My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Rehoming ex breeder

17 replies

kag2007 · 21/01/2013 14:08

I am currently looking into getting a Ragdoll kitten but in discussion with a local breeder she mentioned that she may retire one of her 8yr old females as she felt the last litter took alot out of her. She described this female as having a very sweet nature and though she would come with no papers I have checked out the breeder and cat in question with GCCF and they are registered. I myself have 2 DCs, 4yrs and 5yrs and they are very good with animals. I work part time so there is only 1 day that no one is home which sounds okay for a kitten but ever better for an adult cat. I am now wondering whether rehoming this cat could be a good option but am concerned about how it would adjust to home life after 8 yrs breeding (is 8yrs a long time to breed a female?). Does anyone have any experience or view on this? Maybe I should continue my search for the right kitten?

OP posts:
Report
Floralnomad · 21/01/2013 14:11

Why would it have no papers? Personally I'd keep looking . Do you specifically want a Ragdoll ?

Report
kag2007 · 21/01/2013 14:15

I would like a ragdoll for their gentle nature, although I fully know they have their own personalities and are individuals. I am assuming the no paper thing is because the cat would be coming to me free as a pet and I would only be paying the spaying costs. I didn't ask why actually, maybe I should.

OP posts:
Report
jennybeadle · 21/01/2013 14:18

There's possibly nothing sinister in the no papers thing. I've heard about breeders doing that with dogs, to ensure that they are definitely not bred from again for profit.

Report
kiwigirl42 · 21/01/2013 14:26

I have 2 Ragdolls. One I got as a 2 yr old and one as a kitten. The 2 yr old had been left alone a lot and took a couple of months to get used to family life, but now too comfortable! Kitten is a bundle of joy and settled fine.

I had a west highland white terrier that had been a breeder and we had problems with her. She had been kept in kennels and was used to a very strict routine ie peeing on command 2 hrly etc. we had problems settling her in and I wouldn't do it again with a dog. I would find out where the cat had been kept - in a cattery type set up or in the home. Was she treated as a pet or as a show cat? I would be careful but she may be perfect for a loving home.

Our seal point who we got as a 2 yr old has truely blossomed since we got him. It has been lovely to see. We got the kitten as I wanted my DS 13 to experience the joy of having a kitten. Flea ia a lilac bundle of energy and my son adores him.

Report
Floralnomad · 21/01/2013 14:29

Let me know if you are in the south east and I will PM you the name of a breeder to avoid! My mum has a Ragdoll and if I were you I'd go for a boy .

Report
recall · 21/01/2013 14:34

I breed Bengals, and I have three active Queens, any one of them would make a nice pet cat, all very affectionate and loving lap cats. I don't keep them caged though, has this cat been kept in a cage? Also something to consider buying an old cat, you will be getting the latter part of its life, so may be vet bills to consider. Have you met the cat ? If you meet her, try picking her up for a cuddle and see how she reacts.

Report
kag2007 · 21/01/2013 14:34

Thanks kiwi for reply. The breeder keeps cats in cattery style accommodation and brings them into a nursery in her home when they have kittens. It all looks very reputable and she sounds nice but I would need to visit and its over 100mile round trip so i'd need to be sureSmile

OP posts:
Report
kag2007 · 21/01/2013 14:37

Flora am near Edinburgh and breeder is easy coast of Scotland near Dunbar. I 'll def try that Recall if I go and visit. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Report
DressageNut · 21/01/2013 14:38

We rehomed a Bengal who had previously been a breeding queen kept in cattery style runs. We were cautious with settling her in and kept her in the utility room and kitchen for a good while before letting her explore the rest of the house. However, she's blossomed and has turned into a wonderful family cat. We allow her outside as well but she doesn't seem to go far.

Report
Paiviaso · 21/01/2013 15:31

8 years is a bit old for a queen to still be having litters, but not impossibly old.

I expect you wouldn't be given the paperwork because the queen is on the active register, which means her kittens can be registered with GCCF. The breeder protects the cat slightly by holding on to the paperwork - if you turned out to be shady and bred the cat, you would not be able to register any further kittens without the breeder's permission. It is a step to dissuade you from breeding.

I think rehoming this cat sounds like a very nice idea, as long as you understand she may be quite slow about settling in (which it sounds like you do). Also, I get the impression that ex breeding females can often be unhappy in multi-cat households - I don't know if you are planning to get any more cats in the future, but something to keep in mind. Good luck.

Report
kag2007 · 21/01/2013 16:02

Thanks Nut and P, need to give it some more thought and ask a few more questions I thinkSmile

OP posts:
Report
catkitson · 22/01/2013 07:16

I have ragdolls. I too would say to go for a boy, instead of a girl, and for a kitten instead of a retired breeder who has lived in a cattery and therefore is possibly probably not very well socialised. If the point of getting a ragdoll is to have a calm, friendly and cuddly cat, this is possibly not the kitty for you.

You will be with the cat for many years, and want it to be a pleasure not a problem. Ragdoll rescue always have cats who need new homes, if you want an older cat with a known temperment.

I know it isnt the morally correct thing to say, and I should encourage you to get a retired breeder or rescue cat, but the joy of having a kitten and the bond they form with the family has been well worth it for us.

DO make sure they are checked for HCM and other inherited diseases, ive been mourning for my poor baby who passed away recently, and raggies do occasionally have problems inherited from their persian etc ancestors.

Report
LoopsInHoops · 22/01/2013 07:20

What a horrible life that poor cat will have had, in a cattery apart from when looking after kittens. :(

Report
catkitson · 22/01/2013 07:38

Sad, isnt it Loops. A round of kits, and living in a cage. If you DO think you can forgive her being distant or worse, and be patient with her, perhaps you might be the person to show her some love, Kag. feels guilty

Report
kag2007 · 22/01/2013 23:30

Thanks to everyone who got back to me. I decided to continue looking for a kitten for all the reasons mentioned. As I research I am becoming aware of just how important getting the right breeder and kitten is, there's a lot of profit driven, kitten farms out there Sad bad time of year for kittens apparently so my search continuesGrin

OP posts:
Report
Paiviaso · 23/01/2013 10:20

Good luck on your search kag. It is indeed very important to find a responsible breeder - don't be afraid to ask questions and ask to see paperwork when you visit a breeder's home, a good breeder will be happy to show you they are doing things properly.

Report
MrsGrumps · 24/01/2013 14:05

I've got 3 Maine Coons (2 girls & 1 Boy) who were used for breeding and I got them whent eh RSPA took them away at 2 years old.

They were a bit nervous but having been with us for two years now they are fine. The only thing I really noticed that I had not expected was their lack of knowing how to play, they jsut did not have a clue that they were supposed to run and chase after a paper ball or roll around a Cat nip mouse. They also had been fed nothing but cheap nasty food so looked rather strangely at me when first given fresh fish!

I also have a DSH boy of 10 months and a Ragdoll cross boy of the same age. The kittens are teaching the older ones how to play which is sweet :)

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.