Actress claims to own cat/cheetah hybrid

[llewtrah]

I've put this as a UL, because I know for a fact cats and cheetahs haven't been hybridised, but the story of housecat-cheetah hybrids seems to be doing the rounds right now.

(Bai) Ling says that the cat, whose father was a cheetah and whose mother was a domestic cat, came as a gift from an ex-boyfriend. The rare mix, now about a year old, was purchased from a breeder for approximately $30,000.

http://www.peoplepets.com/news/celeb...ah-cat-quiji/1 (and requoted on dozens of blogs)

It's not just the comparative sizes (a cat is a snack for a cheetah, not a mate), even if AI or IVF were used, housecat gestation period is around 63 days and cheetah gestation is 93 days. Both size and gestation are way bigger mismatches than the serval/domestic cat and caracal/domestic cat hybrids.

The likely options are a Savannah (derived from serval/domestic hybrid, cost $600 to $7000), Cheetoh (derived from Bengal and Ocicat mixes, cost around $1000 for breeder/show quality) or even a Safari (Geoffroys/domestic mix - with only 70 registered, I couldn't find an "average price" but was advised "upwards of $6000").

I'm guessing (from the price and image) she got a Lifestyle Pets Ashera - a Savannah bought and sold at a markup by Lifestyle Pets. DNA tests on alleged Asheras found them to be Savannahs re-sold as Asheras for $40,000 (that included overseas shipping, cost within USA is around $30,000). Since the serval is nicknamed "poor man's cheetah" for its leggy appearance, I'm also guessing the claim it's a cheetah hybrid relates to that in the same way some folks still claim Bengal cats are hybrids between leopards and domestic cats.

[RCIAG]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

The likely options are a Savannah (derived from serval/domestic hybrid, cost $600 to $7000), Cheetoh (derived from Bengal and Ocicat mixes, cost around $1000 for breeder/show quality) or even a Safari (Geoffroys/domestic mix - with only 70 registered, I couldn't find an "average price" but was advised "upwards of $6000").

That's what I was thinking, she paid waaaaay too much for a cat that's sold for less than $10,000 in most places.

Her & Paris Hilton need to be stopped. Just because you CAN buy a cat like that doesn't mean you SHOULD.

And here the shelters & rescues have an overabundance of cats of all sizes & shapes & she's out overspending on a cat that doesn't really exist.

She's an idiot & should never have had the privilege of being on Lost.

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by RCIAG

she's out overspending on a cat that doesn't really exist.

Or rather she's (or her ex) are overspending on a cat and claiming it to be something that doesn't exist. Maybe having found out they bought a $5000 Savannah re-sold as an Ashera for $30,000 they feel the need to justify the cost by claiming it is something different rather than admit to being conned?

[RCIAG]

That's probably true.

What else can we sell her? I've got some afghans my great-grandmother made, maybe I can convince her they were weaved by some long extinct Native American tribe, I could use the money more than those cat breeders!!

[llewtrah]

I've been asking breeder contacts and it's possibly a copy of a Cheetoh (derived from Bengal/Ocicat to resemble miniature cheetahs) sold by a "world class con artist" in much the same way the Ashera cashed in on the Savannah and targeted people with more money than sense. I've asked for more information so I can properly debunk it on my site.

I think the description of her pet should be "inspired by the cheetah" rather than "sired by the cheetah".

[RCIAG]

Cheetoh.....

[llewtrah]

On her own blog Bai in September 2008, Bai Ling stated her cat is an A1 Supreme and part-serval. Although she says the A1 Supreme is not a Savannah cat, the term "A1 Supreme" just refers to the "supreme" quality of that particular Savannah cat and the corresponding high price. A1 Savannahs apparently used photos of Bai Ling and her A1 Savannah in their adverts. Claiming it is part cheetah appears to be a publicity stunt by the actress.

http://ling-bai.blogspot.com/2008/09/rescuer-me.html

I've emailed the breeders of the cat to see if they are aware (or are worried) one of their cats is being misrepresented.

[Eddylizard]

$30,000 for a cat? What's the Chinese translation of "They saw you coming"?

A fool and his money are soon parted.

[RCIAG]

Seriously, that's like 2 cars for me!

[Eddylizard]

Originally Posted by RCIAG

Seriously, that's like 2 cars for me!

I assume (tongue firmly in cheek mode) that's a typo. Did you mean

Seriously, that's like 2 cats for me.

?

Cheapskate!!!

Seriously I take your point and completely agree. An obscene amount of money to spend on a small fluffy mammal.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

Claiming it is part cheetah appears to be a publicity stunt by the actress.

Well, it's a change from her usual publicity-seeking attempts, which tend to involve showing up on the red carpet in outfits that deliberately reveal portions of her body that even the most daring actresses usually reveal in public only accidentally.

Insert "cat" pun here.

[DawnStorm]

Originally Posted by Lainie

Well, it's a change from her usual publicity-seeking attempts, which tend to involve showing up on the red carpet in outfits that deliberately reveal portions of her body that even the most daring actresses usually reveal in public only accidentally.

Insert "cat" pun here.

Would you like to pet her pussy?

[candy from strangers]

Bai Ling (and I say this with all due respect because I'm a little afraid of her) is crazy. In her defense, she probably thinks her cat's part cheetah because it told her so.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by DawnStorm

Would you like to pet her pussy?

Not me. I generally don't swing that way, and she's not someone I would make an exception for. For one thing:

Originally Posted by candy from strangers

Bai Ling (and I say this with all due respect because I'm a little afraid of her) is crazy. In her defense, she probably thinks her cat's part cheetah because it told her so.

Also, I fear disease.

[llewtrah]

I've heard her pussy can speak, but don't ask me'ow.

Oh grief, we're in for the Mrs Slocombe style jokes now, aren't we

[DawnStorm]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

I've heard her pussy can speak, but don't ask me'ow.

:

With its lips.