Kitten Mills

Although not as well known or as well publicized as puppy mills, you need to be aware of purchasing your new kitten from a Kitten Mill.

Cat Breeding requires excellent breed knowledge and outstanding responsibility by reputable breeders. Unfortunetly, cat breeding (and dog breeding too for that matter) is often exploited as a profit making business with the sad consequence of cruel treatment of felines who are kept in inhumane conditions.

Females are expected to breed many litters.  In some cases, once they are no good for breeding, they are cruelly destroyed.

The litters produced can be unhealthy and have health challenges. Kittens are often taken away from their mother before they should be so they are denied socialization skills by their mother and litter mates.  (It is the opinion of many breeders that kittens should be with their mother and litter mates until at least 8 weeks old.)

What's the difference between Backyard Breeders and Mills/Farms?

Backyard Breeders practice random or ignorant cat breeding on a small scale.

Mills or Farms are large cat breeding operations, and the people who own them are known as millers/farmers.

Backyard Breeders and Millers are usually motivated by profit. (For example, Backyard Breeders don't realize that the hobby of animal breeding practiced on a small scale is not usually profitable when one considers the cost of health maintenance, healthy food choices and pregnancy care.)  Often times, Backyard Breeders and Millers are ignorant of selective breeding goals and techniques.  They aren't even familiar with the breed standard of their chosen breed of cat. Sometimes they are cruel and abuse animals because they are only concerned with profit.

Look Out for the following:

Unethical Backyard Breeders and Millers want your money, so, they will tell you what you want to hear. The may tell you that the kitten is registered, which it may not be. They may tell you they have a certificate to prove that the kitten is registered but the certificate will not be signed or have the breeders name on it.

Be aware of outlets offering more than one or two breeds. When visiting the seller note the surroundings. Visit the kitten more than once. Ask to see the pedigree papers and ensure the breeder's name is on the certificate.

The breeder should want to know about you too. They will want to make sure the kitten  is going to a good home.

Ask to see the kitten with its mother - be very suspicious if you can't.

Think carefully before buying and do not buy the kitten because you feel sorry for it.

If you trade with an unscrupulous breeder, you will be supporting their trade.

Think before you buy from a pet shop. Purchasing kittens, especially those claimed to be purebred, from a pet store is strongly discouraged by reputable breeders and animal shelters.

While many pet stores claim to purchase kittens from "local breeders" instead of kitten mills, this is often untrue. Most reputable breeders do not sell animals to pet stores. The phrase "local breeder" may also refer to backyard breeders.

Reputable breeders raise their animals in humane conditions, provide good socialization and kitty box training, and adhere to the breed standard.

They are knowledgeable about major health problems associated with their breed.  They are knowledgeable about the principles of genetics and they frequently undertake specific matings to produce or refine particular desirable characteristics in their cats.

They are sensitive to the requirements of their breeding adults — who may also be breeding for performance champions. Reputable breeders frequently screen potential customers rigorously, and usually provide a pedigree and health guarantee with their kittens.

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This post was suggested by a Lifes Abundance Cat Food field rep.

A quality, wholesome food is critical for your new kitten's health.  We recommend a holistic cat food such as Life's Abundance Pet Food.

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