SALTROCK SAVANNAHS
I've always loved cats they have been part of my life since my sister bought home a beautiful black and white half persian kitten when I was four years old. Whisky turned into a beautiful cat and was my companion and confidant up until I left home at 17 to start my nursing career. She died soon after and I was broken hearted. In the nurses homes I have lived in, and then in shared flats with other nurses, we always had cats who would take the pick of which room to sleep in, which bed to sit and preen themselves in the sunlight. We felt very honoured if they chose our room. I moved to New Zealand to continue my nursing career and after marrying and having my children I was working part time so I decided to try breeding cats as a hobby. I chose to breed colourpoints as they were a new breed in New Zealand then and I was fascinated by the different coloured 'points' that could be acheived and found the genetic side of breeding very interesting. On returning to England some years later I continued my nursing career and it is only now in retirement that I am able to renew my interest in breeding cats.
As soon as I met my first Savannah I was hooked and I knew they were the breed I wanted to concentrate on. Being a relatively new breed it afforded me the exciting opportunity to help grow and develop the breed in the UK.
I moved to a quiet and fairly remote cottage situated in the South West of England on the border between Devon and Cornwall with views of the sea, weather permitting! My boys and girls come from the very best breeding lines in the USA Canada and Europe. My breeding Savannah mums and kittens live with me in my home and have access to the garden through connecting runs where they have the space and freedom to play to their hearts content. When the kittens have had their first vaccinations and need more space to play and explore they move to large heated outdoor runs around my cottage. Savannah cats do not have large litters but occasionally due to the nature of breeding I do have a kitten for sale. This helps me to continue my breeding programme by assisting with the costs of food, litter, heating and vet bills.
People that come to visit to meet their first Savannah often stay in the area to explore the beautiful coastline and the villages full of interesting history. Being situated at the head of a valley our village has a wonderful unspoilt beach and amazing scenery. We also have a lovely pottery, and many artists, as well as a beautiful old church St Nectan's and The Yarner Trust a registered charity dedicated to sustanable living. There are many places to stay in the village for bed and breakfast including The Olde Smithy where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast and also wonderful pub food.
ABOUT Savannahs
Keystone a Serval from Select Exotics in the USA
The Savannah cat was bred by crossing a domestic cat with an African Serval (leptailurus serval). Servals are a medium sized wild cat that live in the Savannah grasslands of Africa and feed on small reptiles, rodents, fish and birds. They weigh approximately 20-35 pounds and are long bodied standing about up to 30 inches at the shoulder when fully grown. They have a short thick tail and long legs and a long graceful neck which enables then to see prey over the tall grasses of the Savannah. They are able to jump up to ten feet in the air to catch prey as it flies by. Serval also like to live near water and sometimes use the water to mask the smell of their excrement. The Savannah, like the Serval, have long graceful necks, large ears and long legs, usually longer at the back than the front. They are very energetic, having inherited the agility and the long legs of the Serval can jump from standing, straight up into the air, landing on the tops of doors or ledges. They enjoy having a high vantage point. They also share with the Serval a fascination with water, playing in and around it for hours.
Savannahs are very friendly socialable cats who adore company and hate to be left alone for long periods. They bond closely with their owners and love interactive, inventive play. They can be taught to fetch and to walk on a lead. They are very dog like in their devotion and intelligence however I would always suggest that if you are considering owning a Savannah that there is another pet in the home for company if the owner is going to be away during the day for work. Savannahs love an audience and hate to be left on their own. Being high energy cats they can become destructive and withdrawn. As they are very active muscular cats with high energy levels they require plenty of mental stimulation so a suitable companion to match their intelligence and agility might be a Bengal or another Savannah. Their coat, which is sometimes called a pelt, sheds very little hair.
A fourth generation Savannah cat (savannah to savannah breeding) is recognised by TICA as an SBT. These cats can now be shown at Tica sponsored cat shows.
Please visit our FAQ page where you will find further information
Below are some photos of our Savannahs and Bengals at rest and at play.
Astral with her 'best friend' Miracle my beautiful mink Bengal. Savannahs and Bengals are high energy cats who need the company of other pets and their human friends to keep them happy and alert. They need to interact and love an audience.
Below are Miracles first kittens - butter wouldn't melt!
curtain climbing practice!
Astral and her boys enjoy the sunshine....
Finnbar rolling around with his snake toy in the sunshine and below one of the Savannah pens attached to the cottage.
