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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / January 2007

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breeding

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agapecharis - 25 Jan 2007 23:00 GMT
Me again. I have a question that I was wandering if y'all could help me
with. My husband wants to let our youngest, Koda, have kittens since
our oldest, Helen, was already fixed when we adopted her. Since our
girls are inside only cats, how would we go about letting her have a
litter, especially since she is not of any specific breed (that we know
of).

By the way, I never entroduced myself (and the family) to y'all. We
live in Colorado Springs, we're in our mid 20's and our only children
right now are our 2 little girls Helen ( 1.5 years), and our youngest
Koda. We adopted Helen from a shelter up the mountain here, and Koda
was a gift from a lady I worked with after my Ginger Baby (who used to
be our only child) left us. Can't wait to see everyone's thoughts on
this.
Sherry - 25 Jan 2007 23:14 GMT
My "thoughts on this" are, first,  there should be absolutely no random
breeding until the day that no more mixed-breed cats are killed simply
for lack of a home. There are too many already. I don't know where you
live, but if it's the U.S., that applies even more so. We kill cats by
the thousands every day. There is no way, no how, you can justify
breeding your cat.
But I'll be the first to admit, kittens are fun. You could offer to
foster a pregnant female for your local shelter, or adopt a kitten
already born. Why not think about that?
Sherry

> Me again. I have a question that I was wandering if y'all could help me
> with. My husband wants to let our youngest, Koda, have kittens since
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> be our only child) left us. Can't wait to see everyone's thoughts on
> this.
mlbriggs - 26 Jan 2007 01:10 GMT
> My "thoughts on this" are, first,  there should be absolutely no random
> breeding until the day that no more mixed-breed cats are killed simply
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>> be our only child) left us. Can't wait to see everyone's thoughts on
>> this.

I second the motion!   MLB
Ketzl's Dad - 26 Jan 2007 01:30 GMT
>> My "thoughts on this" are, first,  there should be absolutely no random
>> breeding until the day that no more mixed-breed cats are killed simply
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> I second the motion!   MLB

For your own sanity, I recommend you check local shelters. I had terrible
experiences with petfinder when I was looking. I applied at about a
half-dozen "rescuers" and (maybe this is just a New York City thing but) I
was subjected to the most stringent and inconvenient requirements even to
visit with a pet.

One person had an 8-page application I needed to fill out that included three
personal references, a landlord reference and a veterinarian reference. All
three of the personal references were called and asked very personal and
embarrassing questions (for the respondent) to answer.

Often the fees are outrageous and the individuals who I met with were,
without exception, overly protective of their pets. It's no wonder there are
so many out there waiting to be adopted. I spent six months trying for a cat.
I finally went to Bide-A-Wee, which, lucky for me, is six blocks from here.
(I don't know why I didn't go there first.) And within 20 minutes I had been
selected by one of the best cats in the world. Within an hour he was home.

Obviously, if you have no other alternative for adoption, use the individuals
on petfinder, but if you have a choice, use the established agencies. At
least, that is my recommendation, based on my experience.

Signature

Joey DoWop Dee
Remember: It is To Laugh

Kreisleriana - 26 Jan 2007 17:05 GMT
>>> My "thoughts on this" are, first,  there should be absolutely no random
>>> breeding until the day that no more mixed-breed cats are killed simply
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>on petfinder, but if you have a choice, use the established agencies. At
>least, that is my recommendation, based on my experience.

OTOH, if there was some unimaginable reason I had to give up my boys,
and no close friend or relative to take them, I would want everything
including  blood tests and a FBI search on the prospective slaves.


Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh

Make Levees, Not War
Adrian A - 26 Jan 2007 09:53 GMT
> My "thoughts on this" are, first,  there should be absolutely no
> random breeding until the day that no more mixed-breed cats are
> killed simply for lack of a home. There are too many already. I don't
> know where you live, but if it's the U.S., that applies even more so.

The last time I looked Colorado Springs was in the US. I agree
indiscriminate breeding should not happen, if the OP wants to experience the
birth of kittens then I would suggest fostering a pregnent mother from a
shelter.
Signature

Adrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera)
Cats leave pawprints on your heart.
http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk

Enfilade - 26 Jan 2007 14:00 GMT
Unless you're prepared to provide a home for all the kittens for the
rest of their natural  lives--and there could be 6, or 8 of them--then
it's not a wise thing to deliberately breed a mixed-breed cat.

I think you would be much better off adopting or fostering a pregnant
female from the shelter--you can enjoy the baby kittens and the shelter
will then help homes be found for them.  You're also not adding to the
population problem as the foster cat would not have been deliberately
bred, she would have an unwanted pregnancy.

--Fil

> > My "thoughts on this" are, first,  there should be absolutely no
> > random breeding until the day that no more mixed-breed cats are
> > killed simply for lack of a home.
agapecharis - 26 Jan 2007 16:12 GMT
Thank you all for your thoughts. My husband has dropped the idea, at
least for now. Just so y'all know if we ever did allow her to have
kittens, we would keep them all. However, no worries, as soon as she
starts to start yelling for a man, she will be fixed.

We did decide to adopt another cat last night. I tell you he is like my
Ginger Baby reincarnated. His personality so far is just like
Ginger's was. His meow even sounds the way she did. There is one
thing he does that she (nor any other cat I have ever had) has ever
done. He gives kisses like a dog. It is so cute.

