Pedigree Cat Breeder Requirements

If you are contemplating setting up a cattery for breeding pedigree cats as a business venture, certain requirements must be met. Though not necessarily a lucrative business, breeding cats can prove to be an excellent pastime or hobby. Regardless of which direction you take, there are a few aspects pertaining to breeding of pedigree cats that require your attention before commencing with the process, whether as a hobby or business.

  1. Awareness About The Breed

    • The foremost thing is to be well aware about the details of the breed in question. A competent breeder is one who has thorough knowledge about the color genetics, bone structure, fur and coat of the concerned breed. This basic knowledge is mandatory for the breeder in order to produce a litter having the right equilibrium of preferred characteristics inherited from the parent cats. Once the litter is born, this knowledge also comes handy in selling, as most people want to know genetic and temperamental details about the breed before taking it home.

    Getting the Breeding Cats

    • After shortlisting a breed of your choice, the next important move is to procure the cat along with its breeding rights. Although the cost of a pedigree cat with the right to breed is exorbitant, around $1,000 or more, this is a requisite for the registration of a litter. You will have to search hard, as only extremely proficient and reputed breeders have pedigree cats with breeding rights.

    Setting Up a Cattery

    • The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) details the specifications required for setting up a cattery. These include the area required for the cats to live comfortably, necessary equipment, feeding needs, healthcare needs, and hygiene and cleanliness norms. You can follow these specifications to set up the cattery.

    Registration of the Litter

    • The kittens can be registered with a pedigree cat registry, such as the CFA, only after the parents have been registered. Most registries allow online registration or the filing of a physical form that is then submitted to the registry. There is a fee involved for registering, and it varies from one registry to another. The CFA charges $10 for registering one kitten. Each kitten in the litter has to be registered individually.

    Things to Consider

    • You may be a cat lover, but before you take the plunge and decide on setting up a cattery, make sure you have weighed the pros and cons sensibly. Maintaining a cattery and breeding pedigree cats is a major responsibility that may require close to 10 hours of commitment on a daily basis. You should also be in a financial position to handle the expenses involved in breeding and taking care of the healthcare needs of the cats and the litter. A breeder also requires immense emotional strength, as it is possible that the mother may die in labor or the kittens may not survive. Take the final step only when you feel you are equipped in every manner to take on the responsibility of the life and death of another creature.