans. First come the humans, then the rats, then the cats.
It sounds like the premise of a really good Stephen King book.
The impact would almost certainly be tiny - the ratio of hybrids to non-hybrids is such that within a few generations, wild cat genes would be diluted to practically nothing. In 5 generations, for example, you are talking 1.56% wild cat DNA, constrained to relatively small proportion of the feral cat population.
If there is a 'risk', it's that genetic diseases present in wild cat populations could be introduced, but this is probably pretty unlikely.
Thank you for clarifying how this type of cat is created. I must admit that I'd never ever really thought about the Wild Orination Cat (F0) who was now in captivity, just being breed! Terrible. I will now take more notice of this.
Wonderful video, Jackson. It reminds me very much of the high demand for civet coffee being the cause of horrific conditions for thousands of beautiful civet cats.
Love the look of hybrids but I hate the idea. Many end up discarded because they are too wild to handle. Then there is the poaching of wildlife.
Domestic cats also hunt, seriously, the only thing that makes hybrids worse is that they are more agile, but any owner of a Bengal will most likely keep it inside (those cats are expensive and might even get stolen if you let them roam freely, not to mention run over by cars!)
Excellent points...especially about wild cats being in captivity as a kitten machine. I no longer lust after a Savannah. I love my part Bengal and count myself lucky and schooled. Thanks.
I'm not even thinking about getting a cat, but I appreciate the education when dealing with any potential hybrid animal.
Basic brown tabbies look just like their wild ancestors and are usually the sweetest natured cats as well. The Ocicat is a purely domestic breed (originated with a Siamese/Abyssinian mix) that has been bred to look even wilder, if you must have a cat with a spotted coat.
I met a feral cat that lived around my home. So I decided to adopt him. He was very different then any other cat I had every met. So I sent his DNA to see what he is. He turned out to be part Bengal and Savannah. He is now huge... I named him Bobcat. There is so much interesting to tell about him, but I can't in this forum. I believe him to be an F5.
As a Savannah cross owner, I'd be happy to talk to you.
I thought about that too, when watching the video: There will be - there is - hybrids that escape or are abandoned, and now you have essentially "small lions" (only saying it like that for effect) roaming among the wild cat population.
Which can definitely cause issues with regards to other wildlife, the ecological balance, and also - selfishly - the safety of humans and domestic animals.
@@SIC647 That's exactly how I feel. I hate it when people get these large savannah cats and let them roam free. They end up killing other people's pets in the area. Bangles are fine, but I hate the idea of the other ones that are large and wild. It's so irresponsible
Catchick I went onto your channel in hopes to see videos of your feral kitty but there isn’t one 🥺 do you have any posted on another platform? Would love to see your baby 😍
Sadly the same can be said about dog/wolf hybrids, considering the very different behaviours from a domestic dog and a wild wolf, the animal tends to be pretty miserable and confused. Wolves and dogs have different body languages, meaning, even if you know the body language of a dog, you won't of a wolf. Of course, everything depends on the individual hybrid, but the growing numbers of hybrids getting euthanised in shelters because hybrid rescues are full are just sad. Hiring a dog-trainer won't always help the situation, since they tend to specialise in dogs and not wolves, so the person has to be specialised in both animals and hybrids to be able to help properly.
See but that's on the individual people really need to research before getting any animal. This can be a husky as well as a German shepherd some people just don't know how and some trainers just can't work with all these animals. Wolves I support as being pets for people who can respect and house them correctly. It's safer than some of the home states that are killing 90% of their gray wolf populations. Things just aren't cut and dry my aunt had 3 wolves all loved her very much she was a member of the pack 100% it's just takes more work. People who don't understand this has no business with these animals. As someone who has worked with unconventional exotics learning body language/behavior is everything. Think of it like this though with the rate greed goes there will be no where left for these animals, so living in captivity will be all there is. Sure there are zoos, but if you bring in households that can supply what these animals need ethically it takes some stress off the zoos as far as a genetic standpoint goes.
@@houndgirl7365 I agree that some people *can* provide decent care for wolves/hybrids, I just think that the proportion of those people compared to the proportion who *try* and *fail* to provide decent care is negligible. This is why hybrid breeding should be discouraged. It's not about the 1 person who'll do it right, it's about the 99 people who won't.
Also I totally agree about Huskies. My local shelter is always full of purebred huskies. People want them because they're beautiful/impressive and think they're just like any other dog. The dog ends up in the shelter when the owner finds out that caring for a husky is nothing like caring for a pug.
Edit: I don't think research is the problem. It's true that all animals require research but I think the problem is people who are unrealistic or in denial. Research doesn't fix the arrogance that a lot of people have towards pet ownership. The result is sad when it comes to dogs and cats, and downright dangerous when it comes to hybrids.
@@kira3835 I've researched different breeds and learned that I will never have a Husky or Shepard. I just don't have the energy needed for those breeds. Even though they are my two favorites. I think I'll just stick with cats.
