Topic: DO EX BREEDING CATS KEPT IN PENS ADAPT TO HOME AS A PET??? (Read 21397 times)

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #45 on:** November 21, 2009, 13:43:24 PM »

This sounds so much better and great that you have taken the trouble to find out

Birmans are very clever and demanding and love to be near their humans and howl if they dont think they are getting enough attention.

I have two who are over 16 now although have only had them nearly 4 years and they are still learning LOL......how to steal my pillow, how to twist me round their paws, how to look mournfully with their blue eyes when they wanyt something and how to get even more attention.....they never miss a trick

asia snow · « **Reply #44 on:** November 21, 2009, 13:10:39 PM »

Really pleased you had a more positive experience with breeders this time. I was told by a breeder I sought help from after the "breeder" I bought my Burmese refused to help/support me when he encountered a life threatening illness within days of him living with me, that any breeder worth their salt will want to find everything they can about you before you have one of their kittens/cats.

sheryl · « **Reply #43 on:** November 20, 2009, 20:15:26 PM »

My Bengal breeder re homes Queens and Studs when they retire and they are all socialized and loving cats, she retires all her "girls" young because she doesnt believe in over breeding as says they deserve loving pet homes. Ex breeding cats can definately become loving pets as long as you get one from the right breeder.

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #42 on:** November 20, 2009, 19:15:21 PM »

Hi, yes I am thinking of going down the kitten route. Your breeder sounded excellent and you sound very happy with your boys!!

AN UPDATE: I contacted a breeder in Wales who herself breeds Birmans and her husband breeds Ragdolls and she said visit her and see both breeds, which might help me decide on one breed or neither, there was no pressure. All her Birman litter due next year are all reserved. She also recommended three other breeders and I went to visit one of them which was a little nearer to me.

Well what a difference from my previous experiences, she obviously loved her cats and and they all lived indoors (7 of them) as pets.. They ranged from 6 months to adult cats - they were absolutely lovely cats. They were very content cats and obviously had their own personalities but they were wanting to be with her and even some of them came upto me and a couple of them sat on my lap! I am smitten now and am thinking of getting one or two (if I can afford two) kittens next year. I am going to see another lady that she recommended also. All these ladies do not have kittens to go and are very happy for me to visit them and extremely knowledgeable and members of the recognised clubs and associations etc. And importantly they really care and love their cats and only want them to good to suitable loving homes. It was good because they all asked lots of questions about me and my lifestyle.

All their kittens are well socialised, regularly handled from an early age and are used to households noises, litter trained, fully vaccinated, registered with the GCCF, Microchipped, pet insurance, pedigree generation certificate, kitten pack, and a contract to ensure that I get them spayed/neutered because I will being buying the cat as a pet. Also they said that they love to now how their kittens settle and are always at the end of the phone if I ever needed any advice at anytime.

It was such a joy talking to these ladies and meeting the Birmans!!! So I am having a break from having a feline friend with me until next year.

Thanks to everyone that has said that the first to breeders I visited were not the norm!! xxxx

Kucinta · « **Reply #41 on:** November 20, 2009, 17:06:43 PM »

If you go ahead re the kitten route - I'd say get two if they're indoor cats and you're out at work all day, as they need the company. If you're at home most of the time, then one might be ok as you can give it lots of attention.

I think it's a blooming cheek 'breeder' 2 was trying to use the kittens to cover their mum's vet bill!!! If you do get a cat/kitten(s) of any age seriously consider pet insurance as one of the 'running costs'.

I have two Singapura boys who are very much people cats, but are probably too lively and playful for your set up. Their breeder was nearly in tears when I left with them, and has kept in touch over the last four years. The boys were both registered and she only charged me 'pet quality' prices for both of them, even though Milo was show quality, as I didn't want to show, but just have ideal 'companion' animals.

The breeder insisted I collect the boys in person (so she could look me over!) gave me plenty of advice, gave me goody bags for the boys and had them covered with six weeks insurance. She wouldn't let them go until after they'd had their second set of injections, and withheld their pedigree pink slips until I sent her proof they'd been neutered. All her cats were part of the family and lived indoors as pets; they all erupted into the room as a troupe to give me the once over, and had obviously been regularly handled and socialised.

