Texas Twisty Cats Create The Wrath Of Purebred Registries And Breeders

Twisty Cats almost sound like some sort of an exotic pretzel or snack food to munch on.

But as far as America's cat fanciers are concerned, there's nothing tasteful at all about these Marshall, Texas, aberrations which are being labeled "grotesque" by the Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association, America's two largest cat registries.

"It's ridiculous," says Connie Zimmerman of Bellevue, vice president of TICA. "We wouldn't even begin to consider registering these cats," she said, which have a genetic mutation called radial hypoplasia, in which all or part of the long bone from the elbow to the wrist is missing. This leaves either no front paws or only vestigial paws, forcing them to hop like a kangaroo, or use their front elbows for movement or balance.

"I haven't seen them firsthand, but from everything I've heard they aren't fit to show or even keep as a pet," says Zimmerman.

TICA, the more adventurous of the two registries, has historically accepted new breeds and colors much earlier than CFA.

Breeds such as the munchkin, pixie bob and Scottish fold have created a flap even within TICA before being invited in on a provisional basis.

"But there's no comparison between those three and the Twisty Cat," says Zimmerman.

The CFA is equally adamant in its opposition to the Texas Twisty, developed by Vickie Ives Speir, a 49-year-old Marshall, Texas, mother of two daughters.

"Cat fanciers appreciate the fundamental feline essence, of which the animal's ability to move and to be catlike is integral," says Joan Miller, of Suisan, Calif., a CFA board member. "Being catlike involves the cat's normal movement, which is beautiful in itself and has been heralded in poetry and art over the centuries for its unique grace and elegance."

She emphasizes that paws are critical to the expression of that catlike essence, from its innate predatory behavior to communication. "None of the 37 breeds accepted by CFA involves physical characteristics that would interfere with a cat's ability to move and to act in a normal way."

A CFA press release emphasizes the organization's mission: " `To preserve and promote the pedigreed breeds of cats and to enhance the well-being of all cats.' This is the framework that guides conscientious breeders who are dedicated to preserving the physical and personality qualities of historic and newer breeds.

"Cat breeds vary in temperament, size and form. Undesirable genetic traits can occasionally occur in pedigreed cats as well as random-bred cats. However, those who selectively breed cats avoid any detrimental traits as they strive to maintain the uniqueness of the different breeds always respecting the inherent essence of feline grace and movement that continues to bring pleasure to an appreciative public."

At first, the Twisty Cats promoted a reaction of "cute" from those who saw them firsthand or read about them on Speir's World Wide Web site, where she noted that a veterinarian friend remarked the cats were "an animal-control officer's dream" and "pointed out that Flipper (a Twisty) did not destroy property, did not hunt wildlife and could not easily produce surplus cats."

Because of its kangaroo-like movement, the CFA says, "In appearance, the cats most resemble the children crippled by the effects of Thalidomide."

Speir, in an interview with the Dallas Morning News, said, "If I could stand back from it all, I think it would be hilarious. But I really resent the notion that any of us would let an animal suffer."

Her e-mail, according to the Dallas newspaper account, is packed with hate messages.

According to the story, she responds to every message, answers every phone call and opens the door to anyone wanting to look at the cats.

She eventually removed the Twisty Web site because the Internet service company was overwhelmed with traffic.

There's plenty of irony to Speir's story.

The family's 150-acre spread, Karma Farms, is a sanctuary for countless horses, dogs and cats. Plus, she has worked as a veterinary assistant and an animal-control officer, investigating cruelty cases.

The Twisty Cats are an outgrowth of breeding polydactyls - cats having more than a normal number of toes. A cat she named Venus was born in 1992, which moved about fine and appeared to be in good health until it choked to death at 9 months of age after inhaling a piece of cat food.

Several more breedings of the polydactyls produced normal litters until 1996 when Flipper was born.

"This was even better," Speir said in the Dallas newspaper story. "She's got a tail, which Venus didn't. It seems to give them more balance if they're sitting up."

Earlier this year Flipper delivered a litter of five, each of which had twisted legs. In fact, three were so deformed Speir opted to have them altered. Flipper, too, was spayed after developing mastitis (inflammation of the breast or udder), which would make it painful to nurse another litter. But she still has two other offspring capable of producing another litter.

"The bottom line," says TICA's Zimmerman, "There is no room in breeding for compromising the basic functions of the cat. And that appears to be what's happened here.

"How much discomfort are these cats in? How can they defend themselves without front claws? How quickly can they escape an attacking animal or rambunctious youngster?"

Boat-dog competition

The second Super Boat Dog Competition and Fashion Show is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Seattle Boat Show in the Kingdome.

Entrants will be evaluated on boat-dog tasks and "ruff-weather" costumes. Nancy Baer, Snohomish author and dog trainer, will judge the light-hearted competition.

Anyone interested in entering his/her dog in one or both categories can obtain a free entry form at an area PETCO store or call 206-682-3699..

The competition is a way to show those in attendance at the boat show a dog can be trained to be an effective mate on deck, said Baer.

"One of the most valuable skills in last year's competition was by a dog that fetched a personal flotation device out of a stack of boating equipment and delivered it to its owner," added Baer.

Last year's initial competition attracted approximately two dozen entries. PETCO will donate prizes and gift certificates to all participants in this year's competition.