Ethical breeding is slow, transparent, and rooted in animal welfare. If you're evaluating a cattery - or building your own standards - use the checklist below as a starting point.
Core Welfare Standards
- Health screening for breeding stock (HCM, PK-def as applicable, fecals, vaccines, parasite control).
- Queen protection: limited litters per year, maternity space, postpartum nutrition plans.
- Socialization plan: daily handling logs, exposure to common home sounds, confident transport training.
Contracts & Transparency
- Clear return/rehoming clause prioritizing the cat's welfare.
- Neuter/spay timing and show/breeding rights documented explicitly.
- Lifetime support channel (email/phone) with response-time expectations.
Buyer's Phone Script: Ask, "What's one area you're improving this season?" Ethical breeders will answer specifically (litter size, socialization video logs, nutrition tweaks) rather than defensively.
Red Flags to Avoid
- Pressure to send deposits before vet records or contract review.
- No references from prior buyers or veterinarians.
- Reluctance to discuss return policy or health guarantees.
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