-Cassandra
Kreisleriana - 26 Jan 2007 17:11 GMT
>Thank you all for your thoughts. My husband has dropped the idea, at
>least for now. Just so y'all know if we ever did allow her to have
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>-Cassandra

When you're ready, we'd love to see pictures. ;)

Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh

Make Levees, Not War
Jo Firey - 26 Jan 2007 17:30 GMT
> Thank you all for your thoughts. My husband has dropped the idea, at
> least for now. Just so y'all know if we ever did allow her to have
> kittens, we would keep them all. However, no worries, as soon as she
> starts to start yelling for a man, she will be fixed.

Uh, don't wait that long!

If she's five months old its time now.

Especially since you just got a boycat.

Jo
agapecharis - 26 Jan 2007 18:12 GMT
Patches is fixed, I think it's required when you adopt from a shelter.

Ok, you can see our kids here.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2967852910100355049cEoMkJ?vhost=good-times

-Cassandra
jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt@sonic.net - 26 Jan 2007 18:29 GMT
> Patches is fixed, I think it's required when you adopt from a shelter.

> Ok, you can see our kids here.
> http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2967852910100355049cEoMkJ?vhost=good-times

Oh, what cuties! Ginger Baby was a beautiful girl. I love the one of her
striding purposefully along with her fluffy tail in the air. (The caption
for that one reads "The late, great party animal").

Your current two girls look very sweet. I hope they'll welcome Patches.
Do they seem to be getting along very well?

I agree with others that Koda should be spayed right away. At 5 months,
she is almost ready to have her first heat. And even if your intent is
to keep her indoors, when a cat is in heat, she can often find a way to
get outside! (Happened to me once.)

Welcome to RPCA!

Joyce
agapecharis - 26 Jan 2007 18:46 GMT
> Your current two girls look very sweet. I hope they'll welcome Patches.
> Do they seem to be getting along very well?

The girls are a little upset. There were a few angry words toward us
and toward Patches last night, but now they've setteled down. They're
stating to go about everything as usual, instead of following him all
over as they did last night.

I guess it would be a good idea to have it done now.

-Cassandra
polonca12000 - 27 Jan 2007 21:37 GMT
>>Your current two girls look very sweet. I hope they'll welcome Patches.
>>Do they seem to be getting along very well?
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> -Cassandra

Lots of purrs and best wishes for everything to go really well,
Polonca and Soncek
Pat - 26 Jan 2007 18:28 GMT
> soon as she starts to start yelling for a man, she will be fixed.

Why wait?

Spay surgery is more risky and difficult if it's done while a cat is in
heat. Most vets either charge more for spays done during heat periods, or -
wisely - refuse to do them until the heat is over.

It can be difficult to get a young female cat worked into a vet's schedule
at the right time, because if they're not bred, they stay in heat a good
deal of the time! And each time they go through a heat period without being
bred, the risk of cystic ovaries climbs. Cystic ovaries can be fatal.

So, once again: Why wait?
Lorraine - 26 Jan 2007 00:12 GMT
>Me again. I have a question that I was wandering if y'all could help me
>with. My husband wants to let our youngest, Koda, have kittens since
>our oldest, Helen, was already fixed when we adopted her. Since our
>girls are inside only cats, how would we go about letting her have a
>litter, especially since she is not of any specific breed (that we know
>of).

Perhaps something like this would be a better option.
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=4381280

I'm with Sherry.  Please don't breed her.  There are just too many
homeless cats already.

There are many more options here...
http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?offset=25&zone=1&limit=25&zip=8090
1&breed=&animal=Cat&age=Baby&tmpl=&lat=38.8339&long=-104.8208&preview=1


If that URL breaks, try this one: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ypgb4n

Signature

L.
Pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/raineontheplain
Last updated 2007/01/02

Jo Firey - 26 Jan 2007 02:01 GMT
> Me again. I have a question that I was wandering if y'all could help me
> with. My husband wants to let our youngest, Koda, have kittens since
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> be our only child) left us. Can't wait to see everyone's thoughts on
> this.

My thoughts, please don't.  Yes I know kittens and puppies are as much fun
as you can have without getting arrested,  Yes we used to breed poodles for
a while.

However, particularly since Koda isn't a specific breed, there is no way for
you to guarantee that her kittens would always have a good permanent home.

Next argument, I found that breeding changes a pets personality.  Not really
sure how to explain it, but I'd say they become more self-involved and less
people oriented.

And there is an alternative.  (Pam, where are you?)

There are plenty of pregnant cats in the shelters that could really use
foster homes until they give birth and raise their kittens.  All the fun,
less responsibility.  It is a very good thing.

My Molly is one of those cats, she was rescued and fostered till her kittens
were old enough for homes.  Then she was spayed and placed for adoption.

When we went to look for a cat, I was still grieving my Rosie.  My wishes
were a small girl cat with big ears and a long tail.  I wanted an adult cat.
The shelter was very surprised when Molly found us within hours of being
declared ready to adopt.  Even before her quite adorable kittens.

Jo
jmcquown - 26 Jan 2007 03:54 GMT
>> Me again. I have a question that I was wandering if y'all could help
>> me with. My husband wants to let our youngest, Koda, have kittens
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>
> Jo

Absolutely don't breed cats when so many of them are just out there.  I can
tell you about Spotty the cat... a homeless one out in the pouring rain who
didn't get rehomed until I snatched her up and took her to The House of Mews
and got her a new home.  And Persia, who was running around loose until she
yowled at my back door.  Breeding cats, well, have you any plans for them to
have a place to live?  Kittens are cute and all that, but have you got plans
for them to live?  Or are you planning to provide them food and shelter for
the next 18-20 years?

Jill

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