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Straits Times

Celeb Pawrents: DJ Jade Rasif became a cat mum because of Mofusand

Social media personality Jade Rasif and her British shorthair cats Mofusand (right) and Chi Chi. PHOTO: COURTESY OF JADE RASIF SINGAPORE – A 2023 skiing trip in Japan saw Singaporean DJ Jade Rasif falling in love with Mofusand, an illustrated series featuring cats. Created in 2017 by Japanese artist Juno, the cute and fluffy big-eyed feline characters are not based on specific breeds, although they resemble the British shorthair. Rasif, 31, was so enamoured with Mofusand that she started looking at catteries for a British shorthair pet. After a year of searching, the popular social media personality imported a male golden-blue British shorthair from the UK in 2024. She named the 1½-year-old cat Mofusand, or Mofu, because he matched the colour of the illustrated cats. Mofusand, a male golden-blue British shorthair. PHOTO: JADE RASIF 'My Mofu has a golden-blue coat with greenish blue eyes,' says Rasif. According to the club DJ, her cat comes from an award-winning lineage and its colouration is 'very rare', thus the hefty price tag of $8,500. Mofu, she says, is extremely spoilt and an attention seeker. 'He demands our full attention whenever we are around,' says Rasif, who lives in a private estate with her 6½-year-old son and her partner. She adds: 'Mofu will swat away our mobile phones or, if I'm reading, he will sit in front of my book to ensure I give him undivided attention.' As Mofu was becoming too clingy to Rasif, she got him a companion a few months later. Chi Chi is also a British shorthair but a white golden point, which is not as rare and less expensive at $5,000. 'Chi Chi is six months younger than Mofu, and is very loving and good-natured,' says Rasif, adding that her fur kids get along very well. Jade Rasif's fur kids, Mofusand (left) and Chi Chi. PHOTO: JADE RASIF The cats, who have their own room, enjoyed each other's company so much that they tried to mate. 'I did not know my cats had reached sexual maturity. I came home and witnessed them in action,' Rasif says. 'I freaked out and immediately made an appointment with the vet to arrange for them to be sterilised,' she says, adding that both cats are licensed and microchipped. Though her fur kids have been with them for only about a year, they have become an integral part of their lives. 'My son absolutely adores them and will always take photographs of them,' Rasif says, adding that her boy never took to the Silkie chickens they used to raise at home. ' He was kind of scared of them, as they will peck you if they don't like the way you hold them.' Rasif had four chickens during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'They are not pets, but animal husbandry. After the pandemic, there was not much of a reason to have our own eggs any more, so my helper made soup out of the chickens,' she says, adding that her son was relieved the chickens were gon e. Rasif, known for her globetrotting, party-girl image , says Mofu dislikes it when she is away. The frequent traveller is usually out of town once a month, for about a week each time. She recalls an incident of Mofu acting out when she was away. 'Mofu was spiteful for a couple of nights and even pooped on my bed, the exact spot that I sleep in,' Ra sif says. 'It was very weird, as the cats don't usually go upstairs to our bedroom. It was a deliberate behaviour.' Unsure why Mofu acted out of character, Rasif turned to a pet communicator, who told the DJ that Mofu 'was hurt that she left him'. 'According to the pet communicator, Mofu apologised and said he won't do it again,' Rasif adds. And he has kept his word. 'Mofu is such a baby and loves to be cuddled and carried as you would with a human baby,' she says. While it is evident Mofu is Rasif's favourite, she says both fur kids bring tremendous joy to the family. Rasif occasionally takes Mofu and Chi Chi out to pet-friendly places, but she makes sure the venues are not crowded, as they will get stressed, she says. Her feline companions are fed on a basic diet of wet food and kibbles, and they go to a groomer every month. 'They don't get any special treatment. I don't spoil them that way,' she says. She has contemplated taking them on holidays with her, but Singapore Airlines does not allow British shorthairs on board due to them being a brachycephalic breed. Short-faced breeds of cats and dogs may experience respiratory problems on flights. The only way to travel with them will be via a private charter flight. 'I thought it would be nice to take them to the UK and meet their parents, but it will be too expensive to take them out of the country,' says Rasif, adding that it will cost her about a six-figure sum to put them on a plane. 'I love them, but I don't love them that much,' she says with a laugh. Joanne Soh is a lifestyle correspondent at The Straits Times, with a special interest in entertainment and pop culture. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.