Are you looking for a pedigree kitten from an ethical breeder but don’t know where to start? We are here to help! Our priority is the health of kittens, and we never compromise when it comes to selecting our partner breeders. We perform comprehensive checks on all our breeders to ensure their methods are ethical and adhere to strict breeding regulations.
An ethical breeder maintains the best possible standards of health and care for their animals. This guarantee gives you the best chance of adding a physically and mentally healthy pet as a new member of your family.
Below, you can find the key aspects we look for in our feline partner breeders:
All our breeders are registered with reputable cat breed associations and members of the World Cat Congress (WCC). The exact registration will depend on the breeder’s location, but possible breeding registries include:
These cat registries impose strict breeding practices on cat breeders, making sure they breed in the most responsible way and protect their cat’s health and welfare.
Every kitten that we place in their forever home comes with certified pedigree documents. These documents contain the genealogy of a cat over 3-5 generations, providing proof of their pedigree and lineage.
Pedigree documentation reflects the work of a breeder as it shows that they used a wide genetic pool and did not reproduce a brother with a sister, or any close relations.
At the Pedigree Paws, we strongly believe that the breeding of cats should be reserved for professional breeders, who are knowledgeable about their chosen breed and follow high welfare guidelines to preserve and improve the breed.
Being a breeder comes with big responsibility and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. That’s why we only collaborate with breeders who educate themselves on feline care and welfare, cat breeding, cat genetics, and other topics related to the breeding of pedigree cats.
Unfortunately, backyard breeders and kitten farms still exist today. One of the ways you can determine if a cat has been well bred is through the provision of pedigree documentation. Backyard breeders can claim that they are breeding pure pedigrees but generally won’t provide any proof! Additionally, people that sell pets without pedigree documents may breed cats that have been stolen.
Pedigree documents are just the starting element in selecting our partner breeders as there are other criteria beyond this document.
The main priority of our partner breeders is to breed HEALTHY kittens. The look or colour of each individual is a secondary consideration. Prior to mating they select the most suitable cats to breed based on many criteria including blood type compatibility, DNA and other health tests. In addition, they run tests for infectious diseases such as Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Our partner breeders raise kittens in their own homes to ensure proper socialisation and care. Prior to being rehomed to their forever home, every kitten is fully vaccinated, treated for internal and external parasites and of course, microchipped.
The goal of our partner breeders is to reduce the presence of inherited diseases and disorders in their chosen breed, so that kittens don’t inherit health problems. They do this by running blood type compatibility and extensive DNA tests, as well as further health checks on both potential parents prior to mating. Some of the conditions they check for include:
Some breeds also require additional health tests such as an x-ray to check for hip dysplasia, an echography of the heart, or BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) tests for white cats.
Our breeders keep their kittens with their mothers until they are at least 12 weeks of age.
Some other breeders might offer kittens that are only 8 weeks old. However, this is not enough time to learn essential life skills from their mother and siblings. Being removed from the mother and siblings too early can cause many behavioural issues that extend into adulthood.
Our partner breeder’s primary goal is to breed for Health, followed by Temperament, and then Type. This means that they make sure their kittens are healthy and well-tempered first and foremost.
Our breeders DO NOT breed cats that have been shown to suffer from genetic health issues. For example, we don’t work with breeders who breed Scottish Fold or Munchkin cats because studies have shown that these breeds develop severe health problems related to skeletal or joint deformities.
Our partners breed pedigree cats as a hobby fuelled by love, not as a business. They are all passionate about preserving and improving their chosen breed. In addition, they are fully transparent, trustworthy, and honest about their practices. These people belong to a very special group of breeders that share knowledge with each other to ensure they all stay up to date with the latest welfare guidelines. There is nothing more rewarding to them than sharing their love of their chosen breed with like-minded people and placing their kittens in forever homes. They see their cats as family members, not just animals, and that’s what they expect from prospective owners interested in their kittens.
Our partner breeders have done many courses and training alongside gaining certificates of achievement confirming their breeding knowledge. This education is paramount to make sure their breeding programs are planned according to the most up-to-date science. Furthermore, they continue to educate themselves to increase their knowledge. Some of the course topics they focus on include:
It’s perfectly normal for breeders to want to know about you and your household, as well as your interest in the breed because this information allows them to determine if a specific breed is right for you. With so many feline breeds available, it’s essential that you are given the opportunity to find the one that best suits your lifestyle.
The most heartbreaking situation is when a kitten needs to be rehomed. So, you need to be sure that you can provide a forever loving home, even if your circumstances change. As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to give a kitten stability, love, and care throughout its lifetime. For this reason, we add a clause into all our contracts that states a kitten cannot be resold or surrendered to a shelter. If for any reason you cannot keep the kitten, the breeder will take it back.
Our partner breeders are happy to arrange home visits with potential pet owners after the kittens have received their first vaccinations. This is a great opportunity for you to meet the breeder and see your new kitten in its current environment. In cases where breeders are based abroad, we arrange video introductions via Zoom. All our breeders are licensed by their local veterinary inspector to ensure their kittens are being raised in appropriate conditions.
Our partner breeders care for and breed their cats in their own homes, not in cages. This means that young kittens quickly get used to a home environment and are well prepared for family life. Our breeder’s properties are fully licensed, ensuring that they provide the best environment for their cats.
Most of our partner breeders attend regular cat shows to ensure their cats are judged against a strict breed standard. However, some breeders do not attend these shows due to individual preferences. For example, some felines find the situation stressful or simply do not enjoy it. Breeders always have their cat’s best interests at heart!
Our breeders devote their time to the needs of each individual cat and kitten they care for. So, it’s perhaps no surprise that they often get attached to their felines. As a result, they may want to stay in touch with families that have adopted one of their kittens and they always appreciate seeing an adorable picture or two! Our breeders love cats, that’s why they do what they do! So, if you have any questions or concerns, you can count on our breeders to offer advice long after you have rehomed your kitten.
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We are registered in England and Wales under registration number 12568840,
and our registered office is at 58-60 Kensington Church Street, W8 4DB London, England.
© 2023 The Pedigree Paws
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