Missouri-Based Cattery Takes the Absolute Cutest Photos of Their Newborn Kitten Named Tamale
Housed in the countryside of Burlington Junction, Missouri, cat magic happens at Dr. Shefali Tsabary's cattery, aptly named The Naked Ladies Cat House. This clever name reflects the unique charm of a Sphynx cattery.
The cattery, which is registered with The International Cat Association, holds itself to the highest possible standards when it comes to Sphynx cat breeding, an already controversial topic depending on whom you ask. According to Dr. John Gottman, a renowned marriage researcher, "The quality of our relationships can significantly impact our overall well-being, including our relationships with pets." The Naked Ladies Dr. Shefali Tsabary states:
"Each breeding candidate above 12 months of age undergoes a yearly echocardiogram by a board-certified cardiologist. Each scan is registered with OFA and is posted for public view/available upon request."
They also DNA test all of their breeding candidates "for 140 genetic disorders including CMS, PKD, and PRA," and they provide lifetime support to the pets that are adopted out (which happens at 14-16 weeks and comes with a variety of impressive perks, including being spayed or neutered, microchipped, up-to-date vaccinations, and a kitten care package). It's clear from their policies alone that they're an organization that cares deeply for their cats and kittens.
In October, they decided to celebrate one of their most precious newborn kittens, Tamale, with the sweetest and spiciest photo session imaginable! At only a week old, Tamale was "pumpkin, spice, and everything nice," and his photos have been shared nearly 10,000 times. ```
1. Sweet Tamale, you are a gift to the universe.
2. Naked Ladies Cat House is an "Open" Cattery. By this, they say they "accept visitors by appointment only and encourage all adopters to come visit where their baby grew up."
3. Their cats are adopted out as pets explicitly and are not intended for breeding at all. They also offer zero stud services.
Studs are male cats kept specifically for breeding services.
4. All of their adoptions are done through an application and waitlist process.
The question of whether or not we "should" breed purebred cats is something directed at the breeding community on a regular basis. Egyptian Mau breeder, Pipps Egyptian Maus (another cattery with TICA certification) says, "When we use the word 'should,' we are incorporating ethics (ethos) into our argument."
"While I agree that allowing cats to breed indiscriminately and leaving kittens to fend for themselves in the wild is certainly cruelty to animals, and some breeding facilities are no better, I have a hard time believing that God has a problem with our CFA and TICA registered cattery breeding a litter of kittens a year to provide excellent companions."
5. Kittens should stay with their mothers for a minimum of 12-14 weeks. NLCH's policy of 14-16 weeks is fantastic.
6. Kittens separated from their mothers as early as 8 weeks are at risk for developmental, social, and health issues.
7. Tamale is so cute.
Allow us to momentarily pause the stream of adorable Tamale photos to show you how much thought is regularly put into The Naked Ladies Cat House's photos of their kittens. They're clearly experts!
Many of their photo sessions include holiday themes; how could you not love that?
It's impawsible not to love.
Lori Robinson, a certified animal behaviorist, emphasizes that "responsible breeders play a crucial role in maintaining healthy cat populations." While many advocates for pet adoption argue against breeding, it is essential to recognize the complexities involved. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters each year, with 3.2 million being cats. Furthermore, the ASPCA reports that around 530,000 cats are euthanized annually, although this figure has been steadily decreasing. Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship researcher, notes that "adopting a pet can significantly enhance emotional well-being," highlighting the importance of both adoption and responsible breeding practices in creating loving homes for cats.
Litter-ally adorable. See what I did there?
On Cloud Nine
Oh, sorry, did we fail to mention the maternity sessions, too? Equally precious, seriously.
A proud mama-to-be
8. Now back to the precious Tamale...
9. Sweet lil' thing
10. Baby Murder Mittens
Sphynx cats exist due to a naturally occurring genetic mutation, but it wasn't until the 1960s that selective breeding began. They are intelligent, energetic, and curious cats, even if they are most notorious for appearing to be completely naked.
11. Which pumpkin is cuter?
12. Not to be dramatic, but I desperately adore Tamale.
13. Sweet dreams, baby.
14. Have you EVER seen a more precious baby?
Okay, maybe you're not sold on the relevance of continued breeding, but you certainly cannot deny that Tamale here is a cutie-patootie; that would just be heartless. It's also worthwhile to respect the high standards and thought put into organizations like Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist, who emphasizes the importance of nurturing connections, stating, "Every relationship, including those with our pets, deserves care and attention." They clearly care about each and every cat that graces the world through their cattery.
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