When we were discussing Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin’s chill South Carolina wedding, I found myself creeping on his Instagram briefly. I truly only Insta-stalk my favorite tennis players, so when I say “brief,” I do mean brief. I saw the photos of some kitties and I was like “oooh, pretty” and I didn’t think much of it because I was looking for wedding and wedding-related photos. As it turns out, the kitties were wedding-related. Justin Bieber bought the two kitties ahead of his wedding, probably as some kind of wedding gift to himself and Hailey. Hailey and Justin already have dogs, and the dogs seem to be getting along with the kitties… for now. But check out how much Justin spent on the cats:
Justin Bieber is ringing in his wedding to Hailey Baldwin with some furry new family members. The “Sorry” singer bought two part-exotic spotted kittens in recent weeks ahead of his buzzy nuptials, set to take place Monday at the South Carolina resort Montage Palmetto Bluff. Bieber named the Savannah cats Sushi and Tuna after buying them for $20,000 and $15,000, respectively, from Illinois-based breeder Select Exotics.
Naturally, the pair are already Instagram-famous with their own page, @kittysushiandtuna, and 94,000 followers, after Bieber created the account over the weekend. He is promising free merch from his fashion line Drew House to the millionth follower (no concert tickets?). “Becoming a crazy cat man,” Bieber wrote on Instagram, referring to himself as their “daddy.”
The Savannah breed is part domestic cat and part African Serval, a wild feline with “intelligence that rivals the smartest of dogs,” according to the breeder’s site. “How much of the ‘wild’ do you want?” the site reads, boasting that the cats allow “the every-day person to capture a part of the wild and co-exist with it in their home.” Sushi and Tuna are each 59 percent Serval, which is known as the “giraffe cat” for its long neck. Servals can jump nine feet in the air to catch birds to eat. Savannahs grow to be about 20 inches tall, weigh 15 to 30 pounds, use litter boxes and eat dry cat food.
I will never understand people who spend any kind of serious money on special CATS. All cats are special! And even if you spend a grand on a cat, he’s still going to be a little a–hole and tear up your toilet paper and decide that your head is the perfect kitty bed. Guess what? Free cats do that too. As do shelter kitties. Tuna and Sushi are very beautiful, of course, and my guess is that they’ll just be another “thing” that Hailey will have to take care of, because Justin seems utterly incapable of being a good pet owner. I hope Justin likes kitty barf in his shoes. I hope he knows that his new $65K Audemars Piguet watch is nothing but an expensive cat toy. I hope he knows that Tuna and Sushi are already plotting to trip him as he’s going down the stairs.
Photos courtesy of Justin Bieber’s Instagram.
It’s even worse. Those two are exotic breed cats, which so often end up being destructive and hard to handle, so then their owners give up on them and they end up giving them up or worse, enthuanizing them. I wish he did some research before paying for them, I bet there are hundreds of these cats around waiting to be adopted. I fear for these kitties and where they will end up eventually since his pet record is abdominable.
I also hate that it makes exotic animals more
popular and more people desire them, spend lots of money on them and this encourages breeders – who are more concerned with profit than the health and welfare of the animals. So awful. All animals are cute but it doesn’t mean you should have them as pets.
They’ll end up like his monkey: Inconvenient and left behind. Sadly exotic cats tend to be put down when they get older because no one wants to rehome a grown destructive cat, when theres a cute kitten on sale they can lie to themselves that they can train the wild out of them.
That was my exact reaction too. They aren’t going to be able to handle them, and it’s not going to end well.
Big cat sanctuaries are constantly rescuing animals like this.
Given his history, it makes me angry he owns any animals, but an exotic wild animal from a breeder makes me furious.
Breeders like this need to be SHUT DOWN.
I‘m no fan of Bieber and think spending this amount of money on cats is stupid, but I don’t think that’s the case here. These two are Savannahs, not Servals, and while they are marketed as exotic, it ends up being more about looks and some personality quirks. I know a couple of Savannahs and other than the fact that they aren’t as attractive in my opinion, they aren’t very different to handle than normal cats.
I hope he’s also getting a cat nanny. Those hybrid kitties don’t mess around. The wild genes express themselves in fascinating ways but they also require a lot of attention.
And, yes, if you know what you’re looking for and can recognize breed characteristics, you can totally scoop them up from a shelter or rescue. I see them all the time in the adoption center at my local pet store. Mostly Bengals but I know someone who got a Savannah from the SPCA. There’s a third exotic breed too, but I do not need any more cats!
Full disclosure: I have a rescue Bengal who I adopted as a kitten, not having any ide she was a hybrid. Boy oh boy did we figure it out, tho! She’s a handful. I adore her, but would not recommend these types of cats as a starter cat.
