03/05/2023
HOW MUCH?? Author unknown
POTENTIAL OWNER: How much is the kitten?
BREEDER: 2000-3500
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 3500 and up). Also, a male(average minimal cost 3500 and up). You will need to show them to their championship to show they meet the breed standard (Minimal 1000 each with travel & fees). You will need to do genetic & health testing on them, which averages about 850+ per cat. Raise and provide daily care, feeding & grooming for 1,5 years. (So a minimal 150 per cat per month)
POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money...
BREEDER: For 1000, you can raise a litter for me and then keep one of the kittens. 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 potentially need the reproductive vet to do X-rays (200-500), possibly progesterone testing(75-250) & a C-section can cost (1000-3000), and initial vet care on the kitten until old enough to be placed. Kitten vets exams and two sets of vaccines (350 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. Unless we pay a fairly large sum for a licensed pet sitter to take care of them all while we're away. And it's not very easy to find one willing to take on that much responsibility for a week or two at a time.
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.
