In the market for a new kitty? Willing to shell out a large chunk of change/or excessively large chunk of change? $22,000 is what it would cost you to acquire a brand new "super-luxury/ultra-exotic" breed of cat called "The Ashera"!
That's not a typo btw - twenty-two thousand US dollars is what this limited-edition feline commands (only 100 per year will be available - half of that figure will be sold in the US).
Potential Ashera owners are already paying to be placed on the waiting list for one of these cats. So - in the meantime - what happens to all of the cats that are waiting around in shelters for a good home to go to? Not to mention, it doesn't even cost a dime to save the lives of these precious little independent fluff balls. Just think how many animals lives could be saved with $22,000! If someone has $22,000 to throw down on just one cat, then there should be a stipulation that they have to contribute... oh, I don't know... $5,000 towards saving the lives of abandoned animals - just to reinforce some responsible prioritizing!
Not only are these cats incredibly expensive - but their full-size weight is estimated to reach 30lbs - so you can expect them to be eating more than your regular sized fluffy. In order to create this breed, "Lifestyle Pets" - a company located in Los Angeles, CA - cross-bred an Asian Leopard Cat, an African Serval, and a domestic cat. A quote from "Lifestyle Pets" helps to explain why they think their method separates them from other breeders who have attempted a similar process:
"The Ashera is unique in that genetic monitoring is used to standardize breeding and ensure that the defining features and size of the animal remain exceptionally consistent".
If you simply must invest in an Ashera - then at least give some thought to the little guys whose futures aren't looking as bright as this extravagant, big-ticket item - and consider sponsoring pets that are waiting to be adopted as an alternative to actually adopting them yourself (assuming you are only able to commit to the Ashera), along with making donations to the SPCA , and the Animal Humane Society.
This should be done, if for no other reason, to set an example within society and your community - especially where children are concerned, so that they learn the valuable lesson of taking care of their planet, and the life within it.
