Mr. Kelly Tansy wrote on Mar 20, 2006 1:25 AM:What a tragedy it is to see another breeder create another pet craze wit the "puppycat".Breeders like the one in the article are direct contributors to massive disposal of dogs and cats in our nation.I recommend breeders like this one be forced to spend all day at an animal shelter and see all the friendly pets be given lethal injection.Maybe then they'll see there's more to breeding than notoriety and money.

Nancy wrote on Mar 20, 2006 7:04 AM:Looks like some one is seriously messing with the gene pool. Cat is a cat and a Dog is a Dog!

tom wrote on Mar 20, 2006 7:14 AM:these were discovered along time agoby elmer fudd and sylvester cat, i think they called them,"puddytats"

Craven wrote on Mar 20, 2006 7:53 AM:Mr.Tansy is right on.This nonsense has got to stop. We have thousands of unclaimed animals now.Yeah start another craze like the dalmations a few years ago.

Hmmm? wrote on Mar 20, 2006 8:11 AM:I wonder if she have anything to do with the creation of the Lama?

It's Just A Cat wrote on Mar 20, 2006 8:24 AM:Floppy ears on a cat does not a dog make ... Instead she is just creating another temporary fad in pet ownership ... Very irresponsible.

Pete wrote on Mar 20, 2006 9:35 AM:I've been sewing butterfly wings to the backs of my cats for years and selling them as " kittyhawks " they have been outselling the my "rattlebats "3 to 1 and here I thought flying snakes would be a good seller ? ...

Mary wrote on Mar 20, 2006 9:46 AM:Please folks, she is not messing with the gene pool as long as she does not have mama cats messing around with their sons. They are from the same species and that is why she is able to breed them. You can not breed a dog and cat period. I used to have a stray cat that I said acted like a dog. It would follow me around the house and my back yard. Never thought about breeding it though, I had it spayed in the interst of not being part of the problem so to speak. The over abundance of cats and dogs is from not having enough of the strays spayed, not from breeders.

Jean wrote on Mar 20, 2006 11:21 AM:I have checked into this and there is no such thing as a puppykat... To me she is in this for the money and just fooling a foolish public.

Jamie wrote on Mar 20, 2006 11:22 AM:Please show me the dog this woman used in the breeding of this so called cat.

Mike wrote on Mar 20, 2006 12:30 PM:Yes Jean, it's called a free market society. No one is forcing people to buy these. Freedom of choice. People could easily choose to get a cat from a shelter. They choose to buy a novelty instead. Good for Houston !!

duh people wrote on Mar 20, 2006 12:32 PM:She is not breeding dogs and cats.. It is a cat with "puppy like traits". Read the article! The Puppykat is 100% cat with a different personality.

Agree with Mr Tansy wrote on Mar 20, 2006 1:06 PM:OH MY GOODNESS!! What I hear is BREED BREED BREED, MONEY MONEY MONEY. Just another selfish, irresponsible money-hungry breeder. We don't need another breeder creating a new CROSS BREED! Come on!! Don't be fooled by her reasons. Yes, Houston should should spend 2 days at a shelter that euthanizes. And if that doesn't change her mind. God help her!

Courtney wrote on Mar 20, 2006 1:24 PM:This woman's scientific experiment is replacing spots in homes that animals in animal shelters need. Shame on her for messing with Mother Nature. If you want a real, natural cat - be a hero to a cat - not a kitten - and go rescue one from a shelter. I hope PETA kicks her a@@ for what she's doing.

Alex wrote on Mar 20, 2006 3:11 PM:I work for an animal shelter where we euthanize literally thousands of cats every year -- there are simply not enough homes for them. As the bumper sticker says, "Please don't breed or buy while shelter animals die". Dawn Houston should be ashamed of herself.

David wrote on Mar 20, 2006 3:52 PM:Very irresponsible. Breeders breed cats that could otherwise be obtained through a shelter. Houston should volunteer in an animal shelter.

Jan wrote on Mar 20, 2006 3:58 PM:Our beautiful Pomeranian was killed by one of these cats, this was a vicious cat that jumped into our back yard and waited for our dog to go potty before we put her to bed. This big cat threw our little dog against the fence broke her back and ripped open her insides within the 15 seconds it took us to run to our back yard. My kids have been heart broken by the loss of our family dog; she was the greatest dog and a loyal friend. She died a violent death by some kind of freakish bread we referred to this cat as a ‘Tom Cat’ but when I saw the picture in the newspaper I know it was one of these genetic misfits. How irresponsible and dangerous to let these cats loose in neighborhoods with small pets and children.

LOL wrote on Mar 20, 2006 4:04 PM:I have a chihuahua with rat-like features!

Nancy wrote on Mar 20, 2006 5:55 PM:Jan sorry to hear of what happened but perfect reference "genetic misfits". Messing with the gene pool is creating something that is just not natural. Has nothing to do with who is breeding with who. Like mixing a beagle with a pug. There is just something not right about that.

Lynne wrote on Mar 20, 2006 6:02 PM:Quote from cnn.com Statistics Millions of dogs, cats and other animals domesticated as pets in the United States are homeless. The Humane Society of the United States estimates the number of animal shelters to be between 4,000 and 6,000. The society estimates that each year: • 6-8 million cats and dogs enter shelters • 3-4 million are euthanized by shelters • 3-4 million are adopted from shelters • 600,000-750,000 are reclaimed by their owners Source: Humane Society of the United States. All numbers estimates.

