shakenbake
03-18-2008, 11:09 PM
I think this one would take beezer....
http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/89/how-much-is-the-
kitty-in-the-window-22000How much is the kitty in the window? $22,000
Forget about Labradoodles, Puggles and Schnoodles. Costly crossbreed felines are the latest designer hybrid to hit the catwalk
from Jessica Dickler, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Photo: Lifestyle Pets
NEW YORK - Goodbye Goldendoodle. Designer dogs are so last season. Now animal lovers are clamoring for cat crossbreeds - and they are sparing no expense on the latest "it" pet.
Hybrid house pets were originally developed to create well-behaved companions that don't shed. But with unmatched cuteness and likeability, crossbreeds like Puggles, Labradoodles, Yorkipoos, and Schnoodles drove demand among the dog-loving set.
Now mixed-breed cats, with their beauty and stature, are causing a craze for those with a fondness for felines.
And for some, no price is too high for a designer kitten.
"For our customers, money is no object," said breeder Simon Brodie.
Brodie used a "secret recipe" to mix an African serval and Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat, to create the world's most expensive feline hybrid.
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The Ashera, an exclusive product of Brodie's firm, Lifestyle Pets, resembles a little leopard and can weigh up to 30 pounds. But it's more suited for lounging than stalking prey.
"They are very friendly, very affectionate," Brodie said.
Although an Ashera costs $22,000 (plus $6,000 for the premium placement option, which will expedite kitten delivery by about six months) Lifestyle Pets has already sold several cats to customers around the world since the pricey pet was unveiled last May.
Once an order is placed, the Ashera is hand delivered (the cost of delivery is approximately $1,500 within the United States) by a representative who remains on hand for a few days to answer questions and facilitate the transition. Asheras come fully vaccinated with a microchip identifier, a supply of kitty food and cat toys, access to an animal behaviorist, and a year of veterinary insurance included.
There's even a certificate of authenticity that includes an image of each kitten's DNA "fingerprint." But what else would one expect for a cat that costs as much as a car?
Brodie says that his company will keep the supply small, developing less than 50 cats each year to uphold its unique appeal - and high price.
Although the Ashera may be the most expensive mixed-breed offering to hit the market recently, it's certainly not the only one.
Other popular hybrids include the Bengal (part Asian leopard mixed with a house cat), Savannah (part African serval, part house cat) and Chausie (part jungle cat, part house cat).
http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/89/how-much-is-the-
kitty-in-the-window-22000How much is the kitty in the window? $22,000
Forget about Labradoodles, Puggles and Schnoodles. Costly crossbreed felines are the latest designer hybrid to hit the catwalk
from Jessica Dickler, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Photo: Lifestyle Pets
NEW YORK - Goodbye Goldendoodle. Designer dogs are so last season. Now animal lovers are clamoring for cat crossbreeds - and they are sparing no expense on the latest "it" pet.
Hybrid house pets were originally developed to create well-behaved companions that don't shed. But with unmatched cuteness and likeability, crossbreeds like Puggles, Labradoodles, Yorkipoos, and Schnoodles drove demand among the dog-loving set.
Now mixed-breed cats, with their beauty and stature, are causing a craze for those with a fondness for felines.
And for some, no price is too high for a designer kitten.
"For our customers, money is no object," said breeder Simon Brodie.
Brodie used a "secret recipe" to mix an African serval and Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat, to create the world's most expensive feline hybrid.
More from CNNMoney.com
How to Battle Credit-Card Fees
What's Old is New: Lord & Taylor's Rebirth
Pet Care Costs
The Ashera, an exclusive product of Brodie's firm, Lifestyle Pets, resembles a little leopard and can weigh up to 30 pounds. But it's more suited for lounging than stalking prey.
"They are very friendly, very affectionate," Brodie said.
Although an Ashera costs $22,000 (plus $6,000 for the premium placement option, which will expedite kitten delivery by about six months) Lifestyle Pets has already sold several cats to customers around the world since the pricey pet was unveiled last May.
Once an order is placed, the Ashera is hand delivered (the cost of delivery is approximately $1,500 within the United States) by a representative who remains on hand for a few days to answer questions and facilitate the transition. Asheras come fully vaccinated with a microchip identifier, a supply of kitty food and cat toys, access to an animal behaviorist, and a year of veterinary insurance included.
There's even a certificate of authenticity that includes an image of each kitten's DNA "fingerprint." But what else would one expect for a cat that costs as much as a car?
Brodie says that his company will keep the supply small, developing less than 50 cats each year to uphold its unique appeal - and high price.
Although the Ashera may be the most expensive mixed-breed offering to hit the market recently, it's certainly not the only one.
Other popular hybrids include the Bengal (part Asian leopard mixed with a house cat), Savannah (part African serval, part house cat) and Chausie (part jungle cat, part house cat).