Lost Cat In Pearl River: 1st Generation Savannah

PEARL RIVER, NY — A new breed of cat, made by crossing a wild African feline called a serval and a domestic cat, has been reported missing in Pearl River.

The cat is an F1 Savannah, which means that it is a first-generation result of the genetic cross. F1 Savannahs are illegal in New York and, in fact, in many states.

The search is cross-posted on the Rockland Missing Pets Facebook page as well.

The cat was described as having no name, commenters noted.

According to the Savannah Cat Association, New York state only allows ownership of Savannahs in generation F5 and later, while New York City allows no Savannah cats at all. The history of the creation and selling of these cats (first crossbred in 1986) can be read on the association's website.

The cats, which cost thousands of dollars, were described in 2005 in a New York Times piece "What's Up Pussycat? Whoa!"

The Savannah is not a recognized breed by the American Cat Fanciers Association.