Virginia wrote on Mar 20, 2006 6:57 PM:I have a shelter cat that comes when I call her. I have another that follows me from room to room helps me with the dishes, making my bed, she jumps under the covers as I shake them. She waits for me to rough her up and let her escape. Any cat will be more interactive if they live in a trustworthy place.

Mark wrote on Mar 20, 2006 8:30 PM:If it makes PETA feel good to blame the problems of the world on a single individual then hey who am I to say anything about it. Fact is that the issues with unwanted pets began long before this lad bred her cats. And no I don't have a single pet and will never open my home to one. I am no more responsable for the issue of unwanted pets then the lady in the article is but if it eases your concious to blame others then by all means, blame me and everybody but yourself. My house, my rules and the rule is no pets and if you don't like this I don't care because you are not paying my way.

Mike wrote on Mar 20, 2006 10:27 PM:You people are dorks...."oh...she should volunteer....balh blah blah...." Let her play god if she wants. It's still not illegal to make money in this country 'ya know ? I say TS to all y'all...if you don't like it get your ass out to Canada or some other worthless touch feely place.

Jeff wrote on Mar 20, 2006 11:34 PM:RE: PETA's alert stating that breeders like Houston "have created a tremendous overpopulation problem that forces animal shelters across the nation to put millions of dogs and cats to death every year." I thought PETA was killing shelter animals and disposing of them in dumpsters. What hypocrites!

Strykr wrote on Mar 21, 2006 3:36 AM:I have at least 4 puppykats at my place. Mister being top "dog". Mean as a bull dog. I also have a couple of goats that have the characteristic of a sheep. Think I could make lots of money. Heck they look just like goats, but act just like sheep. I even have a Turkey hen that acts like a buzzard. Strykr

John wrote on Mar 21, 2006 4:10 AM:It appears she has begun to run a legitimate breeding program, just like thousands of other animal breeders in the world. But, don't mistake her comment on every animal is spayed or neutered to be a humanitarian gesture...it is nothing other than a means of solidifying her commercial monopoly on the breed. That is a commmon animal breeder tactic. It artificially controls the prices and keeps them high for maximum profit while reducing the need to overbreed the animals to achieve the same income. It can have both negative and positive affects when used responsibly. Animals in shelters generally are caused by people who dump litters on the roadside, irresponsible owners, or former owners of un-sterilized animals...not from people who pay $500 or more for a sterilized pet.

Marie wrote on Mar 21, 2006 4:20 AM:There have always been cats that display those traits. Several of the cats that I've had over my lifetime would go walking with me, come when I called, all of the above. . Nothing too unusual about her cats!

AJ wrote on Mar 21, 2006 4:57 AM:Jan - sure it was one of these cats that killed your dog or was it perhaps a chupacabra? Maybe it had signs consistent with cattle mutilations? Sure there wasn't a UFO or black helicopter flying around when your dog was killed? Your dog sounds like a wuss getting its butt kicked by a cat.

Karen wrote on Mar 21, 2006 5:23 AM:Get a life. Who cares if she breeds them? She spays or neuters them _before_ she sells them. The reason there are so many cats in shelters is because folks get a kitten, don't get it fixed, allow it to roam outside the house and then take the results of the roaming to the shelter...over and over again. It's irresponsible owners who are the problem, not the puppycat.

Mark wrote on Mar 21, 2006 5:25 AM:In a perfect society, everyone would go to shelters to find a pet. Until that happens, breeders will make the people happy. While we hope that the cute critters in kennels will find themselves in a good home, the fact remains that much of society will never "see the light" and go to those kennels. Sensible breeding will make countless people and their pets happy. If lethal injection is the end of an animal's life here, it will either go on to Pet Heaven, or cease to exist, if there is no such place.....either way, the little fury friends have not been "wronged" as some people assume. A special mention, too, to the opponents of breeding, who choose to be respectful to others, instead of hateful. Being hateful in disagreements with breeders is in actuality, "mentally murdering" them. Humans are a "breed" which deserves respect, too.

Earl wrote on Mar 21, 2006 6:00 AM:I have two Siamese cats that display the same traits but would not call them puppy or dog-cats. It is just a clever marketing gimmick. Some cats like to swim but I wouldn't call them fish-cats and some cats hate water but would not be called desert-cats.

Shauni wrote on Mar 21, 2006 6:32 AM:Of course in a free society (which this still is, at least for a little while) she has every right to come up with a new twist that people will fall all over themselves to buy. More power to her. However, an opinion from one who does animal rescue: an ethical breeder will guarantee a lifetime return policy for any animals they produce. If everyone practiced personal responsibility, animal overpopulation would not be such a problem.

