About Zingara Somalis

I have had cats for almost as long as I can remember, but I got my first pedigreed cat as a companion for my, at that time, aging domestic. Actually I wanted a female domestic from a shelter, but I ended up with a 7 months old Persian male, Agis of Polonius, (I came, I saw, he conquered! Persian kittens can actually be both charming, insistent - he just wanted to come home with me!! -  and absolutely adorable).

So, he lived with me, and at some point the shows started to tempt me. At the very first show I saw a ruddy Somali - and I was sold!! Already at that show I discussed buying a ruddy female with Teresa Guldager of Dushara Somalis. It took 2,5years before I finally got a Somali, IC Dushara Pilar Peyenne, who is the foundation queen in my cattery.

Before Pilar moved in, I got a Maine Coon, GIC/EP Tertzo's Jaxi. He was going to stay with me for a few months in care, but now he has lived here for over 6 years. He  is now stand-in mother for my kittens.

I am not and never will be a big-time breeder. 1 or 2 litters a year is probably all it will amount to. On the other hand all my kittens are "bed bred" and are very used to being together with people day and night. When guests come the kittens are often "welcome committee" and demand to be the center of attention as their right.

For me, there is nothing more beautiful than a ruddy Somali and it is also this colour I breed primarily. But since at least 2 of my females probably carry sorrel, I can easily get sorrel kittens.

Well, maybe I ought to introduce myself: My name is Charlene Koustrup Olsen and I live in Roskilde, Denmark. I've been breeding somalis since 1994. I'm currently working as a librarian.