What is a backyard breeder and how can you as a pet adopter be sure you are not adopting from one? Here are some questions that can help you when shopping for any pet, not just Scottish folds. Backyard breeders cringe when you ask these questions, because at this point they must choose to either lie or fess up. Each question will have a link to an explanation of the question. We are happy to answer any of these questions or any other question you have.

 

Transparency is not to be feared by a reputable breeder and we prefer to have educated adopters of our own kittens, as we want the best cat parents possible for our fur babies. This does not describe any one backyard breeder as I have had superficial contact with just about every breeder (such as how much is your kitten and can you go cheaper in which my only reply is we don’t sell breeding cats to people who don’t show), but if these bad practices sound familiar, perhaps that breeder needs to reevaluate their claims or breeding practices.

 

If this info is too nitty gritty and overwhelming, check out the shorter version on the Why We Are Different page. But we are contact several times a year from people who tell us they just didn’t know how to separate truth from fiction when comparing breeders so here is a sure fire way to vet your breeder.

 

1. What do you think a backyard breeder is?

2. What is transparency?

3. What is the cat fancy?

4. Can you show me links to your cats titles, regional wins, or international wins on the TICA website or your title confirmations? Registration papers are NOT proof of show quality cats, which in folds means healthy.

5. Can you show me your genetic testing for PKD? What other genetic testing do you do?

6. Can you show me HCM heart ultrasound screening paperwork? How often do your rescan cats and is it a board certified cardiologist?

7. Have your cats ever been disqualified at a cat show for arthritis?

8. What is the difference between show quality and pet quality cat?

9. How long have you been breeding and how do you improve your bloodlines over the years and monitored arthritis in your folds? Does it set in before 7 years of age (cats are seniors at around 7-8 years old but should live to be teenagers with proper care and health screening)?

10. What is a reputable breeder?

11. Are any of your cats caged or enclosed and how is male spray handled? Are kittens at any time not able to freely roam in human company including pens, gates, or rooms?

12. If you are making any accreditation, licensing, or education claim, who is accrediting this and what were the requirements?

13. When you got your breeding cats, how did you verify the breeder you got them from did not have arthritic cats and why did you choose those bloodlines?

14. What type of testing and health will you provide on my kitten, not just the parents?

15. What type of kitten birthing techniques to save kittens do you know and how much have you spent to save a kitten?

16. How do you socialize your kittens? How much direct interaction do you personally have with each cat and kitten?

17. What type of food do you feed your cats and why?

18. How have you made your home cat friendly?

19. Did you have a mentor? Why or why not?

20. If you are claiming your cats are approved by judges for breeding, what judge and what show did they give such a final award and where can I verify this?

21. Have you sold show quality cats to someone who went to a show?

22. How do you keep up with advances in cat genetics, disease, health, and improvements to your breed and cats in general?

23. Have any cats been returned or surrendered back to you and why?

24. How do you screen for good placements for your kittens?

25. If there are any ethical breeder or endorsements, what were the requirements and how are you meeting them?

26. What type of health issues have arisen in your kittens after adoption and how did you support the family through the issue?

27. What is your health guarantee and what is needed for it to stay valid?

28. How do you prevent your cats from ending up in shelters?

29. What type of parasite preventions do you use?

30. Why do your cats cost as much as they do?

31. How do you handle adopters who want a cat, but not yours?