A Responsible Breeder (RB) vs. A Backyard Breeder (BYB)
1. RB : Is "into" Cats - is involved in showing, clubs, buys books, subscribes to magazines, etc.
BYB :Is not really"into" cats other than having "pets" around the house.
2. RB : Belongs to cat clubs and organizations
BYB :Is not involved in the "cat world"
3. RB : Proves the quality of cats and their suitability for breeding by competing for titles at cat shows, genetic screening, etc.
BYB :Quality of breeding cats is almost always substandard - the cats are just pets or "breeding machines".
4. RB : Never breeds cats without "papers".
BYB : Sells cats without "papers".
5. RB : Pedigrees are filled with cats who have obtained Grand Champion titles in the first 3 generations.
BYB : Pedigrees mostly a list of pets bred by other backyard breeders.
6. RB : Supports rescue groups; knows his actions inevitably play some part in pet overpopulation and euthanasia
BYB : Honestly believes that because he places/sells all his cats, he does not contribute in any way to the needless slaughter of millions of cats per year in shelters
7. RB : Knowledgeable in every facet of the breed, including that of health issues/defects.
BYB : Not particularly educated about breed, often not aware of his own breed's genetic defects.
8. RB : Researches genetics when choosing mates
BYB : Does not consider mate's genetics
9. RB : Knowledgeable about socializing, breeding, health; constantly reads cat-related materials.
BYB : Won't bother to read any of the hundreds of cat - related information available except when looking for a quick answer to avoid taking a sick cat to the vet.
10. RB : Can and will help and educate kitten buyers regarding any issues
BYB : Says "Good-bye" and "Good luck"
11. RB : Willing to give you references .
BYB : Has no references.
12. RB : Knows his kitten's ancestry
BYB : Knows nothing about the other cats on kitten's pedigrees
13. RB : Follows up on kitten's well-being; collects health information affecting his cats
BYB : Does not concern himself with the kitten's well-being or how kitten's health affects his breeding "plan"
14. RB : Breeds to improve his own cats, his bloodlines and the breed
BYB : Breeds just to breed or make money or see his "great cat" procreate
15. RB : Rarely breeds as he does not use cat breeding as a business and strives for quality, not quantity
BYB : Breeds regularly if for money or ego.
17. RB : Breeds only cats which meet the breed standard
BYB : Cats used for breeding rarely meet breed standard
18. RB : Breeds only cats with stable temperaments
BYB : Breeds shy/unsocial cats with poor temperaments
19. RB : Breeds only cats over 1 year old, and a limited number of times before retiring them to a pet life.
BYB : Breeds cats at almost any age, any number of times and for as long as they keep producing kittens.
20. RB : Does all genetic testing and will provide proof; does not breed animals with genetic defects or which are carriers of defects
BYB : Does no genetic testing; ignorantly breeds defective animals or those which are carriers, thus, perpetuating disease in breed
21. RB : Kittens are often sold from waiting list created before breeding even takes place
BYB : Kittens are sold after birth in the local newspaper, first-come, first-served
22. RB : kittens are sold with health guarantees
BYB : kittens are sold with no guarantee
23. RB : kittens are sold with contracts
BYB : No contracts
24. RB : Requires kittens back if new homes don't work out
BYB : Says "Find them good homes".
25. RB : Cats are well groomed, healthy and happy.
BYB : Cats are poorly groomed, sickly, sneezing.
26. RB : Raises kittens in the heart of the home with the family.
BYB : Raises kittens in cages
27. RB : Stays home to care for kittens or expectant moms.
BYB : Pregnant females are left to give birth alone.
28. RB : Feeds only premium cat food
BYB : Feeds cheap, grocery store cat food
29. RB : Use a proper litter
BYB : Use newspaper as cat's litter
30. RB : Does not allow kittens to go to a new home until they are at least 12 weeks old to ensure socialization and full immunity from vaccinations.
BYB : Wants kittens to go to new homes as soon as weaned, often as young as 7 weeks.
31. RB : Socializes kittens by systematically handling them and exposing them to various noises, children and other animals before sending them to new homes
BYB : Does not understand or want to be troubled with any kind of social training; just tries to keep kittens out from under foot until sold.
32. RB : Knows the different personalities of the kittens and tries to match their temperaments and drives with the buyers' personalities and lifestyles.
BYB : Knows nothing about matching kittens with buyers; allows buyers to pick the "cutest" one.
33. RB : Can honestly evaluate a kitten's quality
BYB : Says all kittens are high quality
34. RB : Never sells to "impulse" buyers.
BYB : Is not concerned about buyers being prepared for accepting a kitten into their family.
35. RB : Never sells two kittens at the same time to a novice.
BYB : Would consider this killing two birds with one sale
36. RB : Interviews prospective buyers, checks home and references, refuses to sell to substandard homes
BYB : Sells first-come, first-served to whomever has the cash; does not find out which homes are substandard
37. RB : Wants to meet the whole family; won't sell if children are abusive
BYB : Does not consider anything past obtaining the funds.
38. RB : Sells only to buyers who can afford to properly care for a kitten, including unexpected vet bills.
BYB : Is not concerned whether or not buyers can afford to properly care for a kitten.
39. RB : Waits for buyers who offer lifelong homes.
BYB : Does not reject high-risk buyers i.e. those with poor track records etc.
40. RB : Will only sell to owners who will keep the cat indoors exclusively
BYB : Doesn't care if the cat is allowed outdoors.
41. RB : Sells only to buyers who make a kitten's safety a priority
BYB : Does not consider the kitten's' best interests
42. RB : Requires the buyer to spay/neuter pet-quality kittens
BYB : Encourages buyers to breed, regardless of quality
43. RB : Makes sure buyers understand kitten's need for love and attention.
BYB : Does not provide even his own cats with enough time, love or attention.
44. RB : Responsible Breeders Improve the Breed
BYB : Backyard Breeders Damage the Breed
|