It was also part of our agreement that if for any reason I have to give up the boys at any stage of their lives, that I would contact her first; she obviously feels responsible for all the kittens she has raised, and to my mind, that's how it should be.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #40 on:** November 15, 2009, 19:20:01 PM »

Quote from: bucklesanbows on November 14, 2009, 20:36:55 PM

Quote from: Millys Mum on November 14, 2009, 19:25:47 PM
Sadly in my eyes shes is bad as lady number one, she is a breeder, a lazy one, who cant even be bothered to breed peds but crossbreeds
Please dont encourage her by paying her, i expect she wants a good price for her crossbred cats doesnt she does she take precautions of blood testing her cat, i doubt the stud owner does if they let him mate with anything

If you get kittens do get 2, but think about it without their image in your head. What made you want calm and chilled in the first place and does that reason still stand

Hiya, I hear what you are saying. She is asking £275.00 for each of the two remaining kittens (7/8 weeks old) - vet checked but no vaccinations. The Mum cat I was told was Chinchilla x Persian and the Dad a Birman. I did ask about their pedigree papers but she said it is not necessary and I did ask about were they checked and negative for the different things that I had read about re the breeds.

Strangely, when I googled for the type of kitten for the area it bought up an older advert placed by her and she was selling them for £140.00 so hence three of them had gone! But I think she is finding it harder to sell the remaining two. I think she has put the price up (well I know) because her Mum cat had to go to the vets for 5 days because she became poorly after the kittens were born and she had a vets bill for £800.00, she told me thats why these two kittens were expensive.

I know you are right, I have to forget the cute little kittens and think logically. If I were to get a pedigree I will go down the route of someone rep who has blood tests and everything done in the best interest for the cat and the breed.

Not doing very well trying to find a new pussy cat friend!!!!!!! x

£275

shame the big vets bill didnt make her see sense

Check out who has Liz mentioned they have some lovely cats, even a youngster under 18 months
http://www.ragsrehome.co.uk/PAGE1.htm

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #39 on:** November 15, 2009, 15:32:07 PM »

I agree with Blackcat - that price is way over the top for moggie kittens, becasue thats what they are - they are not pedigrees, they are crossbreeds - even the mum is a crossbreed. There is no point in asking for pedigree papers - she cannot register crossbreeds. That would be around the price (varies from breeder to breeder) for a pedigree pet kitten i.e. one that is from registered pedigree parents, with all its papers, fully vaccinated, flead and wormed, usually 6 weeks free pet insurance and as Asia Snow said - often a bag of goodies - food plus diet sheet, toys etc.

asia snow · « **Reply #38 on:** November 15, 2009, 10:45:38 AM »

I paid £400 or my little asian pussy cat but she is very beautiful, she was from a GCCF registered breeder, had her 2 sets of vaxs, microchipped and had lukeima jab, I saw mum and dad, a 5 generation pedigree and also got to spend hours there playing with her and the other kittens.

I came away with countless bags of goodies for her including a blanket smelling of mum and new friends who are always on the other end of the phone should I have any problems. With their support I showed her for the first time at the beginning of October and was so pleased she got 2 2nds in her classes.

Best of all I have a well adjusted and socialable cat who loves nothing better to curl up on the sofa with us, or lie on the back of the sofa and play with my hair or get under the duvet and keep our feet warm.

I didn't mind spending the money I did on my little one because of the quality of the cats and the loving homes she came from.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #37 on:** November 15, 2009, 10:44:55 AM »

How about this gorgeous girl, not a Ragdoll but a pedigree Tiffanie....

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,28808.msg513894.html#msg513894

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #36 on:** November 14, 2009, 23:35:45 PM »

Some fabulous cats there

I am afraid that my brother bought a Maine Coon kitten and did as much research as he could and bought the runt of the litter. I dont know if he had pedigree papers but as the lady was unregistered, I suspect not.

Chester was not properly socialized and turned out to be a calicii virus carrier after being very ill himself.

He had so many problems one after another and eventually had to be pts before he was 4 years old. He was a beautiful cat who did not grow to Maine Coon size because of all his health problems and suffered greatly.

This should never have happened but the breeder was obviously not getting the cats checked out or the sire and dame, so I expect many of her kittens ended up the same as Chester.

