Rescue or Pedigree? Why not both?
An open letter to breeders and rescue groups
I have both pedigree and rescue cats. I run a rescue group. I have personally fostered and placed over 200 cats in the last four years. Many people, especially those doing rescue, ask ‘Why would you pay so much for a cat when there are so many homeless ones?’ Others, who are more fanatical, say the breeders should be put out of business. Then there is the comment ‘Breeders are just in it for the money.’ Let me address these issues.
I pay for pedigree cats when I want a particular look, temperament or other qualities that are found in certain breeds. That is why anyone would pay $500 or more for a cat. Yes, I know many pedigree cats can be found in shelters and rescue groups. However, I may not want to wait for one, or travel to a far away shelter. Many pedigree cats in shelters are also old or have health problems. As for the homeless cat situation, that is the fault of irresponsible owners that don’t get their cats spayed and neutered. Just one of the county animal shelters in my area euthanizes 400-500 cats in a typical month. I don’t have access to the sales numbers; however I doubt there are that many pedigree cats sold in the Orlando, Florida area, where I live, in a year. Hundreds more are rescued or live in colonies, behind restaurant dumpsters or worse. If everyone that bought a pedigree cat took in a stray instead it wouldn’t make a dent in the problem. I also fault rescue groups that adopt animals that aren’t altered. They say ‘we have them sign a contract to have it done.’ Sorry, that just doesn’t cut it. They are just spinning their wheels. My rescue group has taken in kittens from those cats and arranged to have the mother cat spayed. We have taken in kittens from cats that the alter surgery was paid for in the adoption fee paid to the county. The people were too busy to have it done before ‘Miss Kitty’ went into heat, escaped to find a ‘boy friend’ and became pregnant.
To those that say ‘Breeders should be put out of business’, I say ‘Where will we get our pets when they are all spayed and neutered?’ All the people I have met who take this stance point to the homeless pets and say we shouldn’t be breeding more when there are so many needing homes. They need to be realistic. First, if their goal of ‘no more homeless pets’ is ever reached the ONLY place to get a pet will be a breeder. Are they planning to take some of the very last pets that are born and not alter them to start a breeding program? I doubt they have thought that far out. They need to concentrate on educating people so they will alter their pets. Second, they need to realize that there will always be people willing and able to spend the money for something unusual. Most of the pedigree cats are different enough from the common rescued cat to set them apart. Even many of the people going to rescue groups want a Siamese, Maine Coon, Persian, or other pedigree cats or ‘look-a-likes’.
Breeders are only in it for the money: Yes, some are. There are also doctors, lawyers and dentists who are only in it for the money. That is human nature. On the other hand I know several breeders that love what they do and truly strive to enhance their breed. I would be concerned if a breeder has an advertisement that says ‘kittens always available.’ The good breeders I know usually have a waiting list. You might hit it just right and be able to get a kitten when you want it, but that shouldn’t be the norm. My Bengal breeder has more than 80 people on her list and she doesn’t produce that many kittens in a year. I would like all breeders to alter all animals before placement, like some do. My rescue group has taken in two Bengals and a Himalayan that were pregnant. It would also be in the breeders’ interest because it will stop the backyard breeders. By the way, almost half of the cats shown in the ACFA House Hold Pet division are rescues being shown by breeders or their family members.
My rescued cats are every bit as beautiful and lovable as the pedigree. Neither is necessarily better than the other. Whatever your choice please spay/neuter and love them.
Joe Pitt,
President, Rescuing Animals In Need, Inc.
Owner of Isle-Of-Avalon Cat Haven, ACFA registered Cat Haven
www.rescuinganimalsinneed.org
