Answers to common questions

Temperament. F3 and later generation savannahs are completely domestic in temperament and are most frequently sold as pets. F1 and F2 generations have a higher serval content, and may be more energetic and playful than their lower percentage counterparts. In addition, F1s and some F2s can be more assertive than later generations; for instance, they hiss and growl more easily, which is intimidating and unpleasant to people who are not used to and don't understand this behavior. However, even high percentage F1 savannahs are extremely loving and affectionate and can make good pets under the right conditions. Many people have raised F1 savannahs to have close loving relationships with their children, and I have placed several F2 kittens in homes with older children (ten and up).  I do not recommend F1 or F2 savannahs for families with young children unless a parent is at home with them at all times AND has previous experience with hybrid cat breeds.  Regardless of which generation of savannah or ANY kind of pet you choose, small children should never be left unattended with them - this is true whether the pet is a savannah or other breed of cat, a lizard, a bird, or even a gerbil.

Price. Obviously, cats and offspring that conform closely to the breed standards ("type") are more expensive than those with nonstandard traits. Higher serval content cats are also more expensive, therefore fewer people buy F1 or F2 savannahs. Because F1-F3 males are sterile, they are usually sold as pets at lower prices than females sold with breeding rights. However, fertile male Savannahs (F5-F7) with good type are also quite expensive. Prices for pet Savannahs range from $1,500-$4000, with higher percentage, standard patterns/colors, and/or breeder quality kittens in the upper part of that price range. Prices may be $7500+ for high percentage (F1) breeding quality females. If you are interested in a loving pet at a reasonable price, look for a savannah that does not confirm to the breed standard (marbled rather than spotted, or an off color such as snow, blue, orange, or torbie). Occasionally adults that are retired from breeding, or that are no longer being bred (perhaps their kittens do not have the right qualities), will be sold as pets at a very reasonable price.

Showing savannahs. Breeding or show quality savannahs are frequently sold as pets, and must be spayed or neutered prior to registration. Anyone can participate in TICA cat shows, one does not have to breed cats to show them. If you are looking for a savannah that can be presented at TICA cat shows, only F3 and later generations that are coded as a 'C' or 'SBT' are eligible for judging in a show ring. A savannah with a 'C' in their registration code has two generations of savannah to savannah breeding behind them, and a savannah coded as 'SBT' (Stud Book Traditional) has three generations of savannah to savannah breeding behind them.  Pet owners are encouraged to show their cats, as it greatly benefits the breed. 

Breeding savannahs is exceedingly difficult for many reasons.  Intact males AND females typically spray urine, so they require some kind of a contained room or enclosure that is easy to wash down and keep clean.  Females often will not breed with particular males, and you may need to have more than one stud to successfully breed them.  Separate housing may be required for each breeding cat, and is mandatory for females when they are pregnant or raising kittens.  One also needs to be knowledgable about cat health and diseases, husbandry, reproductive biology, genetics, how to assist during the birthing process, and how to properly take care of newborn kittens.  Breeding savannahs (or other cats) is NOT an activity that should be done simply to provide this experience for children (or parents) or as a means to pay for the price of a pet; it is expensive, time-consuming, heart-breaking, and a tremendous amount of work.  It will take over your home and dominate everything in your life.  If you do not want to make this level of commitment, then don't attempt it.  If you can make this committment, and keep it up for several years and after many disapointments, then the joy and reward of breeding savannahs might be worth the effort for you.

If you are interested in purchasing a savannah for breeding purposes, you must generally pass the scrutiny of the selling breeder, be a member of a savannah breeder club, and if you are new to savannahs, have an experienced mentor willing to answer questions and guide you.  Prices for savannahs with breeding privileges are usually 50-100% higher than pet prices.  You cannot register savannah kittens with TICA unless the parents are registered and owned by the same person that bred them (so you cannot buy a savannah at pet price and then decide to breed her without having paid for breeding privileges; TICA will not issue registrations on kittens of unregistered cats as savannahs).

Legality of savannahs.  Most states in the U.S. consider savannahs as a legal pet, even the F1 generation (a 50/50 serval/domestic hybrid).  The federal government and USDA consider a hybrid of a domestic and exotic animal to be a domestic by definition (this is how many breeds of livestock are improved).  The main purpose of selectively breeding wild or exotic species with established domestic species over several generations is to incorporate beneficial or desired traits into a breed while still maintaining a domesticated 'people-friendly' personality.

A few states (Georgia, New York, Alaska, Connecticut) have legislation that has banned savannahs, although NY does allow F5 and later generations.  This legislation is a result of Animal Rights groups such as PETA and the Humane Society promoting the ridiculous idea that savannahs are 'dangerous wild animals'.  Unfortunately most animal lovers and people that enjoy the rights and privileges of pet ownership are seldom aware that such legislation is slipped into place without public notice or warning.  Once the legislation is in place - it is extremely difficult to change. 

Animal rights groups have the ultimate goal of making the use of animals for any purpose illegal; this includes animals kept as pets, used in research, or raised for food.  They think we should all be vegans, and do not see anything wrong with forcing other people to do the same.  Their strategy is to slowly chip away at our right to own animals, starting with breed-specific legislation (e.g., pit bulls, savannahs) and breeding bans, and then continuing to whittle away our rights to own or breed animals until we are all vegans with plants and rocks for pets.  Animal rights groups have a powerful political presence and deep pockets thanks to people who donate money (many of which have no idea of the group's actual agenda).  When you donate to animal groups, be aware that 'Animal Right' groups are not the same as Animal Welfare or Animal Conservation groups, which are simply concerned with animal cruelty and the best interests of animals, or in some cases species preservation (respectively).  If you enjoy the love and companionship of any animal (even a fish), or if eating meat or fish is an important part of your diet - DO NOT give money to PETA or the Human Society, and make sure you carefully research the groups you do donate money to first.

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