I adore many of the pedigrees but the breeders must be registered, have the cats checked for illness before breeding and have the kittens vet checked, vaccinated and socialized and also to make dure the new owner had them neutered. Unless this is done you are likely to buy an overpriced, possibly cross breed who may be very sick and have no pedigree cert.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #35 on:** November 14, 2009, 22:15:37 PM »

I'd not heard of them before Liz, just had a peek and they have quite a few needing rehoming.....

http://www.ragsrehome.co.uk/PAGE1.htm

Liz · « **Reply #34 on:** November 14, 2009, 21:02:07 PM »

Have to say if you still want a ragdoll try ragsrescue they are really good and have some stunning cats just now for homing through no fault of their own singles and pairs and they do ask a fee for adopting a cat - no kittens just gorgeous ragdolls - I have one rescue here at the Clan she is my Minmin!

blackcat · « **Reply #33 on:** November 14, 2009, 20:52:47 PM »

I'm not surprised she is having difficulty getting that sort of price - that is extortionate. I am afraid that I would not even contemplate that sort of money for a cross-breed kitten from a private breeder.

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #32 on:** November 14, 2009, 20:36:55 PM »

Quote from: Millys Mum on November 14, 2009, 19:25:47 PM

Sadly in my eyes shes is bad as lady number one, she is a breeder, a lazy one, who cant even be bothered to breed peds but crossbreeds
Please dont encourage her by paying her, i expect she wants a good price for her crossbred cats doesnt she does she take precautions of blood testing her cat, i doubt the stud owner does if they let him mate with anything

If you get kittens do get 2, but think about it without their image in your head. What made you want calm and chilled in the first place and does that reason still stand

Hiya, I hear what you are saying. She is asking £275.00 for each of the two remaining kittens (7/8 weeks old) - vet checked but no vaccinations. The Mum cat I was told was Chinchilla x Persian and the Dad a Birman. I did ask about their pedigree papers but she said it is not necessary and I did ask about were they checked and negative for the different things that I had read about re the breeds.

Strangely, when I googled for the type of kitten for the area it bought up an older advert placed by her and she was selling them for £140.00 so hence three of them had gone! But I think she is finding it harder to sell the remaining two. I think she has put the price up (well I know) because her Mum cat had to go to the vets for 5 days because she became poorly after the kittens were born and she had a vets bill for £800.00, she told me thats why these two kittens were expensive.

I know you are right, I have to forget the cute little kittens and think logically. If I were to get a pedigree I will go down the route of someone rep who has blood tests and everything done in the best interest for the cat and the breed.

Not doing very well trying to find a new pussy cat friend!!!!!!! x

asia snow · « **Reply #31 on:** November 14, 2009, 20:24:16 PM »

I don't have a problem with people breeding pedigree cats as long as they do so responsibly. I have experience of good breeders and know if you find the right one then you will get support and advice from the minute you say you maybe interested.

In April this year I decided I wanted a Burmese after a couple of years of being personally catless and research into the breed, unfortunately my research did not stop me from being "had". I went to see two beautiful kittens (Sugar - female and Coco - male) and needless to say they eventually ended up coming home with me. Within a few days I noticed Coco was bloated and had somewhat smelly poos, a week after bringing them home I took them for a post-purchase check up at the vets (something I would always advise new owners). They put him on a dried food diet and we were to go back after a month to see if there was any change. During this time I made various calls and emails to the breeder with no response. Luckily I found another Burmese breeder online who was willing to advise me free of charge knowing full well I wasn't going to buy from her. Two weeks later I came down on a Friday morning to find Coco had been sick on the floor and was shaking. Rushing him to the vets they put hm straight on a drip and were due to xray luckily the vet looking after him realised it was an intussuction (where the intestines go like a telescope) and he was rushed to theatre where 10cms were removed. Coco survived and made a good recovery however because his body was denied the nutrients from food it needed he was very small for his age and he had a lot of problems for his bowel. After much discussion with my partner, the helpful breeder and the burmese cat club and heartache for us we decided that Coco would be better with the Burmese Cat Club in a special home where he could be better looked after with his problems. Please don't think this was an easy decision for us especially as I rescue neglected and abandoned cats but he has a very specialised diet and problems which need a lot of vet care. Vet costs alone for him were £2000 in 3 months he lived with us. He moved in with a Burmese Cat Club foster home in July and was evaluated (now seen every month) and last month was neutured (we had this planned for him but our vet wasn't happy to do it whilst so small and fragile). The fosterer has adopted him officially from the Burmese Cat Club as they were worried his medical problems would mean he would return to them again and again and aproached her if she was willing. I am in regular contact with this lady and to all intents and purposes he is doing very well except getting into scrapes as only he could, we now send regular donations to this charity because of how they helped us in a very difficult situation. We never heard anything from the breeder we bought him from.

