What
is a Kitten Mill you ask? Well, a Kitten Mill is the Cat version
of a Puppy Mill. In both cases, an animal or animals are mass bred
for profit. The animals usually live in squaller conditions, with
little or no human contact. Most cats are bred till infection and
or disease states they have to be put down.
While no one
actually admits to being an owner of a Kitten Mill, you can usually
spot them by browsing the classifieds. They will have ads that state
their cats have NO papers in the CFA or other Noted Cat Registration
and usually produce kittens year round. Sometimes their cats and
kittens can go for as little as $50 and I've seen them go as much
as $700. BUYER BEWARE!!!!!
I suggest you
avoid these Kitten Mill Producers like the Plague, if you are going
to buy a cat from someone like that, PLEASE get all the facts. Ask
for vet records and do not accept the, "I can't find them" or the
"I usually let the new owners take care of that" excuse. If they
want to raise healthy Cats, they will have a complete set of Vaccines,
a good healthy diet and good socialization. Once you throw that
into the equation, you will find out just what type of breeding
program this person is running. Is it for care or for profit!!!!!
People
say: "I want to have a WHOLE Cat (meaning not fixed) because I want
the option of having a litter."
The
above statement is actually very common and it makes me sick. Unless
you are trying to benefit the breed your only harming the breed
by having more litters. You, in essence, have become a backyard
breeder.
People say: "I want my female cat to have a litter 'cause my vet
says she wont get fat after being spayed."
This
is a myth and nothing more. A healthy diet and exercise will keep
your cat trim.
People
say: "I want my children to learn responsibility and the wonder
of a cat having babies."
Another
statement that makes me cringe. If you want your children to respect
life, then take your children to a shelter and watch a few cats
get euthanized. Tell your children that no one wanted Fluffy because
she was old at 2 years old and is not considered a kitten. Tell
your children Patches had to die because some one's cat wasn't spayed
and they had kittens they couldn't find homes for. Tell your children
Tiger had to go to heaven because everytime a person gets a cat
from a breeder a shelter cat dies for lack of home.
****TIPS
ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN UNETHICAL BREEDER****
When you talk
to people about their kitties there are a few warning signs that
you are dealing with a disreputable, unethical, or irresponsible
breeder:
The "breeder"
is more interested in the price your paying, then the welfare
of the animal.
The "breeder"
doesn't care about meeting you several times in order to know
if you'll provide a good home for their animal or not.
The "breeder"
lacks knowledge about the breed.
The "breeder"
shows ignorance or denial of genetic defects in the breed.
The "breeder"
doesn't let you observe the kitten or adults, or let you see the
cattery.
The "breeder"
has no documentation & cannot provide papers. The cats are
not socialized
How to
read those ads!
Be wary
of other "registrations", as well. There are several groups that
are registering cats, occasionally even mixed breeds, for a fee.
This registration means nothing, and is of no value to you.
"RARE" --
Why? Is the cat showable? Are there too many defects for the animal
to be bred? What kind of problems does this "rare" color or size
or pattern entail? There are even some people selling unusual
cross breeds as "rare" cats, and people buy them thinking they
are getting some unique treasure.
I cannot
suggest how it pains me to hear stories of people wanting a cheap
cat and then the heartache they go through because they didn't
investigate. The owner seemed to really "Care" for her cats. But
now their beloved cat has spinal problems, birth defects, deformities
&/or diseases, the most humane thing to do is for the kitty
to be put to sleep. You're out not only money but heartache and
love. And where is the breeder you got your beloved kitty from??
On the other line telling you "It's not my problem."
Believe
me people IT DOES HAPPEN. And it CAN happen to you.
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