I have been wondering....

If you are wondering what is the right cat for you, this is the place to be. In this introductory forum we talk about topics such as breed vs. mix, size, age, grooming, breeders, shelters, rescues as well as requirements for exercise, space and care. No question is too silly here. This particular forum is for getting and giving helpful, nice advice. It is definitely not a forum for criticizing someone else's opinion, knowledge or advice. This forum is all about purring and learning.

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Kinako

carpe carp =^^=

Purred: Thu Feb 5, '09 10:18pm PST


	Hi all, I just want to say, in defense of purebreds, sometimes you're looking for a particular trait (whether that be physical, personality, etc). My very first cat was from the shelter (a 1yr old mixed breed) and even though I loved her, she was more of a "pet". Now, even though Kinako was pricey...he's definitely my baby. His personality is exactly what I wanted, hes going to be a big, big boy (which is what I want) and he is just sooo perfect. So...while, I'm all for shelter babies, I'm also happy with my decision to pay more and receive a baby that I'm 1000% happy with! All kittens should receive love, shelter or purebred Kinako + Moet

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Lola

Proud mother of- the Fab Four!

Purred: Tue Apr 28, '09 9:11pm PST


	The original poster wrote, "But couldn't you just get one out of the shelter that needs a home, instead of buying one that could stay with the breeder?" I laughed at that one. A responsible hobby breeder (not a backyard breeder) dreads having kittens that don't sell, not because of the loss of money (most small-scale breeding operations run in the red, anyway), but because if you have cats left over each time you have a litter, you end up being a Cat Lady (most breeders are women or couples). Most small-scale breeders end up having cats that they have to give away or sell for a minimal price. Sure, there are some famous breeders with waiting lists, but I know of many fine, responsible, ethical breeders who, for some reason, sometimes have kittens that don't sell. The reason can be color (certain colors are more popular than others), or something as silly as the season (cats sell better around Christmas time, not as well in the hot summer). As for shelter cats--Catster Forums are filled with posts from worried parents of shelter kitties, who come to them with ear mites, URIs, worms, antisocial behavior, and a bunch of other problems. Yes, I realize that this is not true for the majority of shelter kitties, and that the people who write these posts are the unlucky ones. I also realize that a cat raised by a breeder in a cattery can also have things like worms and URIs. But after adopting two rescue cats with serious health problems, I finally decided to buy the cat of my dreams from a breeder. Also, I do not like the way the original poster's post begins. People spend their money the way they want. Why buy a gas-guzzling SUV when you can buy a more economical, environmental car? The fact that shelter cats are "free" should not be the primary reason for adopting them. In the first place, some adopted cats require a lot of medical treatment, and end up being more expensive than a purebred cat bought from a breeder. And breeders (good ones) will often sell kittens at reduced prices when they are getting past kittenhood, or adults who are no longer show or breeding cats. The purebred cats who are overpriced and of dubious health are the ones from pet stores; they're the ones who are more likely to have been bred by a backyard breeder or kitten mill. If you buy a purebred, do your homework, and buy from a responsible breeder.

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Linus- (Dreamboat- #72a)

So many toys, so- little time.

Purred: Tue Apr 28, '09 10:06pm PST


	I agree with Leila. There will always be people who desire purebreds. They are more predictable in looks and temperament. Some people with allergies may also need a breed more easily tolerated. People also have to understand a breeder cannot keep very many of the kittens that they breed. And not every kitten is destined for a show career or breeding (very few actually). Virtually every litter will have "pet quality" kittens with "flaws" that make they unsuited to the show ring and these kittens need loving homes too. Breeders are not just trying to produce very nice pets - they are also trying to produce cats that will excel in the show ring and replace their current breeders as they retire. Also, no cat is free. All of my shelter cats have had problems. My last shelter cat easily cost far more in vet bills than the purchase price of my European Burmese (who has been very healthy). Even my vet said once it's rare to get a cat from a shelter or barn without some issues - even if it's "minor" like ear mites, fleas, or worms. A couple years ago, one of our local shelters even had to temporarily close the cat room and were forced to euthanize several cats due to a horrible virus that went through the shelter. I'm not saying I'm opposed to shelters! Adopting from shelters and rescues is a great option for many people and yes, it saves a life. However, adopting from a reputable breeder (and it should feel like and adoption - not just a purchase) can be a great experience. And if someone wants to get a purebred from a reputable breeder - that is their choice and there is nothing wrong with that. As Leila said though - do your homework and be sure to adopt from a responsible and reputable breeder.

