When it comes to cats, the catchword, rather the cat-word is designer breeds. Pet lovers are looking for new exotic and quixotic variants like new pedigree cats that have received an official approval as breeds only since year 2003. Fewer people are now buying Siamese and Persians, while strange new breeds such as laperm and sphinx are finding favour with new-age animal lovers. Designer cats are clearly overtaking old-time favourites.

Animal charities are worried about the increasing popularity of these designer cats, which come with a price tag of thousands of pounds. According to figures available, there are now just about 2,427 Persian cats as against 8,443 in 1997, clearly indicating a trend of the long-hair breed losing out on its popularity. On the contrary, the British short-hair has increased to 5,972 from 4,289. According to chief executive of the Feline Advisory Bureau Claire Bessant, the falling number of long-haired cats is largely due to the time needed to groom them. She is clearly concerned by the unreasonable demand for unusual cats, as pet lovers keep looking ‘for something different’. To put it in her words, there''s a danger we are going a bit too far, making the face flatter or legs shorter. The scottish fold, having a mutation, which makes its ears bend forward akin to those of an owl, is an example of this trend.

The point to be made here is why can’t we love pets as and what they are? We all love them and care for them, which reflects in our growing awareness of pet insurance. It’s a sensitive gesture that we want to make as a logical extension of our fondness for felines. But in what way will we justify our fancy for these new breed cats? Insure them, and not design them, if you really love them…