Everybody says male cats are more playful and females just like to sit and groom themselves. Having finally been around both I can say that although I do love my boys I would not be opposed to getting a female cat if we ever get one again.

Kitten and puppy mills make a lot of money because they don't have the expenses that a decent breeder has. They force the dogs/cats to have multiple litters a year, provide zero vet care or vaccinations and keep them in sub standard conditions. Once the dogs/cats are too old to crank out multiple large litters a year they are killed or sold off at auctions - probably for testing or the fur trade. They also avoid stud fees by inbreeding and keep breeding from cats/dogs with genetic/breed specific issues so the puppies/kittens are more likely to have health issues. A decent breeder will spend hundreds of dollars per kitten/puppy and keeping the breeding adults healthy and comfortable. Puppy/kitten mills spend much less, churn out high volumes of puppies/kittens and will still get as much from the pet shop as a regular breeder would. If they get a few hundred dollars from the pet store they are making a killing.