Ben Preiss
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Is the Ashera really just a rebranded, remarketed Savannah with a much higher price tag? What’s the difference? About $17,000, if you want to buy one and the pride of the exotic cat breeders involved. They are both so-called “lifestyle cats” that are cross breeds of wild cats, in this case the African Serval and the Asian Leopard Cat, mixed with domestic cats. They are larger than your average house cat and exotically spotted.  Last month, San Diego-based Allerca announced that its long-awaited hypoallergenic cats would be available next year - to the tune of $4,000 each (plus $1,000 in "processing and transportation" fees). Soon after, breeders of Siberian cats raised a fuss, noting that their former Moscow street urchins have essentially the same low- allergy qualities, at a fraction of the price. And now, the Savannah-cat people (right) are lining up with a yowl of their own: They say Allerca's next "lifestyle cat," the Ashera, whose trademarked name harkens to an ancient Canaanite goddess, is simply a slick repackaging of their fledgling breed - with a $22,000 price tag. (Here's an extra decimel point for you: Allerca plans to sell Ashera franchises next year at $45,000 a pop.)
(newsday.typepad)References: steco.blogspot, newsday.typepad Filed In: |
