I am a breeder located in Rossendale in the United Kingdom

Click here for available babies.

Click here for older available cats and kittens

Veterinary Visit & Our Standards

In December 2025, our cattery had the pleasure of welcoming our trusted veterinarian for her annual comprehensive visit. The vet dedicated the day to examining and vaccinating all our cats, including studs, dams, neuters, and kittens. This thorough process ensured that every animal under our care received the necessary attention and preventative healthcare.

Review of Facilities – During the visit, the vet also assessed our facilities designed for both cats and kittens. She expressed her satisfaction with the environment and resources we provide, noting that everything met or exceeded her expectations for quality and care.

Reassurance for Owners – The purpose of sharing this information is to offer reassurance to all past, present, and future owners of our kittens. We want everyone to know that the standards of care in our cattery are maintained at the highest level, prioritising the wellbeing and health of every cat and kitten in our charge.

Visiting Our Cattery – We are dedicated to offering a visiting service to people who desire to visit, allowing you to select a kitten(s) in person or simply come and experience our cattery. We also take kitten requests without a visit. The choice is yours. All of our cats are cherished pets they live with us in our home and enjoy access to a spacious, secure outdoor play area. The studs reside in their own thermostatically heated sheds, which feature outside runs, electric water fountains, and climbing structures for their comfort. We warmly welcome children and extended family members to visit and share in the experience.

Breeding Practices – As is typical, our male cats are always ready for mating. The governing body, FIFe, recommends that female cats are bred up to three times within two years. However, unless our veterinarians advise otherwise, our approach is to aim for one litter every two years per female, ensuring that each cat receives sufficient rest between litters.

Studs and Females – Currently, we have three studs following a recent retirement, with a fourth soon to join us. Our cattery also includes thirteen active females. The remaining cats are neutered males and females, along with several rescues. Unlike some breeders, we never sell our retired females—they remain with us and enjoy a comfortable, happy life. We consider them part of our family and are committed to their wellbeing, allowing them to live the ‘life of Reilly’.

Click here for available babies.

Click here for older available cats and kittens

 Oakmount Vets. A most incredible vets in Burnley Lancashire.

Our chosen frozen raw food supplier

Another provider https://www.purrform.co.uk

For securing a garden to keep your cats in and invaders out have a look at Katzecure | The compassionate cat containment system

For heavy duty but minimalist cat trees (as well as catios) look at Chicken Coops | Chicken Houses | Hamster Houses | Rabbit Hutches | Beehive and Much More (omlet.co.uk)

When moving house and as an alternative to picking up your kitten these are the only couriers we recommend Plymouth Pet Transport | Efficient Pet Transport | 07702 027866

Privacy Notice

Pen Picture

Loving	High
Friendliness	High
Child Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	High
Exercise Needs	High but self sustaining
Climbing	High
Playfulness	High
Maturity	Slow about 4-5years
Growth	Slow over 3-5 years
Good outside	No needs secure garden
Energy Level	High
Intelligence	Very High
Vocalisation	Medium
Moulting	Medium other than in Spring

Apocryphal History

The people of Asia Minor were the first to domesticate cats which rapidly was taken up by the Egyptians and the Phoenician traders. The Phoenicians together with the Romans were the first incursions of domestic cats into Europe. This cat is thought to be Felis libyca. On reaching Europe it is postulated that Felis libyca may have interbred with the stocky and heavier European wildcat Felis sylvestris (or possibly mutated) to produce the precursors of many of today’s cats. However, as Felis sylvestris is not seen in the Scandinavian countries it is suspected that cats entered Norway after being picked up by the Vikings. For many centuries there have been documented stories of large Norwegian Skogkatt (forest cat in Norwegian) on farms and in the surrounding forest. Regardless of their initial genesis there is enough evidence to cite them as a ‘natural species’.

