Kathrin Stucki of A1 Savannahs

Kathrin Stucki – photo copyright Michael

Having had the pleasure of being associated with Kathrin Stucki of A1 Savannahs for a while and having now met her during a recent visit to the USA (April 2009), at her cattery, I would like to write, briefly, about her. She knows that I am doing this but it is my work alone. Kathrin is Swiss and married to Martin Stucki. Their cattery is A1 Savannahs, which is based near Ponca City, Oklahoma. From my point of view (I am not in the cat fancy but write about it) A1 Savannahs seems a large and very professionally managed cattery. Great emphasis is placed on quality in respect of the appearance, socialization and health of their cats.

Kathrin has recently become a naturalized American. As I understand it, this is a result of her unique skills as a cat breeder. Kathrin is the world’s leading authority in Savannah cat breeding with her husband Martin. This statement is supported by Joyce Sroufe, the original founder of the Savannah cat breed. Kathrin has a long history of successfully working with wild and domesticated animals. I didn’t know this but she is a gifted animal trainer and in the past achieved great success training sports pigeons in Switzerland and Belgium. Yes, Kathrin’s expertise with respect to animals goes much wider than the domestic cat. In respect of certain Savannah cats (a cat with a high percentage of wild blood) she has trained them to be calm and trustworthy therapy cats.

The picture above is of an F2 Savannah from A1 Supremes (part of A1 Savannahs) that went to live with the King of Morocco. These are the highest quality Savannah cats. In promoting the Savannah breed worldwide Kathrin and Martin carefully select breeders that have the requisite commitment and skill and then provide all the support that is needed to ensure the success of that breeder. The support covers all areas including supplying first rate photographs taken by Kathrin. Photography, by the way, is one of her other skills. Another is that she can speak 8 languages. In my dealings with Kathrin Stucki of A1 Savannahs, I have found her to be very professional, generous and easy to get on with. Her cattery is probably the best known cattery (of any cat breed) in the world and is a truly international business.

Update May 2010…. I am currently back at A1 Savannahs. This stay is much longer, which gives me time to talk and see more. As a reflection of Kathrin’s love of animals there are 15 separate species of animal on her farm, or there abouts!. The species include, goats, emus (her favorite), bison, horses, pigs, hens, rabbits and lots more

Kathrin is living her dream and few of us can do that. She is also currently studying to be a veterinarian – yes, it’s true.

When you go into her home there are usually gorgeous F2 and/or F1 kittens playing around the house. These are cats that are being socialised. While I am here I have photographed these kittens. Here are two pages recently added to the site showing them:

F2 Savannah kittens

F1 Savannah kitten FOCUS

Yes, A1 Savannahs is very professional and they are a business, no doubt about it. They are probably the best cat breeders in the world. That is a good thing, an essential thing. Professionalism extends from making money to highly efficient and proficient cat care.

Kathrin Stucki of A1 Savannahs to Savannah cat