OUR STORY

Hi, I'm Shane Purcell, and my journey with Bengal cats began when I was just 15 years old. Growing up in New Zealand, I was surrounded by cats, thanks to my mother, who bred Burmese cats. Cats and cat shows were a big part of my life, but everything changed when I attended a show with my mum and saw my first Bengal. The moment the judge showcased that stunning Bengal, I was captivated.

That day sparked a passion in me, and I dove deep into learning everything I could about Bengals, with the support of my family. Fate led me to connect with Barry and Colleen Hearn of Marduk Bengals in Auckland. They welcomed me with open arms and patiently shared their wealth of knowledge, listening to my endless questions and enthusiasm.

Before long, they entrusted me with my first Bengal girl, Nala, followed by my first boy, Simba—and that's when my Bengal breeding adventure truly began.

After a break from breeding while I moved to Australia, I couldn't stay away. As soon as I was settled, I jumped back into breeding, and Asylum Bengals was born.

The name "Asylum Bengals" is a nod to a long-standing family joke. Growing up in a house filled with cats, we couldn't help but notice the wild, spirited nature of my Bengals compared to my mum's more reserved Burmese. The contrast was so striking that we jokingly called our home "the Asylum"—and the name stuck!

Today, we’re based on a spacious property just outside of Melbourne, near Melton and Bacchus Marsh, where our Bengals thrive and bring joy to our lives.