AJs Best Friends Purebred Cat and Small Dog Rescue

TYPES OF BREEDERS
There are two types of cat breeders and they are as different as night and day. The information below should help you in deciding which breeder you should buy your pet from. The cat registering associations, CFA, TICA, ACFA, etc. register and maintain registrations of each individual cat and litters of kittens, as well as the registered generations before them, of purebred cats and kittens, based on the information the breeder of said cat or litter of kittens sent to them. Never believe that just because a cat/kitten is registered that it is of breeder or show quality, and should be bred.

REPUTABLE BREEDER:
1. They know the written standard for their breed, and all details concerning that breed.
2. A reputable breeder screens for genetic diseases known to affect that breed of cat, and maintains a good working relationship with their vet as well as maintaining records of medical care for each individual cat/kitten.
3. A reputable breeder will not only tell you all the good points on the cat/kitten, but will tell you the bad as well.
4. A reputable breeder maintains the highest standard of quality care for their animals.
5. They are not out to make money, but are out to find the best homes possible for their cats.
6. They offer written health guarantee�s with each cat and kitten they sell.
7. Reputable breeders are always available to offer help and advice to the new owners.
8. Will readily take back any cat/kitten they have produced no matter what the reason, provided the exposure sections of the written contract have been adhered to.
9. As a rule, they belong to local or national registering/breed clubs and associations, and always breed with the thought of improving the line.

BACKYARD BREEDER:
1. The majority of these breeders know very little about the breed standard, and don't necessarily breed for better cats or improving the line.
2. Cats/Kittens from this kind of breeder are usually the result of breeding their pet quality cat to the next door neighbor's pet quality cat because it was the same breed, and was available.
3. No thought is given to the cat/kittens health, genetic makeup or temperament.
4. They generally do not screen where their cats/kittens are going, nor do they keep track of them throughout their lives.
5. They are convinced that their breed is right for everyone.
6. They usually do not check for genetic diseases known to their breed.
7. They breed to produce "another one just like fluffy" or "to see the miracle of birth" or to make a few bucks.
8. They allow the kittens to leave as soon as possible.

You will usually see this type of breeder in the local newspaper. Very few Reputable Breeders will advertise in the the newspaper. You may see catchy words like FeLV Tested, Cattery of Excellence, and in some cases PKD tested, but ask to see the original vet record on the cat/kitten you are considering purchasing. If they cannot, or will not, supply you with this paper, then leave.

KITTEN MILL:
Kitten mill is a term used to describe a place that produces mass quantities of cats, be they the same breed or different. Typical Kitten Mills are as follows:
1 .The pens, cages, structures that the cats are kept in are usually substandard and dirty, although this may not always be the case.
2. The cats themselves are usually bred every season, no matter what.
3. Kittens born and raised in kitten mills are not usually given the veterinary care and proper feeding they need, which could lead to problems later in life.
4. Kittens raised in kitten mills have not been properly socialized and are usually sold in high volumes to pet shops for quick cash profits at the age of six weeks or sometimes younger.
5. No genetic testing is done.
6. They usually do not sell to the general public. Only to cat brokers, pet shops, auctions, etc. If they do sell to the everyday person, they will not usually allow you to visit the cattery.
7. Are breeding for one reason and one reason only, money! Most of these kittens will have multiple health and behavior problems later in life because of the lack of socialization, proper genetic testing, health testing and veterinary care.

These pictures were taken during an animal cruelty investigation on a Persian Breeder in Georgia in 2006. People who think their cat was abused before they got them are correct if the cat came from a Kitten Mill like this one. These Persians are unsocialized and may never be tame enough to be handled. Their only purpose was to breed more Persians. The kittens from these mom cats were sold to Pet Stores in Malls.

PET SHOP:
This may sound like a good place to buy a kitten, but it's not. Reasons are:
1. Pet shops do offer guarantees, which sound very good to the buyer. However, you must realize that most genetic diseases found in cats do not show up until the animal is over a year old. You're out of luck with a pet shop! If you take your kitten back to the pet shop they will euthanize it.
2. Most pet shops buy their kittens from Kitten Mills at a very young age, before the kittens have been properly socialized. This is why many pet store bought kittens have illnesses or behavior problems, i.e. act scared, hide, won't let you touch them, pee everywhere but in a litterbox, bite.
3. Pet shops buy their kittens cheap, and sell them fast at markups of 400 percent and more. They are in it for the sale, not the well being of the kitten.
4. Pet shops offer "creative financing" which sounds nice to the buyer. HOWEVER, a pet is a living thing, not something that should be financed. Also, you can usually buy a show quality kitten from a breeder for the same price as the pet shops sell their kittens! $1000 to $1500 is WAY too high for a pet.
5. Fuzzy kitten syndrome. Pet shops live off this. They want you to come in and hold that ball of fur, fall in love, and impulse buy! Don't fall for the Fuzzy Kitten Syndrome!! Go to a bookstore, or library, and research that breed! Find yourself a good breeder. It will save you tons of heartache.

Finally, you should never rush out and buy a kitten. Do your homework.

Decide a few things first.
1. Do you even need a cat?
2. Should you get an adult or a kitten? Have you considered a cat from a rescue?
3. Research different breeds and decide which one you think would it best into your home (size, hair, temperament, etc.).
4. Find a quality breeder (if you are reading this, you are halfway there! The internet is a wonderful place to research your breed and find a reputable breeder near you!).
5. Finally, visit several breeders and see if that breed and that breeder is right for you!

Choosing a Pedigree Kitten

Back Yard Breeders and Kitten Mills
by Lynne Thomas

What is a BYB?

Anyone who breeds cats and can answer yes to one or more of the following;

someone who breeds unregistered purebred cats and then sells them as purebreds without papers.
someone who is looking for a quick buck
someone who supplements their social security
someone who drastically undercuts the price of registered purebred cats
someone who does not care who buys their kittens or for what purpose
someone who lets kittens go out at seven weeks or younger so that they do not have to spend any money on vaccinations (nor do they have to approach a vet and admit to what they are doing)
someone who does not offer a health guarantee, contract or even take the phone number of kitten buyers
someone who will place their kittens for sale in pet stores
someone who has no thought or care to good feline husbandry
someone who has no thought or care to genetic good health or defects

What is a Kitten Mill?
Anyone who breeds purebred registered cats and can answer yes to one or more of the same criteria as above.