The Abyssinians of Soft Paws Haven
All of our cats are fed a veterinarian approved raw diet that we make ourselves with homegrown rabbit and chicken, duck and quail. Please go to our links page for our recipe. We provide health guarantees for each kitten, spay or neuter pet kittens prior to placement and take pride in finding you the next love of your life in an Abyssinian cat.
Abyssinian Info
Although many believe the Abyssinian to be direct descendent of the sacred cat of Egypt, the exact origin of the breed is obscure. Certainly, there is a strong resemblance between the modern Abyssinian and the cat depicted in ancient Egyptian bronzes, paintings and the agouti coated cats found buried in the tombs, with the lithe long body large ears and long tail. The Abyssinian shape and distinctive coat however also bears a striking similarly to the African Wild cats. The first registration of the breed appeared in English studbooks in 1896. The earliest identifiable Abyssinian can be found in the Leiden Museum in Holland. The label reads "domestica India", indicating the origin to the same area. More recent studies have indicated the coast of Indian Ocean between Singapore and Ceylon to be the "homeland" of the Abyssinian Tabby colour pattern - Abyssinians are one of the oldest breeds and they are possibly the closest to a natural breed of all the purebred cats in the world.
The overall impression of the ideal Abyssinian would be of foreign build, not as extreme as the Siamese not as rounded as the Burmese but somewhere in between. The Abyssinian is an extremely beautiful and colourful cat with a distinct agouti ticked coat. It is this agouti ticking (flecking) that gives the Abyssinian this rather special "wild cat " look. It is of medium size, lithe, very regal in appearance, hard and muscular showing eager activity and lively interest in its surroundings. Watching an Abyssinian lope across the room invokes images of a wild hunting cat, swift and capable.
Abyssinians are not always ideal for every one so if their higher level of activity will annoy you then a quieter breed should be sort. Abyssinians make good family pets but tend to bond with Adults and older children rather than young toddlers. Abyssinians are not vocal, having a small bell like voice to communicate. They prefer and seek higher places to sit such as backs of chairs, refrigerators and scratching poles. They get on very well with dogs and will quickly teach the dog who is the boss. Abyssinians can be taught to fetch and retrieve small objects and because of their dog like antics, they are often attractive to men who previously thought that they did not like cats. Once a relationship is formed there is no breed more loyal than an Abyssinian. Expect to be greeted with enthusiasm and devote 10-15 minutes attention to your Abyssinian on your homecoming. Being "people" cats, they can become very lonely if left for long periods of time alone so it's often wise to have two as company for each other.
The overall impression of the ideal Abyssinian would be of foreign build, not as extreme as the Siamese not as rounded as the Burmese but somewhere in between. The Abyssinian is an extremely beautiful and colourful cat with a distinct agouti ticked coat. It is this agouti ticking (flecking) that gives the Abyssinian this rather special "wild cat " look. It is of medium size, lithe, very regal in appearance, hard and muscular showing eager activity and lively interest in its surroundings. Watching an Abyssinian lope across the room invokes images of a wild hunting cat, swift and capable.
Abyssinians are not always ideal for every one so if their higher level of activity will annoy you then a quieter breed should be sort. Abyssinians make good family pets but tend to bond with Adults and older children rather than young toddlers. Abyssinians are not vocal, having a small bell like voice to communicate. They prefer and seek higher places to sit such as backs of chairs, refrigerators and scratching poles. They get on very well with dogs and will quickly teach the dog who is the boss. Abyssinians can be taught to fetch and retrieve small objects and because of their dog like antics, they are often attractive to men who previously thought that they did not like cats. Once a relationship is formed there is no breed more loyal than an Abyssinian. Expect to be greeted with enthusiasm and devote 10-15 minutes attention to your Abyssinian on your homecoming. Being "people" cats, they can become very lonely if left for long periods of time alone so it's often wise to have two as company for each other.
Breeding and Show Cats
These cats are our current breeding and show cats. They are shown on occasion and bred once a year.
Briarvalley Elias Ariello Morales of Soft Paws - Active stud
Eli is a wonderfully built cat with excellent temperament and a sweet, moderate face. he's produced our first blue boy, our newly proven show stud "Boss Man." Eli is a joint breeding of Ruth Snow and Colleen Batt, and an excellent example of the Aby breed. He is such a spunky sweetheart with wonderful type and fur texture. I do wish he had more intense rufus to his inner ring, but his ticking and ring width are spot on and he's exactly what my little pride of mini-cougars needs at the moment in terms of body type! |
Soft Paws Haven's Boss Man - Active Stud
I was beyond thrilled when Boss Man was born. I had been wanting a blue so badly after years of breeding and getting nothing but red and ruddy. His father is Eli, pictured above, and his mother is Jasmine, pictured below. Boss is such a beautiful blend of the two, and was from Jasmine's final litter before being retired. Boss is a sweet, personable cat with excellent body type and nice, blue color. He loves to run on the giant cat wheel, and will be shown very soon. Boss is currently breeding and has sired one litter of blues, and has another litter by another queen due. |
Smerchat's Temptation of Soft Paws - Active Queen
Temptation, affectionately called "Tube Kitten" or "Tubey" is a German Import, originally bred by Bernd Langer of Smerchat Cattery. She is a beautiful example of the Abyssinian breed and has a sweet disposition and a determination that makes her impossible to ignore during mealtimes or relaxing on the couch. She loves to be around her people and getting lavished with attention.
