Abyssinians are medium sized cats of foreign shorthaired type, with the semi-longhaired version known as the Somali. These are a special type of tabby cat where the typical tabby markings are restricted to the face. They have a distinctive ticked coat pattern where the individual hairs have bands of colour on them, not unlike the coat of a rabbit. Because of this ticked coat these cats have been known as 'bunny cat' and 'hare cat'. Their large, expressive almond shaped eyes, large ears and ticked coat contribute to give the Abyssinian and the Somali their 'wildcat' appearance.

These are quiet and gentle cats which tend to have soft voices . They are very affectionate, particularly towards their owners but can be reserved with strangers. They will follow their owners about and love to be part of the family. Both as kittens and adults they are extremely active, athletic and always keen to play. Abyssinians are ready to investigate anything new with a fearless curiosity. Generally, they are quick to adapt to new surroundings and are happy to live with other pets.

The range of colours available is the same for both the Abyssinian and Somali. Tawny is perhaps the best known with its rich golden brown ground colour and black ticking. This colour is also known as 'usual' and 'ruddy'. Other colours available include cinnamon, blue, fawn, silver, cinnamon silver and blue silver. The full beauty of the ticked coat is often not revealed until the cat is about 18 months old, particularly with Somali cats.

The Abyssinian is one of the oldest domestic breeds. It is believed by many people that the Abyssinian is descended from the cats of ancient Egypt and, indeed, they do bear a strong resemblance to the cats depicted by sculptures and paintings found in the Egyptian pyramids. The precise origins of the Abyssinian remains unclear.

In Australia, the first Abyssinians were imported during the late 1950's from England and New Zealand. Somalis appeared from the Abyssinian population in the 1960's. The cats at this time were either tawny or cinnamon with other colours making their appearances some years later.

Myth: Abyssinians are the sacred cats of the Pharaohs

It is certainly true that these cats look very like the statues of cats found in Ancient Egypt. It is also certainly true that the Egyptians held cats in very high regard, hence the number of cat 'mummies' that have been found. It is also true that the origins of the modern Aby are shrouded in mystery but it is not that likely that today's splendid cat is a direct descendant of those worshipped long ago. Abyssinians were first recognised as a distinct breed in Britain and that was not until 1882.

ABYSSINIAN
	The Abyssinian is a medium size cat with a short-ticked coat. It is affectionate, active and playful retaining its playfulness long after kitten-hood. They should appear alert, lithe and muscular, standing on tippy toes. The head is a rounded wedge with large ears, the eyes are almond shaped green, gold or hazel. The coat should have a lustrous sheen and be resilient to the touch.

SOMALI

The Somali is first cousin to the Abyssinian and shares most of its characteristics. The essential difference is that the Somali has semi-long fur. The coat is easy to care for, only requiring occasional combing, unless of course it is being prepared for showing. If longhaired cats appeal to you but you haven't the time to look after the Persian type coat then the Somali may be for you. The longer fur comes from a recessive gene, it is possible to have litters from cats both carrying that gene to produce litters with both long and shorthair kittens. In NSW these shorthair kittens are recognised as Abys.

COLOURS

The Abyssinian and Somali comes in several colours, tawny, cinnamon, blue, fawn and the silvers. Each has its own special appeal to different people. The best known colour is tawny and is generally the most popular. The tawnys have the appearance of a wild creature, their colour is a rich orange ticked with black, whilst the cinnamon is a rich cinnamon red colour ticked with chocolate brown. Blues have a soft blue ticking over an oatmeal undercoat, the fawns are ticked with dusky lilac over a pale fawn undercoat. The silvers have the same basic colours of ticking over a sparkling white undercoat.

COMPANIONS

If you have decided that you want a cat as a companion, then the Aby or Somali may be your choice. They are people oriented, without necessarily being lap cats. They will share your chores, your reading, and your bed if allowed. They develop great empathy with their owners and you will always have an understanding friend. It is a great welcome home to have an Aby waiting by the door when you come home at night. If your lifestyle demands that you are away from home during the day and you have no other pets, it would be kinder to have two cats as company for each other in your absence.

Myth: Its not really healthy for cats and people to live closely together

One of the very surprising things about cats is that they have far fewer organisms on their skin per square millimetre than humans carry. Perhaps the threat to health is more to them from being in close contact with us. We know that if a person has high blood pressure, stroking a cat will bring her/his reading down. We also know that people who keep pets are less likely to develop other symptoms of stress than people without a pet. Keeping a cat is good for your health.

KITTENS

Kittens are ready to go to their new homes around twelve weeks of age and should have had their preliminary vaccinations and be micro-chipped before you take them from the breeder. They should also be litter trained. Registered breeders are bound by a code of ethics to make sure that the kitten they sell you is healthy and ready to go to a new environment. Look for clean eyes and nose, shiny coats and the all round appearance of good health. The breeder may require you to sign a desexing agreement. It is usual for a breeder to retain the registration papers until the kitten is desexed, however the breeder may give you a written pedigree.

The Abyssinian breed has had its own specialist club since 1966. We welcome new members. Should you want more details on the Abyssinian or Somali we would be glad to hear from you and help you locate a kitten. You may have to be patient if you set your heart on a particular colour in either Abys or Somalis.
RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP

If you are buying any cat as a pet, you should have it desexed at an appropriate age. Consult your veterinarian as to what age they recommend. A cat that is not desexed is driven by its hormones to wander is search of a mate, they become a nuisance to other people, and are often hurt in fights or run over in their wanderings.

As well as desexing, you should also now consider whether or not you want your kitten to go outside at all. Some breeders will only sell to people who will make this commitment to their cat. The kitten most likely will never have been outside when you get it, so it will not miss, what it has never had. Should you make this decision, you will have the confidence of knowing that your cat is safe at home in your absence. It will not be run over, it will not be attacked by dogs, pick up diseases or be stolen. Furthermore as the Abys are excellent hunters the native birds will not become its victims. The only way any cat can be environmentally friendly is inside.

Myth: Abyssinians will not be happy cats if kept indoors

Abyssinians are very active cats, full of energy that can be expressed in a variety of ways. These include climbing, chasing, pouncing on the enemy and playing fetch, none of which is only an outdoor activity. All cats are strongly territorial creatures and if they know their territory to be bounded by the structures of your house they readily adapt to that. What they need is companionship and a healthy place of their own.

The Abyssinian Cat Club of Australasia is for anyone who breeds, shows or owns an Aby or Somali. The club was formed in 1966. Abyssinians had been brought into NSW in 1959 from the UK and NZ. By the time the club was formed there were approximately forty-six cats being bred from or on the show bench. Another fifty or so were amongst the treasured and beloved pets in the community.

Although the Founding members were all breeding or showing Abys, the club soon proved attractive to pet owners who wanted to know more about these fascinating felines. Today the Club continues the tradition of catering for all owners of Abys or Somalis.

A major feature of the Club is its journal, The Abyssinian, which first appeared in June 1967. To this day, The Abyssinian provides a forum for members to share their knowledge of the Abyssinian, its breeding, the standard and temperament.
Meetings are generally monthly via teleconference as our members are so widely scattered around the country and new members are most welcome. It is not necessary to be a breeder to attend. All you need is a phone.  So, if you own an Aby or Somali, are thinking of owning an Aby or Somali, or just want to know more about these most special of felines why not join us? We would love to have you.

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