Larry Henderson wrote on Mar 21, 2006 6:32 AM:I love cats. I have had many cats in my lifetime and there is one thing I have learned for sure-- there are no two that act the same. Some are very smart,others are just loveable "slugs".I had a yellow tiger that would play "fetch" Just like a dog and loved to drink whiskey & ginger ale out of my glass every time I would set it down. I never considered him "dog-like". He was one heck of a hunter though. He would kill anything he could get hold of! This woman is just "REACHING'

Baron wrote on Mar 21, 2006 6:56 AM:I love all of the pontificating about whether this is right or not. There is a market for cats that are not little brats running around the house. If there wasn't, she wouldn't be able to sell any. As to the over population aspect, did ANYONE notice that she neuters the cats before she sells them? She is cross breeding several species of cats to produce a different personality. As most dog breeders do, they never breed a dog that shows negative behavior. Maybe the Doberman Pincer should have never been created. I think it was a mix between a European Rottweiler and a Terrier (I'm not sure on the second breed)Dobies are great dogs, and Rotts are too, in spite of having my right arm ripped open by one that was not well raised, although I knew it from a puppy. There is no right or wrong here. It is the people who do not neuter their pets that are commiting the wrongs. I know, 4 of my 5 dogs are rescues. If you want one of these cats, get one. If you want an everyday cat, go to the pound. They have 'em too. But be warned, you'll want to take home two!

Jason wrote on Mar 21, 2006 7:26 AM:My goodness, some folks really have their undies in a bundle. For starters, this is NOT a dog mixed with a cat, the gene pool is still fine and dandy. This is a feral cat bred in a breeder's environment. Secondly, we are still living in a free society, one that rewards people that start their own businesses, one that is market driven by what consumers are willing to pay for. So long as she isn't inbreeding and bringing horribly mutated animals to customers, let her be. I may even track her down to purchase one. I'm sure my kids would find a new puppykat adorable!

Jay wrote on Mar 21, 2006 8:13 AM:Sounds like a good many of you are simply jealous or are cat breeders who feel threatened. The rest of you aren't reading the whole story, just the parts that you can find something wrong with. So Houston got into the news with a success story about how she has managed to strengthen a personality trait in a cat, good for her. If you don't like it, don't get one.

Jason wrote on Mar 21, 2006 8:38 AM:PETA is always yelling about shelter animals. How many PETA members, employees and volunteers own shelter animals? That's what I would like to know. See if they practice what they preach. Jason

Mike wrote on Mar 21, 2006 9:40 AM:I had a Manx very much like the 'puppycat' traits described (but no folded ears). A cat with those traits is a real treasure, but it's probably about 20% genetics and 80% upbringing. We ought to reserve the 'puppycat' name until a breed of cat is found that will dump on your neighbors' front lawn, instead of using their kids' sandbox...

Pat wrote on Mar 21, 2006 10:48 AM:Cats living here last 10+ years come when called, like going on walks, learn meanings of several words and are trained; they meow when they want out and let me know when they want in; they have been very affectionate and follow me from room to room or outdoors. They love our dog, too, and will follow him all over. My latest is very loving and will purr 'n knead something while just looking at you. Until i read this article it wasn't apparent our cats were so unique.

Jimbo wrote on Mar 21, 2006 10:50 AM:The puppycat sounds like a good breed. I have a tabby marmalade that follows me around the house like a puppy. Mixing breeds is not irresponsible: You typically get stronger genes by cross-breeding than you do by in-breeding. I think her idea to use the money for cat-rescue efforts is responsible. I live in the country where we have a population of strays breeding in the local woods and fields. I've occasionally attracted members of a litter, has them spayed or neutered and re-released them. They were born wild and my experience is that such do better in the wild. Furthermore, the area where I live has plenty of prey to sustain a fair population. Nevertheless, I've been able to keep them maneagable without having to kill any of them.

People Eating Tasty Animals wrote on Mar 21, 2006 11:23 AM:PETA is a bunch of insane animal worshipping fanatics. The time to worry is when they and you end up on the SAME side of an issue, ANY issue. A cat with dog like behavior seems like a pretty good idea, but how do they do with fetching the newspaper or slippers? How do you hook em up to the traces and just how large of a sled could they pull? Why bother? Just get a DOG. (My DOGS love cats, they're CRUNCHY!)

Mort wrote on Mar 21, 2006 12:33 PM:I never had cats. My dog won't eat them. I believe he thinks they taste like rubber.

Nick wrote on Mar 21, 2006 12:53 PM:Hey Jan...It was likely a bobcat that got your dog. So sorry you can't sue anyone

Nancy wrote on Mar 21, 2006 1:07 PM:Good for Houston. I think some one should tell Greenpeace that PETA is wasting paper in letters to Houston.

Jeff wrote on Mar 21, 2006 6:05 PM:My pound kitty comes when it's called, plays fetch with me and walks around with me at my heel. Is it a puppykat?

A shelter worker ... wrote on Mar 21, 2006 6:52 PM:(1) Strangely, the rest of us do proactive stuff like "changing lax breeding laws" without any money whatsoever, and without spending seven years breeding more cats and "saving up" for it ... (2) Defining a cat breed by personality rather than looks sure is a new one ... (3) This is all small change in the breeding world, so papers could do well to expose the nonsense that goes on in similar "backyard breeding" facilities as a whole and do us all a favor ... (4) If I never have to euthanize one of her cats I'll be a happy camper, but we sure do see a bunch of "purebred" cats go through here that are bought as a fad or on a whim or whathaveyou, and dumped just like the inexpensive varieties ... (5) And finally, thank you, founding fathers of America, where everybody, even PETA, can express an opinion without moving to Canada ...

