Description, copied from the now-dead PetzGallery: In 1982, a gray tabby barn cat gave birth to a litter of six kittens. One of them was born completely bald, looking nothing like her mother or her littermates. "Curly" was, without a doubt, the ugliest kitten in the world; no hair, large, wide-spaced ears and a unique pattern on her skin which mimicked a classic tabby pattern. Within eight weeks, the kitten began to grow very soft, curly hair. The soft fur felt was so inviting to the touch. "Curly's" temperament was different too; affectionate, but not demanding, waiting quietly for her turn. She was gentle and trusting with her affection. "Curly" later gave birth to a litter of five male kittens, all of whom were bald at birth. It appeared that the curly gene was dominant and carried by both males and females. And so, a new breed was born: "LaPerm", which means wavy or rippled in several languages.

The fur is the characteristic which sets the LaPerm apart. Ringlet-type curls cover the entire cat. The tightest curls occur on the underside and base of the ears, with a curly, plumed tail. The curl ranges from tight ringlets to long, corkscrew curls. It is soft in texture, but each cat's coat is distinctly unique. Some kittens are born hairless, but most have short, wavy hair at birth. LaPerms' curls hold the hair, much like that of the Poodle, so shedding is minimal. The coat on both the short and long-haired varieties may vary in length and fullness depending upon the season and the maturity of the cat.

LaPerms are very gentle and affectionate. They seek human contact and purr as soon as they become aware of your presence. These cats are face lovers; they will reach for your face with their paws and rub their faces against your head, neck and face. They love being kissed and will kiss back. They beg to be held, drooped over a shoulder or cradled in your arms while resting on their backs. They are inquisitive in nature, always wanting to know what is going on around them. Kittens have been known to stop nursing and seek out the source of a human voice even before their eyes are open.

They are generally quiet-voiced but may be vocal when wanting attention. Being a working cat on the farm, they are excellent hunters, as well as gentle companions. They adapt well to apartment living because of their strong bonding instincts.