The Ocicat is an agouti spotted cat, originating from breeding of the Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair. 

Feline enthusiast have always been awed by the spotted cats of the wild:  Ocelots, Margays, Leopards and others.  The Ocicat is an effort to breed an entirely domestic cat, which can offer the spotted beauty of the wild cats, while maintaining  the pleasant, predictable disposition of the domestic cat.

The original breeder of the Ocicat is Virginia Daly.  In 1964 Virginia Daly  of Dalai Cattery was trying to produce an Abyssinian-pointed Siamese, by breeding an Abyssinian male to a Siamese female.

One female was kept from the litter and was bred back to a Siamese.  In this letter was a Aby-pointed Siamese along with a beautiful golden spotted male kitten named Tonga.

When Daly’s daughter saw Tonga, she remarked that he looked like a baby Ocelot and suggested they call him an Ocicat.  In 1964, Tonga entered the world bearing the name and banner of a new Breed, Ocicat.

The Ocicat was advanced to championship status May 1987.  The pedigree may show only the Ocicat or Abyssinian.  Kittens born on or after January 1, 2005 may have only Ocicat parents (CFA-Hybrids).