United States, 7th Aug 2026 - The rare Israeli Kanaani breed is set to make its first-ever presentation in Finland and its first official presentation within the World Cat Federation (WCF) in Europe at the WCF International Cat Show in Vantaa, Finland.

According to the official announcement issued by the show organizers, the presentation will mark the breed’s first-ever presentation in Finland and the first official WCF presentation in Europe, with the organizers describing the occasion as “a truly historic moment.”

Developed in Israel by breeder Doris Pollatschek, the Kanaani became a recognized part of the international cat fancy and is regarded as Israel’s only national cat breed. Yet despite its recognition and distinctive history, the breed became exceptionally rare. With no active breeding population sufficient to secure its future, the Kanaani faced the very real possibility of disappearing.

The story of its revival began in an unexpected place.

While participating in a Blessing of the Animals during his rabbinical studies at the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute, Mikhail Salita became interested in learning whether Israel had a national cat breed. His research led him to the Kanaani — and to the realization that the breed, despite its recognized history, had virtually disappeared from active breeding.

What began as a question became a mission.

Salita subsequently founded the Kanaani Revival Program (KRP) and began the work of locating surviving representatives of the breed, restoring an active breeding program, documenting its history, and building international cooperation around its preservation. Today, Salita leads the revival effort and is the only active official breeder dedicated to the Kanaani revival program.

The presentation in Finland therefore represents more than another appearance at a cat show. It marks a new chapter for a breed whose future had become uncertain — bringing the Kanaani before European WCF judges, breeders, exhibitors, and the public as a living breed once again.

“When I first began researching the Kanaani, I never imagined where that search would lead,” said Mikhail Salita, Founder of the Kanaani Revival Program (KRP) and an Animal Chaplain ordained by Compassion Consortium. “Today, our hope is simply to give this remarkable breed a future. To bring the Kanaani to Finland for its first official WCF presentation in Europe is a privilege, and I hope it will encourage others to discover, appreciate, and help preserve Israel’s only national cat breed for generations to come.”

The historic presentation will take place during the WCF International Cat Show in Vantaa, Finland, on August 8–9, 2026.

About the Kanaani Revival Program (KRP)

The Kanaani Revival Program (KRP) was founded by Mikhail Salita to preserve and restore the rare Israeli Kanaani breed. The program brings together responsible breeding, historical documentation, research, public education, and international cooperation with the goal of securing a sustainable future for the breed while preserving its distinctive heritage.

About Mikhail Salita

Mikhail Salita is the Founder of the Kanaani Revival Program (KRP) and the breeder leading the current revival of the Kanaani. His work focuses on the preservation, documentation, responsible breeding, and international promotion of Israel’s only national cat breed. He is an Animal Chaplain ordained by Compassion Consortium.

Media Contact

Mikhail Salita
Founder of the Kanaani Revival Program (KRP)
Email: Mikhail.Salita77@gmail.com
Instagram: @kanaanicats_official

Photos and additional media materials are available upon request.

Media Contact

Organization: Kanaani Revival Program (KRP)

Contact Person: Mikhail Salita

Website: https://www.instagram.com/kanaanicats_official/

Email: Send Email

Country:United States

Release id:47963

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