The York Chocolate cat enjoyed a short burst of popularity. Developed in 1983 by a breeder named Janet Chiefari, the first York chocolate cat came from a litter that was sired by a black long-haired cat. The mother was a black and white cat, also with a long coat. At least one of these cats had Siamese ancestry, which contributed to brown coloring in a single member of the litter, a female kitten that was aptly named Brownie. When Brownie reached maturity, she was bred with a black long-haired male. This pairing resulted in a litter of just two kittens including a chocolate mail and a female with a white and chocolate coat. In March 1990, the Cat Fanciers’ Federation of the New England region granted the York Chocolate cat experimental status, which was ultimately expanded to championship status in 1992. A few other breed clubs and small registries accepted York Chocolate cats as well, however no registered individuals are known to exist, and the breed is officially considered to be extinct. It is completely possible that cats with similar DNA, personalities, and appearances exist; the label “extinct” applies due to the disappearance of registered York Chocolate cats.