@@kira3835 you are right there, but who gives the right then to state "sorry because these people can't take care of their dogs we can no longer reproduce 'huskies' in captivity." The same thing could be said about any breed not just huskies. Yes people will screw up they always do unfortunately but that's why there are organizations out there to ensure people aren't being inhumane. To state people can't have wolves because there are people who mess up is ridiculous if that's the case let's get cattle, horse, livestock, and general reptile owners on the chopping block. When one strand is pulled on it always goes deeper. What people don't like is their view point of "these animals belong in the wild and shouldn't be in homes" well yes they require special care, but what wild? Pups are being murdered in their dens with their parents. There are packs that are being eliminated in their own region because people lobbied for it. What now? Just let them die off because people are too ignorant to realize the role they play? Do we step in maybe have RESPONSIBLE breeders do thorough housing checks to ensure these animals go to a proper home with the space/care/financial backing they need? There are more than one ways to do things besides outright banning from the general public. I know right now these same arguments are being had about keeping exotics in the US that we are fighting because it's ignorant and will do way more harm than good. Overall people need to remember to outright ban fixes nothing and makes everything worse. Plus it would be sad to see how many people mix up German shepherd husky hybrids with wolves which could lead to unfair euthanasia. My stance about having exotics ethically just won't ever change not with their habitats shrinking as they are just look at the military macaw endangered due to deforestation, but in captivity this species is thriving.
@@houndgirl7365 and who gives you the right to incite and demand the unwarranted slaughter of animal mothers to steal their kittens/pups for breeding stock so that you and others can boost your worthless egos by owning exotic hybrids as "pets"?
Australia has a ban on importing or breeding many of those cat breeds already. The only hybrid cat breed that escaped the breeding ban was the Bengal, because they had already been imported to Australia before the ban was enacted. Not long after Bengals arrived, the Government was looking into whether they should allow the import of Savannah Cats and decided that no, they pose too great a risk to the Australian environment. Since then, all new exotic hybrid breeds have been unavailable.
You also can't import dog hybrids, or any breed of dog specifically bred for fighting, including American pit bulls, or cross-breeds of those dog breeds. Some of these do exist here, but they aren't common, and no more can be imported so...
Edit: Should note, you're not allowed to breed new F1 bengals. Only bengals bred from other bengals are allowed. All bengals in Australia are G5 or greater, since no new wild genetics have been added since. They're still heavily restricted from imports, but having a bengal of G5+ can be allowed under specific circumstances.
The American Pitties are by far some of the most misunderstood dog breeds with a lot of misinformation being touted as "facts", I have NEVER in all my years on this earth met a bad pittie but I have however met bad owners that should NOT have the dog, or any dog for that matter!
Sadly the statistics for those dogs are skewed by bad owners training the dogs to do bad things, they are attracted by the muscular aggressive look of the dog instead of the other characteristics that would make it a great loving family dog....Which sadly is the reason for the disproportionately high number of attacks and deaths associated with that breed...They also don't accurately report on breeds when it comes to the pit's here in America. If the police says it "looks" like a pit...then its a pit...Even if it's not.
Honestly I think the feral cats I care for are more dangerous than any of my friends well trained and well loved and socialized pit bulls. I wish we could just ban bad people from having pets or any animal under their "care".
@@Blackinterceptor999 I think a part of the (not entirely) unique struggle that Oz is under relates to the already outrageously high death rates among native animals. To quote the Smithsonian..
“Every year, feral cats kill 1.4 billion native Australian animals-around the same number that died in the catastrophic 2019-20 bushfires when more than 73,000 square miles burned.”
So, I can entirely understand why, as a nation, there needs to be a collective effort to keep wild breeds out. An animal who is less removed from the ‘hunt to survive’ mentality is going to be a less successful hunter.
What I don’t understand is the ban on ‘fighting’ breeds of dogs. All dogs are fighting dogs, if they’re trained in such a manner….
@@Blackinterceptor999 it seems like most “ pit bulls” you see in the US are American staffordshire terriers or mixes. There are definitely some that are really high energy and have a really high prey drive that are quite dangerous if their owners don’t exercise them safely and fail to manage any behavioral issues (this can also be an issue in other dog breeds like German shepherds, Belgian malinois, or even labradors). A lot of news reports of pit bulls killing dogs mention that the pit bull was off leash for some reason or another. A lot of pit bulls are definitely quite typical goofy dogs and not vicious killers, so you are right that some people are too quick to judge pit bulls. At the same time, some people need to stop pretending that their dogs are completely harmless. Behavioral issues are common in all sorts of dogs and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to admit it. My sister’s dachshund mix would probably bite the neighborhood children if they try to pet her, but I make sure to keep her away from them. There’s a huge lack of responsible dog ownership.
There really just needs to be more research done about whether pit bulls are really more dangerous (or if it’s because of the owners or something) and if so, why. There’s so much speculation about locking jaws, a unique “fighting style”, inherent aggression, blah blah blah. It doesn’t seem like it’s been properly studied. Really though, these dogs will keep showing up until dog fighting is put to an end.
