Hi, my name is Robin Sessler, and welcome to my home page. My cats and I live in a very small town in north-central Illinois, about a two hour trip from Chicago, Springfield, or the Quad Cities, IL, or Madison, WI. I began my involvement with Abyssinians and the pedigreed cat fancy in 1985. I, like many people, was attracted to the "wild" look of the Aby. I can say to this day that I couldn't have made a better choice. Their alert, interactive personality is unmatched. Abyssinians have an interesting and controversial history, but there is no doubt that their popularity as companions is well earned.

My first Abyssinian was a 3 year old ruddy female, CH Neferra's Tara of Leotie. (Click on a cat's name to see a photo and a pedigree) I soon aquired a cinnamon/red male, CH Caesarean of Leotie. I loved his bright color and it has remained one of my favorites through the years. CH Neferra's Blue Velvet of Leotie, a blue Aby, came next, and from these three different color cats the foundation of my cattery was created. The key cat from this lineage is RW QGC Leotie's Iskandar, a fawn male. Every few years I introduce a new bloodline to maintain genetic diversity. I work with the silver colors and also chocolate and lilac colored Abyssinians, all accepted for Championship competition in TICA. Recently two of my cats presented me with a surprise Longhair Aby, or Somali. So now I have a super sweet, cute ruddy boy, Leotie Buttahs. I hope to have some pictures soon.

As with many cat fanciers, I began showing my cats in the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA), but within a few years I also began showing in The International Cat Association (TICA). The friendly and fun people I met now means that I show in this association exclusively. I have owned or bred many TICA Regional Winners since I started showing in TICA. I've also had a fair number of TICA International Color Winners. In the 1999-2000 show year RW QGC Leotie's Serenity achieved two TICA International Breed Wins. Brief pedigrees and photos of many of my past and current breeding and show cats can be accessed here. More extensive pedigrees can be found in my Leotie Abyssinian database. I currently hold a licence from TICA as an Provisional Allbreed judge, to judge all breeds of cats in any format. Click here to see me at "work" handling different breeds of cats at a show held September 2001 in Ohio.

Over the years, my cats and I have been featured in newspapers, magazines, and even a book!

Cat World International, May/June 1990
Read All About Cats: Abyssinians
News Tribune, LaSalle, IL, Oct. 14, 2000
The Mendota Reporter, Mendota, IL, Nov. 8, 2000
Caes & Cia (Brazil), December 2001
Cat Fancy, January 2006
American Press, Lake Charles, LA, Sept. 30, 2007

My home-raised kittens are available on a semi-regular basis. Companion pet prices start at $700, and breeding and show stock start at $1500. Prices may vary due to color, quality or availability. All kittens are released at 3-1/2 to 4 months of age, and will have had their complete series of booster shots at that time. Click here to see just a few of the beautiful pet kittens I've placed over the years. Occasaionally, Altered cats retired from my breeding program are looking for homes where they can be a spoiled pet. They are usually priced around $300. All kittens and cats are sold with a written contract.

Thanks for visiting! Please check out the links below. Words cannot express the appreciation I have for my mom, Ruth Dunlap, for the many photos she's taken, and the loving support she's given me over the years.