02/05/2023
HOW MUCH??
POTENTIAL OWNER: How much is the kitten?
BREEDER: £1200-£3500
POTENTIAL OWNER: What?? It's way too expensive!!
BREEDER: What do you think would be a reasonable price?
POTENTIAL OWNER: No more than £800. You breeders are so overpriced.
BREEDER: I am 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 you will also have the knowledge to do it again.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Perfect, thank you!
BREEDER: To start, you will need a female(average minimal cost £3000 and up). Also, a male(average minimal cost £3000 and up). You will need to show them to their championship to show they meet the breed standard (Minimal £300 each with travel & fees). You will need to do genetic & health testing on them, which averages about £550+ per cat. Raise and provide daily care, feeding & grooming for 1,5 years. (So a minimal £150 per month)
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money...
BREEDER: For £800, you can raise a litter for me and then keep one of the kitten. Obviously, you also have to pay the cost of whelping & care.
POTENTIAL OWNER: I can do that.
BREEDER: OK, so I have a female due to whelp in 2 weeks. You will need to be available 24/7 around the clock for at least 14 weeks to help with delivery and care. Possibly tube or bottle-feed kittens every 2-3 hours if the mom is low on milk the first couple weeks.
POTENTIAL OWNER: Fourteen weeks?? It's way too much time for me! I have to work.
BREEDER: You will also need the reproductive vet to do X-rays (£200-£500), possibly progesterone testing(£75-£250) & a C-section(£1000-£3000), and initial vet care on the kitten until old enough to be placed. Kitten vets exams and two sets of vaccines (£200 and up, depending on how many kittens are in the litter)
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 £1000 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 cats' side 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 but also: Tools, knowledge, experience, love, time, sacrifices, etc.
**n