Buying a cat is an exciting time, which will result in a new member being added to your family. It is your choice what type of cat you purchase, as well as where the animal comes from, but you should know what you are getting into before taking a kitten or cat off someone else’s hands. After you have decided what type of cat to buy, you will be afforded several different purchasing opportunities; namely buying from a breeder or a pet shop.
Purchasing a cat from a breeder does have its advantages. It affords the pet owner with the opportunity to see the cat’s mother, as well as possible other family members. A reputable breeder will also have pedigree information as well as health guarantees. Good breeders can be located through local cat clubs or in advertisements for cats for sale. Your veterinarian may also have some contacts.
A breeder will have carefully planned the litter; there are usually no accidental matings or unwanted litters at a breeder’s. Good temperaments and pedigrees that produce desirable kittens and cats are of the utmost importance. Most breeders put forth a great effort in producing cats of show quality, with the pick of the litter remaining for show or future breeding.
There are occasionally breeders who will cross breeds, such as with a domestic pet cat and a pedigreed one, producing a wonderfully cared for litter that has been raised correctly. These cats can be much less costly than purebred cats.
Be advised that not all breeders are reputable sources for procuring a kitten. There are some breeders, known as “puppy mills” or “kitten mills,” which produce numerous litters for financial gain. They are not selective in their breeding practices, are cut corners monetarily; meaning that the litters and their mothers are not generally cared for adequately. Since money is their objective, producing well mannered, well bred, healthy kittens is not the goal. It is your responsibility to look into any breeder that you work with. Check references and ask your veterinarian or cat affiliated resources about the breeder’s reputation.
Often you will see kittens for sale in a pet shop. More often than not, these litters are not the product of a reputable breeding. They are usually the product of a private owner who experienced an unplanned pregnant female, or from a commercial kitten farm. There is often no information regarding the parentage or general prior health knowledge regarding these litters. No guarantees to their health or temperaments can be made.
Purchasing a kitten from an establishment such as a pet shop can result in a new owner with a sick kitten than can incur hundreds of dollars in veterinarian bills or more; not to mention the heart ache of watching a new kitten suffer from some illness.
No matter what type of kitten or cat you buy, e sure to do your homework first, you and your pet will be happier for it.