Sugar is still here with us and currently up on the bookcase reaking havoc with my ornaments!! Sugar got very lonely and depressed after Coco left and after discussion with the breeder I had become friends with i visited her mother's litter of Asian kittens. This breeder was 100% better than the one who I got Sugar from, all kittens and females are brought up/live in doors with only the stud outside with his companion. She was full of advice and easy to talk to. After 4 visits we brought Cheeky home and now we have 2 very energetic pussies running round our house. The breeder and her daughter of Cheeky are always available for advice or a cat chat if I needed it whether about her or Sugar (who has resperitory problems due to her breeding).

I hope my story helps people not necessarily to reject getting a pedigree from a breeder but just to be buyer beware, do your research into the breeder (you can always speak to other breeders, clubs and even the GCCF if you are in doubt) and the breed.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #30 on:** November 14, 2009, 19:25:47 PM »

Sadly in my eyes shes is bad as lady number one, she is a breeder, a lazy one, who cant even be bothered to breed peds but crossbreeds

Please dont encourage her by paying her, i expect she wants a good price for her crossbred cats doesnt she

does she take precautions of blood testing her cat, i doubt the stud owner does if they let him mate with anything

If you get kittens do get 2, but think about it without their image in your head. What made you want calm and chilled in the first place and does that reason still stand

blackcat · « **Reply #29 on:** November 14, 2009, 10:26:26 AM »

Not for a long time. Smidgen was 18 weeks old when he arrived and has been the youngest I had since Pavarotti who would be about 18 by now if he were still with me. I tend to get older cats simply because I am a sucker for them when I go to the rescues.

I did breed my siamese cat a couple of times, but that was eons ago before I new better. The kittens were kept in line by my older moggie who bossed them into their confined space and made them stay there ...

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #28 on:** November 14, 2009, 10:21:12 AM »

Hi blackcat,

Yes, she let her cat have a litter last year and then of course she had this litter (the one's I saw). She is letting her have one more litter, not in the near future then she told me that will be it because she does not want her to go through having anymore after that. Yes, I was thinking on having the two kittens who are left but not sure I can fork out double the money!! But seeing them together them together playing and sleeping together thats what I thought about having both!! And I also thought they would be company for each other now and as they get older. The little girl was the quieter of the two and the other one was a little more confident and liked to lay next to you whilst the little girl just loved to be snuggled up right up with me.

Have you had kittens? x

blackcat · « **Reply #27 on:** November 14, 2009, 10:12:23 AM »

Promise you will talk (sternly) to the owner about the urgent need to have her cat spayed before she falls pregnant again, and go for the kitten I say. Kittens are mischievous and get everywhere and they do the world's smelliest poos, but they are wonderful to have around. Get two and it will be half the trouble and double the fun.

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #26 on:** November 14, 2009, 09:56:23 AM »

Hi, by what people have said since I posted this I have decided not to get an ex breeding cat especially from that breeder! In the meantime I have been to visit someone locally to me with Persian X Birman cats & kittens. She is not a breeder but her lovely pet has had kittens who are now 7 weeks. It was such a joy to meet the Mummy cat who was so gentle and came and sat on my lap!! Then the kittens who were kept in her utility room with their Mum, came up and and climbed onto my lap. They were delightful little bundles of fun and fluff as kittens are. One of the little girls wanted nothing more than to fall asleep on me snuggled up under my chin. She is the smallest of the litter and her other sister lay by me asleep. Guess what - I am thinking of having the little kitten!! But they are both lovely and when you see them asleep cuddled up together I think should I have them both?!?!?!?

