Introduction

Hello All,
I am new to this forum and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Pete and I reside in Florida. We breed and show LaPerms as well as Norwegian Forest Cats, having been involved in the cat fancy for the last 10 years or so. We are striving to have the LaPerm recognized for Championship status and are working hard towards that goal with other LaPerm breeders around the country and the world. I host a discussion group for the LaPerms on Yahoo ([email protected]) and I will be the newsletter editor for the LaPerm Society of America after the June publication. We currently show in CFA and TICA as well as a little in ACFA, although I was recently asked about AACE again and need to give that some thought. Our Norwegians are another source of pride and joy and are a pleasure to work with as well. We are members of the Norwegian Forest Cat Fancier's Association and contribute to their newsletter on occasion. I am looking forward to future discussions and meeting all of you either through the forum or at the shows! Pete

Can you post a picture of your La Perms? What are some of their traits? I'm very curious.

Hello and Thank You. The best way to see a LaPerm is to go to my website at http://www.rexcatz.fsnet.co.uk/hattkatts.html as I don't know yet if pictures are allowed or how to do it here yet. Okay, I just saw the browse bar so I will try it.

LaPerms are a very affectionate, people loving breed. They are a relatively small cat with males weighing 6 - 8 pounds and the females 4 - 6 pounds. Their coat is curly (a dominant gene) and grows straight out from the body rather than back. One of the best ways to feel them is to run your hand from tail to head as opposed to the "normal" method of petting. Whiskers and eyelashes are curly as well. The LaPerm has no guard hairs so they rarely shed and are a good choice for people who are normally allergic to cats. They rarely need bathing and when they do it is fairly easy as they are towel dried (blow drying frizzes their hair). They are a non-aggressive breed by nature and the females are relatively quiet in heat (you need to know your cat or you could miss the signs). Hope that helps.
BTW, the breed is relatively new, since 1982, and there are only a few hundred in the world. Currently they are not yet accepted for Championship status but we are working on it with CFA, TICA and ACFA. Pete

Here is another LaPerm. Pete

What cuties! I love those curly whiskers.

They really are sweet cats. We are having a bit of a problem with our newest litter as the whiskers are so curly they are curling back into their eyes and causing irritation! We have had to clip the whiskers of 3 or 4 of them to solve the problem. Hopefully when they grow back they won't repeat the problem. Pete

Welcome to the catsite!! I have already talked to you a few times, but not a formal introduction. I am sure you will find this site full of friendly and dedicated cat people. LaPerms are adorable. The person I borrow my males from also breeds them. I have had a chance to feel the coat and I am here to say..it is pretty awsome. I have yet to see the personality of an adult but I am sure they are wonderful.

Sandie,
When you say borrow males are you referring to LaPerms? Do you also breed Skookums?

Pete

Oh no...the person I get my males from is a geneticist and breeds and experiments with many breeds. I only get Munchkins through her or someone in NV. I am one who does not believe Skookums should be a breed. I only do Munchkins and am trying to keep the lines as they should be.

Sandie,
Your friend wouldn't be Soelvig Pflueger would she?

Pete

LOL I guess she gets around huh

Sandie,
Yes, I guess she does and you are correct stating she works with many breeds. I have never had the pleasure of meeting her but I have read her posts in my group and to say she is impressive would be an understatement.

Pete

I would agree that she is impressive. I am very pleased to have her around when I need to know something. Some people don't find her ethics in order, but I can appreciate what she does. She is very knowledgeable and very willing to help promote a breed. The only LaPerms I have had contact with are hers.

Welcome Pete! Your cats are georgeous. The torbie in the picture really reminds me of my cat Mishmish (she's not curled or anything but has similar coloration).

Anne,
Thanks. Kini is a very special cat to us and I'll tell you why. I went in to feed Mom and her babies and heard a strange meowing but could not see where it was coming from. Since Sunny only had 4 kittens it wasn't like they should be lost in the crowd! As I was putting the food out the meowing seemed to be getting weaker and more strained so I started looking in earnest for her. I turned the room upside down to no avail when I looked around behind me and got the scare of my life; Kini was hanging by her neck, caught between the seat part of a chair and the arm. I tried frantically to free her without further injuring her, turning the chair on it's side to take the pressure off her neck and yelling for Donna to get in there. Between the two of us we still could not free her and I told Donna to step back as I was going to break the arm off the chair. Just then Donna managed to free her as I was pulling on the arm to break it off. A trip to the vet revealed no damage, thank God, although her balance took a few hours to return! The LaPerm breed was discovered in an area with strong Sioux Indian history and we try to use Indian names for our cats if we can; Kini is Lakota Sioux for "breath of life", a name we felt quite fitting.

Pete

Welcome to The Cat Site! You are one dedicated cat person, that's for sure. I appreciate all your efforts to get things straight vis-a-vis the "cat establishment." Although I've never had reason to deal with official cat organizations, I imagine there's a lot of politics and red tape. Whew! Good luck.



I'm glad you're part of our family, since your expertise will be greatly appreciated. And, last but far from least, your feline buddies are total cuties!



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Originally posted by Mr. Cat
Welcome to The Cat Site! You are one dedicated cat person, that's for sure. I appreciate all your efforts to get things straight vis-a-vis the "cat establishment." Although I've never had reason to deal with official cat organizations, I imagine there's a lot of politics and red tape. Whew! Good luck.

I'm glad you're part of our family, since your expertise will be greatly appreciated. And, last but far from least, your feline buddies are total cuties!

=^..^=

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Thank you. I must admit I am not very good at the politics side of breeding and tend to call a spade a spade which may or may not be the popular opinion. As for my expertise, for me it is a constant learning process and I believe there is always something to learn from everyone. I look forward to helping to round out my education here. Thanks for the kudos on my babies; there are another dozen here whose pictures have not made the list yet.

Pete

Welcome, HattKatts. I've already read some of your posts on the breeder's board, but it's nice to formally meet you.

Your LaPerms are darling.

It's great to "meet" all of you as well and to be so warmly welcomed. Such a change from most lists and groups where your existence is barely noticed. (except mine, of course! VBG)

Pete

I've been scarse lately but let me be the latest to add my hellos & welcomes!


you will it here!

:blubturq: