This is a topic close to my heart, having been a cat rescuer for the past 10 years. Over the years, I have encountered breed cats who have been abandoned or found in pitiful states due to illness, or not being aesthetically nice as the rest, or literally thrown out due to behavioral issues.
Many clients who engage me for behavioral consults have also bought their cats from breeders & the cats tend to experience health or behavioral issues.
The owners themselves may be young & inexperienced, and received lack of proper advice from whoever sold them the cats.
Allow me to share reasons Why you should not buy a pet from a breeder.
1. Moral & Ethical Considerations:
There are ethical concerns surrounding the breeding industry as it is a profit-driven operation. Animals cannot consent to reproducing & it is onus onto the "owner" to sterilize them. The money making machines, i.e. the mothers, are often kept in poor conditions.
Breeding, especially illegal, "backyard breeders (BYB)" (i.e. home based & unlicensed) often neglect of the animals' welfare, provide inadequate living conditions, lack of resources or veterinary care. It is a vicious cycle of Demand & Supply.
2. Health Concerns:
Breeders usually prioritize quantity over quality, leading to potential health issues in the animals. Some breeders may prioritize certain physical characteristics or asthetics over the overall health of the cat. Inbreeding & a focus on specific genetic traits can lead to health problems & genetic disorders in the long run. The runt of the litter or sick ones are often given away for free, abandoned or sold to an unsuspecting victim.
3. Save a Life:
There are countless animals in shelters & rescue organizations looking for loving homes. By adopting, you are providing a home for an animal in need & potentially saving a life. If you do insist on a purebred, there are also breed cats who are shelter cats who were likely abandoned by said BYBs & hoarders.
4. Matching the Right Pet:
Shelters & AWGs are well aware of the temperament of their animals & can match a suitable cat to your lifestyle & family. They also tend to offer "hand holding" in the beginning so that the adopter is not left overwhelmed with their new pet. Buying a cat may result in "buyers remorse" or "no return policy". If your cat isn't suitable with children & you have young ones at home, it is unlikely for the breeder to help you along or take the cat back.
5. Financial Cost:
Purchasing a cat from a breeder is more expensive than adopting from a shelter. You may also be purchasing a cat that comes with undisclosed health issues. Shelters & AWGs charge lower adoption fees & the cost typically includes vaccinations, sterilization, microchipping & FIV/FELV test. They are also more transparent about health issues as they want the adopter to be well informed & not return the cat.
6. Responsible Pet Ownership:
Breeding is a highly profitable business & they are selling a product to anyone who can afford it. Breeders may likely not advise the owner on catproofing, sterilization, vet visits, or follow up on the welfare of the animal once the transaction is complete. Many who buy pets are newbies who may be ignorant on behaviour or general care, or may receive wrong advice from their seller as they themselves are not properly trained. (A BYB informed the owner to just introduce 2 cats without proper techniques but to just place them together.)
This is why AWGs & responsible rehomers insist on proper catproofing, house visits, adoption contracts & follow ups to ensure the animal is being taken care of properly.
With that said, to be fair, I am sure there may possibly be reputable cat breeders who prioritize the health & well-being of their animals to a certain extent, though I have personally not had the luck to meet any of them.
Downloadble Infographic Below & on our IG @thecatwhisperersg
Like & Share
Spread the message to encourage people to 'adopt, don't shop'
Know of an unethical BYB? Make a report here.
Commentaires