Allerca Cats

Allerca Cats - The Ashera GD cat © LIFESTYLE PETS Inc.

All the photographs on this page are reproduced with the permission of LIFESTYLE PETS Inc. with my gratitude and are © LIFESTYLE PETS Inc. ALLERCA is part of LIFESTYLE PETS Inc.

I have built a page about Allerca Cats because the Ashera Cat is possibly the best looking cat worldwide, is of interest to the public and the photographs are very high quality. I am not affiliated to LifeStyle Pets.

The Ashera GD cat is one of three breeds or type of cat produced by the company Lifestyle Pets. The others are the Allerca GD and the Chakan GD. "GD" stands for "genetic divergences". Genetic divergences means the process whereby a species evolves (diverges) into more than one species. The GD cats are hypoallergenic. The Ashera is also bred in non-hypoallergenic form.

I shall take that as meaning that Lifestyle Pets have developed a cat that is hypoallergenic and a new breed (although unrecognized by cat associations) and in doing so have mirrored divergences in the natural world.

Note: I am fully aware of the fact that a lot of Savannah cat breeders and other people argue that the Ashera is a Savannah cat. I refer to this below. I only report what I read and see. When I have firm evidence that an Ashera is a Savannah I'll publish it. On the basis that the Savannah cat is not hypoallergenic; if an Ashera is a hypoallergenic Savannah, the Ashera is then not a Savannah. So the evidence I need is that the Ashera GD is not hypoallergenic. I haven't seen that evidence yet. Also, I have not heard anything concrete stating that the other Life Style Pets Inc. Allerca cats (the orginal Allerca cat ) are not hypoallergenic.

The Breed - Ashera (not hypoallergenic) and Ashera GD (hypoallergenic)

Without doubt this is a very handsome cat; absolutely stunning. But what is the breed? She is not registered with a cat registry such as the GCCF, CFA or TICA or any other registry. This cat has not be shown at shows and there is no breed standard.

In order to accurately describe the pedigree of this cat I feel obliged to quote LifeStyle Pets in order not to misrepresent them. The breed is a "blend ...of the bloodlines of the African Serval and Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) subsequently bred with a domestic cat".

This would seem to say that the breed could be a cross between the Serval and Bengal cat (the Bengal being a cross between the ALC and a domestic cat).

The Savannah is a cross between the Serval and a domestic cat and latterly the Bengal cat. The Ashera is similar in appearance and size (up to 30lbs) to the Savannah.

The hypoallergenic Ashera GD was developed by crossing an Allerca GD with a "standard" Ashera.

The Science

Most cat breeders are small businesses. Some are hobby businesses. This is a good thing as it is easier to prioritize the welfare of the cats. They rely on experience of breeding and some knowledge of genetics to achieve the result required.

LifeStyle Pets have introduced a corporate culture into cat breeding and a heightened awareness to the importance of the use of genetics to get the result required; a stunning hypoallergenic cat. However, despite the coporate look, the cats, as I understand it, are bred at small affiliated catteries.

They use genetic sequencing to analyze the gene that produces the protein in the saliva of cats that in turn results in the allergy suffered by a substantial number of people. Through careful breeding a divergent version of this gene is then produced that does not produce a protein that causes the allergic reaction.

{Genetic sequencing is the process of working out the arrangement of the components of DNA.}

The cost of the cats is, I expect, justified on the bases of the investment in scientific research and quality of cat that they argue if produced. Allerca, the business, argue that it would cost a similar sum or more to modify your home to alleviate the symptoms of an allergic reaction than to buy one of their cats.

The Price

This is in a different league to other cats except the most rare and exotic. These prices are as at late 2007. Prices vary and go up. These are guidelines only.

Cat	Price $
Allerca GD	5,950
Ckakan GD	8,950
Ashera GD	28,000

The other LifeSyle Pets cats

Allerca GD: Domestic Shorthair cat made hypoallergenic and crossed with another breed to produce med-long hair. 10-15 lbs in weight (4-8 kgs). See picture above. Buyer can select coat color and sex I understand.

Chakan GD: Siamese and domestic shorthair cross made hypoallergenic as before. Smallish cat 6-8 lbs (2.5-3.5 Kg)

The arguments

Existing Exotic cat breeders and particularly Savannah cat breeders will argue that this is an overpriced unregistered F2 Savannah cat without a pedigree or a breed standard. Also the secrecy surrounding the breeding creates suspicion. Yet Allerca will argue that it is a trade secret and they have the right to protect it.

In answer of those who crticise LifeStyle Pets Inc., the registration of cats with a cat registry such as the CFA does not guarantee good practice or the prioritization of cat welfare. Most cats are moggies, healthy mixed breed cats, that never go near a show hall or registry.

It seems that Allerca treat their cats as products although I might be mistaken (perhaps it is the coporate feel that sends that signal). I am not sure about the idea of talking about Allerca cats as products, which is the impession I get. I don't like that. However, the bottom line is that they are a cattery (or a network of catteries, I don't know) and provided they have the welfare of their cats as a priority they are no different to any other good cattery. Also Allerca cats as a product, appear to be of high quality.

They certainly have more financial muscle than almost any other cat breeder and if that funding is transfered into cat welfare and a quality operation (as opposed to factory production), which appears to be the case, I cannot honestly see how people can criticize. I am gradually warming to this business.

There are though other issues surrounding the breeding of exotic cats and wild/domestic cat hybrids and its impact on the wild cat population. These are the wider issues that go well beyond the breeding of cats.

I personally have doubts about the morality of breeding from wild cats, but this is a polarized debate with some mileage to go.
 
Caveat 1(warning): Some breeders not associated with LifeStyle Pets Inc.  are jumping on the bandwagon and charging Ashera GD prices for Savannahs. Beware.

Caveat 2:  In an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune (6-2-08) it was reported that the Ashera GD cats exported to the Netherlands by LifeStyle Pets Inc. (associated with Allerca Cats) were allegedly Savannah F1s "supplied" by A1 Savannahs to LifeStyle Pets Inc. run by Mr Brodie. A1 Savannahs allegedly bought the cats from Chris Shirk of Cutting Edge Cats. The person making the allegation is Chris Shirk. I talk about the importation of the cats to the Netherlands on this page and A1 Savannahs are featured on the Savannah page of this website.
 

This is an article written for me about Allerca Cats Nov.2007