Introduction
A cat breeding business is typically called a cattery. A cattery is an establishment for breeding and raising cats. Catteries range from small home-based hobby breeders to larger commercial breeding facilities.
In this article, we will provide an overview of cat breeding businesses, including common names, purpose, breeds, facilities, costs, licensing requirements, health considerations, ethics, and more.
Different Names
People involved in cat breeding go by a few different names. The most common ones are:
- Cattery – This term refers to the facility where cats are bred. “Cattery” is often used synonymously with “cat breeder” as the name for someone who breeds cats.
- Cat breeder – This is the most straightforward name for someone who intentionally mates cats to produce kittens of a particular breed. A cat breeder focuses on creating purebred cats.
- Feline breeder – This is a more formal name for a cat breeder. It specifies that the breeder works with felines, but means the same thing as “cat breeder.”
So in summary, “cattery,” “cat breeder,” and “feline breeder” are all common names used to describe someone who breeds cats, especially to produce purebred kittens. The facilities where they carry out breeding are also called catteries.
Purpose
The main purpose of a cat breeding business, often called a cattery, is to breed and sell pedigreed kittens for profit. Reputable breeders focus on preserving and improving specific cat breeds by carefully selecting breeding cats that exemplify ideal breed standards. They aim to produce healthy, well-socialized kittens with good temperaments that represent their breeds.
While some breeders may keep their cattery small and breed only a few litters per year, others operate more like a business, with multiple breeding cats and litters. Larger scale breeders can better meet market demand for popular purebred cats like Bengal, Siamese, and Sphynx. They sell kittens nationally or internationally to individual buyers or other breeders and catteries. Quality breeding helps continue cat breed lineages and provides lovely pedigreed kittens to buyers.
Beyond profits, ethical cat breeders are motivated by a dedication to their chosen breeds. They work to preserve breed traits, avoid genetic defects, and promote good health and temperament. Reputable breeders belong to cat registries, breed clubs, and organizations that uphold breeding standards. Overall, cat breeding businesses allow breeders to share their passion while contributing to well-bred pedigreed cats.
Breeds
Some of the most popular cat breeds for breeding include:
Siamese – Known for their distinctive color points and striking blue eyes, Siamese cats are among the most popular breeds. They are intelligent, vocal, and bond closely with their human companions.
Persian – The docile, fluffy Persian is beloved for its luxurious long coat and sweet personality. Breeding Persians requires extra diligence regarding grooming and eye/nose care due to the structure of their face.
Ragdoll – Bred to be docile and affectionate, Ragdolls go limp when held. Their semi-longhaired coats come in many patterns and colors. They are a newer breed developed in the 1960s in California.
Other popular breeds for breeding include the Sphynx, British Shorthair, Bengal, and Maine Coon. When selecting cat breeds for a breeding business, it’s important to research their personality, grooming needs, health concerns, and whether there is demand for the kittens.
Facilities
Responsible cat breeders provide proper housing and facilities for their breeding cats. According to the USDA, cat housing must be structurally sound and in good repair to properly contain the cats (USDA Cat Housing Requirements). The facilities should have enough space for the cats to exhibit natural behaviors. The USDA has set minimum space requirements for cat enclosures based on the cat’s size and number of cats housed together. For example, the minimum floor space for 1-2 cats under 8 lbs is 3 square feet per cat. The minimum vertical space is 21 inches. Larger cats require more space.
The facilities should be equipped with proper bedding material, scratching posts, litter boxes, toys, and enrichment items. All materials should be sanitized between litters. There should be adequate lighting, ventilation, and temperature control. Separate rooms dedicated for birthing, raising kittens, and holding stud cats are ideal. The facility design should allow for isolation of sick cats as needed (Cat Breeding Facility Tips).
Costs
Starting a cat breeding business requires significant upfront costs. According to https://catbreedersensei.com/what-are-the-expenses-to-run-a-cattery/, the initial investment can range from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the breed. This covers expenses like housing, equipment, registration and licensing fees, veterinary care, and purchasing breeding cats.
Ongoing costs are also substantial. Breeders must pay for food, litter, grooming supplies, veterinary bills, stud fees, registration of litters, advertising, and labor if employees are hired. According to http://www.furryacres.com/cost_of_breeding_cats.htm, stud fees and health testing for a queen can cost $400-$600 per breeding.
To manage costs, some breeders start small with just a couple breeding cats. However, profits are higher with more breeding queens. Despite significant startup and operating costs, responsible cat breeding can become a profitable business in time.
Licensing
People engaged in the business of breeding and selling cats must obtain the proper licenses and permits. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), cat and dog breeders in Texas must be licensed if they possess 11 or more adult intact female animals and are engaged in the business of breeding those animals https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/bre/bre.htm. To apply for a cat or dog breeder license in Texas, breeders must meet certain facility and operational requirements and pay licensing fees. Applications are submitted to the TDLR. Licenses must be renewed annually https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/bre/breapply.htm.
At the federal level, cat breeders may need a USDA license depending on the size of their operation. Commercial breeders with 5 or more breeding females are required to be licensed and inspected by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/apply/licensing-and-registration-application-packets. USDA licensing involves site inspections, record keeping, proper animal care, and other requirements.
Health
When breeding cats, it is crucial to ensure the animals receive proper veterinary care and health testing. All breeding cats should be up-to-date on core vaccines like rabies, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus to prevent infectious diseases.https://pets24.co.za/cats/birman-cat-breeding-in-mogwase/ Breeders should also have breeding cats tested for genetic diseases common to the breed, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in some breeds. Vet exams and diagnostic screening allows breeders to confirm their cats are healthy before breeding them. Working closely with a veterinarian provides guidance on safe breeding practices and medical interventions if necessary. Ongoing veterinary care through pregnancy, birth, and kitten raising is essential to support health. With proper veterinary oversight, testing, and preventative medicine, cat breeders can help ensure their breeding stock and kittens thrive.
Ethics
Responsible and ethical cat breeding prioritizes animal health and welfare. Reputable breeders make sure their breeding cats and kittens receive proper veterinary care, nutrition, socialization, and enrichment. They screen for genetic diseases and do not breed cats with serious health issues that could be passed down. Responsible breeders also avoid overbreeding their cats and make sure kittens go to good homes through adoption contracts.
Unethical cat breeding practices like “kitten mills” that mass produce kittens for profit without regard for health or welfare should be avoided. Ethical breeders limit the number of litters their cats produce and do not repeatedly breed the same cats over and over. They also do not sell to pet stores or through intermediaries.
Breeding cats ethically involves a focus on health, socialization, placement in good homes, and overall animal welfare over profits. As the 21 Cats article states, “Reputable breeders aim to better the breed and ensure responsible pet ownership.”
Conclusion
In summary, a cat breeding business has many different names like cattery, cat breeding facility or cat breeding operation. The main purpose is to breed and sell purebred cats for profit. Popular breeds include Siamese, Persian, Ragdoll and Maine Coon. Breeders require proper facilities to house the cats and follow health and ethical guidelines. Starting this business requires research on costs, licensing and breeds. Overall, cat breeding can be a rewarding endeavor for cat lovers looking to breed pedigreed felines responsibly and profitably.