The history of the California Spangled cat is really all about its founder and creator, Paul Casey. Mr. Casey was a very able man of many talents. Creating the California Spangled cat was part of his work and it was a part that reflected his concern for the environment and his concern for all the “wild things of the coming century” that lived in it. I think he was ahead of his time.
- Paul Casey -Author of the California Spangled Cat
- The Inspiration for the California Spangled Cat
- Designing & Developing the Breed
- The Spangled Cat Foundation
- Neiman-Marcus
- What the Papers Said – Awards – Show Biz
Paul Casey -Author of the California Spangled Cat
Paul Casey was born in California. He majored in physics and political science and was ranking top in western USA in naval science. He was a smart man who liked to stay fit. A close friend of his, Udana, says that he was a genius. He was a very busy person fitting the breeding of the California Spangled cat into his wide-ranging activities. He was acutely aware of the need to start thinking about protecting the planet rather than abusing and using it. His various skills included:
- Playwright – Lassie, Baretta, Born Free to name three
- “Hollywood screen writer” — Washington Post
- Played piano and guitar
- Composed music for his shows
- TV personality
- Cat breeder
Paul Casey was not your typical cat breeder. Far from it.
The Inspiration for the California Spangled Cat
Having an underlying deep concern for the planet, Paul Casey was inspired to do something (to “feel and do something“) about the loss of wildlife generally, and the spotted cat in the wild in particular, when in 1971 on a wildlife safari in East Africa, with a companion, he heard about the killing and skinning of a leopard (the common leopard) the best known of all spotted cats. Paul Casey had a world vision. His thoughts and concerns were on a worldwide level. I feel that I must quote his words from the 1989 California Spangled Cat Calendar 1989:
We thought that perhaps the presence of a loving little spotted cat in the home might somehow link us more closely with the plight of those in the wild…..We wanted to represent a planetary state of mind – a more creative approach to the problems of today – the image of nature and civilisation together – man in balance with his environment.
His sentiments are wonderfully current 20 years later and even more important today. I think it far to say that he sadly failed in that task at that time due to no fault of his own but he no doubt contributed to the gradual shift towards that goal: to be in balance with the environment. In line with his global vision Paul Casey selected cats from four continents to create his new, exciting and exotic breed of cat.
Designing & Developing the Breed
If the history of the California Spangled cat started with the inspiration for its creation, it was another 15 years of planning before “the first ancestral kitten was purchased” and breeding began. Paul Casey “assembled” a genetic foundation “core line” from several cat breeds. Individual high-quality cats were chosen for their temperament and appearance. The breeds chosen included:
- Seal point Siamese – this is the classic (not modern) Siamese cat. Paul Casey called the cat “of the old variety“.
- A spotted silver longhaired cat (no breed specified) – this softened the coat and made the spots rounder.
- A Manx cat (spotted) – the Manx is a short-tailed cat. The gene that causes the short tail is dominant.
- A British Shorthair cat
- An American Shorthair cat
The core line was a foundation to the breed and was a way to eliminate unwanted throwback traits. To this line was added two cat types. Firstly, an Egyptian cat with the intention of creating a “more primitive” face and body appearance that was in keeping with the cat’s wild look. Paul Casey had seen cats in Cairo, Egypt. He referred to these cats as “Cats of the Nile”. They were and are Egyptian feral cats. Although he does not mention it, they might have been feral Egyptian Maus which look like less refined purebred Egyptian Maus. They are common in Egypt and sadly persecuted. However, Mr Casey says that the “Cats of the Nile” were almost extinct and only found in a small feral cat population near Cairo.
He considered this Egyptian cat one of the last ancient cat breeds in existence. Incidentally, the purebred Egyptian Mau was in existence at the time the California Spangled cat breed was created and is considered to be the domestic version of the African Wildcat. This cat added a “domed forehead, prominent cheekbones, a full furred tail and brown toned eyes“, to the California Spangled cat. However, the spots of the feral Cairo cat were “dingy“. To improve this a seventh bloodline was included. This was an Asian cat that had a short, velvety coat. Throughout the process, health was a foremost factor.
