Louise and her sister Thelma were brought to us when their owner passed away. They get along very well with other cats and are affectionate with people.

The Snowshoe breed was developed in the 1960s near Philadelphia. A cat owned by a Siamese breeder had a litter that contained three kittens who had white points and feet. She bred the kittens with American Shorthairs, and then bred those offspring with seal-point Siamese cats. The result was a sturdy cat with unique markings. Breeding Snowshoes can be a frustrating experience for the breeder; the genes for the coloring and patterns are recessive, so it's hard to get it exactly right for the breed standard. But even if the cat does not make it to the show ring, a responsible breeder would have no problem rehoming these affectionate and mellow felines. Social and docile, they show great affection for their owners, and tend to do well with children and other pets. They like to perch in high places, and have a fascination with running water--some may even try to swim! The breed is generally healthy and is very vocal like its Siamese ancestors, although not quite as loud.