Report from Chris Smith

Little Spots Of Cash

From the Mirror 3 rd October, 1998

Pretty kitty's are being sold for an astounding £1,400 each as greedy breeders try to cash in on the latest pet craze. Trendy animal fans reckon rare Bengal cats are the perfect fashion accessory, and some punters are paying as much as £2,750 for a pair in a bid to breed their own and make a killing.

The spotted cats were created ten years ago by crossing domestic pets with small, wild leopards from the jungles of Asia.......But professional breeders are warning that anyone aiming to get rich quick can forget it. Jennifer McKenzie, 28, of Glenferness, near Nairn, has been rearing the rare Oriental cats with her husband Ross, 30, for the past four years.

She said: "Many people are paying well over the odds, but a pedigree kitten should cost only between £250 and £350. Mating pairs are very hard to come by, as novice breeders are very strictly vetted. Anyone who thinks that breeding Bengals is an easy way to get cash should think again."

© Mirror, 3 rd October, 1998

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