Paul Casey says that he combined and then separated the gene pool on alternate generations, breeding “across the pedigree” so there was never any inbreeding. Paul Casey’s objective in the California Spangled cat (one which he met) was a sturdy, intelligent cat that possessed hybrid vigor.
The Spangled Cat Foundation
This foundation was created and “dedicated to the control of man-made toxic substances” that polluted (and continue to pollute even more so) the planet causing damage to DNA of all plant and animal life. The California Spangled cat was the figurehead. Paul Casey felt the urgent need to do something in 1989. We are still talking about it and still failing to make progress some 20 years later.
Neiman-Marcus
In the history of the California Spangled cat, it is well documented that it made its first public appearance in the 1986 Neiman-Marcus Christmas Book. The cat was listed under His & Hers Gift of the Year. I have read that this marketing approach (which was unusual and bold) had a negative impact on the development of the breed. However, Paul Casey says that many orders for the cat were taken during this period of the launch of the cat, which he said would take three years to fulfill.
“..What followed was a deluge of orders that are now so backlogged, no more are being accepted” – Boston Globe
This was an outstanding cat breed.
What the Papers Said – Awards – Show Biz
As expected the California Spangled cat made a big impact. The Los Angeles Times (as only one example) said:
“The result is a striking spotted house cat that looks like a miniature wild one that just walked out of the jungle.“
Paul Casey died April 23, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. He was 60 years old.
The source material for the history of the California Spangled cat was California Spangled Cat Calendar 1989.
From The History of the California Spangled Cat to Cat History
If someone has a list of current breeders, please let me know. I like to have two of these.
Sorry Stephan, there are no breeders and no Calif Spangled cats. The project fizzled out.
So in other words, the project did not have any success. The race has vanished?
Yes, pretty much exactly that. There are many cat breeds which fizzle out like this as they are not accepted by the cat associations.
Can we please communicate further via E-Mail. I like to ask you more questions. I have added my Email at the end of my post in the form.
I have personally heard that the complexety of the breed is somehow the reason that breeding failed. Casey according to a German online side needed 11 generations in order to breed it sucessfully. They say besides Siam, Abessiner and British Shorthair he used cats from Asia and Aegypt. Can you give me any further info or send me an email about the people who were designing to get the breed back. Should it be somehow sucessful in future I do have an interesst.
It would mean a lot to me.
Stefan, this page was written with the massive help of a lady who knew Paul first hand. It is all the information that I have. I am sorry I can’t help. Do you plan to try and ressurect the breed?
If I can do something about it. What would really speak against to get in contact via E-Mail.
Here is a pic of our kitty Mickey. My kids are certain that he is a California Spangled. My son is doing a research project on them, and is trying to find out as much information as possible. Some sites say this breed is “endangered,” “closed,” or “on the comeback.” Do you know which is most accurate? I looked on the TICA & ACA and did not see this breed listed as one being recognized. Any suggestions on where else to get info would be appreciated.
Hi Angie, this page is the best on the internet on the history of this breed because it comes first hand from a lady who was a close friend of Mr Casey, the founder of the breed. She contacted me direct and wanted me to publish the information.
As for the current status of this cat breed, I think it hardly exists. In fact it may no longer exist. It failed to gain traction as a breed. It may have died out as a breed. Unless cats of the breed are bred and the line continued the breed becomes extinct. I believe it is probably extinct as a breed. But, there may be some cats around still, perhaps with breeders but we don’t know.
Mickey is a very impressive tabby cat. Unless he is registered as a Calif. Spangled he is strictly speaking not a Calif. Spangled. As a fine looking tabby cat looks like a Calif. Spangled that is probably what Mickey is.
Thanks for discussing this breed.