Journey to cat breeding

Cat breeding and showing is not what you’d call an easy hobby to participate in. It takes up all of your time, money and space. A dedicated cat breeder doesn’t mind this though, as they’re not looking for a profit. Cat showing can be just as hard, but all together- the hard work is worth it.

I registered with the GCCFV in March, planning to breed and show exotic shorthairs with my mother. Half a year later and we still don’t  have a cat to breed or show or even a cat enclosure. So far we have a deposit on a kitten not yet born- costing $1500. Before we joined we done a lot of research. If planning to participate in the world of cat shows, it’s highly recommended that you go along to some cat shows first- get some knowledge of how they work, what makes a good show cat and make some friends in the business.

One thing I learnt is that cat breeders are greedy with their genes- even more so if they are successful in cat shows. Stud cat services seem to be a thing of the past now of days in Australia, so be prepared to keep a non-desexed (spraying) male in an enclosure on your property, as he’ll be used to breed with. A good quality adult show cat will cost a lot of money, and is rarely available, so also be prepared to pay quite a large sum of money for a kitten. Make sure your kitten is registered with a governing body and has a good pedigree. Imported blood-lines cost more due to the price of importing and quarantining the cat.

So, that is just the basic starting up of breeding and showing. Yes, there is lots more to learn- but many facts depend on the breed of cat. Remember to ask a lot of questions when looking to purchase a cat/kitten. Make sure that a medical certificate is provided, a pedigree and any information asked for is given. My small experience of getting ready for the cat show/breeding world shows that you must be prepared for breeders to turn you down, so pick out the willing and friendly breeders, and maybe you’ll become friends in the process. Flying interstate can help a lot! It doesn’t cost that much and breeders will be more willing to share their genes with you, as you’re not direct competition.

Anyway, if you’re considering entering this odd life of a cat breeder- be prepared to completely change your life!