Felixstowe breeder of Suffolk Chocolate cats to be repatriated

By Demarcus A. McMillan Last updated Jul 10, 2022

Published:
06:00 July 10, 2022

A Felixstowe woman who helped create one of the country’s rarest cat breeds is looking for people to continue the work she started.

Pamela Sharp-Popple, 68, is the creator of the Suffolk Chocolate breed. They are elegant cats of the original Siamese type, with chocolate-colored coats and distinctive green eyes.

Pamela makes sure her cats have enough space to play outside.
– Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown

Molly enjoys climbing her special cat tower. Molly must stay with her twin, Milly.
– Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown

Pamela Sharpe-Popple has been raising cats for over 45 years.
– Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown

Pamela with Chablais, a Suffolk lilac.
– Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown

“In 2000, I bred a Siamese stallion with a Tortie Oriental mother,” explained Pamela, who has bred cats for over 45 years.

“This resulted in a mixed litter, which contained a Havana Brown. I was starstruck, to say the least!

A Havana Brown is a rare breed of Siamese-type cat with brown fur and blue-green eyes.

The Suffolk Chocolate is a variant of this breed and was officially recognized by the Cat Fancy board in 2014. They achieved championship status in 2016.

Since then it has become Pamela’s mission to raise more of these cats.

“It’s been an all-consuming pastime,” she said. “I raise my cats to a very high standard, while taking good care of them. They have plenty of space and each spends eight hours in the garden each day.

“I’m sure there can’t be more than two hundred around.”

These elegant cats have distinctive brown coats and green eyes.
– Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown

Pamela said the Chablais is one of her friendliest cats. He is a Suffolk Lilac, a breed similar to the Suffolk Chocolate, a recessive gene gave him a silver gray coat.
– Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown

Cats are very friendly and affectionate.
– Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown

Pamela hopes responsible breeders will continue her work of breeding Suffolk Chocolate cats.
– Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown

However, due to health issues, Pamela has decided it’s time for her to stop breeding and is looking to rehome seven cats.

Milly, Molly, Chablais, Timmy, Ida, Julie and Flo are now looking for new homes. According to Pamela, any of them would make a loving addition to someone’s home.

“They make wonderful companions,” she said. “They are as smart as dogs, if not smarter. They are so friendly and affectionate that they will wait for you at the door to come home.

Pamela would like anyone seriously considering raising or giving a home to a cat as a pet to get in touch.

“I would prefer the cats to go to responsible breeders, so the Suffolk Chocolate breed can continue – but it is more important to me that these cats go to good, loving homes.

“It’s been a big part of my life for so long, and I’ll be sorry to give it up.

“I think my husband is pretty looking forward to it, though – he doesn’t really like cats!”

Email Pamela at: [email protected]