Good that he got a bonded pair. That will help a lot.
@harrierjet Yes, the effect it has on demand and supply will be horrible too.
@hmmm No, Savannah cats, even generations down the line from the wild Serval can have behavioural issues and should not be held as pet (or even breed). https://bigcatrescue.org/savannah-cats-and-bengal-cats-make-bad-pets/
THERE ARE!!!!
Even though exotic cats might be high demand they still absolutely end up in shelters. Two different friends in two different states adopted Savannahs from local shelters who didn’t realize what they had (not knowing much about the breed, just a large pretty cat that was emergency surrendered and handed right off because cats are so abundant). Also, there are specific breed rescues and while it might be prohibitive for someone like me to travel across the country for a rescue that is certainly within their abilities. I’ll never forget what he did with the monkey….people like him should not be pet owners, there’s no respect for the relationship – I don’t care what kind of luxurious life he can offer.
I agree with everyone. Exotic cats have issues, and one of the main issues is they should be left in the wild and subject to conservation efforts, instead being taken from the wild and being a profit source for a sleazy dealer.
When they have kids-inevitable-all these animals will be tough to handle even with a team of nannies.
I hope the dogs and the cats will get along. This is a wait and see situation.
ANd yes, there are many, many lovely cats that need homes!
Bengalcats are badasses. They will probably be bossing the dogs around in no time!
As has been mentioned, these fancy breeds can often be found in shelters. When you adopt, they neuter the animal for you – sometimes even for free. Some people purchasse from breeders with the hope of showing (don’t get me started) so the breeders don’t fix the kittens. And then they get out… and then more kittens.
This is where my Bengal came from. A neighbor had one that wasn’t fixed and, voila! Kittens!
Another ✅ in the “more money than brains” category…FFS people go to a shelter!!!
👍
My thoughts exactly.
ugh, Justin is a terrible animal caregiver (re: remember his poor monkey?) I give it 5 months before he abandons these poor kitties or he tries to re-home them on twitter…..seriously dislike people who do this to animals
I’m usually not one to say how people should spend their own hard earned money…. but this just seems like too much to me. Like on the level of a gold toilet. How do you feel OK spending that much on some CATS?! Is he not aware that people struggle so greatly? If he has that kind of money to throw away I truly hope he is also donating large amounts.
I sometimes feel funny about my $2500 engagement ring and honestly if I could do it again I would not want it. It means the world to me because of what it represents, but it’s the most expensive thing I own and it just doesn’t always feel good to have something like that. I guess I was not cut out to be a millionaire buying exotic animals or designer bags or things like that! When you think what even $2500 could do for struggling families or people with disabilities or medical bills etc etc…
The pairing of a Serval with a housecat is problematic, if the Serval does not kill the housecat instantly, the gestation periods are different. A housecat has a period of 63 days, while the Serval has up to 75 days. So either the kittens are born prematurely or the mother dies giving birth.
A F1-Savannah, as these two here, need to be treated as Servals and are accordingly wild.
I know of cat breeders who cross Maine Coon cats with Caracal.
My parents live near a wild animal refuge. Perhaps these kitties will meet Mike Tyson’s old abandoned tigers. 😠
To be honest, I’m super judgemental when people buy from a “breeder”, a breeder or a pet store instead of adopting from a shelter or rescue group (except for real service or work animals). Thousands of healthy pets still get killed (“euthanised”) in USA every year just because of this. It is very well possible to adopt young pure-bred animals if you really want one. Shelter animals do not always have issues, most end up in there because of their incompetent owners.
The sad fact is “exotic” cats end up with the same fate. They are not like a house cat. They’re very recently wild. They’re not just active and stubborn, they are extremely territorial, violent at times, and can cause a lot of damage. As such many owners give them back, and they end up being put down.
You can’t have a cat like that in a house with a child. I had a very domesticated, normal house cat. Well, when I had kids it brought out her territorial side like crazy! It got worse and worse. She spent many months sequestered in one room for much of the day which was an absolute heartache, and we had to rehome her so she could have a normal family life again. She went to a home with no children and she’s doing fine again, although I miss her I know it’s better than her being in a room during the kids waking hours. If Biebs and his wife have children it will definitely be over for those two cats. Poor things 🙁
That’s true. I don’t know if there are regulations to owning / breeding wild or half-wild animals as pets. In my opinion it should be illegal. Zoos are horrible enough, private homes will be even less likely to house happy and healthy animals of that kind.
