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 requires them to be put down. They live sad unhappy, unloved lives.
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 Breeders 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 for for profit?!!
People say: "I want to have a WHOLE Cat (meaning not fixed) because I want the option of having a litter." That 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 won't 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 an unethical 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 when 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 tell you 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 for the kitty is to be put to sleep. You're out not only money, but now also must suffer the heartache and pain of lossing your loved kitty. 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
© Jay DeMartini
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