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Home / Horowhenua Chronicle

Top cat comes from Pussywillow breeder

By Ashleigh Collis
NZ Herald·
13 Jun, 2017 10:07 PM2 mins to read

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Wendy McComb of Pussywillow Cattery shows off her awardwinning cat. Photo / Ashleigh Collis

Wendy McComb of Pussywillow Cattery shows off her awardwinning cat. Photo / Ashleigh Collis

A Levin Siamese cat breeder has seen her first kitten win the New Zealand Cat Fancy.

Wendy McComb has been breeding cats for more than 30 years and the winning kitten came from a bloodline she has been refining most of that time.

Five years ago McComb imported the male Siamese cat, a Silver double grand champion named Flutterby Ivanhoe from England, mating it with her female Siamese, Elygrad Lady Inguz.

The winning kitten came from the pair's first litter. It was sold to a cat lover in Christchurch who showed the cat.

Ivanhoe and Flutterby have recently produced their second litter.

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McComb said she boasts some of the country's largest litters - up to 13- a testament to the quality of her breed.

"It's a sign of a healthy line. I put it down to a good breed, a little bit of knowledge from my years of breeding and also good food," she said.

"Breeding is not simple. You must bring in new bloodlines to get show quality and standard."

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She said it's big money to import, with her latest import costing $13,000.

"[When importing] you look at the pedigrees, health and testing, then you put it over your bloodlines and sit back for generations waiting to see what the kittens turn into," she said.

"Once you have a healthy line going, type and temperament, you carry on with it."

McComb said a healthy cat needs regular vaccinations and good quality food.
"Breeders believe in a balanced diet.

"Premium food can be brought at the vets but breeders feed more natural food like chicken and fish to their cats. Dry food is just there for a snack."

McComb said she loves breeding because "cats never answer back".

"To see a litter born and watch them grow and develop, it's really fantastic," she said.

"The most special part is knowing when you sell a kitten, it's healthy and not going to cause any hereditary or genetic problems.

"Showing is a lovely thing for families to get into with their pet. It's not all about pedigrees."

Families who want to find out more about showing cats should contact their local cat club.

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