Advertisers know that people are often more interested in the brand name than in the actual product. This same adage has been carried over into the world of pets. A cat with a pedigree can command thousands of dollars while for the same amount a stray cat shelter could run for months.

But people have to feel superior to others by showing off the brands they have - or, what pedigreed cat they possess. Breeders of the rarest purebreds can command outrageous process for a kitten because, as George Carlin said, "some schmuck will buy it." Here are the world's top five most expensive cat breeds.

The Ashera

The most expensive cat breed in the world belongs to the very rare Ashera, where The Most Expensive Journal reports that the average price is $28,000 (US), but some can be had for a bargain of $22,000. The Ashera - which looks like a cross between a leopard and a cat - was created by the Lifestyle Pets Company in (where else) California. However, there is a hypoallergenic version with a $37,000 price tag and a snow leopard pattern at a stunning $125,000.

The Ashera is technically a hybrid and not a purebred cat. The genes of a domestic cat were reportedly crossed with an African serval and Asian leopard cat. Only about four or five Asheras are "born" each year. But in 2010, the company will now focus on hypoallergenic Asheras (the Ashera GD) and so the chance to get a mere Ashera is probably over.

The Bengal

The most ever paid for a cat was the equivalent of $42,000 by England's Cindy Jackson for her Bengal hybrid cat, Fur Ball in 1998. Most Bengals are not quite that expensive, but Fur Ball's price tag has certainly upped the average. It is another crossing of the species, between a domestic cat and an Asian leopard cat.

They also have the coats of tigers or leopards but with the shape and reasonably gentle nature of a domestic cat. According to Wikipedia, there are about 60,000 in the world.

The Savannah

This is another hybrid - between a domestic cat and the African serval. Cost varies due to the age, pattern and how close the kitten is to the original crossing. An F1 is the most expensive, which contains at least 50% serval. That can set you back $22,000. Otherwise, expect to fork out anywhere from $950 to $7,000 for a kitten.

The Sphynx

If domestic cat-wild cat hybrids aren't your style, then what about a hairless cat? Several breeds of hairless or mostly hairless cats have emerged since the 1980's, but the daddy of them all is the Sphynx. They are also known as Alien Cats. They are a relative bargain with prices ranging from $300 to $3000.

The Peterbald

This is another hairless breed of cat developed in St. Petersburg in the 1980's. They often have stunning blue eyes. Gazing into those baby blues will cost you anywhere from $250 to $3000.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
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