How to Select a Cat Breeder

There are few things in life more exciting to a cat lover than shopping for a new feline. Potential cat owners should be knowledgeable about the breed they are interested in procuring and ready to accept the responsibility for a pet-quality or show-quality animal. Crucial in the process of becoming an owner is the selection of responsible cat breeders. Though you can find plenty of breeders advertising in newspaper classifieds and on the Internet, you cannot judge their quality based on their marketing abilities.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Select a breeder who is friendly and open to discussing and answering questions regarding her breeding operation. Be wary of any breeder who does not wish to show you the breeding area or the parents of the kittens for sale.

2. Select a breeder who is amenable to teaching you how to take proper care of your animal and how to prepare the cat for showing if it is of show quality.

3. Conduct business only with breeders who use written contracts. These documents should cover all aspects of the sale, include any restrictions placed by the breeder and be completely clear to the buyer. If there is a point of contention or a particular concern a buyer has, the breeder should be willing to work through this (if possible) with the buyer and should put this in writing as well.

4. Insist on a breeder who works with other breeders in exchanging stock and who can be vouched for by these other breeders. References from other buyers are useful, but you find the breeder's reputation with his peers is often more informative.

5. Look for breeders who have titles above that of "Champion" on several of her cats if you are interested in obtaining a show-quality animal to show and/or breed.

6. Choose a breeder active in the cat community. Evidence of involvement can be in the form of the individual belonging to the Breed Council and/or participating in the local feline club.

7. Steer clear of breeders who operate very large catteries. This is often a sign that they are selling cats strictly for profit rather than considering top quality and care. Look at all the animals a prospective breeder is selling to make sure they are kept in a good environment and appear healthy.

8. Test the knowledge and honesty of a breeder by asking questions addressing breed health concerns. A good breeder will disclose information on common breed flaws and will be able to demonstrate how she safeguards against these breed problems and works toward improving the breed.

9. Select a breeder who never sells to pet stores. A responsible breeder will not work with pet stores, as these establishments rarely have spay/neuter contracts for pet-quality cats. In addition, these stores sometimes do business with kitten mills.

10. Look for a breeder interested in your own plans to breed your new pet. Be aware that many responsible breeders will not sell you a breeding cat until you have demonstrated adequate knowledge of how to breed successfully and have readied an environment for breeding.

Tips & Warnings

• Never buy from a breeder willing to sell a reproductive release on a cat that is not show quality. A responsible breeder will insist on a written contract specifying a pet-quality animal be spayed or neutered.