24/12/2023
HOW MUCH FOR A KITTEN?
Let me say a few words to you, yes to you, the person writing an email, just to ask for the price. The person who calls and after hearing a price surprisingly says: "I can buy a cheaper kitten elsewhere". I speak to the person who doesn't care about papers because “I want just a pet".
No cat is “just a pet”.
Behind every purebred kitten there is a BREEDER. I use capital letters to differentiate a breeder from a pet factory or mill. A reputable breeder will not breed undocumented cats, which does not protect the integrity of the breed. Registration (papers) are lineage records that document the bloodline and enable one to investigate possible health problems in the lineage. When you tell a breeder that you don't care about papers, you are really telling them that you care no less about the kitten's health, just the cheapest thing you can find!
When you buy a kitten from a reputable and high quality breeder, that breeder is responsible for the health of every kitten; this breeder is skipping holidays, missing out on sleep and most of their personal home space has been converted into space for their cats. The truly passionate breeder who loves what they breed puts all of their heart and soul into it. Not only with kittens that are sold, but also with every customer who has a piece of their heart and is now a member of their extended family. Breeders worry about their babies after they leave and take them back without question.
A breeder will "get their hands dirty", often burdened with everything that comes with giving birth. Because that's what life is about ... In the midst of birth and death is life. A breeder carries out tests, x-rays, analyzes, emergency operations, vaccinations, litter, family trees, deworming for their kittens and has them assessed by specialists.
Last but not least, a breeder chooses the family fortunate enough to have one of their kittens. Yes, you read that right. A real breeder chooses who to sell to because they don’t make any money selling it. There is no compensation that can offset the investments made by a breeder. Hence, they need to be sure that they fit properly. Often saying no more than yes ...
A good breeder has different criteria for those who want to continue their bloodline. Why? Since breeding is not a responsibility to ever be taken lightly, it is a lifestyle choice reserved ONLY for the devoted few who are willing to sacrifice.
Because a cat is never "just a pet" it is the breeder's legacy, a little boy's best friend, a protector for little girls, therapy for the elderly, a family member, someone's whole world !!!
Written in part by: Sr. Eduardo Loredo Muller
