When someone is looking for a new cat to join a family, the plan is usually to adopt one from the local shelter. It’s a great thing to do as there are many shelter cats that would make great pets.
While adopting a cat from a shelter is a popular choice, there is an option for those seeking a purebred cat without the hefty price tag.
Have you ever considered adopting a retired breeder cat?
In this article, we’ll explore the world of retired breeder cats and help you make an informed decision when choosing your new feline friend.
What Are Breeder Cats?
A breeder cat is a cat that is made use of to reproduce kittens that the breeder will then sell off to interested cat owners.
Trustworthy and knowledgeable breeders will breed their cats to promote desirable qualities and avoid disorders or irregularities that can be passed down from the parents.
They will track the bloodline of their breeding cats to make certain there is minimal in-breeding which can lead to undesirable results.
You should also be aware of the fact that you won’t be getting a kitten if you are adopting a retired breeding cat. These are older cats ranging from 5 to 8 years old.
Don’t be put off by adopting an older cat. They are usually much easier to care for as compared to a kitten.
And these cats have already been properly socialized and don’t require round-the-clock care.
Is Cat Breeding Ethical?
“There will always be a few rotten apples that will give the entire industry a bad name.”
This can be considered a grey area depending on how you look at it.
On one hand, there are people that are fully against cat breeding as a business as it turns cats into a commodity, instead of a living thing.
This has led to many unethical backyard breeders who totally neglect the welfare of their cats just for making a quick buck.
These breeders do a lot of inbreeding between sibling cats to churn out as many kittens as possible.
On the other hand, there are many reputable breeders that truly love and take good care of the breeder cats.
They are particularly fond of a certain cat breed and aim to only breed strong healthy kittens.
There will always be a few rotten apples that will give the entire industry a bad name.
There are now stringent regulations and rules in place if one desires to be an accredited cat breeder.
Should You Adopt A Retired Breeder Cat?
Most definitely. A reputable breeder will ensure that their cats are in good form and shape before mating them.
So you can be assured that any genetic or physical defects are kept to a bare minimum.
You can have peace of mind knowing that you’re adopting a healthy cat.
Adopting A Retired Breeding Cat Checklist
Before considering retired breeder cats for adoption, make sure you go through this comprehensive checklist to ensure that the cat you’re bringing home is healthy and well-adjusted.
1. Where Was The Cat Raised?
Breeders will usually breed their cats in two places. It’s either at home or in the breeding cattery.
If the cat is a home cat, then it will be comfortable amongst humans. A retired breeder cat that has been raised at home will adjust quickly to their new home.
A breeding cat that has been kept at a cattery would have been staying in cages. Chances are they might have minimal human contact and aren’t used to wide-open spaces.
However, this doesn’t make them less desirable. They just need more time to adjust and settle in.
2. Female Cats vs Male Cats
The sex of the retired breeding cat matters when you are looking to adopt one.
Male cats, or Toms, are generally more territorial. They have the tendency to spray their urine around the house to mark their territory.
Female cats, or Queens, do it as well but a lot less than their male counterparts. Hence, some owners prefer to adopt retired breeding female cats to minimize this issue.
Neutering the cats can resolve this issue. However, a male or female cat can still continue to spray even after getting sterilized.
3. Visit The Breeder
“Do not be deceived. A reputable breeder always invites future cat owners to see the cats.”
Do not be shy about asking to visit the cats at the breeder’s home.
You aren’t invading anyone’s privacy because visitation is now considered standard practice for both parties
A responsible cat breeder is completely mindful that a future owner must and should see the cats in the environment where they were raised and will be happy to agree.
The breeder probably can’t be trusted even though his excuse may seem completely plausible if a breeder firmly insists on meeting somewhere else.
Do not be deceived. A reputable breeder always invites future cat owners to see the cats.
He has nothing to hide and will be proud to show you the quality of care that the cats have actually been receiving.
He’ll be open to sharing how the cats have been interacted socially or looked after along with responding to any concerns or concerns that you might have.
It is also important to check out the state of the retired cat before going through the adoption process.
4. Get To Know The Cat
When visiting the breeder, make sure that you check out the cat that has been put up for adoption.
Do a visual check to see that the cat is in good health without any visible injuries or wounds.
Observe the cat for a while to see if the cat is exhibiting any weird behaviors.
Remember to also ask for the complete medical history of the cat.
It’s normal if the cat might be a little shy and hesitant towards you. However, it should show some level of curiosity.
If the cat is totally hiding or starts to get aggressive when you try to pet it, then it’s probably best to give it a miss.
5. Cost Of The Cat
There’s usually a cost involved when adopting retired breeding cats. Adopting retired cats can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.
I know of retired show cats for adoption that can cause a fair bit of money due to the amount of care and effort the owner have put into their cats.
This is to cover the cost of the necessary paperwork, spaying the cat as well as any needed medical checkups.
An adult cat will still cost you a lot less than buying a purebred kitten from a quality breeder.
6. Post Adoption Vet Bills
Even after the adoption is done and the cat is back at your home, it would be good to bring the cat to the vet for a thorough check.
This is to ensure that the cat is perfectly healthy and with no pre-existing health issues that you might not be aware of.
One thing to note is that an older adult cat might incur more vet bills in the long run as opposed to a younger cat.
Conclusion
Don’t pass up a cat just because it was once used for breeding.
Such cats can make good house pets and grateful companions for anyone that is looking for a new cat.
Just make sure that you go through the checklist to ensure that you get a cat that will be a good fit for your family.