I found the Mum cat was lovely and obviously loved her owner and was very friendly to me and a lovely Mum to her kittens. The kittens loved to be handled and the owner spends a lot of time with all of them which was evident and she groomed them all which they loved. It was a pleasure to see after my experience with the Ragdoll breeder the other day.

I know I said I wanted an older cat that was calmer but after seeing Mummy cat and the kittens I think they would be lovely lovely cats - but I know I would have lively little kittens and as they grow up would still be lively and tearing around the place until they are older. Thinking also that with a kitten they are in your environment from the word go and you bond with them from the very start. They do not come with any papers etc which I do not mind because they are a cross and have been to the vets twice, f & worm treated. I've never had a kitten before so am I being silly and just fallen for the cute bundles of fluff because I thought I wanted a mature cat that was placid? HELP!!

Kirst · « **Reply #25 on:** November 14, 2009, 07:59:24 AM »

It sounds like a very different setup to the breeder I visited when I got my Birmans - her cats were draped everywhere , and if you sat down you were guarenteed at least one puss on your lap. Her kittens wree all p;aying on their cat tree , and in her pens they all came trotting up to meet her. I was also there for about 3 hours!

As others have said , just because someone has nbeen doing something a long time , doesn't mean they are any good at it!

blackcat · « **Reply #24 on:** November 12, 2009, 20:08:55 PM »

I'm afraid that the length of time someone has been doing something is not always an indication that they know what they are doing. It can simply mean they have made the same mistakes over and over. She does not sound like a good breeder at all and i would be very loath to take on one her cats (except, perhaps out of compassion). A cat in a cage should still run towards it's handler, for affection and strokes as well as for food and drink. If you are looking for an affectionate cat then I would look elsewhere ...

Millys Mum · « **Reply #23 on:** November 12, 2009, 19:20:41 PM »

Ex breeding cats can settle into a home but others dont, you need to be prepared to potentially put some work in not just in gaining trust but in other areas like using the litter tray.
If her cats run away from her then you stand little chance of getting the cat you want.

Quote

when I held hi and he was so innocent it made me think perhaps a kitten

Quote

i don't want a cat charging about all the time

I'd also say dont get a kitten, regardless of breed all kittens race around causing chaos, what you describe in your first post is not a young cat but a middleaged upwards who will spend alot of life upside down on their back.
Have you looked at cat chat? They list an a-z of rescues, pedigree and moggie, in many areas of the uk

www.catchat.org

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #22 on:** November 12, 2009, 18:26:47 PM »

No I dont think so. more that she does not treat them so well and certainly doesnt spend time with them, sounds like they are breeding machines...........very sad

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #21 on:** November 12, 2009, 18:22:38 PM »

I feel really bad now, she has been breeding for 15 years and is looking at stop shortly. I was wondering if she had any problems of her own health wise that the cats were picking up on!?!?!?

Janeyk · « **Reply #20 on:** November 12, 2009, 18:20:21 PM »

Quote from: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 12, 2009, 18:00:42 PM

She sounds like a pretty awful breeder to me and I would imagine not registered.

The cats should not run a way from her and they all should be housed where potential viewers coulf see and be happy to take kittens from because parents and kittens are socialized and happy.....this goes not sound the case and its very sad.

I agree, sounds very worrying to me cats should run to their owner not away from them

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2009, 18:00:42 PM »

She sounds like a pretty awful breeder to me and I would imagine not registered.

The cats should not run a way from her and they all should be housed where potential viewers coulf see and be happy to take kittens from because parents and kittens are socialized and happy.....this goes not sound the case and its very sad.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2009, 17:34:05 PM »

Quote from: bucklesanbows on November 12, 2009, 16:56:10 PM

I'm not really sure, but they were running and scutterling around all over the place. She is a breeder with loads of cats and dogs and been doing this for years so she obviously knows her stuff.

I know some breeders have their cats in their homes with them all the time and only really keep the studs outside in pens.

I'm sorry, that doesnt sound like a good set up to me, and she is not showing off the breed to their best. Definitely visit other breeders - you will then get a feel for what a good breeder is like when you see a completely different set up.

