SINGAPORE – Singaporean DJ Jade Rasif’s 2023 skiing trip to Japan led her to fall in love with Mofusand, a charming illustrated cat series. Created in 2017 by Japanese artist Juno, the series features fluffy, big-eyed cats resembling British shorthairs, although they are not based on specific breeds.
Captivated by the characters, Rasif, 31, decided to get a British shorthair of her own. After a year of searching, she imported a male golden-blue British shorthair from the UK in 2024. She named the 1½-year-old cat Mofusand, or Mofu, due to his striking resemblance to the illustrated cats. “Mofu has a golden-blue coat with greenish-blue eyes,” says Rasif.
The DJ explained that Mofu comes from an award-winning lineage, making his rare color combination even more valuable. The cost? A hefty $8,500.
Mofu, known for being pampered, is also a bit of an attention seeker. “He demands our full attention whenever we’re around,” Rasif shares. “If I’m reading, he’ll sit in front of my book to make sure I’m focused on him.”
As Mofu became clingy, Rasif brought home a second cat, Chi Chi, also a British shorthair but with a white golden point. Chi Chi is less rare and costs $5,000. The two cats, who are a few months apart in age, get along well and even tried to mate. “I didn’t know they’d reached sexual maturity,” Rasif recalls. “When I came home, I caught them in the act.”
Worried about an unexpected pregnancy, Rasif took them to the vet for sterilization. Both cats are now licensed and microchipped.
In the year they’ve been part of the family, Mofu and Chi Chi have become beloved members of the household. Rasif’s 6½-year-old son, in particular, adores them and often takes photos of his furry companions. He was not as fond of the Silkie chickens the family raised during the pandemic, though. “He was scared of them because they would peck if you held them wrong,” Rasif says. The family eventually turned the chickens into soup, much to her son’s relief.
Despite her busy travel schedule, Rasif, known for her party-girl lifestyle, has a soft spot for her cats. Mofu, in particular, struggles when she’s away. “Mofu was upset once and pooped on my bed as a sign of protest,” she recalls. After consulting a pet communicator, Rasif learned that Mofu was hurt by her absence. “Mofu apologized and promised not to do it again,” she says, noting that he has kept his word.
Though Mofu is the clear favorite, Rasif says both cats bring immense joy to her family. She occasionally takes them to pet-friendly locations but avoids crowded places to prevent stress.
Their diet is simple, consisting of wet food and kibbles, with monthly trips to the groomer. “They don’t get special treatment,” she adds, joking, “I don’t spoil them that much.”
Rasif has thought about taking Mofu and Chi Chi on holiday with her, but due to Singapore Airlines’ policy, she cannot bring British shorthairs on board because of potential respiratory issues related to their short faces. Flying them on a private charter would be too expensive, costing six figures. “I love them, but not that much,” she laughs.
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