11/02/2025
I would like to address some issues that seem to crop up every now and then. Today was one of them and I may have hurt someone's feelings with my response. I did try to contact her, but she blocked me or she could be a troll... anyhoo...here goes.
In the pricing of a kitten, breeders must consider all the expenses involved in the breeding process and getting the baby ready for adoption. Before I go into expressing my thoughts and clarifying the cost of each baby, I want to say something...I do not make a lot of money on my babies...I do my very best to keep the cost of each little one as low as I can without going bankrupt. I do try and price my little ones to get some return on my investment.
A breeder will spend anywhere from 3 to 6000.00 dollars or more on a breeding female or male and the amount depends upon whether it is a breeder or show quality cat. Before the kitten is purchased, the baby must be vetted to be sure that it clears genetically for HCM and PKD 1. Then there is the process of checking with the breeder of the kitten to be sure that it is free of feline leukemia and aids. The new owner then must make certain that her future breeder or show baby receives the required vaccines and checkups (just like a human baby). Once the little one finally reaches breeding age (not when it first comes into heat but adult age) then said girl is put with the male and hopefully they like each other and she bears fruit(babies) from said union. When little momma gives birth, the babies are checked over to be certain there are no physical issues that could affect the health of the little ones. The new litter is monitored to be certain that momma cat is producing enough milk and has accepted the little ones. If momma cat decides that she doesn't like what she has and abandons them...the breeder then becomes foster mom and feeds the little ones every two to three hours and cleans them to be sure that their plumbing works. When the little ones show that they are going to thrive, then the breeder can do one of two things, she can take names of prospective adoptees or wait and once shown, follow the protocol of contract, deposit and then a follow through with the adoption process. During this time the little ones are closely monitored and the breeder prays that her precious little ones stay healthy and momma cat does not go into heat and creates an issue with babies and upset tummies. Then there is the cost of food for momma, daddy cat and babies. The food I use is costly but as long as my cats and kittens thrive on it, I will continue to use it. When my little ones are 14 weeks old, they are scheduled to be altered...and it is expensive...health check, worm check, heart check etc. After the little ones have recovered from their alter, I bring them home and monitor them for infection, abscesses or hernia from the surgery. I allow one to two weeks after surgery before they are ready to be picked up by their new owners. 16 weeks is the length of time that they stay with me...sometimes longer if necessary. When the new parent comes to pick up their baby it leaves me healthy, with medical record, health guarantee, and a bag of goodies. I check with the new parents to be sure that the baby is adjusting well and has settled in. I do require that a health check be given from the vet used by the new fur parent and sent to me as an attachment. This protects the new owner and myself. Once I receive that vet health check, the two year health guarantee is put into effect.
To be clear, owning a cattery and raising Ragdolls is not for the faint of heart. Anyone asking me about the cost of my babies should check with other breeders to get a general idea of what these babies cost. Then make the decision as to whether they want to adopt a purebred registered cat or not...Hope this helps and may God Bless and keep all of you.
Food for thought...when adopting a purebred animal from a responsible breeder, you know everything about it from birth, you know generations of health testing, and you know the environment that it came from. When getting a kitten from a shelter, you have no idea of its history or possible genetic disorders. I do not have an issue with adopting animals from a shelter but there is a difference.
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A small cattery specializing in Ragdolls.