@@Blackinterceptor999 I'd trust a pitbull around my kids ten times wore that I would ever trust a Chihuahua or a Dauschund. Those two breeds bite more children than any other, they just don't get the headlines because they don't do the damage that a pit can. . Pits listen pretty well to their owners, which is why a bad owner can make a very dangerous pit.
@@nickwarner8158 mf really said a chihuahua is more dangerous then a fucking pit bull
The best cat I have ever owned cost me $40 and I got her in a McDonald’s parking lot. She’s made me fall in love with cats again and I don’t think I’ll have another like her.
Good for you, very kind woman. Cats are individuals, like people. Choose your cat after spending time with it. Think carefully!!
I mean, it's essentially the feline version of puppy mills with an exotic bent to it. I fully endorse the adopt-don't-shop philosophy. My 15 year old best friend was a mutt and she's saved me every day.
I so agree with you Jackson. I find it heartbreaking to see all these beautiful cats waiting for a loving family to take them home but instead they are on the “list” to be put down. This turns my gut inside out and my heart ache’s because the anguish I feel because I alone can only do so much.
I adopted a Bengal this year. This is his FIFTH and final home. What's appalling is how many people get a designer cat because it's popular, many not even having a cat before and not understanding that these cats are much more needy and destructive than their domestic cousins, and then mistreat and abandon it when it behaves as such. Education is so vital.
I agree with this idea and seeing where it leads…and I’m an owner of an amazing male Bengal cat…That we adopted from a local shelter. He is every bit a Bengal in every way, and we were able to save one more kitty from living or dying in a shelter! I don’t think people realize these hybrids actually can be found in animal rescues and shelters all over the country.
My roommate had a Bengal. I loved this cat more than anything. When he had to go to his country of origin to renew his visa things got complicated and I had his Bengal and other cat to myself for a year. So intelligent it was like living with a person. He was also probably one of the least destructive or troublesome cats I've ever had. But I'm an introvert and my cats are my social life so he got tons of play and exercise. He's since passed away but having had a Bengal was a major highlight in my cat experiences.
I have a common tabby, and he's smarter than any human. He's got me completely tamed!
I think that's what it is all about; catering to the needs of your cat. If you can, then you have a great animal friend. If not, then you have quite the opposite. Good on you on meeting the needs of your cat.
@@SethParr Thank you Seth. Knowing Shinki and getting to live with him was a joy and a privilege.
I can’t imagine teaching “no” to a more stubborn, more wild cat than any of the domestics I’ve had. It’s already hard, and an angry cat is so strong already. Nobody needs a bigger cat.
If anything, all research and genetics should be placed on making house cats smarter, and more domesticated. My last male cat was so sweet, from the moment I got him, you could put him on the back of your neck and walk around and he would just pur. And I'd hold him upside down and he'd pur. He never got angry. I picked him specifically out of the liter, there was only one super nice male cat, the rest were mostly just regular cats. Some cats have incredibly nice behavior. Our of any given liter, I've observed that some of the cats in the liter are actually not able to be good pets, they are not social and they want to do wild things. But others in the liter are so sweet, and want to be cuddled. All breeding should be done to maximize the behavior of cats, because behavior is the number #1 most disliked thing about cats. And cat owners need to pay more attention to cultivating good behavior, not encouraging more wild cats.
If people want a wild cat, it should be required that they own a 100% pure wild cat. Because the biggest problem that exists is if stray hybrids start roaming the streets, and contaminate the gene pool. Domestic cats do make amazingly good pets, and it would be incredibly stupid to introduce large wild cat genes into the base house cat gene pool.
The real wild cats are not stubborn at all. 80% of wild kittens won't live to adulthood, and probably only 10% survive long enough to have their own offspring. So the survival wild cats are in the top 10% group. They are incredibly intelligent and flexible, capable of assessing situations and making adjustments. The problem with domestic cats is that there's no natural selection based on IQ, EQ, and long-term physical health. The situation is worse with pure breeds, given the small gene pools and inbreeding.
Amanda I agree with you. I owned a Savannah cat for 13 years and loved so much. She was highly intelligent, dog like, and wasn’t a risk to no one. I preferred this type of cat do to her characteristics because we moved to a place where we wanted an indoor pet but reminded us of our dogs. Savannah was a gift to my children. A domestic cat as well as a Savannah can be wild you must do your research well prior to selecting a breeder. Don’t stereotype the trait.
@@analili0 I don't think you understood what they were saying, at all. They weren't supporting the owning of a wildcat, they're just saying that because a wild cat survived to adulthood, it somehow makes them not stubborn, as if she knows the moods of a wild animal lol. Owning a wildcat is not a thing people should be doing. Wildcats should stay where they belong, in the wild.