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kaya skye

not fighting my- demons-we joined- forces

Purred: Fri May 22, '09 9:36pm PST


	jeepurrs creepurrs posted: "We pay dearly for our pet's health care and do not spare a second thought when it comes to emergency care. We also have JOBS and WORK hard to provide the type of care our pets deserve. People on limited budgets should think twice about taking on/adopting/ or otherwise acquiring pets - if you can't afford to take care of an animal properly, then you should not bite off more than you can chew." kaya's meowmy sez: this was a bit hurtful, though i'm fairly sure you did not intend it to be. i do not have a JOB. i am disabled. i am working toward getting rehabilitation services so that i can get training for a job that i am able to WORK hard at. therefore, i am on a limited budget. i have two cats. i believe i care for them very well. i don't know what your definition of caring for an animal 'properly' is, but take a look at their pages.* they-my girls- always have food, fresh water, and are groomed and protected from pests and parasites. one has been spayed, the other hasn't yet. i have gradually acquired a cat bed, a fleece pet blanket, a play cube and a variety of toys. i wish i could do more for them (i would love to buy them a cat tree and better toys), but if it weren't for me not thinking twice, neither one of these lovely girls would have a home. no, rhymon is not yet spayed, and there are some shots they do not have-but since they are exclusively inside cats, i don't think they necessarily need every single vaccination. i am taking care not to "bite off more than (i) can chew", because i am also providing some food, outside shelter, and lots of love to an outside cat, but not allowing her inside. i'm working on finding her a home, but three cats is more than i can handle-also i simply cannot risk that she has some disease that she could pass on to the resident kitties. just because someone does not WORK at a JOB does not mean they cannot be trusted to care for an animal. with compassion and planning much can be accomplished, even when money is lacking. * (kaya skye and rhymon pearle hedges are mine, go to kaya's page and look under 'my family' for rhymon. the other cats and one dog listed are not mine: churrah belongs to my roommate, shyloh and meayah belong to our ex-roommate. churrah's mom works but only part-time-she's partially disabled-and shyloh and meayah's mom is blind, living on disability as i do. all of these cats are healthy and happy, despite their people's "limited budget". buddy is my brother's dog who lives with my parents, the new horizon feral squadron is the ferals who live in our complex. only the ferals lack for care, though i'm doing what i can for one of them...long story.)

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Harvey

Has been COTD!

Purred: Mon May 25, '09 2:49am PST


	I agree with Kaya. There are people with JOBS who WORK and make gobs of money, but are not as attentive or loving towards their cats as Kaya is. Is there such a thing as a perfect pet owner? I'm a "breeder," but I am phobic about litter pans (granted, I have seven pans, and a bad back and fake hips). I can't afford to feed my seven cats premium foods (which aren't available in Japan anyway, and forget about raw, unless you want an all seafood diet). Am I a bad owner? A backyard breeder? We could go on and on debating the issue of who deserves to have a cat and who doesn't. Some of the happiest cats I've seen live in tents with homeless men in Tokyo parks. Yeah, those cats are probably eating el cheapo fishy canned food or Friskies, but they were probably strays before they were taken in by the tentmen, and they're pretty happy just to be getting food on a regular basis. Cats are companion animals. That works both ways. We need them, they need us. Kaya adopts ferals who would otherwise have lives that are nasty, brutish, and short. In turn, they give her companionship--which not all of us have in human form. If people accept the existence of ferals and loosely-owned cats, then it's not a far jump to say that a kind owner who is doing as well as he/she can should not be condemned.

