Reasons not to buy a pedigree kitten......

[KatyMac]

Yes I am whinging about not getting a cat again; so persuade me I can't have one

There are plenty of rescue cats

You shouldn't encourage people to breed kittens (because of all the rescue cats)

Pedigree cats are over bred & it's bad for them

They are very expensive

DH doesn't want one

There must be more & better reasons not to buy one........

[Steben]

This prob won't help but we got our pedigree as a rescue! He was 1 and still very much a baby - there are lots of sites out there for various breeds

[claraschu]

There are so many utterly gorgeous kittens needing homes. Why not adopt one for free? You save money and do a good deed.

[KatyMac]

We got our last 2 as rescue

But in order to win DH over I think I need the cuteness of a kitten; it really does need to be Siamese/Oriental as DH won' be allergic to it then. Fluffy ones won't work

[Lonecatwithkitten]

All pedigree breeds have 'issues' attached to them if you are having a pedigree kitten you need to decide which 'issues' you can live with.
Examples 50% of Maine coons have hip Dysplasia, cardiomyopathy in British Short hairs, Brachycephalic airway disease in Persians.
Currently most rescues are in the middle of kitten explosions so there are rescue kittens out there.
My nicest cats have been adult rescues who have been terribly grateful for their forever home.

[cozietoesie]

Well I got Seniorboy (who is a Siamese) at 13 and we've fitted in with him pretty nicely. There are always mature pedigree cats looking for new homes for various reasons - and remember, not only do kittens grow up real fast but a mature cat can win your heart just as quickly!

[KatyMac]

I know & I will keep looking but a lot of rescue say no children or a quiet home

And we are really neither!!

[MicrochipsAndMemories]

They turn into cats and cats are evil!

[KatyMac]

humbug!!

[cozietoesie]

From what I've seen of Siamese rescues, the majority of the potential adoptees are looking for homes with no other cats. (Siamese, in my experience, generally prefer to be the sole possessor of a property.) I've found that they're generally OK with children and things a-doing as long as you're happy for them to take themselves off to a quiet and warm place if things get too much. And as long as - very important this - they get sufficient 'personal time' with their human, of an evening/nighttime, say.

[yegodsandlittlefishes]

Pedigree cats come from pedigree breeders some of whom make stringent stipulations about how you keep the cat, and want to keep visiting you and get sent photos to check on you.

That was enough to put me off. I don't mind a rescue home doing a home check on us, as they accept our home as it is and don't insist I build a run outside to keep the cat in.

[KatyMac]

DH is medically retired and spends about 8 hours plus a day sat in front of the telly......I'd think that classes as enough sufficient 'personal time'!!!

He is really missing Mallow & is quite down & lonely

[KatyMac]

yegodsandlittlefishes we haven't come across that (yet) although when we rescued our last two - we told the breeder and she said if they didn't settle she would take them back even tho' they were 5 & we hadn't bought them off her

[thecatneuterer]

The rescues are full of kittens at the moment. We had 6 mothers and kittens dumped on us yesterday and I'm just about to go out and pick up another one who broke into someone's house yesterday to give birth in their understairs cupboard. So if you want kittens there are thousands. And there are plenty of shorthaired ones. Do orientals have shorter hair than normal shorthaired moggies? If your children are very young though then small kittens wouldn't be suitable - whether pedigree or not. However if they're sensible and can be trusted with kittens then it should be fine.

If you buy a kitten you are encouraging people to bring yet more cats into a world where there are already too many. So you are being part of the problem, whereas if you were to offer your home to rescues you could be part of the solution.

We come across appalling cruelty caused by breeders and have just in fact won a court case against one. Breeders can do a lot to make it look as though they treat their cats well while keeping the reality well hidden.

Why not consider fostering a mum and kittens? (You would need to have a spare room if you want to do this, or at least a room where your children don't go). That way you could get to know them, and see how the allergy situation is, and if they don't fit in, you can give them back, but if it works out then you can keep a couple.

[storytopper]

Our first two cats were pedigree (30 years ago) - British short hairs and our three most recent cats have been kittens from rescue centres.

In terms of personality and habits, it hasn't made a lot of difference - each one has had a unique personality. However, the non-pedigree kittens have been more keen to do the toilet outside - litter tray rarely required.

In terms of health, I think you would be better off with a non-pedigree kitten. The British short hairs managed to clock up a few visits to the vet every year - nothing serious but it still cost money. Touch wood, the non-pedigree cats have not been the same.

More people are allergic to cat dander (saliva) rather than the fur - and some long-haired breeds e.g. Balinese produce less allergic saliva - it is complicated.
I have asthma and was allergic to our kittens (short haired tabby and long haired tortie) when we first got them, but it calmed down after a few weeks.

[cozietoesie]

\link{http://www.siameserescue.org.uk/\Here's} the main Siamese welfare page for you and that has links to other smaller or regional breed rescues. You'll note, though, that most of the welfare officers will either have or know of cats who haven't made it on to the website for one reason or another so it's always worth dropping them an email or giving them a quick phone call.

You could also visit the rehoming forums at \link{http://www.catchat.org/\Catchat} - and their Find A Shelter pages will show you the local rescues in your area. Many of them will have websites you can visit also.

Best of luck.

[Foxsticks]

My parents always had pedigrees growing up, they all had health issues from their breeding and one siamese was so highly strung he sprayed or hair pulled at any little upset! I'm on my third rescue mog, and I find them much more grounded and calm. Plus I don't have expensive vet bills! I'm converted to mogs for life now.

[KatyMac]

I've always been told (whether it's true or not) that Siamese & Orientals have a different type of hair more like a dogs fur - and not layered on the same way as a moggie

I had & loved moggies growing up but I do prefer the temperament of a Siamese, they seem more interactive vocally and I just like them

There are some lovely kitties on-line close to us a beautiful dark Oriental and a tiny cinnamon cutie

[Fluffycloudland77]

Dh doesn't want one

And?

[KatyMac]

Oh good! you agree I should ignore him

[HolidayCriminal]

I met a woman who has a least 8 rescue pedigree Ragdolls. She said it's the kind of cat a lot of people get who really shouldn't have a cat at all.

[KatyMac]

Aww - they are so fluffy

[furlinedsheepskinjacket]

go Siamese :)

they are fab.
I spoke to a few breeders who were quite happy for me to rehome their older cats.that or breed rescue might be an option.

[KatyMac]

I can't find one locally though & I think transporting a cat a long way is unfair - but I keep looking

[RandomMess]

Keep looking how about a rex for a change, they are like velvet to stroke