Hi Jackson, I'm glad you tackled this topic. I just want to say that back in 1994 I bought a 3 year old STUNNING male Bengal who was a show cat and 'stud' at a breeder who seemed to be a reputable one from all the research I did and adored her cats. The reason I chose a Bengal, my ex hated cats (I should have known better!!) so I found a breed that he would agree to. Stupid...I KNOW but I wanted a cat soooo bad!! I fell in love from one picture!! Shamrock was fixed before I got him, his stud days were over!! And although this is not proving your theory on behaviour but he was certainly not an F1 or F2, he was the most amazing cat I ever had. He was so affectionate, loving, protective of me, amazing with everyone he met, very well behaved, only sprayed once when he first arrived. And he was especially amazing with my daughter who came along soon after he arrived.... he chewed one toilette paper roll in protest of the new bundle, then fell in love with her and endured her baby abuse like a pro and guarded her with his life!! He was my feline soul mate and everyone who met him, fell in love with him, not only because he was stunning and back then the breed was so new no one had ever seen a cat like him, but his personality, he was so funny, playful, caring, so smart, SO vocal and expressive...he never was not talking except when he was sleeping!! Not to mention 26 pounds of muscle and sheer awesomeness!!! He was just difficult to bathe, trim nails and clean ears, the vet had to sedate him.
He had very few health issues, lived to 21 years old which wasn't nearly enough for me. He died 10 years ago this week and I still cry thinking about him.
But.... since him I've only had rescues and would NEVER buy another cat from a breeder or any other pet. What you say is true, how can you justify buying an expensive designer cat...$20,000++ when so many cats are on death row desperate for a home. I have two wacky rescue cats and a rescue Boston Terrier who was so wild from abuse she would have been euthanized. And they are my life. They aren't perfect, they have issues, they aren't fancy but they are my sweet, loveable, goofy babies and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I saved them all from abuse, neglect, abandonment or worse. I can't think of a better reason to adopt versus shop. We need to stop this cycle of puppy and kitty mills and the abuse that industry causes by not supporting them financially. And I adore the look of Savannahs and all the other hybrids but a cat like that should never be locked up in an apt or a house all day and expected to thrive. They won't. They need to have access to a large, safe outdoor enclosed habitat, and not alone preferably. They need stimulation and allowed to be who they are, and people who know how to care for them so they lead a happy, healthy life. The F1's and F2's will never be your typical house cat nor should they be expected to. I'm sure many are abused and caged for being exactly what they are bred to be.... an exotic wild animal! And that's not fair!! And just because you see one one tic tok doesn't mean you need to run out and buy one. Why are people so easily influenced????? I love Giraffes but I know my apt is not the right space for one no matter how cute they are!! PLEASE PEOPLE...ADOPT!! A rescue will spend the rest of their lives thanking you!!
I'd prefer to see servals in a protected indigenous habitat and doing well there. For that matter I'd like to see other wild cats protected and faring well.
Always interesting, thank you. I didn't even know Bengals were hybrids. So many cats in rescue centres awaiting homes
I have 2 rescue cats. Both females, a tabby and a tortie. I feed the stray cats and have been around cats my whole life. I've wanted a Bengal for years. I never knew where they originated from. I'll keep to rescues and feeding the strays. Your information was very helpful.
Thing that kills me is we are literally GIVING AWAY cats who need a good home. And killing those because there are way more cats than people wanting to adopt them. Go adopt a kitty in need, this is also kind of indictment of "pure bred/show cats" as well IMO. Also domestic cats are already wild animals who can survive on their own cunning outdoors, I can't imagine adopting a cat that has even more of the crazy/wild cat genes in them.
Sadly a lot of animal shelters are playing gate keeper when it comes to their animals- I get it, I really do, they want to make sure the animal is going to a good home but it's gotten so excessive to the point that they require just as many hoops to jump through as adopting a child and this would be all fine and dandy if they didn't put them down after a certain amount of time. They want to know your income, how much you work, where you live, what your house looks like, you have to have a home inspection and some even require background checks. My sister got declined from adopting a cat for the sole reason that she already had one and they didn't want the cat to feel stressed being around another cat, unfortunately the cat ended up being put down. This is why back yard breeders are still thriving.
@@Valkari22 Really??? I've adopted twice from a shelter, one was the local government humane society(1992), a kill shelter. We nick named him Methuselah once he overcame the unlucky age of 13, he lived to 18. The other kitty was adopted from a non-profit no kill shelter(2010), sadly he passed away last year.
Both times they were like hey come take a cat, we have them running out our ears, pay the adoption fee that day(less than $100), you got a cat. Or cats, some were a package deal if they were siblings/had lived together.
I will say the no kill shelter had all their cats spayed/neutered. Really wish the county government would find the funds to spay/neuter, they have the funds here in Nashville and surrounding areas considering all the growth.
I have my little tabby moggy, Lily. I love her and no exotic cat would replace her.
Oddly, enough, I helped a guy in my neighboring town who had to surrender his Bengal cat (who he had for three years at that point) due to financial hardship and needing to move as a result of it, so the cat couldn't stay with him. He was asking for $3K on OfferUp, so I sent a message talking about how the local animal shelter can set up appointments for a safe surrender for $50, and the SPCA will give his cat whatever he needs to get adopted into a loving new home. Weeks later, I saw the Bengal cat (I think his name was something like Tom?) in the cat adoption center where I used to work, and I met with the older couple who was filling out the paperwork to adopt him. I shared the original owner's number with that couple so that they could let him know Tom was going home -- and the original owner wound up thanking me for helping him do all of that because he was afraid of Tom being abandoned or winding up in an awful place.