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mIcHiS

-iTs aLl AbOuT- ME!!!-

Purred: Sun May 31, '09 12:08pm PST


	I think there is such an overpopulation of cats , I would love it if what one poster said could happen "all breeding would cease for several years" and the homeless animals would find homes. I understand where Leila is coming from , when it comes to dogs , I have never had one but I would love to and I plan on getting mine from a breeder. I know about all the homeless dogs out there , but dogs are much more different phiscially from cats and I want a specific one with a certain look and tempermant , in other words , a pure bred dog. With cats however , they all have pretty much the same body structure , have only several types of coat (long hair , meduim , short , curlyand bald) and in general phisicaly they are much more similar , and in temperment too , while some breeds ave different temperments than others , like persians and siamese , they dont differ as radically as the temperments of some dog breeds like pitbulls and labs. So in my opinion there is not as much of a need to get a pure bred cat , unless its a breed thats radically different than others , like a savannah with a totally different temperment and stuff. But I have seen plenty of mixed breed cats , long haired that are pretty similar and every bit as beautiful as a pure bred long haired cat , while it is pretty unrealistic to expect to get a mutt , with no pure breds in his family tree that resembles a certain breed in look and temperment. Thats just my opinion , and I think all cats are beautiful anyways , unlike some dogs (not to offend anyone) that are just plain ugly , and I probably wont ever get a purebred cat at a breeders , I think shelter cats are absolutly gorgeous and usually have a pretty nice teperment too. But on the other hand , I probably wont ever get a mutt , I like purebred dogs and I'll get mine at a breeders or a breed specific rescue.

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Loki

true to my name!

Purred: Mon Jun 1, '09 12:29am PST


	i find that comment very hypocritical. if youre going to be so stubborn on the dog being purebred im not sure why youre being so stubborn on a cat being from a shelter. I think in the end its a matter of personal choice! Stopping breeders from having litters for a few years? seems absolutely mad to me. Thats peoples livelyhood, their income, their pride and joy. And I do not think the owners of the kitties produced from reputable breeders would appreciate the sentiment!

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mIcHiS

-iTs aLl AbOuT- ME!!!-

Purred: Mon Jun 1, '09 5:03pm PST


	First of all its impossible to get a livlihood from breeding , there expenses that go into it are waaaay more than the what you get when you sell the offspring , unless you're scamming people. Second of all , I mean just a year or two. Would it be soo bad for breeders to not have litters for like a year and a half , and enjoy the cats they already have? Third of all , I didnt specifically mean breeders , I said breeding , that includes pets and strays which are the main source of the pet over population. I know its impossible unless you spay and neuter every stray in the world , but its a nice thought. And fourth , I dont know it its hypocritical or not , but I think its different with every spieces , cats are different than dogs , who were much more influenced by humans when they were bred , and I know many dog breeds are radically different from eachother , while most cats are similar phisically and if you think that the main motivation for getting a purebred animal is a certain look , than the fact that most kitties have similar looks makes the whole pure bred argument for cats a whole lot less valid. And everyone is entitiled to their opinion.

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Spike

Tubby tabby- love!