Woodrow J wrote on Mar 21, 2006 8:02 PM: PETA ......PHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Those bunch of morons should get a real job. If they do I promise I would take wach of them out to a meal at KFC

Priscilla wrote on Mar 21, 2006 9:05 PM:money-hungry? i find that rather an irrational statement,ESPECIALLY if we're not mix-breeding a human and an animal. besides, who said a poodle always has been a poodle for the last few thousands years? and look at us, we're no better, we're mutts ourselves, a nationality of this, that and so forth.

Don wrote on Mar 21, 2006 10:04 PM:Certain folks will probably see a puppycat as a delicacy...a cross between dog and the other white meat. Way to go Jan! My real question is, will they make good targets for air-soft guns?

shelly wrote on Mar 22, 2006 2:18 AM:**ahem** just my 2 cents worth here I have 2 cats one domestic moggy and one blue tonkinese. They come when they are called they are hugely affectionate they have learnt how to sit on command and to play dead!!! took me a few years mind but they are still cats... puppycat indeed what a load of crock and bull!!

Lynne wrote on Mar 22, 2006 4:55 AM:I do hope this person has a chance to read these posts. Wonder if there will be a follow up story? I don't see any posts in here of her defending her messing with the gene pool.

slyvester wrote on Mar 22, 2006 7:31 AM:Who cares?

Patricia wrote on Mar 22, 2006 12:49 PM:It's amazing what someone will do to justify breeding of animals. Pathetic! For every animal she breeds and sells, there's one dead one at a shelter.

Lynne wrote on Mar 23, 2006 4:45 AM:It was on the news last night on Channel 8. Looks like a cat to me.

Penny wrote on Mar 23, 2006 5:11 AM:Anyone ever hear of "Panda" dogs? They're a relatively new breed of German Shepherd dogs that are furry like Panda's. I will be doing a weekend transport to get a couple of them from a kill shelter to a rescue. You know its a "craze" when they're already showing up at kill shelters.

Lynne wrote on Mar 23, 2006 6:19 AM:Hi Penny, I thought some guy dyed the dogs fur to look like a panda?

SpinDoc wrote on Mar 25, 2006 12:24 AM:I have a dachshund that looks like a Hot Dog ....Hmmmmmmm? $$$ ?

Bob wrote on Mar 25, 2006 2:43 AM:Give me a break people these "puppycats" are nothing more then poor representations of Scottish Folds. The folded ears are a natural occurring genetic mutation. Normally Scottish Folds have rounder heads and shorter legs.

Robert wrote on Mar 25, 2006 9:24 AM:We'd have fewer animals in "kill shelters" if they could be marketed as food. I've sampled dogs and cats prepared various ways in other parts of the world and enjoyed them. Wht's the difference between a dog and a pig when it's on a plate?

Jim C. wrote on Mar 25, 2006 5:06 PM:Mark wrote on March 21, 2006 5:25 AM:"In a perfect society, everyone would go to shelters to find a pet." No, Mark. In a perfect society there would be no shelters as no one would abandon or lose a pet. In a perfect society, female pets would have only one litter before being spayed, and all but one or two of each litter would be spayed and/or neutered immediately. In a perfect society PETA would not have the gall to compare animals' "rights" to the civil rights of human beings (minorities).

mike wrote on Mar 26, 2006 11:57 PM:but more important, do they taste like chicken?

Terri wrote on Mar 27, 2006 6:18 PM:You here the saying all the time, "Please don't buy pet store puppies, it just enables the breeders(puppy mills) to breed more puppies." Yes that is true, and no responciable breeder should ever sell their pups to really any pet store setting, or big birds for that matter. A responacable breeder has spay contracts, and takes back their off spring, any age, any time.It is not socitie's problem to take care of re-responcable peoples breeding, and poor ownership!! BUT we do it any way... and are told that we should not buy from responable breeders, but buy pets from shelters that we have no history on, that can come into our homes and mane,kill and destroy our family members and small household pets!!! There's NO logic in this thinking!! How about we show those ir-responcable breeders and owners that we WILL kill all the animals coming into the shelters ... NO MORE taking in those oopps and holiday rejects! The pound is not a ray of hope! AND it is NOT socities problem to sheter, fix,re-train, and re-home some one elses problems!! The animal shelters should be a place of law, like the police station... not to house and re-home. If every breeder made a full circle with thier off spring, than we would not be in an over population problem.... BUT we do live in a desposable socitity.... so what do we really expect??

Leeanne wrote on Mar 28, 2006 10:38 AM:People are always quick to send condescending letters to breeders, claiming that all breeders dogs and cats are contributing to the overpopulation problem. Let me explain crystal clearly how, as a breeder, I am not contributing to the overpopulation, and before I begin, know that I am very sympathetic to the plight of rescue and shelters. All of my puppies that are produced are sold to approved homes only, on a strictly enforced spay/neuter contract. If for any reason during the lifetime of the dog, the owners cannot keep the dog for any reason, the dog comes back to me. Anyone that buys a puppy from me is contractually bound to these terms. About shelters and rescue: The people that come in with these sob stories about not being able to keep their pet are having thier concience salved by dumping them at a shelter, and these same people are running out and buying another dog again and again. You want to stop overpopulation? Crack down on hoarders! Create legislation for people that own shelter dogs or mix breed dogs, fining them for keeping the dogs intact. Why don't more shelters spay and neuter before adopting the dogs out? Most overpopulation in my community is shelter dogs breeding with other shelter dogs because the local pound adopts to any idiot with $60! All you tree hugging PETA types are doing when you critisize responsible breeders is going after the wrong guy. We're trying to contribute to making people more responsible pet owners. The shelters and rescue groups impede progress as fast as we can make it.

