Tell Tail AugustNovember 2017

6 http://www.facebook.com/TellTailMagazine Tell Tail^ n^ Aug 2017 - Oct 2017

coveR SToRy

T

hey are on the prowl,

somewhere close to your

home. With their alert ears

and searching eyes, their

swishing tails and their feline grace.

We are talking about the Indian

Billi - the sleek, long legged cats

that look a little different from the

domestic cat.

And now, the Indian Cat

Federation (ICF) is looking at

documenting everything about this

cat to recognise it as a breed!

Says Fatema Siamwala,

spokesperson ICF, “We thought of

the Indian Billi because it needs

to be promoted. We intend to

document everything about this

breed and to encourage their

participation in cat shows.”

The Indian Billi is different in

shape and weight from the domestic

cat (largely a mix of breeds). The

task before the ICF is huge, since

they need data from across the

country. “We have tied-up with

veterinarians in Bangalore and with

a veterinary college. The immediate

requirement is to identify people

who have such cats and to get them

to send us photos and details on

their pets,” adds Fatema.

The ICF knows that the cats

found across India are going to be

different. “This is the first step to

recognising different breeds. This

project will take many years, “ says

Fatema.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

n Note the eating habits, likes and

dislikes, behaviour issues

n Write down the colours and

markings

n Share any habits

n Record vaccination dates and

health issues

n Take clear photos of adults as

The cat is slim,

long legged

and strong.

It is found

everywhere

around! The

Indian Cat

Federation is

making an effort

to document

everything

about the Indian

Billi

Recognising the

Indian Billi