Purred: Tue Jun 2, '09 11:23am PST


	A good breeder is always trying to improve their breeding stock and the quality of their kittens. There is very little money to made by breeding--even backyard breeders (or so I've heard) sell their (still living) kittens to pet shops for ridiculously low prices. In Tokyo, a six-week old purebred kitten can be sold (by a pet shop) for around $2000. I don't know how much the breeders get, but I bet it's less than 10% of that. As for a breeder keeping their kittens for a year or more--most people want to adopt kittens, not adult cats. That's reality. To be fair, it should be pointed out that while pet shops will sell their kittens while their eyes are still blue (!!!), a reputable hobby breeder typically keeps their kittens until they are three months old and fully socialized. However...even so...potential buyers prefer to buy kittens rather than adult cats, and so breeders are eager to sell their cats while they are still "cute" kittens. It's not an issue of money so much as an issue of how many cats a cattery can sustain humanely. On the other hand, fellow breeders will sometimes wait until the cat is six months old or older in order to determine whether they will be appropriate breeding stock or not. This is the first time I've tried my hand at breeding, and I was surprised to find that the potential breeders suddenly appeared once my cats had grown out of kittenhood. In any event, a humane and reputable breeder wants nothing so much as a happy home for their "children." I have been lucky so far--all of my kittens who have found homes have ended up with some of the nicest people I've met here in Japan. I might add that I have refused a number of potential clients because they just didn't seem "right" to me. As for cat breeds--like it or not, there will ALWAYS be people who want a Siamese or a Maine Coon or a Persian. In Japan, we don't have shelters or rescue services like those in the U.S. If someone is going to meet the needs of these clients, it goes without saying that buying from a responsible, compassionate, and dedicated breeder is far better than buying an iffy cat from a pet shop. But I have discovered from my first experience with breeding that, for a breeder, finding an appropriate family for the kittens you have raised with so much effort and love is not always an easy task. I'm not asking for pity--I chose to do this out of my own free will--but being a breeder is physically and psychologically exhausting. As for the argument that cats don't need breeds anyway--aside from the fact that there are always consumers who DO want a particular breed, why should cat breeds be allowed to go extinct? This is an argument that I've often used, but America's indigenous cat, the Maine Coon, almost died out after WWII, and the Turkish Angora (the real thing, not just a domestic long hair) has been protected by the Turkish government as a cultural asset for years. In an age when construction projects are halted because they challenge the environment of some obscure species of mosquito, certainly established cat breeds should be protected as well. Having said all that, I am a hearty fan of generic moggie cats; Spike, who was rescued from a park when he was a kitten, is probably my favorite cat. But I still believe that cats should be allowed to enjoy biodiversity just as any other animal species does.

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The- Magnificent- Seven

We all found- homes!

Purred: Wed Jun 3, '09 8:22am PST


	I may add--and not in a "catty" way--that while cat breeds don't show the same degree of diversity as dog breeds (simple explanation: dog breeding has a longer history), if you look up cats on the Internet (the CFA site is good) or in a book, or better yet, go to a cat show, you'll find that there actually is a great variation in cat breeds. To a large extent, that variation is mostly visual, but there are also behavioral characteristics that may or may not show up in a particular breed. For example, if you like a chatty cat, a Siamese is likely to meet your needs. People sometimes forget that one of the pleasures of owning a cat (or a dog, for that matter) is the visual aspect. Among the cats in my brood, I have some that are not excessively affectionate, but they are simply so beautiful that I feel relaxed when I look at them. Regarding shelter cats, in the year I've been on Catster, I've read many, many stories of happy relationships between shelter cats and the humans who have adopted them. But not every country has the same shelter system as the U.S. (we're in Japan), and I'm absolutely convinced that the average Japanese moggie is more likely to exhibit feral-like behavior, regardless of its history. I'd like to know the reason for this (the Japanese love their cats as much as Americans do), but while there are Japanese moggies who are total love hogs, on the average, I'd say that the average Japanese moggie tends to be standoffish and even feral in its behavior, as compared to cats I've met in the U.S. and the U.K. I do agree that shelter kitties are often more beautiful than pedigreed cats. I've learned a lot from Catster--by going from profile to profile, and seeing photos of cats that I would love to adopt. In fact, until I got my first Maine Coon two years ago, I myself thought that people who "bought" breed cats were on the level of people who buy expensive cars as a status symbol. But I wanted to have a Maine Coon before I die (let's face it, we all die sooner or later, and I'm not getting any younger; my interest in Maine Coons comes from my brother, who lives in Maine and has had the real thing--not pedigreed, but a real Maine Cat). And so I bought one, and then I got involved in showing cats at cat shows (and I know that there are iffy elements regarding that, if your cat doesn't like being shown), and then I did what many exhibitors do, getting interested in breeding...My motto has always been to breed healthy and affectionate kittens. My cattery is very small--two queens and I rent stud service from friends with good, healthy cats--and I've only produced one litter so far. But my kittens have all been healthy and exceptionally affectionate--much more affectionate than any other cats I've ever owned (including their mother). Not only that, but the people who have bought my cats (at a price far lower than you would pay at a pet shop) have all been lovely people who were simply thrilled to get my cats. This is probably the bottom line: a breeder must breed healthy cats that meet the breed standard, but the most important thing is to bring pleasure into the lives of the people who buy the cats. Are my clients evil? No, they are not. They want Maine Coons, and if they didn't buy from me, they could very well have bought inferior and vastly more expensive cats from a pet shop.

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