Dan wrote on Mar 29, 2006 10:11 AM:Dog-cats sound like an aweful idea. What's with people? If you want both, you won't get it with a cat that LOOKS like a dog. Personalities are WAY too different in nature. Anyone who spends that much on this "breed" of cat is wasting their money AND time.

Jonny wrote on Mar 29, 2006 11:12 AM:PETA needs to keep their noses out of her business...Maybe they need to kill a few more animals themselves and put them in a dumpster again...

Jonny wrote on Mar 29, 2006 11:13 AM:PETA is only interested in saving the cute and fluffy animals...

John wrote on Mar 29, 2006 2:58 PM:I believe that Huston is just part of the eventual future of cats. The reason for the wide variety of dog breeds is due to the fact we've been fiddling around with them for a lot longer then we have cats. Cats are comparatively recent in regard to domesticity. Give us enough time and we'll have the equivalent of a feline Great Dane as well as the feline Toy Poodle. And if you want to reduce the amount of cats in shelters, change the laws so that cats have to be licenced just like dogs, along with the equivalent fines, etc. I've never understood why dog owners are held responsible for their dog's behaviour while cat owners were not. And why doesn't PETA advocate this? The debate about cat licensing is just starting around here. It will be interesting to see the out come.

Lynda wrote on Mar 29, 2006 8:57 PM:I'm glad to hear that the puppykat's ears are naturally that way rather than cropped. I am curious to know about the behavior traits of the puppykat because I also have a cat who follows me around and demands attention and is playful, and it is just a cat. But Dawn has a right to introduce a new breed. If they are neutered and committed to come back to the breeder if they can no longer be kept, what's the problem?

Sara wrote on Mar 29, 2006 9:01 PM:Only in America can you come up with this so called "breed." I'm a 3rd year vet student, and I can't believe people are paying that much money for a slight genetic alteration. Things like this happen all the time. The only difference is that we don't call it a new breed. It's still a cat people...

Violet wrote on Mar 30, 2006 3:05 PM:I doubt if anyone will send a puppy-cat or any other animal to a shelter or throw it out on the street if they paid that much money for it. In any case, if they did, they don't deserve to own ANY animal!!!

fupeta wrote on Apr 3, 2006 10:41 PM:i currently own a local stray i brought in. this cat is the sweetest and most lovable cat i have ever owned. it is all black and loves to be petted and around people. we call it the anti cat. if anyone is in the house, it has to be there to love them. it plays catch, and sleeps at my feet. if something were ever to happen to my baby, i would love the chance to have another cat which would act in the same ways.

Lauri wrote on Apr 9, 2006 7:18 AM:If PETA is against it, I'm automatically for it. They are nothing more than a domestic terrorist organization. If I want a cat with the characteristics of a dog, I'll buy one! Nothing wrong with that. Sheez.

Sunny wrote on Apr 12, 2006 9:49 PM:I have a cat that has her own e-bay business. Does that make her a "cyber-kitty" ?????

amber wrote on Apr 15, 2006 2:47 PM:you know i have a cat breed mixed with a dog and belive me the combination is halarious.

chantal wrote on Apr 15, 2006 2:49 PM:you know i have a cat breed mixed with a dog and belive me the combination is halarious. And i have a dog that trrys to breed it all the time well bie.love ya.chantal

Jonathan wrote on Apr 17, 2006 7:43 AM:READ the story before posting!It just a cat not a hybrid DOG/CAT!And Peta there leaders are a bunch of money grubbing theifs that con people with missinformation into giving them money and support.Much like this woman.IT JUST A NORMAL CAT THAT SHE'S SELLING AS SOMETHING NEW WHEN IT'S NOT! Want a cat that acts like a dog all you do is buy a pixie-bob and judging from the pictures it look like what she selling watered down a bit! Well good for her! Cat over breed in the wild it's what they do get over it cat breeder do not account for even 00.01 % of cats world wide! SO GROW UP!

Natalie wrote on Apr 21, 2006 12:09 PM:Since when was it considered a bad thing for a cat to have an affectionate disposition??? I'll admit that most cats are more independent, and that's fine if you like one that is. My cat is very much like a dog. She loves attention, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I think it's the best of both worlds... You have a loving and affectionate pet(dog-like) and at the same time it's smart enough to use a litter box and keep itself clean.

Nikki wrote on Apr 26, 2006 1:49 PM:It's absolutely hilarious to read some of these complaints about Houston' messing with the gene pool, or fiddling around, as one person called it. What's wrong with honestly breeding desirable traits into an animal? Why do you think certain types of dogs are known to be more yippy (chihuahua) or more aggressive (pitt bull) or more intelligent (american eskimo) than others? These dogs were bred for the way they look and the personalities that their parents (and parents' parents and so forth) had. Why can't cats be treated the same way? As for the argument about shelters...I've adopted two dogs from shelters, been given most of them, and bought one from a breeder. I see nothing wrong with responsible breeding of an animal by a professional. Irresponsible owners who do not care properly for and spay/neuter their animals are the cause for so many strays, not the actions of breeders.

