So what might be the future of Siamese cats? Lets get out the crystal ball, the Runes and the cards. But, if no inside information is forthcoming, how about just sharing my own views? The Future for the Traditional Siamese Cat? And if they're popular it's more with the grassroots cat lovers than with mainstream cat clubs. The big cat clubs, in my opinion, would rather not have to deal with the traditional Siamese cat. Either they'd like to see it disappear (it's confusing to have all these different-shaped Siamese!) or they'll have to consider embracing it once and for all (people are buying...) The major cat clubs don't want to be sidelined but there does seem to be evidence that the Traditional Siamese is healthier than its modern brothers and sisters. So if the clubs embrace the Traditional Siamese, this could raise questions about the health of the Modern Siamese... and from there to questioning its look is just a short step. Perhaps you're familiar with the furore over the BBC TV program that called into question many of the principles of the Kennel Club in the UK? When the program was aired, many dog lovers were appalled by some of the show dogs who had the best show pedigrees but the worst health. This caused some major sponsors to distance themselves from the Kennel Club. It is not unrealistic to think something similar could happen in the Cat Club world. I have heard stories from vets and cat breeders that all might not be healthy within the cat clubs but perhaps this will change and some of the clubs will be put in order if the cats' welfare comes first. Taking a stand, eliminating certain bad health practices, complacency and rewriting certain pedigrees to ensure healthy stock would eventually benefit everyone - the clubs, the breeders, and ultimately the cats and the buying public. In a strange twist of fate, the growing popularity of the Traditional Siamese might eventually jeopardize the breed's health. Their popularity might really take off, all it takes is a film or film star talking about them. This results in higher prices and not enough kittens to go around! Therefore breeders might be tempted to breed for profit and to fulfill the sudden demand - this results in poor or harmful breeding practices. Financial incentives may result in overbreeding the females, avoiding vet checks, keeping all the kittens and mother cats in cages because there are so many of them, offering them at premium prices without pedigree papers (that costs money too). We cannot take it for granted that the good health the majority of Traditionals enjoy will last forever. When it comes to the future of Siamese cats we have to be vigilant! What else might affect the future of Siamese cats? If experiences from World Wars I and II are anything to go by, major conflict can decimate cat breeds by reducing the gene pool since cats (and people!) die in wartime. During conflict people give up all pursuits and hobbies apart from surviving. As the pool gets smaller, genetic weaknesses will appear, especially in the absence of imports or of a sophisticated breeding program. This in turn could lead to shortened lives for our pets, higher incidence of disease and deformities, large vet bills, female reproductive problems, and difficult births.
The Future of the Modern Siamese Cat? All sorts of scenarios are possible. For example, should vets and concerned individuals back laws against cat cruelty, certain types of cat clubs and shows might be curtailed. Or perhaps the number of cats an individual can own might be limited in certain countries (lets not forget that in some places, they're considered vermin). Stray or unwanted felines are already a huge problem in many countries so why not a cat licence, like the UK's dog licences? Ultimately the health of the more extreme breeds will have to be improved for the viable future of Siamese cats and cats generally - and this is possible, especially with advances in genetic research. If normal housecats can be healthy, surely a sophisticated, knowledgeable breeder can ensure all their Siamese lines are healthy too.
|