She has produced her first litter of 3 blue babies that were born 3 April 2020. |
Retired Cats
Below are our retired breeding cats that have been altered and live with us as pampered house pets.
Yavapai Sir Duke Ellington Soft Paws - Champion (CFA) - Retired
Ellington was brought into out home in 2010 as an adorable, outgoing and personable cat out of an established cattery of over 20 years. Pat McNiven, an experienced and knowledgeable breeder was a wonderful source, mentor and promoter of the breed, and a great example of what an ethical breeder looked like.
Ellington has the popular lower ear set of modern day abys, he maintains the robust strength of the traditional Aby, keeping the impressive ears balanced and natural. His body, fur and bone structure are to die for! He is our only stud and remains in the house with us, as opposed to several other cattery studs; banished to the confines to an outdoor, isolated enclosure purposed to prevent unwanted pregnancies and spraying.
He has earned his championship within the CFA, and is currently working on photo poses, as his latest photo session drove the photographer nuts. He is a wonderful, beautiful cat that is an outstanding sire that has consistently thrown beautiful and personable kittens.
Ellington is now a retired neutered pet, and living with us as a spoiled pet. He's such a joy to have around! He is grandfather to our beautiful ruddy queen, Moonshadow and great grandfather to our young show kitten, Moonshine LullAby.
Ellington has the popular lower ear set of modern day abys, he maintains the robust strength of the traditional Aby, keeping the impressive ears balanced and natural. His body, fur and bone structure are to die for! He is our only stud and remains in the house with us, as opposed to several other cattery studs; banished to the confines to an outdoor, isolated enclosure purposed to prevent unwanted pregnancies and spraying.
He has earned his championship within the CFA, and is currently working on photo poses, as his latest photo session drove the photographer nuts. He is a wonderful, beautiful cat that is an outstanding sire that has consistently thrown beautiful and personable kittens.
Ellington is now a retired neutered pet, and living with us as a spoiled pet. He's such a joy to have around! He is grandfather to our beautiful ruddy queen, Moonshadow and great grandfather to our young show kitten, Moonshine LullAby.
Abykatzen Jasminum Abysinicum Soft Paws - Champion (CFA) - Retired
Jasmine is a complete sweetie. Although she hates showing, she easily got her championship points in just one show. Because of her stage fright, we only took her to that one show.
She is an amazing mother that dotes on her kittens, and gives the the best care possible. We have gotten beautiful and extremely friendly, wonderful kittens out of her. She's a fantastic kitty, and we just adore her!
Jasmine is now a spayed retired pet that lives in our home as a pampered pet. She is grandmother to our retired red queen, "Reba" and grandmother to our active queen, Moonshadow and great grandfather to our young show kitten, Moonshine LullAby. She is mother to our newest stud, our blue boy "Boss Man".
I think this pic of Jasmine captures the idea of Abys looking like miniature mountain lions!
Canyonkatz Ruby Red Reba of Soft Paws - Retired
Reba is our only redhead, and she has a firey personality that matches her intensely bright color! Reba is a "grand kitten" of sorts. She came to us from the Canyoncatz cattery as a trade; her father is CH Soft Pawz Mr. Quincy Jones, one of our kittens out of Ellington and Jasmine. In return for Quincy, we got the best kitten out of his first litter.
Reba has fantastic color and type, a beautiful face and outgoing personality. There isn't anyone she meets that she doesn't like! She is the epitome of the Abyssinian personality- smart, funny, sweet and loving. She gives sandpaper kisses to anyone willing to take them!
We adore Reba and her wonderful, spicy personality. Reba is retired and spayed now, and lives as a happy pampered pet in our home.
Reba has fantastic color and type, a beautiful face and outgoing personality. There isn't anyone she meets that she doesn't like! She is the epitome of the Abyssinian personality- smart, funny, sweet and loving. She gives sandpaper kisses to anyone willing to take them!
We adore Reba and her wonderful, spicy personality. Reba is retired and spayed now, and lives as a happy pampered pet in our home.
It's such a hard life, living at Soft Paws Haven. Sleeping all day is so tragically difficult!