Bengals and Savannahs are not common in my region, thankfully, but if anyone has $20,000 they're eager to spend, donate to the local animal shelters. It's tax deductible, last I checked!
Love what you do Jackson! My 4 daughters and I are relegated to dog ownership (I am both a dog and cat person) because my husband is VERY VERY allergic to cats. I also taught my girls that you adopt for life, no matter what, and so they know not to go into the decision lightly. My 14 year old even wrote an article about why you should not get a dog for Christmas. We also have related cat behavior to our own human behavior at times because of how well you explain things in My Cat from Hell. Thank you for all you do!
I'm so happy to hear this! I adopted a cat with behavioral issues, but wouldn't give up on her even when she scratched my face up a couple of times. I felt like: I adopted her for life and learn about her behavior and what I can do to help change it. We had a behavioral therapist over and she made recommendations. Stimulation with play and food puzzles helps a lot, but also knowing a cat's boundaries. Not all cats like to be petted and they do show love by sleeping on you or next to you instead. The best way is to let them come to you if they want your attention. So, thumbs up for teaching your daughters that animals are for life. All people should be aware of that. It's traumatic for animals to go back to shelters, then back to a home and a shelter again. We should be more mindful of their feelings than that.
Jackson, I SO agree with you! Your thoughts made me remember horrific stories of puppy mills. Would people just stop for a minute, and consider the sad lives of caged wild animals?
I completely agree with you, Jackson. I’ve been seeing this trend spread like wildfire, and completely don’t understand the surge to domesticate these clearly wild cats. All my cats have always been shelter rescues, always will, and there are countless incredible kitties already needing homes for us to give them. Breeding seems selfish and heartless on a number of levels. Animals bring us so much joy as they are, especially the not-so-Insta-perfect ones! Thanks for being such a loving advocate and having the courage and education to use your influence for good.
I support rescue and every cat I've ever had has been a rescue. I know two people personally (and I don't have a wide circle of friends by any means) who have gotten designer cats within the past year. I also have feelings about the designer cats who are hairless cats, ones with shriveled ears or short stumpy legs, etc. It seems cruel to me. In response to any questions I raise, I ALWAYS get the "But they've been doing it to dogs forever!" Bah! Is what I say, Fie. However, thank you Jackson for all that you do, I've been watching you for years and have always appreciated how you approach each animal and situation carefully and with great thought. Thank you! Thank you!
The dog comparison is not very good if your friends know anything about dog breeding. Yes dogs are bred, but they are often bred to preserve a specific working purpose (herding, tracking, etc). Breeding just for specific coat colors is seen as unethical even in the dog world.
I'd tell em so what? Dog breeding can be pretty terrible sometimes too. Just because something else is bad that does not in anyway make what you do good.
I agree. Every time I see a cat with short legs i think, How cruel! What a mean thing to do to a predator. Dachshunds were bred to go into burrows. Cats wait outside for days.
They’ve been doing it to dogs forever… and look at the resulting health issues. German Shepherds with heart issues, joint issues, spinal issues and skin allergies. Bulldogs, Pugs and Boxers who can hardly breathe. Cocker Spaniels that go insane (Red Cocker Syndrome). Dachshunds who die because their spine implodes. Sharpeis with rashes so bad they’re either itchy or in pain most of their lives.
Yeah, keep it up people. Part of humankind seems to have forgotten the particle ‘kind’ in their name. Unscrupulous breeders who have no consideration for the individual’s AND the breed.s welfare aren’t part of humanKIND. They’re a separate group called humanCRUEL.
Most of my pets are and have been rescues for a reason. When not a rescue, they came from a reputable breeder.
The genetic anomalies that were perpetuated through breeding, such as the Persian, Munchkin, Scottish Fold, etc have genetic health issues! The original Persian breed looked nothing like the one is bred today!
Same with the Pomeranians and many other breeds! Why do we keep shrinking these dogs, affecting their brains, health, temperaments and wellbeing!??
It is incredibly cruel to keep breeding flatter noses and faces , short necks and big heads when a dog struggles to breathe , often has cleft palates, skin fold allergies, has difficulty in mating and giving birth! These Often results in the short life spans and a lifetime of serious health issues! A dog struggling to breathe is not cute!!
The Veterinarians tried to get them officially banned, but so far, unsuccessfully!
There are breeders, however, who have been working very hard to improve these breeds, by producing the Bulldogs, etc with the longer necks, smaller heads, longer noses and longer legs, etc! Their dogs are much healthier, more active, give normal births, normal breathing, longer lifespans, etc!
The Olde Englishe Bulldogge is one such example of the improvement! There are others! I heard of improved Pug breed
Research, research! Why put a cat or a dog through a lifelong torture to breathe and walk, etc!?
I really appreciate you mentioning the captive wild cats for breeding.
Thank you, Jackson, for mentioning the hybrid cat rescues! We've adopted several Bengals (F4 to F5) over the years from rescues across the country, and though they've been a handful in so many ways, I can't imagine our lives without them. It definitely takes a lot of patience and education on the adopter's part, but it can be well worth it.
