The $22,000 Ashera cat (3 pics)
A California company called Lifestyle Pets is selling the "Ashera" cat that costs $22,000. That's for the cheapest Ashera cat; the most expensive one costs $125,000. The "Ashera" is a name that the company has trademarked to describe the exotic looking creature.
The Ashera is a hybrid crossing three species of feline: the African Serval, the Asian leopard cat, and a specific domestic cat.
The Ashera looks like a "mini-leopard" but is claimed to be as domesticated and affectionate as a regular old house cat.
The "Standard" Ashera (pictured above) costs $22,000. That begins to sound like a downright bargain when you read the prices on the three other types of Ashera cats available.
A "Hypoallergenic" version of the Ashera costs $37,000.
The "Snow" Ashera costs $65,000 and its price is justified because the background color is white, rather than the more common brown color of the standard Ashera.
The most expensive is the "Royal" Ashera that costs $125,000. The Royal Ashera is the world's most rare domestic cat, says Lifestyle Pets. This version of the Ashera has a cream background, but its spots and stripes are "tiger orange" instead of plain black.
Less than four Royal Ashera kittens are produced each year, says Lifestyle Pets, making it sound like a limited edition Louis Vuitton handbag. The Royal Ashera is only available to "existing clients."
Alexia Rodgriguez, a spokesperson for Lifestyle Pets, says they sell about 50 Standard Ashera cats each year. (The company offers financing options.)
It's not surprising that controversy has surrounded the Ashera cat, but not in the way you might think. Some are claiming that the Ashera cat is nothing new, and is really the Savannah cat that costs $5,000 and has been available since 2000.
Text: examiner.com
