Safari Cat | Avalo Cat Sanctuary

Gracie

The Safari Cat is a relatively new hybrid of a domestic cat and the exotic Geoffroy’s Cat. Safari Cats will likely continue to be a rare breed, as Geoffroy’s Cats are not common and the hybrid reproduction is limited due to genetic complications. Combining the 36 chromosomes of the tiny South American Geoffroy’s Cat with the domestic cat’s 38 chromosomes results in the Safari Cat bearing 37 chromosomes. First generation Safaris, like our Gracie, are considerably larger…

Akimbo

Bengal

Our cats come from across the country, but Akimbo holds the record for the longest journey to Avalo — he came from Singapore! In early 2019, Avalo founder Michelle Altmeyer got a phone call about a Bengal who had fallen from a ninth floor balcony and broken his back. His owners had done their best to treat their beloved pet; Akimbo had surgery to repair his spine and hip, but he was partially paralyzed and not able to pee or poop without assistance. And, because of his impaired…

Velvet

Geoffroy's Cat

The species known as the “Geoffroy’s Cat,” is a small wild cat native to the southern and central regions of South America. First identified in 1844, it was named after the 19th century French zoologist Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1772–1844). Geoffroy’s cats are strong swimmers that regularly enter the water, and have been recorded frequently swimming fast flowing rivers 100 feet wide. Our only Geoffroy Cat…

Asian Leopard Group

Asian Leopard

Asian Leopards are small exotic cats about the size of a domestic cat. They have distinctive markings which include two prominent dark stripes on their heads and two dark stripes running from the eyes to the ears. True to their name, these felines live across Asia in countries such as India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, China and Japan. Avalo has an Asian Leopard named Kato, along with several early generation hybrids…

Tiberius

Jungle Cat

Despite their name, Jungle Cats live in grassy wetlands. They can be found in India, southern Asia and throughout tropical China, Southeast Asia as well as along Africa’s Nile River Valley. Jungle Cats were so highly regarded in ancient Egypt they were buried in tombs and depicted hunting small birds on Egyptian wall paintings. Tiberius came to Avalo from Nevada in 2015, when he was about four years old. His owner was not able to breed him out of concern that the cataracts…

PanPan

F1 Savannah HP

Pan Pan came to Avalo in 2015, when her owner retired as a breeder and sought out a loving home for this beautiful feline. Pan is a “hybrid,” meaning her parents were different species of cat. Her father was a serval and her mother was also a hybrid with one exotic parent. This makes Pan a special “high percentage” or “HP” hybrid. Because her father was an exotic breed, Pan is called an “F1,” that’s a cat who’s one descendant down from an exotic. Pan is special in many…

Bengal Group

Bengal

Descended from domestic cats and wild Asian Leopard Cats, Bengals are a medium to large domestic cat with a coat of vivid spots or distinctive marbling. They are the only domestic cat breed that have “rosettes” like the markings on Leopards, Jaguars and Ocelots. Bengals are known for having expressive personalities. They are smart, playful and quite chatty. Some Bengals even like to swim. Thinking of adopting a Bengal? Like all hybrids, early generations…

Rune

Eurasian Lynx

Rune is the largest cat at Avalo Sanctuary. Eurasian Lynx are native to Europe, where they are the third largest predator after the bear and the wolf. Rune was raised by a breeder, then sold to a private owner who declawed and neutered him. For reasons unknown, he was put up for sale at a local auction. Avalo founder Michelle Altmeyer purchased Rune out of concern that he would not find a long-term, caring home if purchased by someone else. Rune came to Avalo in 2020, when he…

Bacari

Serval

Servals are common on African savannas where there is plenty of water. They are elegant cats with long necks and long legs that allow them to see over tall grasses. Servals are remarkably athletic and can jump nearly 12 feet straight up to catch a bird in mid-flight. They also have the largest ears of any cat and an acute sense of hearing. Bacari belonged to a breeder who wanted a serval to sire hybrids, but Bacari wasn’t interested in such activities, so he came to Avalo in late…

Exotic Cats and Hybrids

Gracie

Akimbo

Velvet

Asian Leopard Group

Tiberius

PanPan

Bengal Group

Rune

Bacari

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