Res_110_Research_Assignment

Savannah: To Pet, Or Not To Pet Myra T. Styles University of Phoenix RES/110 3/11/10 Abstract When you think of a Savannah does a city, grasslands, or a seaport may come into mind. Some people have heard of this new kind of breed of cat and some may be amazed to her about this new wonder. This will introduce you to a new type of pet that is sweeping the nation and yet banned in certain states because of the unknown and what if factors. This is not written to change a person’s mind, it is written to find out why people have chosen this animal to be a part of their family. Who And Or What Is a Savannah The Savannah is a mixed breed of cat that comes from the mating of an African Serval and a domestic house cat; some people believe that it was a cross bred with the Siamese. These cats came into existence around 1986 with the help of a Bengal breeder named Judee Frank and a Serval owner by the name of Suzi Woods. Suzi is credited for the name of this new breed which comes from the African savanna where the Serval can be found. Fascination of this domestic cat hybrid caught the attention of a man named Patrick Kelley. Patrick along with Joyce Stroufe, a fellow breeder presented this new breed to the TICA (The International Cat Association) board of directors and was successful in registering the Savanna as a new breed in 1999. According to hybrid laws, the Savannah is banned in New York, Iowa, Georgia, Hawaii, Alaska, and Massachusetts. Are They Wild Or Domestic' As of 2001 the Savannah is a registered breed of the domesticated cat. The price of a Savannah will depend on the genetic influence of the African Serval ancestor and are broken down from F1 to F5. For example, a F1 Savannah will have 53% of Serval ancestry in it, F2 will contain 29%, and F3 will be 16%, and so on. The newest breed of the Savannah is known as the SBT, this has three generations of Savannah to Savannah mating in its pedigree; for instance the parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. The Savannah is the largest hybrid cat today, ranging from 10 to 30 pounds but because of their tall, lanky body type, even the lightest Savannah can appear much larger and heavier than it really is. Opposite of its housecat ancestry, the Savannah’s personality is very dog-like in the ways of being trainable, liking to take outdoor walks, and even splashing around in the shower, or wading through your bathwater, and their ability to leap straight up into the air up to seven feet! Unlike most pets, Savannahs have so much energy that they’ll usually tire out other pets quickly and search for a new playmate or form of entertainment. Savannahs get along well with other pets including the family cats and the family dog. How to Care For a Savannah Savannahs require no special care and they don't require a special diet. High quality, dry food, a nice size litter box, and the occasional cat treat. There are currently no established Savannah breed-specific health issues. This is certainly your choice. Be advised, however, a raw diet requires a great deal more effort, plus added dietary supplements. Raw food diets for pets are available in the marketplace; some individuals choose to create a diet themselves.  If you choose to feed your Savannah raw food it is recommended that it is done in limited amounts with a combination of a high quality dry food.  It is always best to seek the advice of a veterinarian or exotic cat specialist if you have any questions about caring for a Savannah. What Makes Them So Amazing' Aside from the exotic spots, large ears and extraordinary stature, certain people are attracted to the Savannah’s personality and the ability to adapt well with various types of animals, including other cats. They act as a member of the family or a roommate to a single person, for example by sleeping under the covers, greeting their owners at the door, playing games, and needing to be loved. Savannah owners will say that these cats have a unique sense of confidence and how they have the ability to lovingly interact with strangers and other animals and are amazing pets for families with children or other animals.   References Hummel, D., Hummel, K. (2008-2009). Select Exotics. Cabery, Illinois. Retrieved March 10, 2010 from Select Exotics http://www.savannahcatbreed.com/index.php Hybrid Law. (2008). Big Spotty Cat Rescue. (2008). Retrieved March 10, 2010 from Hybrid Law. http://www.hybridlaw.com/ Kelley, P. (2010). Exotic Cat Network. Pearblossom. (2010). Retrieved March 10, 2010 from Exotic Cat Network. http://www.savannahcat.com/public/index.php'page=about © The International Cat Association, Inc. Harlingen, Texas. (N.D.). (TICA Savannah Breed Introduction). Retrieved March 10, 2010 from © The International Cat Association, Inc. Online Database