Every word Jackson says is why I have adopted all my pets. I don't want to perpetuate the cycle of selective breeding.
Wildcat Sanctuary takes in a lot of hybrids because their owners can't handle the natural behavior issues. Mostly refusal to use a litterbox and territorial marking. Wild nature is wild.
They offered to buy my retired breeding Savannah cats to have on display...
They're frauds
@@Apexpurrfection They don't put cats on display to the public. But you are entitled to your opinion.
You've put forth your opinion in a measured and calm way, I really admire that! I tend to get all riled up and preachy and that converts no one of course. I hope this message gets heard by those who need to hear it. So many shelters overrun with loving beautiful cats and people still buying scottish folds, or bengals... it breaks my heart.
I have a Bengal/Abyssinian mix. His name is Severus. He is a shelter rescue, and I love him dearly. He is so unbelievably smart and easy to train! He is my best friend and my right hand man. He is also neutered. Severus is my baby, not a stud service. He's also extremely healthy.
Gas lighter.
Love the name! Also, such a cool mix!
Bless you for adopting him. Abyssinians have nice personalities, so that may have "toned down" the wild in your boy. Bet he likes to climb, though!
The addition of the Aby in the mix is probably why your hybrid is so loving and intelligent. My neutered 19-yr-old Aby is the most intelligent cat who has ever lived with me. He is also the most loving (as was his brother who, unfortunately died when he was only 9). I have had cats my entire long life, different breeds and personalities, but my soft lovesponge is the love of my life. He happens to be gorgeous, but that is just incidental.
We are pleased to read he is neutered. Thank you for advising.
I had an F3 Bengal, who came to me at age 1, because the owner (who bought him from a breeder) couldn’t keep him. I had known this kitty since he was a kitten. I wanted him so badly!
Well…he was part Abyssinian and part Asian Leopard cat. Inside the house, he was the sweetest house cat. All Aby. Polite, fun, lovable and obedient. But since he had been raised his first year freely living inside/outside, it was impossible to keep him a prisoner indoors. Not and keep our sanity. 🙄
He was the most intelligent, sensitive cat I’ve ever had. Definitely like having a four-year-old in the house. We quickly learned how much ENERGY he had, and required lots of active, creative play time. This is why Bengal owners get those running cat wheels, just so the animals can run off some of that agile energy. And yes, did I mention they are consummate acrobats? They need high places to climb and jump.
Sometimes our Bengal boy (neutered) would leave our yard and be gone for 24 or more hours. Nerve wracking for us. He was out HUNTING. Our neighbors said they never saw him without a mouse in his mouth, and he never let anyone pet him. When he would come home (at 3:00am, strolling in like, “Whut? Where’s breakfast?”), he would have this wild glint in his eyes. He was no longer our pet. He just used us to eat, and disappear again. Very frustrating.
We would have to capture him when he came home and ground him for about two weeks, until he remembered he was our beloved pet. Then, rinse, repeat.
We had him for nine years. He finally died of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a common breeding trait with these hybrid cats. We were devastated when he passed away. We couldn’t get another cat for six years of mourning him.
But oth, I was relieved not to have a wild animal in my house anymore. It was stressful and exhausting. I don’t think I could do it again, even though I long to. Give me a sweet, rescue tabby cat any time. A regular domesticated cat.
So you think you want a Bengal (or two)? They’re the most amazing pets, but be sure to read up on them thoroughly. Unless you have Jackson Galaxy next door. 😸😻😻😽
thankfully i'm prepared... i raised a F1 bobcat/siamese, she was an accident, and i had her till renal failure took her at 19. i made sure my hubby understood what we were getting into when we started talking about bengals to replace her(she's been gone 7 years now, but we also had two tuxes, sadly gone now too), especially when he only met her when she was already a far more mellow 13. so, now i have a pair of f5 half siblings in the other room since a few days ago...
You are 100% right. All my kitties that are in my life are family. Most my kitties were homeless. Some are seniors, middle age, and two are very young. Some with special needs. I love them with my life.❤❤🙏
Street cats for the win
Got a 3year old Bengal from the SPCA. Very intelligent, affectionate, high energy and high maintenance.
Think the girl that had him originally just had him for his looks but couldn’t handle how much of a handful he is.
I agree totally! I had a Bengal. He had been passed around from person to person because they thought he was a bad cat. When the actuality was he was too wild and too much cat for the novice. I took him in at 3 years old. He was diabetic (untreated until I got him), he could be sweet & cuddly, but wild and sometimes scary. I loved him a lot. Mourned him intensely. But, I would never get another one! And I consider myself a experienced cat owner. So many of these designer cat get surrendered because of the lack of education about the breed. Same with other kinds of pets. Its frustrating to see it so much.
Hope, I had the same experience. I had two Bengals - brother and sister. The brother - Apollo was the sweetest most demure, unterritorial and lowest hunter instinct cat I have ever owned - he unfortunately, escaped one night and never came home. We looked for days but later discovered a coyote den near our house and suspect that's what happened to him. His sister on the other hand was a crazy girl. High hunter instinct, demanded to go outside (we had a cat door and she was in every night), brave, climber, territorial and queen of the house. We did have marking issues with her but she also was tiny (8 pounds) and when she wanted to be, the sweetest girl. I had her for 12 years before life happened and my husband died and I had to leave out 3 acres for an apartment. She would have been miserable. After interviewing several prospective parents, Star went to a family on a farm and was able to live out her remaining years on the farm and being an only cat which she loved! But from my experience, I will never own another hybrid no matter how exotic they look. They are not meant to be indoors. Unless you are willing to have your house smell like cat urine, I wouldn't recommend owning one. We had all of those issues but I took on the responsibility of owning a hybrid and would not abandon either one since I had chosen them. I now own either standard breed cats (Tonkinese) or rescues (usually Siamese).
THANK YOU JACKSON ❤
I hear about cats needing help daily , all the rescues are full . I have been talking to one of the ladies that works there about how, although necessary , rescue and shelters are just a bandaid . . . We need to try to make changes to the root of this "problem" but it's a lot harder to do . Idk where to start, but I know it's with laws and regulations .
Jackson, thank you so much for doing a piece on hybrid cats. From me, its a catch 22, I owned a wonder f2 bengal for 13 years, and yes, you definitely really have to love love love and have tons of patience to own one, they are extremely smart cats, and you can definitely see their wild streak in them. Bandit, i miss still and its been 4 years, we didn't know it at the time but they have a tendency to have heart issue, and passed away suddenly with a stroke. Getting back to why its a catch 22 is i so agree that there are so many, unwanted cats that end up being unthanized, and you buy the breed of a bengal that takes away from one homeless cat being rescued. Well, i know have 5 rescues because my heart is full of love for any cat in need.
The US had two serval escapes within a month of each other, from different private homes. Servals are wild cats and require special care. They're kept for breeding purposes. I completely understand the proposal to ban hybrids. Let F3s continue to breed to one another (assuming males are fertile at F3), but no new hybrids should be created. And if you can afford a bengal, you can afford to fix it.
It was a requirement for my getting a Savannah, but only because she was not "breed standard" enough. Of course, I do not have any interest in having kittens around at all!! I agree with the basic notion of not allowing anymore F1s. There are also nos new hybrids being created, so that would essentially cut that particular concept out. I am not opposed to that either. You need a special license (for servals, afaik).
Males from F1 - F4 are sterile
100%
Thank you for addressing this! I volunteer at my local shelter and sometimes we have Bengals. People think they're so beautiful, but have no idea of their energy needs and when I tell them, I can tell they're not really paying attention. There are so many high energy kittens every year that people can't keep up with. If they want wild, that's the way to go!
I work in vet med, I have 5 domestic short hair cats adopted from our local SPCA. Awesome cats, every one of them. We see Bengals at the clinic all the time with behavioral problems. Inappropriate marking and over grooming are the most common... It's heartbreaking because we know the cats are not happy and the owners are frustrated. That is hard on the cats and their families. Many of the cats end up at the shelter or worse.
What is over grooming? Is that like when stressed birds pick their feathers out?
@@BlackSeranna yep... they can rip their fur out and get raw patches from excessively grooming themselves. my F1 bobcat would do that when stressed and there was nothing we could do about that, except of course try and deal with whatever was stressing her out.
I love cats but I can’t stand greedy people.
Jackson, I've been a fan for years and I've wanted to hear more from you on the subject of these hybrids, so thank you for beginning to address it. The two issues I have are around the breeding situation; a poor domestic cat is put in a room (or a cage) with a wild animal, and is a slave to their mating drive. What a horrifying experience for the domestic cat, and how many don't survive the process before a breeder is found? My other issue, which you didn't mention, is about prettiness. As we all know, a large part of the appeal of these hybrids is how beautiful they are--but in every litter there will be pretty ones and less perfect ones. I think we know what happens to the kittens deemed 'inferior products'. In my opinion, the entire hybrid process is heavily tainted with animal abuse. I hope you continue to voice concern over these issues!! The kitties need our help.
The 'inferior products' are sold as pets. You make it sound as if they are casually killed. I've owned a few occicats and most have been the spotless, runts, or the ones with some physical nonconformity to the breed spec sheet. Now, the wild animal issue doesn't come into it with occicats, but 'inferior products' are still generated and, at least at every cattery I've been to, they are treated well and homes are found for them.
@@GHollandESQ hopefully. but there are "puppy mills" for dogs as well as for cats. some years ago farmers sold their surplus kitties for some Euro in the newspaper. These days, you can get a mixed-race or "pure" BSH for half the price a serious breeder would ask for - but bred with less care, less precaution, less vet checks ... the market is booming. Even before the Big C struck. Its just not fair - the sensible and fair breeder inverts lots of money to detect genetic flaws, to vaxx the offspring and to bring it up well. The greedy "producer" does no such thing. And there are sooo many cats out there...
There are no ugly cats, just because they have a fault in the showring doesn't mean they aren't gorgeous animals and fine loving pets. They are sold as pet quality with a spay/neuter demand.
