Abstract
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) strongly opposes the breeding of non-domestic (wild felids) to domestic cats, via both natural breeding and assisted reproductive techniques, due to welfare issues for both the nondomestic and domestic cats and concerns for public safety.
The FelineVMA opposes the unlicensed ownership of non-domestic cats (see ‘Ownership of non-domestic felids’ position statement at catvets.com/ position-statements) as well as the importation of non-domestic felids. Additionally, the FelineVMA discourages ownership of early generation (F1, F2, F3) hybrid cats due to their unpredictable behaviors.
Welfare concerns
Non-domestic and domestic cats are generally not natural breeding partners and must be raised together to encourage breeding. The wild nature of non-domestic cats and early generation hybrids (F1, F2, F3) requires specialized husbandry and breeding practices. Wild felids, except some wild cat species, do not coexist with domestic cats in nature. Domestic cats are often attacked and sometimes killed by the wild cats during the breeding process.
Gestation periods often differ; thus, kittens may be born prematurely and may be undersized, and therefore rejected. A domestic cat foster mother is sometimes required to rear hybrid kittens.
Production of hybrid cats promotes illegal trade and removal of exotic cats from their natural habitats for breeding purposes. The development of hybrid cats does not enhance the welfare of either species but serves only to satisfy human desire. Many sub-species and populations of wild felids are listed as Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered; thus, trade and importation should be prohibited. However, documentation of origins, ncluding subspecies and population, requires genetic testing, which is often not available for most wild felids. Thus, the provenance of many imported cats cannot be determined.
Temperament concerns of hybrid cats
Early generation cats may be difficult to handle as they retain their wild behaviors ncluding territorial marking and failing to integrate with other animals in the household. The public should be aware of behavioral challenges, even in later (>F3) hybrid generations. Veterinary team members willing to treat hybrid cats and the public interested in owning these hybrids, particularly early (F1, F2, F3) generations, must be prepared to properly handle their unpredictable and sometimes dangerous behaviors.
Safety and legal issues
No rabies vaccinations are approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in wild or hybrid cats, as no vaccine company has completed efficacy trials in wild and hybrid felids. However, hybrid and wild felids have been shown to produce antibodies to rabies vaccinations. 1 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has cited the lack of efficacy as a sufficient reason to conclude that hybrid cats should not be kept as companion animals.
Hybrid animals should still be vaccinated; however, depending on the ocal laws, even a vaccinated hybrid animal that bites a human may be required to be euthanized in order for brain tissue to be evaluated for rabies virus.
The public should be aware that the level of hybridization cannot be determined by a visual examination. A DNA-verified pedigree extending back to the exotic cat foundation would be necessary to determine the authenticity of the hybrid.
Within the USA, the laws regarding ownership of hybrid cats vary widely by state and even by county. Hybrid cats may be legal with a permit or after a specific generation. Some hybrid breeds may be legal while others are outlawed. Veterinarians and cat caregivers should be diligent in researching both their state and local ordinances. Some other countries prohibit any hybrid or its importation less than five generations removed from a wild ancestor; others require special permits for hybrid cats.
Caregivers of non-domestic cats and their offspring may be placing the general public at risk and compromise the welfare of those cats with inappropriate and inadequate containment and husbandry practices.
