So You Want to Breed Cats

This is an open letter, to all those people who write me every year, asking if I will sell them some cats to breed, because they think it would be fun, and the children would enjoy the kittens. Responsible breeders take those reponsibilities very seriously. Part of that is ensuring that our cats never become part of the pet over population problem, by being bred randomly, without any regard for their health or where the offspring will go. We have invested time, sweat, money and yes...tears, in bringing our cats to the standards that will preserve them as a breed. It is not for the faint-hearted, nor for the person who views kittens as a "cash crop", because a middle of the night C-secton can wipe out any "profit" you might have made on a three kitten litter.

This does not mean established breeders are against new people joining the hobby. What we ask, is that people take the time to learn what they are getting into, because often, after a year of showing an alter, they come to the realization that it's not for them. A very few people may be allowed to start out with a whole cat, but only by a breeder who has a "hands-on" relationship with that person, to ensure they have the support and resources they need to become a responsible breeder themselves.

Dear New Person Who Wants to Become a Breeder:

There are two ways to start out in breeding: the right way and the wrong way. When you start out the wrong way you earn a repuation that will dog you the rest of your life in cats and out of them.

Breeding is about more than just getting a male and female cat and letting them mate. You can do that with cats you find on the street. There is a purpose to breeding purebreds, which is to make sure they conform to the standard that has been set by governing bodies, in order to preserve a unique and valuable species.

Every responsible breeder works towards a program that produces healthy, well tempered cats that make good family pets, because that is where most of them will end up. But we do it only after a long learning curve that you don't get just by jumping in at the deep end of the pool and hoping you do it right.

Most of us recommend that a new person purchase a show quality altered cat, and spend a year going to shows with it. While you are learning to groom and present your cat, you're also learning what the standards are and how you can reach that level of quality with your own cats.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn cattery management, feline husbandry, feline disease management, and emergency care.

The children will enjoy showing their cat, and learning about what the breed should be. But breeding itself is not a hobby that you can expect children to take responsibility for. There are too many decisions that have to be made sometimes, that are not fair to put on them.

There is also the cost involved. Cat breeding is not a lucrative business. It is a hobby, and most of us hope to break even, but often don't. That's because we provide out cats with quality food and veterinary care, as well as the expenses of taking them to shows to make sure that we are achieving the aims of preserving our standard.

When you begin breeding, you make a committment to doing the best you can, for and with your cats. That means spaying and neutering all pets, and only placing breeders on a selective basis. It can mean offering a home to a cat you sold, eight years later because the owners are moving or can no longer look after it. Sometimes it means going without sleep, or missing something you really wanted to do, because your cats need the care that only you can give them.

Giving someone new, whole cats to breed, is like throwing a non-swimmer in at the deep end of the pool. Anyone who sells whole cats to the inexperienced, thinks more of the money they make from a sale, than they do of the health and future of their cats. The vast majority of people who do this, are either plain irresponsible, or they are backyard breeders and kitten mills. To establish a breeding program from cats like this, is to earn the same reputation, which is why I stressed that there is a right and wrong way to start out.

I would encourage you to look for a show quality alter from a breeder who will mentor you in showing and grooming. At the end of a year, if you are still interested in becoming a registered cattery, then that breeder should be willing to help you understand the importance of studying bloodlines to make sure you are breeding compatible cats, and help you to achieve your goals.