We do this for the love of the cat, not for profits (and hide the REAL expenses from our spouses). Breeding cats cost much more than pet kittens. Responsible breeders sell pet kittens to offset their cost while working for the betterment of the breed, improving their cattery, and showing their cats.

To produce healthy and beautiful babies with an excellent temperament, it all starts with the parents!

First, to purchase breeding rights it is way more than the price of a pet kitten. Maintenance, supplies, HCM Scans, blood test, and veterinarian care generally cost $1000+ per cat in a year. By the time the cat breeds there are several thousand dollars invested into that one cat. The slightest illness can cost $200-$1000 per kitten. We only breed our girls 1-2 times per year. Top quality food, vitamins/supplements, and litter alone rack up hefty monthly bills. Plus the time it takes to prepare a raw feed diet. Then there are heating pads always on even if it is just the low setting, heated beds, as well as an elevated thermostat and/or heater adding to the electric bill. Kittens stay in the cattery for 3 months spending a lot of time being held, cuddled, cleaned up after, and fed well.

If all goes as planned healthy kittens are born, but disasters can happen:

• a cesarean costing $1500+

• after all the money spent on a cat, the cat can be found infertile

• stillborn kittens or any kind of genetic mishaps​​

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Good breeders make a huge investment in doing it right. Pet shops and back-yard-breeders (BYB) make profits by cutting corners (not having quality parents, not showing, breeding too frequently, not keeping kittens to a proper age, not scanning for HCM, and/or not providing quality/timely vet care) and they charge the same price as reputable breeders.

Good breeders shed lots of tears making huge sacrifices to create a successful breeding program. They want to see their adopting families in their lives for the next 15+ years. They will be disappointed to not get any pics of their kittens over the years. The BYB comes and goes and is never around for the long haul.

The cost associated with proper nutrition, vet care, health testing, outcrossing, and showing are all reflected in the price. Don't be fooled by bargain prices or deals, the old adage "you get what you pay for" is true.

This cat buyer guide does an excellent job on how to differentiate a reputable breeder from a BYB.

The Codes of Ethics of The International Cat Association (TICA) are: 

Any kitten or cat sold as a pet/companion will be sold under the following conditions:

• I will guarantee that the kitten/cat is in good health at the time of sale.

• I will urge the purchaser to have the kitten/cat examined by the purchaser’s own veterinarian within a few days of purchase to confirm its good health.

• I will require that the kitten be spayed or neutered

• I will explain to the purchaser the dangers of an outdoor environment.

• I will provide a written sales agreement that describes all the terms of the sale. I will abide by my own sales agreement.

• I will provide the TICA registration application form and/or pedigree for the kitten/cat ONLY after being altered.

• I will encourage the purchaser to contact me if the purchaser has any questions and I will respond in a timely manner.

• I will not release a kitten until it has been inoculated against the following: Panleukopenia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus.