Pet Stores vs. Breeders

So why have breeders been telling you that purchasing a pedigreed cat from a pet store is a bad idea? Are they trying to protect their personal sales? No. The simple fact is that the pet store "pedigreed pet trade" has led to terrible conditions for cats and kittens, and purchasing a cat from a pet store continues the terrible cycle. Here are some answers to questions that you have no doubt asked yourself when looking for your new pet. Please read this entire section if you are considering buying any pedigreed cat from a pet store.

Q: Why not buy my cat from a pet store? They seem to be cheaper than others I have seen online.

A: Breeders that sell their animals to pet stores are simply trying to make money. Plain and simple. They do not care about quality, proper care of the kittens, or socialization. The kittens are left in the pet stores in tiny cages for weeks until they are sold, being handled by anyone and everyone and generally neglected by the store employees... Also, think of the illnesses people could be transmitting to those poor kittens by touching them one after another without washing their hands! They may even have a sick kitty at home, and may be spreading that illness to the pet store cats. As far as cost is concerned, pet store breeders also have a tendency to check out the local market, including reputable breeders, and undercut them by a few dollars to make their cats look more attractive. Reputable breeders have their prices set for good reasons, and they can explain their reasoning behind their prices. Try to ask a pet store why the cats cost what they do...

Q: But why would a pet store deal with breeders like this?

A: When I asked the manager of a chain that sells pedigreed kittens from time to time, she simply responded, to paraphrase, that "hey, we are in business to make money, and the cats are lucrative." Why would anyone buy a cat from people with that attitude?

Q: But with a pet store, don't I get a better guarantee?

A: A pet store is simply a middle man. The best guarantees will be from legitimate breeders who care about the cats that they are bringing into this world. The kittens should be family. If the cat has a congenital defect and dies at a year old, pet stores will not help you, and most will do nothing even if there is a problem at the first check up! Most reputable breeders guarantee their cats against simple illnesses for up to 2 weeks, or until the first vet visit, and some even go on to guarantee the cat's health against congenital defects until they are at least a year old. Now that is a guarantee that could save you from disaster!

Q: Aren't pet store cats pedigreed?

A: If papers are offered, which is rare, the cats are registered with a cat registry, but one can register even the worst example of the breed with a registry. If the kitten is not registered with one of the 2 largest registries, the breeder may be banned from these organizations for some reason. So basically, the cat may be registered, but by who? Even reputable registries do not check the result of what breeders are breeding, or the quality, but rather simply maintain a record of the cat's ancestral history. They have no policing capabilities. There is now a local Toledo store that is a nationwide chain that is even claiming to have a pedigreed Snowshoe Bengal. That is impossible as Snowshoe is NOT a color, it is instead a separate breed. The manager and I fought about that one, but he was adamant that he knew better than me.

Q: Then how can I tell if a cat's pedigree is good?

A: You should be able to see the cat's parents. This is a good guide to judge how your cat will turn out. You can not see the parents in a pet store. Even if they have photos, you can not be sure that they are of the actual parents, and you can not tell their temperament from a photo. Reputable breeders take their cats to shows as well, and if they are good cats, they will have titles, such as Champion and beyond.

Q: What are the components that make up the cost of a pedigreed cat from a reputable breeder? Why do they cost so much?

A: Reputable breeders are often in the show rings to not only see how well their cats meet the breed standard, but to see in what direction the breed is going. They also win titles on their cats if they are indeed ideal breed cats. How else can you be "cutting edge?" Other expenses include having the kitten fixed as part of the sales price before going to their new home (not often included in pet store pricing), being current on shots & vet check ups, high quality food, etc., and loving the cats in-home each day of their little lives. Ask the breeder why their cats are priced the way they are... you have a right to know. Here at Kings Ransom, we have numerous Supreme Grand Champions, Regional Winners and International Winners, and more cats in the show rings this year!!!

Q: But can't I contact the breeder with my questions?

A: You can ask at the store, but most of the time, the breeder is only trying to make money in pet store situations, and does not even want their name revealed, much less their phone number. They are in it for the cash, not for the hassle of customer relations... otherwise, they would adopt the kittens out themselves.

Q: But the cat looks so sad in the store. Maybe I will adopt it so it doesn't have to sit there anymore...

A: This is the biggest problem of pet store cat sales... This will only continue the cycle of cat abuse. You will be encouraging the breeder to make more babies to be ignored all night in a pet store for weeks until they are adopted to kind hearted people. You must send a message to the breeder that what they are doing is wrong by NOT buying their cats. Now you are an educated buyer, and you have a few decisions to make.

Q: Is it okay to buy any cats from a pet store?

A: YES! Many homeless feline organizations have wonderful pets available, and sometimes pet stores will let them set up in their stores for Adopt-A-Thons. If you have room in your home and in your heart, these cats have been through a lot in their lives, and really need great, life-long homes. Here at Kings Ransom, we have been fostering homeless cats for many years, and have adopted a fair share of them, and I can't imagine living without them!