Should I feel bad or guilty about purchasing a pedigreed cat (or dog!) when pet overpopulation is such an issue?
If you are purchasing from a reputable breeder the answer is a resounding NO. Without responsible breeders many of the beautiful breeds you see in magazines, TV, and at cat shows would be extinct. Yes, extinct. It is estimated that pedigreed cats account for only 3-8% of the cat population and roughly half of those are Persians. Responsible and reputable breeders are bettering their chosen breed by breeding only the best of their breed! They are doing their part to end overpopulation by early spaying/neutering their pet kittens so indiscriminate backyard breeding and dilution of the breed does not occur. Reputable breeders carefully screen their adopters to help to ensure their cats will live a long happy life in a forever home and don’t wind up in a shelter. In the case that an adopter can no longer home a cat, reputable breeders will help to place it and do everything in their power to ensure it does not wind up in a shelter. Reputable breeders care about all issues affecting cats, s