You are right, a lot of breeders have their breeding cats (apart from studs) in the house with them. The breeder of some of my persians (not the one I got Poppy from) had all her cats inthe house, their was a special kittening room for mum and kittens, but still within the house. All the cats, pretty much without exception would come to greet visitors and would stay in the room, even climb on laps! and be perfectly comfortable with visitors.

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2009, 17:20:18 PM »

Yes, I was going to try for a slightly older cat not a kitten but after seeing the cats today and also the kitten I mentioned, when I held hi and he was so innocent it made me think perhaps a kitten to start afresh so to speak so he/she is in my environment from the start.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2009, 17:13:22 PM »

I would definitely 'shop around' so to speak.

Would you consider a middle aged Ragdoll (well, two

) http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,25136.msg505566.html#msg505566

Lily needs a quiet indoor home.... http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,28573.msg505564.html#msg505564

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2009, 17:03:39 PM »

Thanks so much for your replies. Yes it is the personality/temperament that is important, your right and I know cats don't conform - just like us really, tee hee

Do you think it is worth visiting some other breeders, perhaps small ones who have their cats in their home with them?

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2009, 16:57:28 PM »

Quote from: bucklesanbows on November 12, 2009, 16:27:56 PM

I know I said I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I must say after reading so much about Ragdolls and people saying how friendly, gentle and laid back they were I thought they would seem more placid then what I saw and experienced today, I am a bit shocked! Perhaps my expectations were too high but I am even more confused because if this is what ragdolls are really like then I don't think my environment is right for one because i don't want a cat charging about all the time (see my original at the start of this post)

I feel really sad now because I thought a Ragdoll would be perfect for me

x

It sounds like it's more the personality/temperament of the cat that's important rather than the actual breed as there's no guarantee that a pedigree will always conform to the 'usual' characteristics. However if you have your heart set on a ragdoll then I would get in touch with Kelly-Joy, she is involved in rescuing and rehoming ragdolls which people have had to give up for various reasons. Their temperament in the home environment will be well known and you will be able to find a cat that matches your home environment, many pedigrees are kept as indoor pets which would suit your situation rather than taking the risk of a cat adapting.

and keep us posted

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2009, 16:56:10 PM »

Hi

I'm not really sure, but they were running and scutterling around all over the place. She is a breeder with loads of cats and dogs and been doing this for years so she obviously knows her stuff. It's just that the cats were not what I had expected.

When I asked her why she keeps so many of the cats outside in pens she said that it is more healthy for the cats i.e. litter, food etc, and she does have about 8 - 10 cats who I saw outside. I didn't go to the third pen though, so not sure how many were in there - I think thats where the other gorgeous kitten was kept. Like I said she knows what she is doing but I did think he was too young to be in an outside pen, he was so small and so lovely - I wish I could have him. Perhaps being only a pet owner up until recently we are different in the way we think than some breeders have to be I suppose. It must be difficult with so many cats.

I know some breeders have their cats in their homes with them all the time and only really keep the studs outside in pens.

I'm still sad

Janeyk · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2009, 16:34:50 PM »

Did they all seem scared of the lady?

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2009, 16:27:56 PM »

Hi all, well, just got back from visiting the cats at the breeders I mentioned I was visiting today. I had a fairly long journey and when I got there she had forgotten I was going and was in a rush to show me the cats so I don't spend much time there sadly.

I was not too sure what to expect before I got there, so this is what I found................

There were some adorable tiny kittens in a large kitten box with a cage top on it to stop them escaping, they were so cute! There were about 5 other cats (her pet adult cats) running around the place like crazy and hiding underneath and behind furniture. They did not want to come up to me even when I sat down and the owner had to catch them for me to stroke them. That was lovely because I had never stroked a Ragdoll and their coat is so beautiful.

I went outside to the very large pens to see some of the other cats and they all ran away from the lady and finally she caught a couple of them for me to have a look at. Then we went back indoors (her dogs in the utility room were going bonkers wondering who I was) and she went outside to another outside pen and bought in delightful kitten who was 16/17 weeks old, he was lovely and seemed quite happy for me to hold him.

