The first Savannah was a female named “Savannah”. She was created by breeder Judee Frank. April 7, 1986. Patrick Kelly, interested in wild-looking cats, decided to create a breed. After having in 1989 a female kitten, “Kitty”, from this first Savannah. He encouraged various breeders to try crossbreeding, which is where Joyce Sroufe joined him. They set a standard which they presented at TICA in February 1996. A year later, Joyce Sroufe presented the Savannah at a cat show in Westchester, New York. She succeeds in obtaining the first male, fertile Savannahs.
In 2002, the TICA considered the entry of this new breed in the same way as other domestic cats. The LOOF authorizes the race to be presented in exhibition since January 1, 2007 as “New Breeds and Colors”. Feral cats and first and second generation hybrids (F1 and F2) are prohibited on show.
Importation of Savannah has been banned in Australia by Environment Minister Peter Garrett. Due to the risks associated with the introduction of this breed, hunting skills. The twelve million feral cats on Australian territory already pose significant threats to wildlife. In the UK, the waiting time to own a savannah kitten in 2009 was six months for a price of over £6,000
