.jpg)
The Ashera cat. (Photo courtesy of Lifestyle Pets)
A California company called Lifestyle Pets is selling the "Ashera" cat that costs $22,000. That's for the cheapest Ashera cat; the most expensive one costs $125,000.
The "Ashera" is a name that the company has trademarked to describe the exotic looking creature.
The Ashera is a hybrid crossing three species of feline: the African Serval, the Asian leopard cat, and a specific domestic cat.
--Lifestyle Pets website
The Ashera looks like a "mini-leopard" but is claimed to be as domesticated and affectionate as a regular old house cat.
The "Standard" Ashera (pictured above) costs $22,000. That begins to sound like a downright bargain when you read the prices on the three other types of Ashera cats available.
A "Hypoallergenic" version of the Ashera costs $37,000.
The "Snow" Ashera costs $65,000 and its price is justified because the background color is white, rather than the more common brown color of the standard Ashera.
The most expensive is the "Royal" Ashera that costs $125,000. The Royal Ashera is the world's most rare domestic cat, says Lifestyle Pets. This version of the Ashera has a cream background, but its spots and stripes are "tiger orange" instead of plain black.
Less than four Royal Ashera kittens are produced each year, says Lifestyle Pets, making it sound like a limited edition Louis Vuitton handbag. The Royal Ashera is only available to "existing clients."
Alexia Rodgriguez, a spokesperson for Lifestyle Pets, says they sell about 50 Standard Ashera cats each year. (The company offers financing options.)
It's not surprising that controversy has surrounded the Ashera cat, but not in the way you might think. Some are claiming that the Ashera cat is nothing new, and is really the Savannah cat that costs $5,000 and has been available since 2000.
Watch the Standard Ashera cat in action...
Comments
Just imagine how many cats someone could save with the money that might be spent on a single Ashera.
cats sold & labeled "Ashera" are actually hybrid, Savannah cats.The results of official DNA tests confirmed that Asheras confiscated are F1 Savannahs bred by Chris Shirk of Cutting Edge Savannahs. US Fish and Wildlife supervised the taking of blood samples
The Ashera cat is using an already established breed, the Savannah. The Savannah is still an expensive cat but not nearly as much as the "Ashera".
Nicole, you are so right.
The only difference between a F1 Savannah and an Ashera are that an Ashera cat is hypoallergenic. Regular hypoallergenic Allerca cats cost as much as a Savannah cat because of all the research the needs to be done, so I can understand why the Ashera would be more expensive..... but yea.... the price is still ridiculous though.... :/
While thousands of domestic felines are abandoned each year, and countless homeless numbers die from starvation, illness or injury without anyone to care for them, selfish people are spending a fortune on designer animals? Other species are NOT objects, NOT mere accessories. How many die in the breeding process until 'just the right type' is achieved? The people that do this, and those that support it should know that a vast majority find the whole thing absolutely disgusting.
I agree with Nicole. Just a waste of money
How many "regular" domestic cats could be saved for the cost on one Ashera? Domestic cats are lovable too!! Let's save the ones who need a loving home instead of buying costly "Designer" cats which may end up in a shelter too when someone gets tired of them etc
This is sick. Forget how many cats you could save with that kind of money.
How many starving HUMANS could be fed on that?
http://guanolema.ning.com/profiles/blogs/buy-sildenafil-citrate-cheap Buy viagra Capsules online http://oversoquebrado.ning.com/profiles/blogs/purchasing-dolzam-with-no-rx Buy cheap levitra online http://guanolema.ning.com/forum/topics/withdrawal-symptoms-aldactone Buy aldactone http://guanolema.ning.com/profiles/blogs/tadalafil-and-propranolol-buy Order inderal http://oversoquebrado.ning.com/profiles/blogs/order-herpex-cheap-without-rx Buy cialis online http://guanolema.ning.com/forum/topics/sildenafil-citrate-indian Purchase cheap viagra soft online http://www.tabletkins.ru/buy.php?group_id=1 Purchase viagra http://guanolema.ning.com/profiles/blogs/buy-apcalis-online-no-script Purchase cheap cialis Jelly http://oversoquebrado.ning.com/profiles/blogs/purchase-helmidazole-cheap Purchase lexapro online
I agree with some of the points about using the money to save cats and feed humans but why is it when a large amount of money is stated people instantly say how it could have been better used? What if the people who paid for these cats gave double that to charities and animal shelters? Does that stop you from judging a person on how THEY should spend THEIR money? How many of you get $100 and feel you need to feed a starving child in your country? Quite naturally you think of self first then others. Seriously.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!