Jim wrote on Apr 30, 2006 3:22 PM:Responsible breeding is not a problem, period!!! Looks like a cat to me, sounds like an adjusted cat to me, as a matter of fact, it sounds like my cat, minus the ears and color.

Zach wrote on May 1, 2006 8:56 AM:There is nothing wrong with what Houston is doing. 1. people have selectively bred dogs, horses, goats, rabbits, chickens, and every vegetable imaginable to get the traits they desire. What's different about cats? 2. There is nothing wrong with two different breeds of cats making kittens. They are the same species and merely have different physical features. Just like people from africa europe and asia are the same species with different physical features. They make happy healthy babies and there's nothing wrong with that. 3. A puppykat is just a cat. It's no more a puppy than a cooncat is a racoon.

Carolyn wrote on May 11, 2006 10:35 AM:This lady 'stole' our name that we called our cats as they were growing up..We never called them to come to -kitty-kitty and we told people not to refer to them as -kittys-, we told people they were 'PUPPYCATS'..this was 4yrs ago and they are still 'PUPPYCATS'!!!

Joe wrote on Jun 1, 2006 1:57 PM:I'm breeding two furry four-legged animals, hoping to create offspring that are furry eight-legged animals. The male is Taran and the female is Tula. I'm going to register the name of the resulting offspring, Taran-Tula. Look for me and Taran-Tula at a PETA protest near you! Rhetorical question of the day: How many PETA members are spayed and neutered?

cheryl wrote on Jun 2, 2006 10:41 PM:Isn't Dawn's mother that twisty cat breeder?

Kitty wrote on Jun 2, 2006 11:09 PM:This is a horrible case of a mis guided person in rescue trying to profit from it. She has no idea about the lethal genes she is working with. The tailess and folded ears if breed with the same will result in horribe deformitities. This is a horrible case of a back yard breeder. Using a phoney registery scam service. If she knew about breeding and the lethel genes she wouldnt be breeding these.

Nodrog wrote on Jun 2, 2006 11:14 PM:Joe wrote: Rhetorical question of the day: How many PETA members are spayed and neutered?" They all should be.

brandypup wrote on Jun 20, 2006 3:41 PM:Those are the traits of any kitten properly cared for. Too bad she didn't put her wonderful rehoming efforts into the ones that are being destroyed. What about health gurentee, health testing, contract information. Everthing about that cat is about mutations.

PyaJ wrote on Jun 20, 2006 5:02 PM:This is no different than pekeapoos and schnoodles - mixed breed mutts that can sell for more than a purebred dog. She's a cat breeder, plain and simple, trying to get an edge on the market by pretending to have a unique product. No news here: not a new breed, just another greedy breeder.

Jesse wrote on Jun 26, 2006 4:04 PM:People have too much time in their hands to say something or leave comments. Please go do something positive and that will do tons instead of leaving hasty comments. If Houston is breeding her cats...well, leave 'er alone, as opposed to having the cats breed on her own?? How can she mess with the gene pool? Please people, take a biology class before you make comments like those!

Alison wrote on Jul 2, 2006 11:14 AM:Who says someone won't spend alot of money then dump the animal in a shelter? People spend upwards of $1500 on designer dogs such as labradoodles( who contrary to popular belief- can shed, and more than any lab i've ever groomed), puggles, etc. They are showing up in shelters. What happens when some gets a "Puppycat" with the personality of *gasp* a cat! But hey if people want to be gullible and spend tons of money on "new" and "special" breeds of animals, the rest of us can just sit back and laugh at their stupidity, and the animals, unfortunately will be the ones to pay for it in the long run.

sara wrote on Aug 7, 2006 9:19 PM:Ok- lets see first i really have to laugh at both sides of this argument and how uneducated certain people are. One comment for example "it would be like crossing a beagle with a Pug- People all breeds of animals are called breeds because guess what- they were bred by humans years of crossing gene pools and different cats or dogs with other cats or dogs which had characteristics that were favorable for the purpose be it house pet, farm pet, or hunting pet, which it was created-

sarah wrote on Aug 19, 2006 10:54 AM:I think puppy kats are a very unique animal and if I had the money I would heve one!!!!

Kayla wrote on Aug 31, 2006 9:45 AM:You know what? SCREW ALL YOU PEOPLE WITH THE "EVERY ONE SHE SELLS IS ONE MORE DEAD IN A SHELTER" MENTALITY. Some people would rather buy from a breeder and if they didn't get a cat from her they would get one from another breeder. You have no right to assume that they'd automatically go get one from a shelter. Those cats often have a lot of psychological and health problems hat are a pain ... to deal with. ...

mishele wrote on Oct 25, 2006 8:37 PM:How in the world can PETA or anyone else blame this woman (or any other breeder) for increasing the population of unwanted cats. The reason for THAT is the IRRESPONSIBLE pet owners who refuse to get their pets spayed/neutered!!! Most owners of purebred cats get them already spayed/neutered or have it in the agreement to do so in order to get the papers, and aren't going to let their $500+ animal get impregnated by a stray. This woman is doing nothing different than any other breeder of any other animal...she is creating a pet that will appeal to a speceific group. Unlike some breeds of dogs and cats, I don't see anything about the "puppykat" that is disabling or disfiguring (the ears are less curled than other breeds). PEOPLE, LIGHTEN UP!!

nancy wrote on Nov 15, 2006 7:41 PM:speaking of unclaimed animals, there are a lot of homeless cats behind the mcdonalds on fry north of i-10. can a vet reading this trap them and have them spayed? poor kitties- multiplying rapidly...