I know I said I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I must say after reading so much about Ragdolls and people saying how friendly, gentle and laid back they were I thought they would seem more placid then what I saw and experienced today, I am a bit shocked! Perhaps my expectations were too high but I am even more confused because if this is what ragdolls are really like then I don't think my environment is right for one because i don't want a cat charging about all the time (see my original at the start of this post)

I feel really sad now because I thought a Ragdoll would be perfect for me

x

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2009, 13:59:51 PM »

My Poppy was an ex breeding girl , 10 yrs old when I got her. She'd lived all her life in an outside breeding pen. She was quite shy (hand shy when you tried to stroke her) and coming to live in a proper home was a bit overwhelming for her at first - but it didnt take her long to settle and realise that she had all this space she could use LOL! She wasnt phased by the other cats at all, people she was more nervous of - but she was the sweetest, gentlest little girl, and after a few months of sitting in the same room as me, but at a distance - she suddenly decided she was going to try out my lap - and pretty much, there she stayed! was pinned down for the rest of the evening! - but from that day we never looked back. She was 18 when I lost her and she left a huge gap in my life.

So yes, definitely, ex breeding girls can settle into a proper home enivornment - so even if this girl you are going to look at initially seems aloof, shy, even nervous, doesnt mean she will stay that way in the right environment.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:16:25 AM »

Ragdolls are a gent;le and loving breed and I think she will adapt verywell because a house is like a much much bigger pen so she will have loads of TLC and be warm indoors too

CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:11:02 AM »

I took on a couple of strays a few months ago and they learned to adapt to living indoors, although they did have access to a cat safe garden. I think it just depends on the cat.

bucklesanbows · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2009, 09:58:51 AM »

Quote from: asia snow on November 12, 2009, 09:54:17 AM

My two cats (pedigrees) live some of the time in a specially constructed run/house outside, they get all the attention they want (we spend a couple of hrs min per day in there with them) there is lots to do (we have shelves, toys for them to play with and add something new/a change everyday so they don't get bored). Nightimes they have a heated insulated house where they also have toys to play with. They come in regularly and after about 10 minutes settle down to sleep in their many beds (or ours!). My cats are the most well adjusted socialable cats I know, in fact Sugar loves to sit on our shoulders and help us with our chores!The fact the cats are happy to live a mixture of inside and outside has allowed me to run a small rescue where I can take in/nurse/ and re-home less fortunate pedigrees and moggies something I love doing.

I can't speak for how an exbreeding cat will adapt it will depend on whether it has spent time inside, many breeders I have come across do keep their females inside and it tends to be the males that are kept outside. I don't think you have anything to lose by going to meet the breeder and the cat but bear in mind the time you may need to give this cat should you decide to give it a home. If you are going to be out all day at work could you take another pussy on so this cat will not get lonely (most breeding cats I have come across live in groups not solitary)?

I hope all goes well, I'm sure if you decide not to take on this Ragdoll it will find another pet home as they are delightful cats and very much in demand.

Thanks, I will let you know how it goes!

asia snow · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2009, 09:54:17 AM »

My two cats (pedigrees) live some of the time in a specially constructed run/house outside, they get all the attention they want (we spend a couple of hrs min per day in there with them) there is lots to do (we have shelves, toys for them to play with and add something new/a change everyday so they don't get bored). Nightimes they have a heated insulated house where they also have toys to play with. They come in regularly and after about 10 minutes settle down to sleep in their many beds (or ours!). My cats are the most well adjusted socialable cats I know, in fact Sugar loves to sit on our shoulders and help us with our chores!The fact the cats are happy to live a mixture of inside and outside has allowed me to run a small rescue where I can take in/nurse/ and re-home less fortunate pedigrees and moggies something I love doing.

I can't speak for how an exbreeding cat will adapt it will depend on whether it has spent time inside, many breeders I have come across do keep their females inside and it tends to be the males that are kept outside. I don't think you have anything to lose by going to meet the breeder and the cat but bear in mind the time you may need to give this cat should you decide to give it a home. If you are going to be out all day at work could you take another pussy on so this cat will not get lonely (most breeding cats I have come across live in groups not solitary)?

I hope all goes well, I'm sure if you decide not to take on this Ragdoll it will find another pet home as they are delightful cats and very much in demand.

Author Topic: DO EX BREEDING CATS KEPT IN PENS ADAPT TO HOME AS A PET??? (Read 21397 times)