An Interview Savannah Cat Breeder Ashley Perenich of Sunshine Savannahs Tampa, FL
How did you come up with the cattery name "Sunshine Savannahs"?
We live in the Sunshine State, so it was the right fit!
Please tell us about your location, background, family, past or current occupation.
I'm my husband's physician assistant, and we have a spine surgery practice. Between the fur babies, work, and our three kids, we are busy! We love yoga, wake surfing, and snowboarding. Our kids are into horseback riding, soccer, and baseball, so we spend many weekends at their games and horse shows.
What Inspired You To Become a Breeder?
We absolutely fell in love with this breed. It's not like any other. We fostered cats for years, and my husband always told me he was allergic to cats until we owned a Savannah. He's now a full-blown cat dad!
There's so much to learn, and I don't think I'll have scratched the surface even in the next five years! We love the Savannah community and enjoy seeing our fellow breeders helping to better the breed. It's so exciting watching other breeders' kittens develop. After all, that's what it's all about for us. We breed because we adore Savannahs, and seeing our fur babies join their forever homes is so rewarding.
Is your family involved with your cattery work?
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Absolutely! They all help socialize the kittens—it's their favorite part! However, they're so busy with school and sports that they only have time to help with the fun part.
What's your typical morning-to-evening routine at your cattery?
It takes us about 45 minutes to feed the cats, replenish the water, and clean the litterboxes. We do this twice a day. On weekends, all litterboxes are sanitized with fresh litter added. We keep our cattery small, so we don't ever feel overwhelmed.
What's the best part about breeding?
We have a special bond with our fur babies' families. When our moms have kittens, they count on us to help them. It shows the trust and love they develop with us. We love seeing the kittens' personalities come out and watching them steal the hearts of the families they go to.
What's the worst part about breeding?
Losing kittens is always difficult, no matter how many times it happens. You never get used to that. There's a negative stigma associated with breeding, but when you're an ethical breeder, and your cats are well-treated, you tend to ignore those things.
Did you or do you have a breeder mentor(s) you wish to acknowledge and how they helped with your successes and failures with breeding and business operations?
I've had so many mentors along the way that it isn't easy to point out just one. Brigitte Cowell Moyne has been my primary mentor. She got me into showing cats and helped me see the typing in the breed. She is very knowledgeable and highly respected. There were many others, too! We do have a wonderful Savannah community!
What are the best breeding tips or advice you've received from another breeder?
Show your cats so you can learn the typing! If you don't see the typing in your cats, you won't be able to produce it. Learn the pedigree so you know what's behind your cat also. It's so important!
What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the Savannah breed?
The biggest strengths of the breed are its personalities. It truly is unique. These cats have a dog-like personality. They are super bright and bond with their owners! The weaknesses of the breed are that they can be super active. If they don't have a friend, they can sometimes develop certain undesirable qualities. Get them in pairs, or make sure they have a fur friend with a cat wheel! This will keep them happy and you happy!
What's your best advice for new breeders?
It takes a TON OF TIME! It's not just playing with kittens and combining two cats that will breed. Boys can be picky, kittens need extra help often, cats frequently don’t prove, and taking care of all your cats twice a day adds up.
Have you bred any other type of cat or animal besides Savannahs?
No, this is the first and only animal we plan to breed!
What is your favorite(s) generation to breed and why?
I love the SBT generation! They are easier, and SBT moms are usually better. The early generation moms can be tough. Many of my early-generation kittens need supplementation, or the mom needs special accommodations like silence!
What concerns do you have for the future of the Savannah breed?
I worry about new breeders starting to breed without learning the correct Savannah typing. Mentors need to guide new breeders through showing and learning what they should strive for in their program.
Do you recommend a raw diet, and what are your favorite cat food brands?
Absolutely! I recommend Raw. You can buy it already made at most pet stores or order it online if you want to avoid the commitment of making it yourself.
I love the brand Acana. They have excellent cat food. We free-feed a bowl of the high-protein dry for some of our cats who like it. I also love the "Kitty Bloom" powdered vitamins. They smell like powdered cheese, and the cats love it!
Do you attend cat shows, and if yes, what's your highest achievement?
Yes! We love shows! Our main stud, "Hawassa Kygo," reached "Supreme Grand Champion" and first place internationally in the Savannah Cat and Kitten divisions. It was a big year! A LOT of work but a blast!
What else would you like the Savannah world to know about you and your cattery?
Most of our cats are shipped from international breeders, so we have unique lines. We have demanding full-time jobs, so breeding is our hobby and passion. It's the part of our day we enjoy and do together as a family. We stay small, so we have plenty of time for each fur baby.
Website: https://sunshinesavannahs.com/
Email: ashley@sunshinesavannahs.com
Instagram: sunshinesavannahs.fl/
Facebook: SunshineSavannahs.FL
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