Rick wrote on Dec 28, 2006 7:33 AM:All you people who subjugate other species for pets are misguided. I love how you wine about all the animals put to death because no one takes them home from the shelter. They would not be there n the first place if you would just stop making imprisoned slaves of animals for your pleasure. If you are going to have pets, people are going breed them, let them go stray, and have to destroy the extras. Either accept it or quit it altogether.

Bob wrote on Apr 3, 2007 11:26 AM:I have to admit this cat is pretty ugly but at least it's being done humanely and for all cat loving wives with a dog loving husband... here's you answer!

Britt wrote on Apr 12, 2007 12:39 PM:There is a definite lack of responsibility going on in this country, but as usual we are placing the blame on the wrong individuals, this entire page is full of people bashing breeders of animals, who for the most part are living the american dream - making a living at what they love - animals. Breeders are not responsible for pet overpopulation any more than Bob Barker. We dont blame Ford when some moron pulls out in front of us. The individual that wanted a cute puppy, but doesnt care for the dog it has become, is the responsible party. Sadly, since those people dont have a public face, it is not virtually impossible to stem the problem there, and since we Americans HAVE to blame someone, we blame those not responsible because they are identifiable. Bottom line - its easier. Our fore-fathers would roll in their graves to see how lazy we have become as a society. After all the fighting and the bloodshed, after all the sweat and tears, to see us take it all for granted and assume that WE have the right to point the finger at others. If you cant blame the one responsible, find someone else? Pure laziness. Anyway I'll just finish now, and rest uneasy in the knowledge that this trend of people sitting on their asses in front of a monitor passing down judgement on the rest of us will likely continue well past my time.

Random Cat Owner wrote on Apr 22, 2007 6:31 AM:My cat acts like a dog. He's neutered but he has dog-like features and he comes when called, follows us around, plays with chew toys, sits, lies down, and rolls over on command. We found him abandoned and adopted him when he was around 3 mo old.

Sandy wrote on Jun 1, 2007 2:58 PM:We have a dog my husband purchased from a breeder that is beautiful and good with people and other animals but dumber than a box of rocks. All of our cats are strays that we have saved and they are the smartest, most lovable animals, all with unique personalities. Don't really mind where you get your animals if you properly care for them. I will always pick the stray or shelter animal over a purebred. It's a personal choice and that is that.

Minerva wrote on Jun 8, 2007 11:53 AM:This shows some people can be stupid about pets. Pets are animals, animals are property. If this lady can realize income- so be it! Overpopulation happens without a plan to curtail it. I'll bet she sells neutered puppens to block competition. What a woman! I have a rabbit that thinks it's a dog. I'd like her business plan, but the darn barking is getting to me...

Yonokers wrote on Jul 26, 2007 2:12 PM:It's ok that a Chinese man marries and reproduces with an Irish lady, right? So why are you people all bent out of shape by various cats being interbred? In my opinion, it's more acceptable in the animal world since they are only lower forms of life, but we as Humans like to think "liberally" and turn our children's brains into a pasty-like cream which will never amount to anything. How silly. Get back to work! 8)

Pat wrote on Jul 28, 2007 11:53 AM:I agree with those who are pondering the great personalities of their cats, not one is the same as the other, I have had cats all my life and each one of them have been playful, they followed me where ever I went,they came when I call them, even I had one that enjoyed the beach and swam like a dog. Was he a puppy cat? I don't think so. Ah! I also got them for free.

puppykat lovers wrote on Sep 4, 2007 2:02 PM:the puppykat is adorible.i think that thep.e.t.a should mind there own bussines leave houstin alone , shes doing nothing wrong. its still a free country

Meg wrote on Sep 7, 2007 9:07 AM:The problem with pet overpopulation is not -responsible- breeders. Good lord, like an extra 15 cats a year are going to make ANY DIFFERENCE to the millions dying. The problem is with backyard breeders and pet store breeders who breed without concern for the health of their pets or longevity of the breed....AND ferals/strays that have been dumped and left unsprayed/not neutered. Lets work on EDUCATING the public rather than grandstanding against breeders who love the breed and are being responsible.

mouse wrote on Sep 21, 2007 8:31 PM:To the person who said "this lady stole our name that we called our cats" - Puppycat comes from a children's book printed in the 60's (or maybe even earlier). The pictures that accompany the stories show a cat with siamese face and markings with folded ears and a long tail. I also have a cat that I refer to as a puppycat because she has a lot of traits (both good and bad) that dogs do. I have never had a cat like her but love her dearly.

Elle wrote on Oct 5, 2007 10:10 PM:There are a couple of people who commented that playing with the gene pool is wrong. However, playing with the gene pool is exactly how every single current breed, with the exception of a few, was created; inidividual animals within a population possessing desired traits (height, hair length, eye color, etc.) were bred to make those traits dominant and thus create a breed. Furthermore, the issue of reducing the number of unwanted animals would be addressed most readily by people spaying and neutering their pets, not by shutting down breeders. To the woman whose dog was killed by a puppykat, there are vicious animals within every breed. Though I am sympathetic to your loss, to label the entire breed as murderous is taking a narrow view of the situation.

