Collection: Personalised California Spangled Gifts

Like a miniature leopard, the California Spangled even moves like a big cat on the prowl with a long, cylindrical body. An athlete and a hunter, this cat needs plenty of space and occupation.

The California Spangled was a planned breed, the brainchild of an American, Paul Casey, who wanted to create a domesticated pet that had all the appearance of a cheetah or leopard. Casey’s motivation was altruistic as he believed that if people shared their lives with spotted cats that resembled their wild cousins, they would be more inclined to help conserve dwindling wildlife numbers.

A scientist, Casey devised an 11-generation blueprint during the 1970s using Siamese and Silver Angora followed by some British Shorthair, tabby cat, Manx and Abyssinian. Further along the line, he also used street cats from Egypt and Malay to introduce an element of wildness. By 1985, Casey had achieved his objective and then went on to form the California Spangled Cat Association (CSCA) which was a dual-purpose organisation designed to promote the cat and also help conserve wild cats.

Casey was a great promoter and actually launched the breed to the public with a slick advertising campaign and some very high-value kittens. Even now, the cats are highly desirable with a significant price tag but stock of the California Spangled is scarce, ironically the most scarce in America, its native country. Slowly gaining official recognition via international breed societies, the California Spangled seems more popular in Europe than anywhere else.

The California Spangled is intelligent, sociable and athletic so enjoys an environment where there is plenty of space and occupation. They make loyal companions and are best suited to a busy household where there is lots going on.