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The Savannah is a hybrid cross, between an African serval and a domestic cat. The first known breeding was in the early 1980s Judy (or Judee) Frank, a Bengal breeder located in Pennsylvania. In the early 1990s, Patrick Kelley, founder of Savannahcat.com, enlisted Joyce Sroufe to help him develop the breed, with Kelley using offspring of that first hybrid cross. Their efforts were successful, as were their efforts to convince TICA to accept the new breed.

Although the Savannah cat is a relatively new breed, it has caught on like wildfire, and there are already dozens of Savannah breeders, both in North America and in Europe, with over 60 breeders worldwide.

Much like its wild ancestor, the Savannah is a tall, lean cat, with long legs and a long neck. Its coat shows the typical spotted pattern, along with some bars, on a golden to tawny background. The Savannah is a smaller version of the African serval, weighing in at around 20 pounds, as opposed to 40 with its ancestor. Sort of a “half-pint” version, if you will.

The Savannah was named after the habitat of the serval, and its beauty echoes the lush splendor of those golden plains in Africa.

• The International Cat AssociationTICA
  TICA Standards
• The International Progressive Cat Breeders’ Alliance

The Savannah cat is said to make an excellent companion, sociable with other pets, and always willing to greet their owners with friendly “head-bumps.” Their long legs and athletic grace will often find them in high places, (more convenient for head-bumps), and like the serval, they love to play in water.

It’s no wonder that these cats have so quickly attained popularity, both as family members and in the show ring.

• The International Savannah Cat Club
• Savannah Cat Rescue
• The International Savannah Breeders’ Association (TISBA)

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