KittyLover wrote on Nov 1, 2007 7:33 AM:There is nothing wrong with a puppykat. I think the idea is very cute. If i was older and had more money i would buy one. My cat Baby girl thinks she is a dog. She follows me every where and comes to me when i call her. Baby girls knows how to sit on command. Well acutaly all three of my cats know how to sit but thats not the point. Keep it up Dawn Houston!

Mandy wrote on Nov 1, 2007 7:50 AM:Why would anyone want a puppykat? yeah there cute but the idea of a cat who thinks its a dog? Come on people cats are supose to act like cats NOT A DOG! I think the idea is crazy. But people have rights to do what they want. I guess since its a free country.

Mary wrote on Nov 1, 2007 7:16 PM:I think it's a great idea, starting her own breed to be more obedient and social than other cats. (I've owned over 20 cats, had 3 "dog-like" cats in the whole bunch, though they were definitely capable of being cat-like when they wanted to be. In short, most cats are not that obedient thing that will sit on command, though we've all known or had one.) I do dislike the designer dog fad (because they do not breed true, which is the first, crucial step to being considered a breed), but creating a legitimate breed is not faddish or unethical. It's been going on, I don't know... as long as we've had domestic animals, maybe?

Janet wrote on Nov 30, 2007 5:48 AM:PETA is anti pet. Do not be fooled! If this person used to do rescue I can not believe she would be breeding even more cats. The problem will now be the "puppy cats" sold in pet stores and bred by stupid mill people. Wonderful Dawn, just great...

fred tam wrote on Dec 8, 2007 5:53 PM:people make no sense. pet breeding is a completely separate issue from the ferral population of cats. peta like groups just are extremist. by their logic anyone that doesn't adopt a cat from a shelter is contributing to the problem. its like saying that if you are having your own chilren you are contributing to the problem of unadopted chidren:P or if you buy that new ipod instead of giving that money to the poor you are contributing to poverty. give me a break. frankly if you follow petas logic money spent on millions of frivolous pets that could other wise be spent on making poor humans suffer less is unjustifiable. never mind the additional carbon output of supporting millions of pets.

Ruth wrote on Dec 19, 2007 10:45 AM:I have two cats. One was bought for me from a pet rescue. The other just decided to live at my place. Dawn DOES NOT have anything new with her cats. My cats come when I call their name.(They do not know the word kitty, kitty). They follow me around the house/yard.If she can sell Puppykats, I have a cat that speaks fluent english. Just ask my grandchildren!!!!! OOOPS!! Can't do that. He doesn't have his nuggies any more.

jeff s. wrote on Dec 20, 2007 6:42 PM:She is spaying all the puppy cats she creates and if she spays all the cats she rescues cat population will go down and if you fear your cat breeds will end that is nonsense because many people like cats of all breeds as living art forms and contrasting personalities when they keep multiple cats. Just urge all shelters to spay sheltered cats for 5 years and the next 3 years no spaying over and over. Cats and dogs will become an endangered species that way in time.

Brittany wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:43 PM:This is stupid. It is obviously a Scottishflod mixed with some domestic short hair or something. Not a dog and cat mix.

samantha wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:07 AM:i hav ethis science project and i am doing it on a cat/dog can you ssend me some information?

Seattle wrote on Mar 27, 2008 12:11 AM:Genetic testing would determine in fact that Houston's cats are nothing but a mix of different breeds: scottish fold, manx, etc.

Houston stated she is breeding and using the money for future rescue efforts sounds suspect: "...she can raise enough money to fund future cat-rescue efforts. Those efforts include plans for responsible breeding education programs and plans to get lax breeding regulations changed."

It's going to take a lot of breeding to get that funding to do what she wants rather than donating that to existing rescues who are dire need of the funds. There are already organizations who are trying to help educate the public about pet ownership responsibilities...blah, blah, blah.

Really, really disappointing!

redfaced wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:32 PM: Science fiction cats with laser beams attached to their heads. Part alien part cyborg they have control and they are on a mission. We have messed with cat brain stem cells and advanced the process. The DNA was a fraction of the number 23 each cat now has mind control beyond our wildness dreams. No one can even think about walking to a refrigerator and one can only run a can opener in a super well protected lab , and scratching posts well ..you get the picture. Puppykats are OK and safe!!!! get over it people.

Junior wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:18 AM:This is ridiculous. I understand that it is very sad that so many cats and dogs have to be put down because they dont have a home, but that is not a breeder's fault. If a family wants a novelty cat then that is what they will get, whether it be from Houston or someone else. These cats do not take the space of cats in shelters. People who purchase novelty cats do so because they dont want a pet from a shelter.

CatsMakeMeHappy wrote on Jun 26, 2008 11:14 AM:You people are all so sanctimonious, it kills me.
The big question I have is this: Why would you want to ruin a perfectly good cat by giving it doglike traits? Does it slobber all over the place and hump my leg as well? As another poster said: Cats are awesome because they are cats. They are independant, self-sufficient, intelligent creatures. Also, if you want to buy a cat that is a certain breed-it is 100% anybody's right. Live and let live people.