About Glitterpaws
Burmese and Mandalay Cats and Kittens, Prebbleton, Christchurch, New Zealand
Burmese and Mandalays - the best family cat breed!
Hi, I'm Miriam. Welcome to Glitterpaws Burmese and Mandalay Cats.
We're based in Prebbleton, Christchurch, New Zealand.
​
Burmese and Mandalay cats and kittens are a wonderful choice for families, especially those with young children. Burmese and Mandalays are known for their affectionate and playful natures, these cats thrive on attention and are remarkably tolerant of the enthusiastic handling of small children. Burmese and Mandalay cats and kittens are short haired making them low maintenance. Burmese and Mandalays love to explore the outdoors but are just as happy soaking up the sun on a cosy windowsill. They remain playful and full of character well into adulthood, and their loyal, people-focused personalities mean they’ll happily snuggle up on or even in your bed every night. Confident travellers and lifelong companions, these cats truly become part of the family.
​
Do you have a cat allergy and are desperate to have a cat?
Are you looking for a hypoallergenic Cat?
​
Burmese and Mandalay cats are hypoallergenic, this means they have a low FelD1 secretion which is from the cat's saliva and present on their fur. Unfortunately the FelD1 isn't zero but f you're allergic to cats give them a go. Although they're sadly not completely allergen free they might be tolerable if you don't allow them in the bedroom -some people get used to them over a few weeks. You can buy hypoallergenic cat biscuits that also reduce the amount of FelD1 on the fur and there is research coming out about vaccines as well so if you're allergic watch this space!
My journey with breeding cats began in the 1970's when I was just 12 years old. My father brought home a beautiful Siamese kitten named "Cleopatra," who, after a few months, was discovered to be a boy (my father was a GP, we purchased off a GP couple who also bred cats LOL)—so his name was changed to "CleoPatrick." He was neutered and became a beloved member of our family for many years. At age 14, we had the opportunity to try breeding for real when a second kitten, "Sam," was brought home and given to my older sister as “her cat.” We bred Sam for several litters, as well as her daughter, “Rover.” At the time, we knew only the seal and blue Siamese colours and didn’t show our cats, we simply enjoyed their company and the joy of raising kittens.
​
In the 1970s, Siamese cats had a reputation for being "talkers," and ours certainly were! Our family even had a unique experience with our Bluepoint Siamese, Rover, and a black and white Tuxedo stray cat. This "whoops" mating resulted in a beautiful litter of six kittens, including a bi-colour kitten named "Stubbies" who became a local legend. The rest of the kittens, including two ebony and solid blues, were given to friends and became much-loved pets, with one even being exported to Australia!​
Me with Glitterpaws Angelica Pickles
Best in Show at Nationals 2024
Fast forward to 1990, when my husband gifted me a kitten for my birthday named "Strikeness Moonlight and Lace," - a seal point Applehead Siamese. Lacey was a quiet, elegant cat who only talked when she had something special to say. I bred from her and her daughter for several years, producing seals, blues, and occasional Orientals. Eventually, with young children, it became harder to manage, so we retired from breeding, and both cats were spayed.
​I returned to breeding in 2016 this time with a Burmese, Hijinks Miss Russellana (Chloe), marking the beginning of a new chapter in my breeding journey. From that point, I have worked passionately to build what is now jokingly called (by my family) the "Glitterpaws Empire". Over the years, my dedication to breeding healthy, well-socialised Burmese and Mandalay cats has grown, and I am proud of the reputation Glitterpaws has earned. ​​​​​​​
Some of the rosettes and ribbon haul 2023!
I am a qualified handler and steward for cat shows, a committee member for the Burmese Cat Club of New Zealand (Southern Region ) and currently training to be a short-haired cat judge with NZCF (although this is on hold for 2025). I have also been accepted onto the Breed Standards Advisory Council with NZCF and look forward to assisting with improving the breeds in New Zealand. ​
As a side hussle, I'm also a General Practitioner with post graduate qualifications in Urgent Care, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics. There are a lot of transferable skills and I enjoy the whole process of breeding and showing cats and the challenges it brings.
Millrock Harvest Gold with overseas judge at Canterbury All Breeds Cat show
​