NEWS & VIEWS

AAFP Position Statement This Position Statement by the AAFP supersedes the AAFP’s earlier ‘Hybrid cats’ Position Statement, Hybrid cats dated January 2010.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) strongly opposes the breeding of non-domestic cats to domestic cats and discourages ownership of early generation hybrid cats, due to concerns for public safety and animal welfare issues.

Unnatural breeding between intended mates can make The AAFP strongly opposes breeding difficult. the unnatural breeding of non- Domestic cats have 38 domestic to domestic cats. This chromosomes, and most commonly includes both natural breeding bred non-domestic cats have 36 and artificial insemination. chromosomes. This chromosomal The AAFP opposes the discrepancy leads to difficulties unlicensed ownership of non- in producing live births. Gestation domestic cats (see AAFP’s periods often differ, so those ‘Ownership of non-domestic felids’ kittens may be born premature statement at catvets.com). The and undersized, if they even AAFP recognizes that the offspring survive. A domestic cat foster of cats bred between domestic mother is sometimes required cats and non-domestic (wild) cats to rear hybrid kittens because are gaining in popularity due to wild females may reject premature their novelty and beauty. or undersized kittens. Early There are two commonly seen generation males are usually hybrid cats. The Bengal (Figure 1), sterile, as are some females. with its spotted coat, is perhaps The first generation (F1) female the most popular hybrid, having its offspring of a domestic cat bred to origins in the 1960s. The Bengal a wild cat must then be mated back is a cross between the domestic to a domestic male (producing F2), cat and the Asian Leopard Cat. and so on, until fertility is restored, The large-sized Savannah was which is usually at the fourth developed from a cross between generation (F4). the domestic cat and the Serval. The wild nature of non-domestic Temperament concerns cats makes it difficult to safely of hybrid cats breed them. They would not The AAFP discourages ownership generally co-exist with domestic of early generation (F1, F2, F3) cats in nature. The non-domestic hybrid cats due to their cat may view the intended mate as unpredictable nature. Figure 1 The Bengal. ©canstockphoto.com/velvetocean food, or simply the size differences No studies exist that compare the behavior of early generation hybrids Examples of hybrid cats with later generation hybrids. However, early generation cats are generally < Bengal = Leopard Cat ( Prionailurus bengalensi s) + domestic cat ( Felis catus ) accepted as being difficult for many < Bristol = Margay* ( Leopardus wiedii ) + domestic cat individuals to handle as they retain their < Cheetoh (Figure 2) = Bengal + Ocicat wild-type behaviors including urine < Chausie = Jungle Cat ( Felis chaus ) + domestic cat (often Abyssinian) spraying and unpredictable biting or < Caracat = Caracal ( Caracal caracal ) + domestic cat scratching. They may be territorial, < Jaguarundi Curl = Jaguarundi ( Puma yagouaroundi ) + domestic cat failing to integrate with other animals in < Jambi/Machbagral/Viverral = Fishing Cat* ( Prionailurus viverrinus ) + domestic cat the household. Those difficult qualities < Marlot † = Ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis ) + Margay* ( Leopardus wiedii ) contribute to abandonment by unprepared < Punjabi = Indian Desert Cat ( Felis silvestris ornata ) + domestic cat owners. Animal shelters are hesitant < Safari cat = Geoffroy’s cat ( Leopardus geoffroyi ) + domestic cat to adopt out these problematic hybrid < Savannah = Serval ( Leptailurus serval ) + domestic cat cats and are concerned about the *near-threatened or vulnerable species uncertainty of their rabies vaccination †hybrid of two non-domestic species liability (see later).

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The non-domestic genetic component is Welfare concerns less than 15% at the fourth generation (F4) . From The AAFP opposes the breeding of non- time to time the Past the fourth generation, a quality breeding domestic to domestic cats due to welfare AAFP will respond to program would select for the traits that are emerging new knowledge or issues for both the non-domestic cat and desired: coat quality, body shape or issues that are of concern to domestic cat. temperament. Yet even at the fourth veterinary professionals caring There is no evidence that non-domestic for cats. Our position statements, generation and beyond, these distant which represent the views of the breeding animals or their early generations relative hybrids are often less predictable association, are available at: are guaranteed their five freedoms (see than domestic cats, as many are known www.catvets.com/guidelines/ AAFP’s ‘General principles of feline position-statements to be more temperamental or skittish. welfare’ statement). Non-domestic and The public should be aware of domestic cats are generally not natural behavioral challenges, even in distant breeding partners and must be raised hybrid generations. Veterinary staff together to encourage breeding. Domestic willing to treat hybrid cats and the cats are often attacked and sometimes public interested in owning these of their containment facilities. Without killed by the wild cats during the breeding hybrids, particularly early generations, inspection requirements, owners of non- process. must be prepared to properly handle domestic cats and their offspring may Production of hybrid cats promotes their unpredictable and sometimes be placing the general public at risk and illegal trade and removal of exotic cats dangerous behavior. compromise the welfare of those cats. from their natural habitats for breeding Only facilities that breed and sell their purposes. The development of hybrid cats Safety and legal issues animals to pet stores, brokers or research does not enhance the welfare of either The AAFP strongly opposes the breeding facilities are covered under the Animal species, but serves only the whim of man. of non-domestic to domestic cats due to Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA governs the concerns for public safety and interest. humane handling, care, treatment and References There are no rabies vaccinations transportation of animals. Those facility 1 Oliveira R, Randi E, Mattucci F, et al. approved by the United States operators are required to obtain a license Toward a genome-wide approach for detecting hybrids: informative SNPs to Department of Agriculture (USDA) for from the USDA Animal and Plant Health detect introgression between domestic use in wild or hybrid cats. The Centers Inspection Service (APHIS), but unlicensed cats and European wildcats ( Felis for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) individuals are not required to comply. silvestris ). Heredity 2015; 115: 195 –205. has cited this as a sufficient reason to Australia and New conclude that hybrid cats should not be Zealand have complete kept as pets. bans on hybrid cat Because the period of rabies virus importation, with the shedding in wild animal hybrids is exception of hybrids at least unknown, the CDC recommends that five generations removed any hybrid that bites a human should from a wild ancestor. The be euthanized and tested, rather than United Kingdom requires confined and observed. permits for any hybrid cat Hybrid animals should still be with a wild parent. Norway vaccinated. However, depending on and Sweden prohibit any the local laws, even a vaccinated hybrid hybrid cat less than five animal that bites a human may be required generations removed from to be euthanized in order for brain tissue a wild ancestor. to be evaluated for rabies virus. Within the United States, The public should be aware when the laws regarding considering purchasing an expensive ownership of hybrid cats animal that hybridization cannot be vary widely by state and determined by a visual exam. Only even by county. Hybrid specific testing that involves chromosome cats may be legal with a numbers can differentiate a true hybrid permit or after a specific from a false hybrid (or ‘imitation’) generation. Some hybrid because species of cats have differing breeds may be legal while chromosomal numbers. 1 A DNA-verified others are outlawed. pedigree extending back to the exotic Nebraska, Georgia, Hawaii cat foundation would be necessary to and Rhode Island have the determine the authenticity of the hybrid. most restrictive hybrid laws. People seeking ownership of non- Veterinarians and pet domestic cats may or may not be required owners should be diligent by individual states to hold licensing in researching both their permits, which would allow for inspection state and local ordinances. Figure 2 The Cheetoh. ©iStockphoto.com/lealeaG

Submitted by: Rachel Addleman Seder DVM, ABVP (Feline), CVA

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