@@GHollandESQ And the pet trade causes suffering as these cats are not suited to a human home environment. You partake of this trade, you are culpable of animal cruelty whether your ego allows you to acknowledge it or not. You're culpable of encouraging wildlife trafficking which in itself means the death of wild animals at source or in transit. But of course, the money is so special, isn't it? The real draw for people is selling those poor cats for thousands. Greed. Greed is it.
@@littleblackpistol the cats I am talking about are suited to the home environment. Occicats are domesticated, not hybrid. A while back I looked into getting a savannah, but with the outdoor enclosure requirements and the time commitment for enrichment, not to mention the price (which you mentioned) I realized that I really didn't want one. When the time comes, I'll just head to the local shelter and get a moggie like I've done for the past two cats I've owned.
I ended up adopting the last kitten in an accidental pregnancy, they were all free. Fell in love with that little face. Took a bunch of pictures because I was so happy! I didnt want a cat at first, it was just a last minute decision since they were giveaways. Took a bunch of pictures because of happiness, next thing you know someone approached me on one of my social medias and asked me "Omg, how much did you pay for your Russian Blue!? 😍"
...needless to say I made their jaw drop whem I broke the news to them. I litterally dont care how much the breed is worth, she is my fur-daughter, and no money in the world would take her away from me now! :3
Ι believe adoption is the best option and i don't like supporting breeders.
If you like getting a jack in the box! I myself respect people who adopt from shelters or directly from the street and know how to deal with issues that might come up (like litterbox training!), but I myself would only consider a kitten I know has been properly socialized (and litterbox trained) and buying from a breeder asures that, it also makes it less likely that the kitten has a disease (especially of the hereditary kind) or parasites, as reputable breeders will take care of immunisations and many will even spay/neuter before even selling kittens!
That I get to chose the looks and most likely personality (some breeds tend to behave a certain way after all) is just the icing on top!
ps: Bengals look great, but ATM, if I wanted a cat? I'd go for a jet black cat - a Bombay :)
I think breeders have their place in certain circumstances but since I only do rescue work it really doesn't affect me at all. I like the cats and kittens that have been abandoned and have no place to go. Those are my favorite
I've never been able to get on board with the hybrids, largely mostly due to the point you raised about all those Serval cats in captivity solely for the purpose of a breeding program. I'm glad they're illegal in Australia and I think Bengals are only allowed from G5 onwards which is some improvement but still those cats had to start somewhere. It's definitely a complex issue.
Thanks so much, Jackson, not only for addressing this topic but for taking us through your thought process regarding the proposed ban. Humans get so deeply into “Oooh pretty” and “I want” that they tend to disregard the consequences of their actions. Only those who love animals should live with them, and anyone who genuinely loves them would not knowingly contribute to their suffering. Information and education are vital. All the best to you!
I really like how you explained this issue. Made it very clear why this legislation makes sense. Personally a lazy Persian is my type of cat but for those wanting a more wild cat I hope they see this video and rethink why they want a wild cat that doesn’t belong in domestic homes.
My family adopted a tabby boy from our local shelter when I was kid. He was “just” a regular domestic cat but for me, he was a tiger! Unfortunately he passed away after 17 happy years with us but he was a good boy!
A major but often unknown issue in uk is that the Scottish Wild Cat is now becoming threatened because of breeding with the domestic cat. It will be beneficial because of the conversations and increased awareness in our societies that it will spark just like this one. Thank you Jackson 😊
Thank you Jackson, for your compassion & ethical good caring sense for the wellbeing of both wild & domestic cats.
All of my fur babies (3) were neglected and abused before I adopted them. All three are sweet, loving, adoring, protective and grateful. I am very thankful to have these sweet babies who now feel secure and loved. 🥰😻💞 Adopt, don't shop. 💞
I have two Arabian Maus from the UAE and have rescued and fostered countless others whilst living there and being part of the cat charity there. They are descendants of interbreeding between domestic cats and the Gordon’s wild cat which was native to the area but pretty much now extinct because they technically became maus as the country became developed. They are brilliant cats but definitely have a wild streak to them. Very versatile and opportunistic. I have a great affection for the, but this interbreeding happened naturally in the wild. I am in agreement with you that keeping an exotic in captivity for the purpose of breeding hybrids is not cool.
I have a UAE rescue cat to who is arabian mau :) she is completely insane... more energy then all my other cats put together but incredibly loving. A really super breed, and natural with fewer health problems then other hybrids like bengals and savannahs.
@@cotarddelusion876 I love them 😍
I totally agree- if you want a fantastic high energy loyal affectionate intelligent breed with rescue an Arabian Mau ! Beautiful natural breed. I totally adore our Arabian Mau pair.
Jackson continue your study in this. You have really good points. I have four domestic rescue cats ranging in ages of 16 plus years to six years. All fixed. So true, adopt don’t shop.
I know I comment this on a lot of your videos, but thank you for showing our feline family undying love and care and showing those of us who don't know any better to be better owners. Thank you Jackson Galaxy. Thank you.