05/01/2023
POTENTIAL OWNER: How much is the kitten?
BREEDER: between Β£850 and Β£1200
POTENTIAL OWNER: What?? Thats way too expensive!!
BREEDER: What do you think would be a good price?
POTENTIAL OWNER: No more than Β£350. You breeders are so over priced.
BREEDER: sorry you see it this way, why don't you try it yourself?
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I've never done it!
BREEDER: For FREE I can teach you how to do it, and in addition you will have the knowledge to do it again.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Perfect, thank you!
BREEDER: To start you will need a female(average cost Β£1500 to Β£2500). Also a male(average cost Β£1500 and up) bear in mind a breeding male can need up to 3 females to keep him happy. You will need to do genetic & health testing on them, averages about Β£150 per cat and up depending on what tests are needed. Raise and provide daily care, feeding & grooming cost me minimum Β£130 per month thats just for food and litter but I prefer not to provide the minimum so my food bills are higher.
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money...
BREEDER: For Β£500 you can raise a litter and then keep one of the kittens. Obviously, you will pay the cost of whelping & care.
POTENTIAL OWNER: I can do that.
BREEDER: OK so I have a female due to queen in 2 weeks. You will need to be available 24/7 around the clock for at least 8 weeks and keep all kittens until over 12 weeks, even through the night for the babys who need hand raising that's every 2 hours night and day, fully vaccinate them, microchip and neuter them before they leave. Rough cost of Β£250+ per kitten and of course to help with delivery and after care. Then there's the cost of registering them and providing kitten packs for their transition to their new home.
POTENTIAL OWNER: it's way too much time for me! I have to work.
BREEDER: You will also need the vet to do xrays if things dont progress during labour, possibly need a C-section(Β£1000)
Then there's the potential of having dead babys born or losing babys as late as 5 weeks of age some times later due to complications or needing to fork out for vet cost to save a fading baby. Plus the potential of babys not selling so you need to make sure you have the space and money to keep kittens with you for as long as it takes to find them a good home.....
Have on hand a scale, thermometer, latex gloves, sanitizer, absorbent tissues, scissors, hemostats, heating pad, whelping box, blankets, cleaning supplies, appropriate food with supplements for mothers, formula, medications & hand feeding supplies in case of emergency....
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have all these things!
BREEDER: For Β£500 you can buy them.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Ummm .... You know, I think it might be better if I just buy a kitten.
BREEDER: Wise decision.
For us breeders there are no vacations or holidays, while you go to visit with family & friends we are home at our animals caring for them. It is a no breaks commitment.
THIS IS THE REALITY
When you choose a professional you don't only pay for the kitten or puppy but also:
Tools, knowledge, experience, love, time, sacrifices, etc.