I went the shelter cat route once. Picked out a lovely little kitty who I was assured has a nice temperament. She turned out to be unfriendly and downright dangerous- attacking my five year old’s face with no provocation. (I was there and saw it happen – my child wanted to love that cat so much and was always very gentle) I guess the poor thing had been abused but it was back to the shelter and I warned them about her. Then I went to a breeder and got a traditional Siamese cat like I had growing up. I met the father and saw the circumstances of the kitten’s surroundings. She was a perfect darling, with the Siamese intelligence and loving nature. I’ll always use a reputable breeder where I can see the litter and always go for a traditional round-headed Siamese. Everyone has his or her experiences.
Also siamese cats are up for adoption. One of my cats is a siamese mix and was already an adult when we adopted her. We adopted all our adult cats from a rescue group. Two of them have been living in foster homes so they could tell us exactly how they behave. The other two were born in a shelter and had to live there for five years. They were super shy when we got them, the rescue group was also very open about that. It took a while but they are very cuddly now, just like the other two. They are all very social and not aggressive at all. Nobody got ever bit or scratched. They also don’t destroy anything.
It’s unfortunate that you had ONE bad experience which made you go back to a breeder. I still find that to be the wrong. I would recommend trying a rescue group who have cats living in foster homes. They usually know their animals very, very well and also don’t give them to just anybody who knocks on the door.
Very nice suggestions – however I will stick with breeders. ONE bad experience almost cost my child her eyes. When you get the chance to meet the parents of the cats you get a good idea of what the temperament of the animal will be. I knew my Siamese had been brought up in a loving environment and we gave her love for her entire life and had it returned. I want to get another cat soon and I’m going the Siamese breeder route again. Anyone else can take the route they want. It’s a free choice. I don’t judge those who go to shelters and would prefer not to be judged.
I take care of a cat from our local shelter. He is the sweetest cat i have ever come to know.
It really depends on the single cat. Their breed is of course something to consider, but i know a lot of cats that dont like small kids. No matter the breed.
My family has had over the course of my life six different cats (one died of kidney failure as a kitten, one got lost, one died of old age). They were all from shelters or rescues, we found one of them in a box on the side of the road, left to die. And ALL SIX OF THEM! never once attacked or hurt me, my family, or anyone else. They may be skittish/shy sometimes but they’ve never lashed out. No scratching, no biting, nothing. Even though many of them were rescues/experienced trauma as kittens.
It’s not fair to shelter cats to blame ALL of them for your one bad experience. Of course that would be extremely upsetting! The shelter was not up-front with you about that cat. As long as your breeder is responsible I don’t see a problem with it, but it’s a shame you won’t consider shelter cats too. They don’t ALL automatically have behavior problems just because you found ONE that did–it’s an unfair conclusion to make. Purebreds frequently end up in shelters, too, so if you really want one, you can find them in there.
I’ve found that boy cats with long hair tend to be the most mellow and easygoing with children but it really depends on the cat. We had an enormous long-hair ginger tabby (rescue, attacked by dogs) who was so gentle and patient with little toddlers. He was like a golden retriever. They’d pull on his ears or try to climb on him and he would just patiently sit there and wait for them to be done. When he finally got tired of it he’d just meow once and walk away.
I don’t get it. Cats are cats. It is not like dogs where the size, appearance, behavior can vary widely. I’ve had three Siamese cats in my life. Two that I adopted from a friend that ended up with an allergic child and one that I bought from a breeder neighbor. They are gorgeous and really outgoing and vocal but not different enough from my regular humane society rescues to justify a high price or specialty breeder.
That isn’t true. Cat breeds can have vastly different personalities and temperaments. Some are even trainable and can learn special skills.
My brother has an Abyssinian and he is so different to the other cats in our lives. He can open doors and turn the tv on!
My friend’s Russian Blue couldn’t be more different as well.
If the humans in this situation get on the floor at least a couple of times every day and play with these kitties, they’ll get human-socialized and be fine. If this doesn’t happen, it’s not going to turn out well.
I’m against Savannah cats in principle, and certainly never could afford them. Despite that – they are really smart, they figure out how to open doors and turn on faucets. If you took responsibility for one, you have to deal with that.
PS Pretty sure this is the first time I’ve commented on a Bieber post.
Cats rule — even the asshole ones.
Best comment!
Savannahs are beautiful but a lot of work. They are essentially like dogs. Need constant exercise and outdoor activity. Which may work out since Justin and Hailey already have dogs. They can walk them together.
Beautiful cats, but I will never understand people who spend so much money on cats (or dogs). I could have bought a new car with that money and drove myself to the local shelter and adopted two cats jeez!
Lainey had a really good post about exotic cats and what a nightmare they are as pets. https://www.laineygossip.com/the-problem-with-justin-bieber-and-his-exotic-pet-kittens/58669.
Lainey’s article was interesting but her experience is not at all the same as mine was. I adopted a Bengal cat from someone who needed to rehome her. At the time I didn’t have any knowledge of exotic cat breeds. She was just a kitty who needed a home and we were a family who needed to love a kitty. She was the sweetest, kindest, cuddliest kitty ever. Not a bit aggressive or destructive.
