Hello!
Annoying question from me again, but my mind wonders about these things and i'm genuinely interested.

Has anyone found the current 'credit crunch' or 'recession' has affected thier breeding business?

Anyone been forced to lower kitten prices to sell them?

Excuse my ignorance, i'm not sure how breeding works.... do you have a waiting list for kittens and then breed based on that or to you have kittens first then advertise for owners?

I suppose that would depend on the breed (some are i imagine are in higher demand than others) but have noticed quite alot of pedigree ads in local papers ect recently

Just interested!

I think, whether some have noticed it yet or not the "credit crunch" is going to have a significant effect.
Already people are getting rid of their horses and some getting rid of their dogs too.

Some feel that some of the money may be directed towards pedigree cats, but I feel that in times of financial restraint, why pay for anything extra?
It is possible to get a loving companion from the rescue centres for next to nothing, if they feel the need for some comfort.

I think it is time for breeders to perhaps think again before embarking on expensive programs and expanding their catteries. It will get increasing difficult to home "expensive" kittens.
Some who perhaps have only one or two queens may be able to keep some of the kittens un-homed as pets, but with larger establishments there is no doubt they will feel the pinch and will have difficulty shifting large numbers of kittens. I just hope many have not based their entire programs on getting their money back from kitten sales, as this year and perhaps for many years to come, will be "challenging" to say the least.

Lauren

I wouldnt call breeding a buisiness, its soo expensive and most breeders probably only just about break even if their lucky.

Touch wood ive not had a problem finding homes for any of my kittens, but i do breed on a very small scale. Alot are sold by word of mouth and I think their will always be people wanting to home a good quality pedigree kitten

Not everyone can get a rescued pet, some don't meet the requirements.

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i dont breed pedigree kittens mine are domestic the going rate around here is 60-70 for them and i could home them ten times over as for pedigree i dont know but i think if someone wants one they will save till you can afford it

Seeing the prices some moggys are going for I don't see a credit crunch. However, I breed because I breed to better the breed I want to show and breed the best I can. I don't have a waiting list I breed to - this could be risky as some won't wait and find a kitten elsewhere. When I thought Minnii was pregnant last time I had 8 people seriously interested within 2 weeks (this was Dec last year) . So had she had any I would have had too many customers and not enough kittens. Now I have only just started advertising the Minnii's litter (not yet born) and have 2 hopefuls already. But then I only expect a litter a year so not exactly a massive turnover.

Remember you will see lots of ads because it is kitten season not ness becasue they cant sell.

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The point I am making is that, it is a different world out there now.
People are giving up their pet horses that last year they would have given their right arm rather than part with, some are losing their homes and jobs are going right, left and centre every day.

I think this cat breeding "business" whether moggie or pedigree will find the next while "challenging". Whether we can sell litters in the next few months is neither here nor there, it is the long term view, I am trying to outline.

This is the philosophy that I think will outlive this particular storm.

I don't think many good breeders would wish to sell a cat to someone who doesn't meet "rescue" requirements. Most breeders screen their potential owners just as carefully.

Lauren

I've always bred "slow" and I don't think I'll be affected by the economy crisis. Just as already mentioned I breed to better the breed and I breed slow, so far I haven't had more than one litter a year so if I'd have to keep a few kittens a while longer that wouldn't be a problem.

I also happen to be able to sell cats all over the country since I travel around the country on a regular basis and that makes it easier to be able to sell kittens. Shipping isn't an issue.

I could be wrong with this but I strongly disagree. I would have loved to have helped a rescue kitten, but I didnt meat the requirements. Why? Because me and my partner work full time jobs, and provisionally we were only going to get one. By their standards this is not good enough as at best they wanted one of us to work part time.

Ok I can see they might be concerned about the kitten getting "lonely", but she had a loving home waiting for her with a loving couple, with a large house in a quiet village living in a cul-de-sac. For companies that are always appealing for loving households, im sorry but they are wwaaayy to selective when people who would otherwise get declined, can go and buy a cat from non professional breeders and give a cat a lovely life.

We've had bella now for just over a year and she couldnt be happier, shes due to have kittens any day, but shes very effectionate and can tell really loves us. If we would have given up after the rescue home declining us, then that could of been one cat in a rescue centre in a much less desirable environment

To be honest good breeders dont see it as a business & Dont come close to making half or breaking even back! I know I havent!

But that is one thing that we all knew before starting & we all knew that if things go wrong will have to keep kittens until whatever age 6 months/12months if they arent selling so everything is taken into consideration.

I was very worried about my kits going due to the CC so I put them up for sale about 2/3 weeks before my girl was even due I had 60 emails & calls in 4 days & all went on a waiting list, once she was born I went through and took off people that I didnt like the sound off, Harsh? maybe but their my kits and the future is of most importance to me!

I then also had people drop out, as they do. I then fully interrogated!! Everyone and chose my final 7, as one lady was having 2 kits.
Another lady, due to her sons health, dropped out at 4weeks but I had a waiting list of 15 so it didnt really bother me, although none jumped out at me for him, and the lady having 2, her friend emailed me and after lots of talking I offered her the kit over 4 other people, and the 3 kits of them will live together during the day So I am mega happy about that!

Then I went over my list and I had a funny feeling about someone who I took off.......so I offered one of my other girls, who I really really like
(already on my waiting list for my next litter!) The girl, so she is having 2!

And I found out I was right to not a very nice person at all!

I prefer them to go in 2s, I think that only one person works full time but they have another bengal so lucky they will all all have at homes people or a friend

I have already had about 10 people email me about my next litter and I dont even know if my girl is pregnant yet!!!


I have forgotten Why I was replying to this thread now!

Oh yes! haha ... If people want something they will get it no matter whats going on.

But I have heard alot of people saying that Cats sales have gone up due to people not buying dogs due to the amount of dog attacks being seen, easier than dogs to look after (says them! ) And that they cant afford holidays so are buying a family pet instead.

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