Josephine
In 1963, Ann’s neighbor (Merle Pennels) had a feral cat named Josephine who lived outdoors. Since Josephine was feral, she wasn’t any particular breed, but rather a mix of several different ones. Josephine was white colored & had the appearance of a white or Angora cat. However, being feral, Josephine was almost certainly not purebred & was definitely not registered.
It is believed that Josephine was hit by a car before her Ragdoll litter. After receiving treatment for her injuries at the veterinary hospital at the University of California, Ann noticed that Josephine had become docile, went limp like a rag doll when picked up, & seemed largely immune to pain. Ann Baker claims Josephine was subjected to government testing, which resulted in her being relaxed when picked up & no longer feeling pain. She also noticed that the next litter of kittens were larger & all had the same laid-back temperament as Josephine.
Daddy Warbucks
First, Ann borrowed a male cat from Merle Pennels that had the appearance of a Birman breed cat, also known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma”. It is believed that this cat was feral – he was not registered and it was not known with any confidence what his breed truly was. Ann bred this cat to Josephine & Daddy Warbucks was born. Daddy Warbucks became the foundational male for the Ragdoll breed.
Fugianna
After Josephine’s son Daddy Warbucks matured, Ann mated him back to Josephine, & Fugianna was born. Fugianna was a seal pointed bicolor female, & became the foundational female for the light side of the breed.
Buckwheat
At some point around that time, Ann also acquired Josephine’s daugher, Buckwheat, from the Pennels. It is not clear which male was bred to Josephine to sire Buckwheat, but it is believed to be a different feral cat than the one who sired Daddy Warbucks. Buckwheat was a solid black female, & became the foundational female for the dark side of the breed.
Kyoto and Tiki
In the summer of 1965, Ann mated Daddy Warbucks to Buckwheat, and they produced a litter of four kittens:
two pointed kittens, a seal mitted male named Kyoto, & a seal colorpoint female named Tiki & two solid-colored kittens that she named Gueber & Mitts. The photo above & to the left shows Buckwheat with Kyoto and Tiki.
Raggedy Ann Cattery
Anne Baker established her Raggedy Ann Cattery facility at 156 Iowa Avenue, Riverside California 92507. This property still remains there today.
Traditional
Traditional
Traditional
Traditional Ragdolls have light colored bodies & blue eyes. They are the most common Ragdolls found.
Sepia
Traditional
Traditional
Sepia Ragdolls have darker colored bodies & have green/yellow colored eyes. Sepias are rare but are becoming more popular.
Mink
Traditional
Solid
Mink Ragdolls have color on their bodies with the points still being darker. Their eye color is aqua.
Solid
Traditional
Solid
Solid Ragdolls do not have the darker points & their eyes are either green or copper.