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)682-6692
jess@momuffins.com
Kittens and cats
registered with



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