MMQ: I love the way that many of the Manx fanciers use the Gaelic names for their Manx.  I see that you have used "BANNAGHTYN Y" Which is Gaelic for "Greetings". as your greeting to all Manx fanciers to your website.

KAREN:  Thank you Mema.  Most of the people who visit my website are looking for tailless Manx kittens or information about the Manx breed cat.  The general consensus is that any tailless cat is a Manx.  So,  I try to incorporate information along with facts to make visiting the site interesting as well as educational. 

MMQ:  Where are you located?  And tell me about your Manx.

KAREN: We are a hobby, home based cattery centrally located in rural Pennsylvania (Blair County). We work primarily with CFA registered Manx cats.  All of our cats are registered with "The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc.", more commonly known as CFA and shown at CFA shows. With the addition of our new stud male September 2005, GC, BW Minusdetails Northern Exposure aka "PJ"  through the generosity of Kay and Terry DeVilbiss some of our cats are registered under two cat registries, CFA and The International Cat Association, more commonly known as TICA.

MMQ:  When did you start to expand your fascination with the Manx?  Did you have a mentor when you started?

KAREN:  Karello Cattery was founded in 1996 when I registered my cattery name "Kar" from Karen and "ello" from my former married name with CFA. Shortly afterward, I purchased my first registered Manx breeding pair from Barbara St. Georges of Briar-Brae Cattery in New Mexico.  Briar-Brae Chi-Chi and Briar-Brae My Black Sambo.  Sambo was out of one of Barbara's cats and one from Jean Brown of Romanxx Cattery in North Carolina.  Jean was my first Mentor.  

Barbara St Georges & Casey Joniello holding

MMQ:  Tell us what you feel are the most important considerations a conscientious breeder must incorporate into their breeding of Manx.

KAREN:  Our main goal and focus are producing a sound, healthy, well socialized registered Manx cat. We feel soundness is most important if you are to be serious about working with this breed, without soundness you have no solid ground with which to build on. We believe in keeping such strict breeding standards we and other responsible Manx breeders with such philosophies have improved our breed tremendously over the past ten years.   

MMQ:  When someone wants to get a Manx for their personal companion where would they look for that special Manx?

KAREN:   The best place to purchase a Manx is from a reputable, registered Manx breeder.  We post our available kittens on our website.  Sometimes we have retired breeders/show cats and rescues posted as well.

MMQ:  My granddaughter has a Manx with a longer coat, are they the same as the Manx with the shorter coat?

KAREN:  There are two types of Manx coats, they are short and long hair (the long hair was formerly known as Cymric in CFA). The coat length is the only difference there is between the two names. The short hair Manx has a double coat, the outer guard hairs are somewhat hard, appearance is glossy. A softer coat may occur in whites and dilutes due to color texture gene link. The long hair Manx has a silky texture to its coat. The coat is of medium length, with breeches, abdomen and neck ruff that is longer than the coat on the main body. The texture is silky and soft, it falls smoothly on the body while being full and plush due to the double coat.

MMQ:  What variety of colors have your produced in your cattery in either length of coat? 

KAREN: The colors we've produced are Bi-Color (white with unbrindled patches of solid or tabby patterns) Black, Blue, Blue Classic Tabby, Blue Cream, Blue-Cream and White, Brown Classic Tabby, Calico, Cream Classic Tabby, Cream Classic Tabby and White, Dilute Calico, Red Patched Classic Tabby, Red Classic Tabby, Tortoiseshell, Tortoiseshell and White, Solid White (with & without odd eyes).

*One day we hope to add Silver and Black Smoke to our colors produced.

MMQ:  Wonderful, what advice do you have for anyone looking for a certain color, sex,  coat length or pattern, are they going to be able to have that special Manx? 

KAREN:  It helps to be a little flexible when looking for a new pet, the Manx is a rare breed.  If your in a hurry, I wouldn't recommend looking for a specific color sex, coat length or pattern.  A healthy, well socialized kitten will make just as nice of a pet as one with specific outer characteristics.  However, if your intent on a specific characteristic try to stick with a breeder who has produced what your looking for and has a good possibility of reproducing it again.  Don't jump around from breeder to breeder, stick with one and build a good rapor.

MMQ:  Besides all the love and attention to your Manx and breeding program what are the other adventures have you been taking on? 

KAREN:  I'm a member of the Manx (and Egyptian Mau) Breed Councils, American Manx Club and Manx Rescue.  I can be seen showing Egyptian Mau's, a Devon Rex and a Maine Coon cat in Premiership class.  This all came about due to my desire to reward my family for being so helpful, supportive and understanding while living with my Manx and believing it's not fair to force my breed of choice onto them.  so, I've indulged each one of them with their pick of a breed they would like to own.  It started with my daughter, Casey, she has always loved the regal, intelligence of the Egyptian Mau.  So, thanks to the generosity of Melanie Morgan of Emau Cattery in Virginia we now own two Egyptian Mau's, a silver and black smoke.  After that my son, Ethan took a turn.  He was very fascinated by the Sphynx breed but with further education he decided it was not the breed he would select at that time.  He was offered a Devon Rex from Kathy Rutledge of Tigerwings Cattery in Virginia and accepted.  My husband, Jody, has wanted a Maine Coon cat for as long as I've known him.  When he wasn't sleeping at a show, he could always be found admiring the Maine Coons in the Maine Coon class.  Last year thanks again to the generosity of Teresa Signore of Highlander Cattery in Ohio, my husband got his wish.  He's the proud owner of a 20 lb Maine Coon cat.  This concludes my rewarding adventures with other breeds at this time. 

Last show season, I took on my first Protege', Kim Robitaille from Kentucky.  Kim purchased a red tabby and white long hair male from me to show in Premiership.  Kim and I named him Karello's Sam's Purrgus McKitty, "Gus" for short.  Kim did a wonderful job grooming and presenting Gus for shows, he earned the title of Grand Premier in March 06.  He was the fifth kitten from LaBearer Red Hot Tumalle of Karello to grand earning Tumalle and I our first DM. 

MMQ: A very big congratulations to both of you, what a wonderful accomplishment !!!

KAREN: Thank You, we were all thrilled with it.

MMQ: Karen, I know that Manx breeders are continually working to make sure ALL "cats in need" are provided for with new loving homes.

KAREN:  I offer a specific web page on my website for those individuals who contact me looking to find a home for their Manx or Domestic Tailless cat.

MMQ:  Karen, thank you for sharing your passion for the Manx with us, and we wish you continued success.

 "Slane Ihiu"

[in my Manx dictionary is Goodbye]