The hardest thing for a breeder to do

abymummy · May 3, 2007

As breeders, we take keeping entire cats, finding the right bloodlines, breeding them, coping with loss, coping with failed pregnancies/deliveries, medical issues as part and parcel of our passion for our chosen breed. And we shed many a tear when we lose even one tiny kitten.

To me, the biggest heartache is re-homing or confirming a sale of one my cats.

Although I am overjoyed that he/she/they have found forever homes, the cat is one of mine. I have nurtured it, loved it and have been loved by it in return.

I have just sold the last cat of my very first litter.

The new owner comes highly recommended by trustworthy people who have affirmed that they too will look over her. I am happy she is going there...BUT, at the same time, I am dying, just a little bit inside because I wont be able to see her beautiful face everyday anymore.

Don't ever think that good, ethical breeders have no problems re-homing. My only consolation is that she is going to a great home with a loving family...

Any thoughts?

godiva · May 3, 2007

*hugs*
I know how you feel even though I'm not a breeder... giving up Sneakers' kittens was one of the hardest things I have had to do. You can do like I did and demand that you have the right to e-mail for an update and/or pics whenever you feel like it.

happy cat · May 3, 2007

I'm sure it's a bittersweet situation, maybe if you ask the families who adopted your kitties, they would keep in touch with pics and stories...I wouldn't demand it, some people value their privacy and may be uncomfortable with the suggestion...
If I bought a kitten from someone and they asked me for updates, I'd be happy to comply.

katachtig · May 3, 2007

The only thing I could say is that by working hard at breeding this kitten and raising him, you have shared a little bit of yourself with someone else. You gave the kitten the gift of love and he will give that gift to someone else. It is a way of intertwining yourself in the goodness of life. And while it is sad for you, you have brought more joy into the world.

abymummy · May 3, 2007

Originally Posted by katachtig

The only thing I could say is that by working hard at breeding this kitten and raising him, you have shared a little bit of yourself with someone else. You gave the kitten the gift of love and he will give that gift to someone else. It is a way of intertwining yourself in the goodness of life. And while it is sad for you, you have brought more joy into the world.

Oh thank you!!! What a wonderful way of looking at it!

anakat · May 3, 2007

I e-mail the breeders of Tolly and Chloe on their Birthdays, with a new Photo
and a little update on there lives. Daisy was fished out of a river, so she has no-one to tell

siggav · May 4, 2007

Ask the new very lucky owner of your kitten to keep in touch. I still email Nikita's breeder with updates of her regularely and her breeder is always very happy to get new pictures and to hear how she's doing.

urbantigers · May 4, 2007

I keep in regular contact with Mosi's breeder and send loads of photos and stories of what he's been up to. It's a credit to them that he's such a happy, confident, well socialised little boy so you can take pride in the fact that you've played a huge part in determining the kind of cat your kittens turn into. And hopefully your kitten's new owners will keep in touch so that you can see how she grows and develops.

I know Mosi's breeder found it very hard to say goodbye to them. Mosi was from their first litter.

goldenkitty45 · May 4, 2007

Been there done that. Yes, even a 4 month old kitten going to their new homes is hard. I miss them a lot - but seeing that they are well taken care of and loved helps a lot.

I try to get the new owners to keep in touch with pictures, emails, etc. and most do.

Then you look forward to creating another bunch of little ones to watch grow. We all would like to keep them - but as a quality breeder, you set your limits. That's why I line up future homes for a litter when I am showing. Gives me time to check out the new home/people.

pawsandwhiskers · May 4, 2007

I can imagine how hard that would be. As I have just started out in breeding, I am worried about how attached I will get to the kittens, who I know I have to sell. But yeah rehoming an dult would be harder. I fthey are lovely people though I am sure your cat will be so pampered and loved. Like the other posters say, get them to email photos and updates. I email photos to my cats' breeders and stay in touch. It will reassure you to see him/her so happy in their new home. Your cats are absolutely beautiful so they are very lucky to have one of them and I am sure they would agreee!

yosemite · May 4, 2007

I too can only imagine how difficult it must be.

Last year when I got Tianna for Carolcat, I only had her with me for 4-5 days and in that short space of time grew to love her so much it was heartwrenching to put her on that plane to California. 4-5 days is a drop in the bucket compared to the hours and days you spend with your babies so it has to be extremely difficult to let them go.

magnoliachat · May 4, 2007

I know exactly how you feel. As an ethical breeder, we do everything we can to make sure that kittens go to loving homes and try to keep up with them. About 80% of people that get a kitten from me communicate with me and keep me updated. I have all their email addresses, phone numbers, street address, etc... Sometimes, though, people lose touch. I understand that sometimes and, as long as they are a great home, it doesn't bother me too much.

