HISTORY OF CATTERY
Felicitykits is a combination of felicity (happy) and kits (kittens), and our goal is happy kittens. We choose the American Shorthair breed because we wanted a natural breed, and the cat needed to look like a cat. Also, if we were going to breed, we needed to have an outlet for our kittens. Therefore, we choose the stunning classic patterned silver tabby. We began in 1984 and registered our cattery name and our foundation queen, Portrait's Argent Grimalkin, from long time American Shorthair breeder Margot Williams, who was a gift from a very close friend Barbara Tresenriter in the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), The International Cat Association (TICA), the American Cat Association (ACFA), the American Cat Association (ACA) and the United Cat Fanciers (UCF). Yes, there are other cat associations, but five sets of dues, registrations, shows etc. was plenty. At the time we started, Cats Magazine was scoring all association shows, except for CFA, for yearend awards. This piqued our curiosity and so with the exception of earning Championship titles in CFA, we actively campaigned in the other associations. We were successful in obtaining yearend awards in both the Cats Magazine scoring as well as UCF the first year. The next year we tried again and we not only received yearend awards from Cats Magazine, but also UCF and ACA. UCF eventually folded along with the end of Cats Magazine yearend scoring. At that time we had become quite active in ACA and active on a more limited basis in TICA. In the 1987-88 show season, Felicitykits Argent Excalipurr was Best Cat at yearend. In the 1988-89 show season, Felicitykits Keeter was their Best Cat. Wow, two years in a row and with 2 different cats and Keeter was a black smoke tabby American Shorthair. A real minority color in a minority breed.

From then until l994 we had kittens, cats or alters that finished in the yearend standing, and even showing a true household pet, Kirstie Alley Cat, to Best HHP. As things happen, Rex developed health problems in late 1991 and by 1994 had given up showing altogether. I have had to curtail showing and now only show close to home and no overnights.

Felicitykits kittens are raised underfoot, being born in our bedroom and assimilated into the general population at about 3 - 4 weeks when the moms feel it's time. Our whole males or studs have separate gentlemen's quarters -- and for the last three years all have been under the watchful eye of Rex's black Pug, CeCe. CeCe believes that he is king cat and watches out for wayward kittens and smoothes the fur of ruffled moms.

Our foundation queen, we call her Spooky, is now a spay and other than being a little thick in the waist (so are we) she's just as beautiful as when we first brought her home 16 years ago. Our foundation male, Sunnistars Spirit of Felicitykits, from Erin Lockwood, is still siring kittens at nearly 16 years. Flash as we call him has become a bit slower, but still enjoys the females, just not as often. Through the years we have added new genes to our lines and usually have kittens available year round.

Rex is still working full-time as a Fleet Service Manager for one of the large national laundry companies. I work full-time as the Operations Manager of three freestanding radiation therapy facilities in the San Fernando Valley. Our two legged children, of which there are 6, are all grown and gone (Ah ha, that's why there is room for cats) with our youngest being 35. We have 14 grandchildren. Rex no longer can physically participate in my favorite hobby which is scuba diving. He has taken up competitive shooting and is quite good in rifle, shotgun and pistol.

Hope this gives you some insight into Felicitykits, the home of American Shorthair classic silver tabbies.