In Norway, a movement started in the 1930’s to have the Skogkatt recognised as a breed and this culminated with the first Norwegian Forest Cat being exhibited in a cat show in Oslo during 1938. Unfortunately, this was pre-empted by the commencement of World War II where during and immediately afterwards the breeding of cats was considered to be a low priority. During these years the Skogkatt came to the borderline of extinction.

The breed was championed by Carl-Fredrick Nordane and in recognition of his and the work of others namely, Pans Cattery owned by the late Egil and Else Nylund (the mother of the Skogkatt), bred Pans Truls a cat whose physiology was used to define the phenotype of the breed for show purposes.

They were fully recognised and accepted in their own right at the  FIFe General Assembly  held in Paris in 1977 and the breeding standard was set. This breed standard (for show) was the very first that fully described how this species should look based on historical descriptions, photographs and drawings. Therefore, this is the standard that most traditional breeders use. This standard is a key descriptor to be used on this historically significant breed particularly considering some of the changes being enforced on this majestic breed.

However it is equally important to note that this was imposed on the Skogkatt at the time for show purposes. Like all breeds of cat there are variations. Some are bigger whilst some are smaller. Some have shaggy coats others not so much. The traditional breed standard is just a set of rules for showing cats. Not the holy Bible of how a cat must look. In my opinion the thing that sets the Norwegian Forest Cat higher above all others is their personality. So to put it in simplistic terms when the Norwegian breed standard was based on a single cat. This is the same as saying a human breed standard is Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. If you don’t look like them you cannot be human.

The people of Asia Minor were the first to domesticate cats, a practice which was swiftly adopted by both the Egyptians and the Phoenician traders. The Phoenicians, alongside the Romans, facilitated the earliest introductions of domestic cats into Europe. These cats are believed to be Felis libyca. Upon arrival in Europe, it is theorised that Felis libyca may have interbred with the robust European wildcat, Felis sylvestris, or possibly undergone mutation, resulting in the ancestors of many modern domestic cats. However, since Felis sylvestris is absent from Scandinavian regions, it is presumed that cats were introduced to Norway by the Vikings. For centuries, there have been documented accounts of large Norwegian Skogkatt (forest cats) inhabiting farms and woodlands. Irrespective of their precise origins, substantial evidence supports their recognition as a ‘natural species’.

In Norway, a movement commenced in the 1930s to secure formal recognition of the Skogkatt as a distinct breed, culminating in the exhibition of the first Norwegian Forest Cat at a cat show in Oslo in 1938. Unfortunately, these efforts were disrupted by the onset of World War II, during which cat breeding was understandably deprioritised. As a result, the Skogkatt population dwindled to the brink of extinction.

The breed’s revival was largely due to the advocacy of Carl-Fredrick Nordane and notable contributions from Pans Cattery, owned by the late Egil and Else Nylund (often referred to as the mother of the Skogkatt). Pans Truls, a cat bred by the Nylunds, served as the physiological model for defining the breed’s phenotype for exhibition purposes.

Norwegian Forest Cats received full recognition at the FIFe General Assembly held in Paris in 1977, where an official breeding standard was established. This standard was the first comprehensive description of the breed’s ideal characteristics, informed by historical records, photographs and drawings. Consequently, it remains the benchmark for traditional breeders and is particularly significant in light of contemporary changes affecting this distinguished breed.

However it is equally important to note that this standardfwas imposed on the Skogkatt at the time for the purpose of getting the breed accepted for show purposes. Like all breeds of cat there are variations. Some are bigger whilst some are smaller. Some have shaggy coats others not so much. The traditional breed standard is just a set of rules for showing cats. Not the holy Bible of how a cat must look. In my opinion the thing that sets the Norwegian Forest Cat higher above all others is their intelligence personality.

So to put it in simple terms when the Norwegian breed standard was based on a single cat. This is the same as saying a human breed standard is Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. If you don’t look like them you cannot be human.

 

Please drop us an email with any questions or a kitten request. We will aim to get back to you as soon as possible either via email or a telephone call.