So you want to be a breeder!
Cat breeding is a wonderful hobby but there are lot of demands that come with it too.
The first step is to find a Cat Association to join. You must get a cattery name (prefix) accepted and registered to be able to get pedigrees for your kittens. The association should also provide support and help you be aware about breeding regulations. Look around, find one that makes you feel at home with their regulations such as their Code of Ethics. Also check their costs for membership and pedigree registration etc.
The next you need are the cats! The most important items you need to breed is the Sire and Dam and they need to be in the best health possible. You need to purchase a ‘breeding’ cat. One that has the rights to breed – and you have the paperwork to back this up -a pedigree. He/she needs to be a registered Entire cat.
A cat for breeding has a lot of things that must be adhered to that a pet does not. These include genetic factors, standard importance, type and temperament considerations. Its best to ask up front for a breeder kitten. Some breeders don’t like to sell breeders, or they have contracts that don’t allow them to. On the other side early desexing will stop your kittens from being bred with without your permission.
If you purchase a breeding kitten you will have to give that kitten time to grow. All associated costs that come with them growing such as food litter etc will need to be provided without any ‘income’ from them.
Most breeds do not breed until they mature – usually one year. Some of the larger breeds it is even older. Most Associations will usually not allow breeding until the cat is one year old. Giving this time will allow for genetic testing and health testing. There are many tools today that we can use to ascertain this including DNA testing, PCR testing and the advice of a good vet.
It is a breeder’s responsibility to ensure that a cat they want to use for breeding is in the best physical and mental health they can be in. It is important that they are screened genetically and show no visual sign of illness.
Just as a side note an entire breeding kittens will cost a lot more than a pet kitten. The rule of thumb is usually double a kitten price and boys can be more than girls.
You must remember that you are handling living beings not books you can put on a shelf when you are finished with them. Any decisions and actions need to be in the best interests of the cat – always.
Cats do not usually live in large groups. This often causes them stress and that then lowers their immune systems and allows infectious disease in. Cats need enough space to be mentally and physically healthy. This means that its not best to keep large amounts of cats unless you can provide space for them to live in small groupings.
The male stud needs his own quarters. He will mature and if don’t confine him you will end up with unwanted litters. He won’t know or care that its his sister that he is trying to mate with. You may also find as he matures that there will be some unwanted behaviours that appear such as spraying so where the boys live need to be easy to clean. He also needs the same amount of love and affection that the ones that live in your house gets.
Its easy for the numbers to get out of hand. Only have as many cats as you have money for, or have time for – cleaning, feeding, playing and cuddles. Cats are cats first and breeders second. They need as much attention as a pet cat gets. These breeders will retire when they have finished breeding, and they have to be able to fit into a family. Additional time must be allowed for socialisation and raising of kittens.
Todays breeder have access to the internet, smart phones and Facebook groups. These avenues can produce opportunity for advertising but on the other side beware – social media is not always good as it appears. A nasty rumour campaign can destroy a life in only a few keystrokes.
To a lot of breeders advertising usually means a Facebook page or group, but it is also a good idea to have a website. A lot of people believe that a breeder with a website where all the information can be accessed means that that breeding is a serious one. You must be able to maintain it so it is not a static one. It’s very annoying to find a website that is 2 years out of date and people will quickly turn off!
PAPERWORK – no one told be there would be so much paperwork. Its all about fluffy kittens isn’t it???? Association paperwork for pedigrees, genetic testing, maintaining mating dates, working out vaccinations, desexing and leaving dates are very important. and even keeping your financials all take time.
Raising and housing both your kittens and breeders means managing nutrition, environment, cleaning/hygiene and socialization etc. keeping track of calling dates, mating dates and birth dates, vet work dates and going home dates.
Another time factor is answering emails, texts and phone calls and enquiries. Taking photos and updating new owners all takes time. Advertising the new available babies takes a LOT of time. To take a decent photo you might have to take 50! Updating websites and social media will take more time.
Having a Mentor – some on to ask advice of someone you trust discuss all aspects of breeding the good and the bad – is invaluable. Their wisdom and experience should help you navigate the perils of breeding. Sometimes the breeder that will sell you an entire kitten will agree to be your mentor.
You will find information in a lot of different places. You never stop learning. You learn from other breeders, online courses, internet research, cat shows and participation in seminars etc. it’s a steep learning curve but having someone to talk to and bounce ideas off is worth their weight in gold.
These are just the highlights of becoming a cat breeder. There is a lot more, and you will find you have more questions than you have answers so be patient – you wont work it out overnight.
If you still wish to go ahead then I wish you good luck. Sending a kitten you have bred and raised to live its best life in a wonderful family is the best feeling in the world.