The problem is with the homes that fool us. They end up getting rid of the cat and not letting us know. I have an application process for new families, plus I have a contract. The problem is that the contract is not real enforceable in other states. Sure, one could go to that length, but it is usually very costly. I try my best on the front end to make sure that it is a good home. Then, I cross my fingers and pray that it is what it seems.

My heart is with you. Hopefully, the new home for your baby is a great one.

lnbandcats · May 4, 2007

I cannot put my feelings into words as eloquently as katachtig did, but I second those emotions. I am going to bring one of celestialrags baby boys home in a couple of months. I know how attached she and her daughter are getting to the kittens - and will become even more attached as they continue to grow and develop their own little personalities! It must be defficult to see the babies go off on their lifetime adventure, to (what I know every breeder wants) their new forever home.
I, for one, would/will be type of person who will send photos, etc. of little Cosmo. I still stop in to visit my old vet in Hampton Falls, NH, where I adopted Mollie from! And I continue to bore them with Mollie stories! I sent photos of Oliver to my vet and the woman from whom I adopted Oliver from -
and they sent me condolence cards.
I have noticed that alot of breeders post photos and letters of their previous litters on their websites. And Leslye sent me a package of photos and letters from owners, when she sent me the application.
So my advice is ensourage your kittens' owners to share their joy in the baby that you have entrusted to them!

celestialrags · May 5, 2007

Originally Posted by lnbandcats

I cannot put my feelings into words as eloquently as katachtig did, but I second those emotions. I am going to bring one of celestialrags baby boys home in a couple of months. I know how attached she and her daughter are getting to the kittens - and will become even more attached as they continue to grow and develop their own little personalities! It must be defficult to see the babies go off on their lifetime adventure, to (what I know every breeder wants) their new forever home.
I, for one, would/will be type of person who will send photos, etc. of little Cosmo. I still stop in to visit my old vet in Hampton Falls, NH, where I adopted Mollie from! And I continue to bore them with Mollie stories! I sent photos of Oliver to my vet and the woman from whom I adopted Oliver from -
and they sent me condolence cards.
I have noticed that alot of breeders post photos and letters of their previous litters on their websites. And Leslye sent me a package of photos and letters from owners, when she sent me the application.
So my advice is ensourage your kittens' owners to share their joy in the baby that you have entrusted to them!

Thank-you for putting this here, I am glad to know I will have updates!

abbymummy, It is one of the greatest joys I have so far with breeding, to have an excited owner send pics and out dates of the new member of their family, which I helped to provide. I love getting pictures of happy well adjusted cats contently taken over the sofa, I know I can't provide that life style here for all of them, I would soon have too many cats and no room for them and then I would have to have them all caged. So I feel they are much happier the new owners are happy and I am content to know it.

mybabyphx · May 5, 2007

Even though I didn't get PHX from a breeder.... The person I got him from asked me to keep in touch with her. So after having him a couple days- I emailed her and let her know that the transition from her place to my place went ok. Umm after a couple weeks I emailed her again letting her know that he's settled in and happy. Every blue moon I'll just email her so that way she knows he's being taken care of

Maybe when you sell them you can ask the new owners to keep you updated???? I really didn't mind updating the previous owner, and I'm sure noone else will care either

It's understandable!!

abymummy · May 5, 2007

My contracts do state that I require an update every quarter at least.

The good news is that the new owner will show her which means I get to see her every so often

Still doesn't take away the pain of letting her go ... I'll be fine and I'm sure she will too!

halfpint · May 5, 2007

I think if you can think of it in a way of what all you have done for the Kittens and knowing that your work will pay off to the new owners you should be very proud. I think that pets are like Children in a way they are for the most part a product of the way they are raised. And you get the benefit of that Glory Adilah for doing a Wonderful Job of making sure that they know Love and caring and kindness and making them social...That makes a Wonderful Pet

I can't imagine how hard it is to let go either. I bet you are an Excellent Meowey

The hardest thing for a breeder to do

abymummy

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godiva

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happy cat

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katachtig

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abymummy

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anakat

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siggav

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urbantigers

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goldenkitty45

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pawsandwhiskers

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yosemite

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magnoliachat

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lnbandcats

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celestialrags

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abymummy

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halfpint

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