| Caravanserai Turkish Vans The Swimming Cats Pat Chapman, Owner |
Left to right: Rose Sayer & Emily Pollifax. Born 1/15/2010. Welcome to Caravanserai Turkish Vans. My ex-husband, John Chapman, and I were both stationed in Turkey in the mid 1980s and fell in love with the country. Ten years after returning stateside, we learned about a breed of swimming cats that originated in the Lake Van district of eastern Turkey. I handed John a CATS USA article entitled "Rare Breeds" featuring these unique cats and, upon reading it, he announced, "We were going to show, breed and promote TURKISH VANS!" We have learned a lot since then! |
Grand Champion, Breed Winner, Regional Winner Caravanserai Mehmet CFA's National Best of Breed Turkish Van 1999 - 2000 Gulf Shore Region's 17th Best Cat in Championship Turkish Vans were brought into the U.S. in the mid-80s by Barbara Reark and her husband, Jack. They began the process of getting the breed accepted for show by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), but had limited success. One of their friends, Deb Hayes, accepted task and, with the help of other dedicated exhibitors like Karen Hooker, Mac Westbury, Debbie Rexelle, Ann & Charles Van Brunt, Dusty Rainbolt (now an award-winning Cat Writer) and Weems Hutto, got the breed accepted for Championship status in 1994. |
| Grand Premier Caravanserai Boromir relaxing after a show. Boromir lives with his new family in New Orleans. Exhibiting traits common among human Turks, the Vans are loyal, independent, stubborn and friendly. They usually bond strongly with one person in the household and are that person's friend for life. In their native region, turkish van kittens were taught to swim by their mothers. The change in life-style from free roaming outdoor cats to indoor cats has drastically reduced the number of kittens who actually swim, but they retain a strong fascination of water. The Lake Van district of Turkey where these cats developed in is a mountainous region that receives snow in the winter and 100 degree temperatures in the summer. As a result, the breed has heavy boning and muscular shoulders. Many have two distinctive coat: a long, thick winter coat; and a thinner, short summer coat. Both coats have a rabbit-soft texture that is delightful to touch. |
| The Nap Gang - living the hard life. If you would like to learn more about the breed, about showing cats, or adopting a Van please e-mail me at pschapman@turkishvan.us or call (210) 602 - 2571. No calls before 10 am or after 11 pm CT. Casja is a black & white with odd eyes. Born 11/11/2006. BE SURE TO INCLUDE A CONTACT PHONE NUMBER AND MAILING ADDRESS. IF YOU USE AOL, BE SURE TO ADD ME TO YOUR ADDRESS BOOK SO MY REPLY DOES NOT BOUNCE. Star is a red tabby & white with amber eyes. Born 8/4/2006 Please come back soon and visit CARAVANSERAI TURKISH VANS, THE SWIMMING CATS. Website content © 1999-2010 P.S. Chapman |
