 Name:
Charlotte Harrison (right)
Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales
Breed(s): Norwegian Forest Cats
Breeding since: 2009Photos
courtesy of Charlotte Harrison
Tell us a bit about you:
My name is Charlotte Harrison and I live in the small ex-mining town
of Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire with my husband, our three children,
two dogs and four cats. I work part time and my husband and I have
been around animals for most of our lives - from dogs, cats and horses
to sheep, pigs and goats. I decided to take up cat showing after
having my eldest child, it is something I had always been interested
in and thought it would be a great hobby and I just love kittens, so
decided I would also like to have kittens too.
 Why did you choose your breed(s)?
I wanted a 'natural' breed, and something that hadn't been in the UK
for too long, so I could learn about the breed as it became more
widely known. I have always loved Maine Coons and decided I wanted a
big, semi-long hair cat, but I also needed a cat that would fit into a
busy household and live happily with dogs, cats and children. In the
end, it was between the Siberian forest and Norwegian forest, and I
just fell in love with Wegies! Their nature was the main thing
for me - described as a cross between a cat, a dog and a monkey
(!) - it's only after being owned by one that you know how true that
is!!
Why/how did you start breeding?
I just love kittens! This way I could have the joys of kittens and
also the joy of sharing this beautiful breed with the people I home
them with :-) The problem is letting them go! Also, I wanted to
contribute to keeping the Norwegian Forest as it should be, and as it
created itself naturally, by breeding original-type Wegies, with
health, temperament, type and size always the aim.
 Why did you choose your prefix?
Adkelekatts came from my childrens' names, as I wanted it to be a
joint venture, something that included all of us as a family.
So, it is the first two letters of my childrens' names in their birth
order, ADrienne, KEira and LEon giving me 'ADKELE' and of course I
added KATTS on the end, that being Norwegian for cats :-)
When
were your most memorable occasions as a breeder?
- My first litter of Norwegians was born in June 2009 - watching
Osiana (Jotunkatts Osiana Rose, my first queen, above left)
give birth so naturally and easily was amazing! It amazes me how
little noise and effort she seems to make and her second baby was a
huge 145gms!! And watching the kittens grow and become their own
little selves is just brilliant!
 -
My first show with Reuben (Adkelekatts Taurion, above right),
who I kept from my first litter ;-) (left). At the Viking
show in Milton Keynes, February 2010, Reuben received an EX1, BIV and
was nominated for Best in Show (which went to a wonderful Maine Coon)
at eight months old! Also, we came second in the breeder class. It is
amazing when one of your home grown babies does so well - I just can't
describe the feeling :-)
Who were/are the most memorable cats you've had?
Lars (Jotunkatts Leonidas, below right, and below
left with sister Vanya, Jotunkatts Gloriosa) passed away on
16 February 2009 in his sleep due to a fatal brain seizure. That was
hard - he was so young and full of life! Lars was the first to
run to greet you, tail in the air, when you walked through the door
and the first to wake you up in the morning. He was so loving,
he loved everyone (whether they wanted it or not!) He is still missed
everyday, but we are thankful he died peacefully.
 However,
all our cats have their own personalities and little quirky ways that
make them memorable and I can't imagine ever being without them.
What are your hopes for the future of your breed/your breeding
programme?
I have plans, with a little help from some friends, to bring in some
new lines in the form of a new little girl and my very own boy:-) We
shall see if they come to fruitation, as often plans do not go as
expected ;-) But, as always, my aim is to breed beautiful Wegies as
they should be type-wise and with their incredible temperaments!
 Is there anything else you'd like to mention?
Just to say I am always here for a chat (I warn you now I can talk the
hind leg off a donkey!) and I am happy for people to contact me,
whether they are interested in a kitten or just in the breed in
general, and to thank Firoza and Na'il of Jotunkatts for trusting us
with their babies, for always being at the end of the phone when I
need them and for all the support and advice, and all the help at
shows too!!
Charlotte Harrison
www.adkelekatts.co.uk
August 2010 |
