| Date | Event |
| early 1960s | Ann Baker, a Californian cat breeder, starts creating the breed |
| 1960s and 70s? | Ann Baker seems to have created the myth that this breed is immune to pain and have human genes – alienating other breeders |
| ? | Denny Dayton an early breeder of this breed founds the Ragdoll Fanciers Club International (RFCI) |
| 1967 | Ragdoll first registered in the USA due to the efforts of Denny Drayton |
| 1971 | Ann Baker creates her own cat association, International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) |
| 1975 | Ann Baker patented the name “Ragdoll” – breeders who acquired their Ragdolls before the patent was issued, did not feel bound by it |
| 2005 | Patent for the the name “Ragdoll” expired |
| Currently | Ann Baker is deceased and despite her perhaps bitter fight to retain “rights” over her creation she left the legacy of this wonderful breed of cat. 500+ breeders worldwide. The breed is fully accepted with the major associations including TICA, CFA, FIFe and GCCF7. |
The history of the RagaMuffin is bound up with the Ragdoll. In addition, it seems that there was a plan to produce a cat that perhaps defied logic and biology called the Catenoid (IRCA). The idea was to create a cat that when mated with any other breed produced offspring that were Ragdoll cats that complied with IRCA standards. Nice idea, looks impossible. This seems to have faded after the death of Anne Baker.
Seal point Ragdoll – Ophelia © Dani Rozeboom Cattey Yeri Shaes
In 2016, a cat adopted us. He was a stray, but we soon learned he was domesticated and fixed. My daughter believes he is a ragdoll. He fits the characteristics: size, demeanor, eye color etc. Can you view the pics and tell me what you think. I have other pictures of him.
Hi Dale. Thanks for commenting. It seems the years with the breeder may have affected her character. She is definitely anxious as you say. Chronically anxious it seems. I guess you have checked her out for cystitis. A long shot. Anxiety can cause cystitis and cystitis causes inappropriate elimination.
I presume she is spayed by the way. If not please spay her.
Sometimes a cycle can be set up. A cat pees on the carpet. The owner becomes annoyed. The cat becomes anxious. The cat pees some more on the carpet through anxiety and so on. That cycle needs to be broken. Is he litter trained? Crazy question perhaps but worth asking.
Are you around the home a lot or not much? If you are away a lot that may cause anxiety and her reclusive nature. It can also lead to cystitis as mentioned. Personally I don’t like the idea of drugs because it just treats the symptoms. If you have totally covered all the possible causes then drugs might be the answer but they must be a last resort.
What does your vet say? I’d try and interact more with her. Play with her. Be around her more etc.. If you don’t have the time for this it would be a shame because I think it may be the cure but it will a slow process I feel. Although I may be incorrect about the cause.
I presume she is a full-time indoor cat. If not and she goes outside sometimes there may be a cat outside who terrorises her. Sometimes indoor cats can be upset by the presence of cats outside who they can see through the window. That is a long shot to but may be worth checking out. I am speculating because I don’t know the full facts.
There is one last possibility: rehoming with a retired person who has time. But this may seem crazy to you and I’d understand if it is. Good luck.
Hello, I picked up my Rockstar from a breeder here in Vancouver Canada. She is a retired breeder who apparently never gave her owner kittens. I’ve had her for a year now(she is 4). She has issues with peeing everywhere. Bathtub, bed, my rug, and most recently my couch. I have been using Feliway but it only seems to work for a while. She spends most of her time alone in the basement. I got a kitten this past summer. They seem to get along. When I pick her up to pet her she has a look of “why are you touching me”. Will she ever warm up to me or is she destined to be anxious forever. I’m tempted to try drugs to keep her happy.
Thanks Art. Nice to hear from a visitor who has some personal experiences of the very popular Ragdoll or RagaMuffin (a very similar cat).