The dark side of cute designer cats like Taylor Swift's Scottish Fold
Pop queen Taylor Swift's round-headed, big-eyed cat, a Scottish Fold, is a celebrity in its own right, and model and actress Claudia Schiffer brought her own Scottish Fold to the premiere of a film – which also featured the feline.
There is, however, a darker side to this trend.
For example, animal welfare advocates say Scottish Folds, known for their folded ears, are the result of
harmful breeding practices.
Animals bred for specific traits, like big eyes, a flat nose or unique coat colours, can struggle with health problems for their entire lives. Some may have difficulty breathing or other physical problems.
Taylor Swift with her Scottish Fold cat. Photo: Instagram/taylorswift
Achim Gruber, a Germany-based veterinary pathologist, calls this 'defect breeding'. He says animals are being
deliberately bred with genetic defects to achieve an extravagant or cute appearance, even though the health consequences for the animals have been known for decades.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
What to do in Hong Kong, July 27 to August 2
Hear this Jyoty Asia Tour London-based DJ Jyoty. Photo: Handout London-based selector and Boiler Room regular Jyoty is set to bring her brand of globally sourced dance music to Soho House Hong Kong on August 2, as her Asia tour rolls into town. She'll be joined by local favourites Arthur Yeti and 0159 as part of a five-hour set, so expect a night of eclectic beats and high-energy vibes, with plenty of interaction between the global DJ scene and Hong Kong's own distinctive sounds. Soho House Hong Kong, 33 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan. Tickets from HK$288, visit Megatix Eat this Mosu Mosu's Hanwoo strip loin with geoduck and mustard-green stems. Photo: courtesy Mosu Changes are afoot at celebrity chef Sung Anh 's Hong Kong restaurant in M+, as the kitchen welcomes sous chef Han Wool Kim to the team, whose résumé includes stints at The French Laundry, in California's Napa Valley , and Mosu Seoul. The tasting menu has also been refreshed with seasonal creations such as butterfish with pine-bud butter, and Hanwoo strip loin with geoduck and mustard-green stems. 3/F, M+ Tower, 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Drink this The St Regis Bar The St Regis Bar's Belcher Point cocktail. Photo: courtesy The St. Regis Bar Inspired by the railway board game Ticket to Ride, the St Regis Bar 's latest cocktail menu pits drinkers against each other to be the first to reach their destination either by train or tram, with the 16 cocktails serving as playing cards. Highlights include Ritual Fizz, a twist on the Ramos Gin Fizz, and Belcher Point, featuring local gin, osmanthus vermouth and fennel cordial. 2/F, The St Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai See this Chiikawa Days These limited-edition plushies will be available at the 'Chiikawa Days' exhibition. Photo: Handout
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
4 things trending this summer, from Labubu to Dubai chocolate
These days, it seems like everything from what we eat to what we wear is influenced by a viral internet sensation. Here are four trends that we have spotted online and in the city. Ballet flats Frequently spotted on Hong Kong streets and at designer shows, these easy-to-wear ballerina-inspired flat shoes have been enjoying quite the resurgence. Perhaps last popular in the 2000s, Vogue has proclaimed the flats the 'it-shoe' of 2025. But where did the shoe actually come from? Its origins date back to the 1600s. Marie-Anne de Cupis de Camargo, a French ballerina of the Paris Opera, removed the heel of her pointe shoes, creating the now-standard ballet slipper. Ballet flats from Miu Miu. Photo: Miu Miu Modern iterations would not become mainstream until the 20th century, when American designers like Claire McCardell began creating their own versions alongside Parisian shoemakers such as Repetto. Quickly becoming associated with French culture and classic, feminine looks, ballet flats have remained a wardrobe staple throughout the years. Today, designers have breathed new life into the trend, playing with different materials and styles. You can find ballet flats made of mesh, crochet or even jellylike plastic – the possibilities are endless! Pistachio Featured in everything from egg tarts to ice cream, mochi, and drinks, clamouring for this nutty filling and flavour has caused a pistachio shortage, not unlike matcha. The main culprit, if you ask this author, has to be 'Dubai chocolate', more on that later, which uses the nut as a vital component in its filling. Even beyond menus, the soft colour has also found its way into the 2025 spring/summer collections of brands like Miu Miu, Prada and Alexander McQueen. A promotional photo for Godiva's collaboration with Pop Mart, featuring pistachio flavours and Kasing Lung's character Labubu from his series 'The Monsters'. Dubai chocolate Although this trend began in 2024, it does not appear to be on its way out. Dubai-based chocolatier FIX is credited for this variety, which combines a rich pistachio cream filling with crunchy kataifi pastry, stuffed into a milk chocolate bar. It was first created by the company founder, Sarah Hamouda, as a unique way to satisfy her pregnancy cravings. As the crispy kadayif-pistachio cream chocolate gained popularity, other leading chocolate brands such as Läderach and Lindt began producing their own variations. Social media helped propel the rise of this decadent dessert, and soon the concept was incorporated into various other pastries. In Hong Kong, Godiva launched limited-edition Dubai chocolate soft serves and milkshakes in partnership with one of the other biggest trends of the year – Labubu. Labubu Depending on who you ask, Labubu is equal parts ugly, frightening and adorable. Chances are, you have heard of the furry dolls that have become a global toy sensation, – but do you know about their connection to Hong Kong? Labubu creator Lung Ka-sing, at his studio in Kwun Tong. Photo: Jonathan Wong Labubu is actually the name of an elfish creature featured in The Monsters, a series by Hong Kong-Dutch artist Lung Ka-sing, or Kasing Lung. Born in Hong Kong, Lung and his family immigrated to the Netherlands when he was around six years old. To improve his Dutch, a teacher suggested that he read young adult books with illustrations, especially those about Nordic folklore and mythology. Lung used this mythology to create Labubu and her friends! In mid-2024, Blackpink's Lisa was spotted with a furry toy keychain and also posted about a collection of plush dolls produced by the Chinese company Pop Mart, based on Lung's design. This propelled the character into the spotlight, starting in Thailand, Southeast Asia and East Asia, but quickly sweeping the globe. Fans wait in long queues to grab Pop Mart bling boxes, where you can only discover what you have bought after opening the package. Resell prices have gone up exponentially, and there is even a whole market ecosystem dedicated to accessorising the dolls.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Who is Paul Wesley's fiancée, Natalie Kuckenburg? The German-Brazilian model just got engaged to The Vampire Diaries actor in Italy, has her own clothing line – and is half Wesley's age
The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley is engaged to Natalie Kuckenburg after three years of dating. Kuckenburg, who is in her mid-20s, shared a black-and-white photo on July 19 of the couple holding hands, showing off her engagement ring. 'Yes. Always and forever,' she wrote in the caption. Natalie Kuckenburg announced her engagement to Paul Wesley via Instagram. Photo: @nataliekuckenburg/Instagram Advertisement Wesley, 43, who has been married twice before, opted for a more casual selfie of himself and his fiancée on his Instagram stories, with Kuckenburg showing off her brand new ring. Read on to find out more about Paul Wesley's soon-to-be bride and the story behind their Italy proposal. She is a model Natalie Kuckenburg is a model. Photo: @nataliekuckenburg/Instagram Natalie Kuckenburg is a German-Brazilian model and is signed to Iconic Management, according to her bio on the agency's website. Kuckenburg was scouted as a teen and has walked for brands including Tony Ward and Philipp Plein, making her runway debut in 2019 for the Balmain Spring/Summer 2020 show. The model has also graced the cover of magazines such as Harper's Bazaar Brazil and has been featured in several editorials. She has her own clothing brand
