Raas

It comes from the island of Raas, east of Madura, in the Indonesian province of East Java, where isolation shaped a population of cats of its own over centuries. It was traditionally not sold: the kyai, local religious leaders, gave it as a gift to distinguished guests, so it was never a common cat. None of the large international registries recognises it; it has provisional status under the name Busok with the Feline Fanciers Federation of Hong Kong, and its breeding is overseen by a local association with six official catteries in Indonesia. It is medium-sized, muscular and triangular-headed, with a naturally very short tail, from absent to about 10 cm (4 in), often with a kink at the tip. Very active, with a deep, powerful voice, and very attached to its people.

Its coat is cared for with a weekly brush. It is a very active cat that needs daily play, places to climb and company. According to its breeders it is sensitive to cold and damp, so it appreciates a warm home and heated beds. Outside Indonesia it is practically impossible to find: be wary of anyone selling a “Raas” without paperwork from an official cattery.

There are very few health data on the breed. In 2016 it was estimated that fewer than a hundred purebred cats remained, so inbreeding is a real risk. Very short or absent tails are due to altered vertebrae; in other tailless breeds, such as the Manx, they are associated with spinal problems, so the vet should check the kitten's back and gait.