January 24, 2025, 9:29 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The Ashera cat has been making headlines for years and is a real mystery in the world of exotic pets. With its majestic appearance, its alleged rarity, and a price tag of up to EUR 50,000, it was long regarded as the most exclusive domestic cat in the world.
The Ashera cat was first introduced in 2006 by Lifestyle Pets as a “new hybrid cat.” It was purported to be a novel crossbreed involving a domestic cat, an Asian leopard cat, and a serval—a wild African cat. With its elegant, tall build and striking leopard pattern, it seemed the epitome of luxury. The US company Lifestyle Pets, whose franchise system patented and marketed the breed, promised a cat that was beautiful and, with only a few produced each year, a true rarity.1
DNA Test Reveals Deception
But the euphoria over the Ashera did not last long. Experts and breeders began to question the origins of this supposed miracle cat.
When three specimens were confiscated by customs in the Netherlands, they were examined, and DNA tests revealed that the animals were, in fact, not genetically unique. The alleged Ashera cats were actually Savannah cats—an established hybrid breed resulting from the crossbreeding of a domestic cat with a serval. They were simply being sold under a new name and with a clever marketing strategy at a significantly higher price.2
The fraud caused great outrage, especially among the numerous buyers who had paid immensely high sums for the supposedly special breed. Simon Brodie, the founder of Lifestyle Pets, was subsequently taken to court on charges of fraud. The company officially stopped trading in the cats in 2009 but promised to continue supplying animals that had already been ordered until 2011. However, Lifestyle Pets reportedly continued to sell cats after 2009.
The Ashera cat scam was not the only scandal surrounding Brodie. His previous company, Allerca, previously claimed to breed the first truly hypoallergenic cats. However, allergy tests on the owners of the supposedly hypoallergenic cats revealed a high level of exposure after they had spent some time with the animals.3
Why the Myth Lives on
Despite the exposure, the myth of the Ashera cat persisted. This is mainly because the story of an exclusive, almost mystical pet fascinates many people. In addition, buyers who have paid enormous sums for a supposed Ashera are often reluctant to admit the deception publicly.
The demand for exotic pets also contributes to the resurgence of such stories. The desire for the unique and exclusive drives the market – and often leads to questionable practices such as deliberately misleading buyers.
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What We Can Learn from This
The tale of the Ashera cat serves as a cautionary lesson about the importance of thorough research when purchasing a pet. Reputable breeders prioritize transparency and the health of the animals over artificially created exclusivity. Anyone interested in a Savannah cat or other exotic breed should contact recognized breeders or animal welfare organizations and ensure that the welfare of the animals comes first.4
The Ashera cat may be a myth, but it reminds us that a pet should not be a status symbol. Rather than seeking the extraordinary, we should concentrate on providing our animal companions with a joyful and, most importantly, species-appropriate existence.