If these are the kind of cats I think they are, they aren’t meant to be pets. Some people strip them out of their natural habitat and domesticate them. There are sooooo many cat adopt agencies and they could have easily adopted some shelter cats who were just as loving and cute. It saddens me that people like Justin rely on breeders as opposed to shelter animals. It’s just yet another reason to not like him. Some people are just stupid rich, literally.
They are hybrids between domestic cats and in this case I believe a serval. For Bengals it is a small asian leopard.
These cats are a lot of work, but very loyal and often hilarious. I was adopting again I would seek one out in a heartbeat.
I hope those kitties get fixed!
The most expensive cats I own were free 😹 aka a feral cat had kittens in my MIL’s barn and got eaten by a fox a week later. So we had 4 little bottle feds when the shelters nearby were overrun and not taking any more kitties. Between milk costs, other supplies (I didn’t have indoor cats and needed everything), vet bills from one kitten being sickly and needing extra visits, vaccinations, and spaying the two I couldn’t find homes for, and then a tail amputation for the sickly kitten because the tail was dead, I’ve spent over $5,000 on those “free” cats! Also, as soon as that tail was amputated the sickly one is happy and playful and the healthiest she’s ever been. Not too much relation to this, just saying I don’t think free cats exist 😂
I had a Savannah kitty once– she was a rescue from a home that thought she actually was a wild cat and kept her in a cage.
These are *not* wild animals. They are extraordinary pets and very affectionate. And yes, they need much more exercise and play than ordinary cats, so many people find them exhausting, and this is why they and up being abandoned. Another problem is that breeders over breed them, inbreed them, and they are thus likely to have serious health problems. It’s cruel.
I had the same problems with my two abyssinian kitties (who were also rescues– do you detect a theme? There are a lot of jerks out there who like the idea of “exotic cats” but who abandon them the moment they have health issues or require any effort). I adored those kitties; they slept in my arms every night. But after many, many vet bills from hell, I now only adopt American short hairs from the ASPCA.
I don’t understand why they picked sushi and tuna as names.
I picked my 3 cats up from the streets and they learned how to open doors, turn off my computer and how to make the hair dryer noise stop (they kept looking at it, then pulled the plug straight away). I imagine what those high intelligence high energy cats would do in my apartment lol
One of my aby kitties used to hide my work badge hoping that I would change my mind about going out every morning.
Hope the cats don’t suffer the same fate as the monkey he left in Germany, because he couldn’t be bothered.
Can’t stand people who blow through animals and always give them up after a few months. Says a lot about their character. Just think of all the animals that have come and gone in Bieber’s life or the Kardashians? Honestly wish people would give the Kardashians more sh-t . They seem to have a new dog every 6 months. Just Kendall alone in the past few years has had a Great Dane (never seen again) a pair of chocolate labs in 2011 which should still be very much alive (never seen again) and now is on the Doberman. Kylie and Tyga had a $150,000 bulldog Rolly I think it’s name was– that disappeared after a few weeks. All of them are the worst.
I just hope this dosen’t cause a spike in people buying the exotic breeds instead of adopting. Too bad he didn’t use his influence for a good cause.
This little dweeb has no business owning any pets after the monkey fiasco. Clearly he just buys these exotics as some sort of status symbol, not out of genuine love for animals. I can see the writing on the wall. The cats will grow into wild-ish adults, he will have no clue how to handle them, and next thing you know they will be dumped at some sanctuary. Which ultimately will be the best things for the cats (compared to life with him). Biebs, there are millions of cats in dire need of homes. If you want to impress people, adopt cats from rescue groups. Less chance of them ripping your face off too. Maybe.
I’ve had rescue cats all my life, but recently got a fancy cat from a friend who couldn’t keep him. He honestly is better (more relaxed, tolerant of my kids, incredibly well socialized, etc.) than any other cat I’ve ever owned. Best of all, my allergic kid doesn’t react to him at all.
I don’t know if all fancy cats are like this, but I do think that cats who spend time feral or in cages are more neurotic than those who don’t.
What is a fancy cat? A purebred? I’m curious what breed your guy is? I’ve had cats my whole life too and so far the best cat I’ve had (and still have) in terms of disposition is a main coon x. He’s very smart, quite laid back, gentle, extremely loving, and very bonded to me. And really big and beautiful 😊
To a lot of celebrities, animals are just props for their image. I feel sorry for these cats. I suppose it could have been worse, though — it could have been an actual wild animal, or a dog.
The cats are beautiful but those are the dumbest cat names ever. He doesn’t seem very bright.
And why not get a beautiful rescue??