In the 1960's, Ann Baker, a Persian breeder, developed a friendship with
a neighbor, Mrs. Pennels, who cared for a colony of feral cats.

A long haired white cat named Josephine came to her attention after She
was struck by a car and nursed back to health.  Before the accident,
Josephine's kittens were born wild and hard to manage, but those She later
had after the accident, impressed everyone with their sweetness and
sociability. Baker gathered as many as She could and initiated a breeding
program to preserve the wonderful personality of these cats who went as
limp as a rag doll when cuddled.  She called the cats "Cherubim."

Many of the "Cherubim" had long hair, points and mitts,  but others came
in a rainbow of solids and bicolors.  Baker differentiated these by calling
them Ragdolls and Miracle Ragdolls. The Ragdolls were known for the
pointed colors and mitts, while the miracle Ragdolls were referred to for
the solids, bicolors, calico's, etc.

In 1967, a group separated from Baker's control and took their cats to
mainstream registries where they would be able to show and make breed
standards. They chose the name Ragdoll and they only accepted pointed
cats in 3 colors.

Baker then set up her own registry, IRCA, and required all breeders to
register only with her. The name Ragdoll was patented and could only be
used with cats of her breeding and registry.  Meanwhile the "Miracle
Ragdoll" was not included in this registry.

Catteries were franchised and royalties paid for each kitten sale. For over
20 years, Baker's program continued, with Cherubim breeders relatively
content to enjoy raising the kittens while marketing and breeding decisions
were made for them.

As Baker grew older She had difficulty keeping a healthy cattery, as well as
handling the responsibilities of the registry. In 1993, a group of breeders
including Janet Klarmann, Curt Gehm, and Kim Clark  persuaded her to
retire and take over the management of the association. After a few
months, it became painfully evident that Baker would not retire.  

Regretfully, the group voted to leave the IRCA and also seek recognition
with established registries.  Since their cats included all colors and patterns,
and the group signed contracts not to use the name "Ragdoll", the first crisis
was What to call the cats and how to make them not look like Ragdolls.

There was some out-crossing with the Persian to change the shape of the
head and add roundness to the cheeks and eyes.  Once the Miracle
Ragdoll had its own look, it now needed a name.

Then the name "RagaMuffin" was credited to Curt Gehm.  The name
Ragamuffin was used because they came from the endearing little urchin
cats of Riverside.

The name stuck and for years was shown in ACFA until  May, 2001 the
cats gained championship recognition. They are also recognized for
championship status in the AACE, UFO, and CFF.


They are currently in Miscellaneous CFA. We are currently working hard
to forward the ragamuffin into provision, which leads to championship!!
We are almost there.  We hope to reach provisional in 2008.
Muffin History
For questions or adoption information please contact:
Jessica Elmore
(816)322-0417
jess@momuffins.com
Kittens and cats
registered with



and