AIBU to go to a breeder?

[user1471379988]

I've always wanted a pet, either a little dog or two cats. I've always held out because I wanted to give my animal(s) the best life possible.

Now, I live in a very large flat (3 bedrooms and a really big balcony that I am going to split off, secure, and transform into a magical feline garden). The problem is, thinking about getting 2 cats, I just cannot accept that cats should be indoor pets. I don't care how much people say 'oh mine has never wanted to go out, mine is happy indoors, mine hates the outdoors' - the point is I could never really know that until I got my cats and then it would be too late. I would hate myself.

The one way I can think of around it is to get two Ragdolls. I've been researching and will do more research, but it seems these cats cannot be allowed outside.

AIBU to want to get two ragdolls from a breeder? Is the very existence of a breed that seemingly cannot survive in the outside world cruel in itself? My instinct is obviously to get moggies from a shelter. But... I don't know. Surely it would be crueller to get 2 moggies that are stuck indoors?

Before anyone suggests going to a breed-specific shelter: I'm not in the UK, they don't do that here.

Basically my choices are:
1/ Get 2 rescue moggies, feel guilty they have no access to outdoors.
2/ Get 2 ragdolls, feel guilty I didn't adopt 2 abandonned moggies.
3/ Fuck it, get a small dog.

Oh should also mention re the dog option - I work from home so would definitely be able to take good care of a dog. I'm simply just a little more drawn to cats. Having said that, it would be nice to have a wandering companion. Having said that, I do love cats. Having said that.... Oh I don't know! I need help deciding! It's driving me crazy!

Part of me thinks I should just get a little dog and wait until I eventually live in a house with a beautiful rambling garden in the countryside (you feeling my fantasy?) and THEN fulfil my rescue moggie dream.

Magical feline garden

What exactly is that? One filled with rats and baby birds? Seriously,mif you don't even know if you want a cat or a dog you need to keep on thinking.

1. but ask the shelter to recommend cats that have come from indoor-only environments or they feel are suitable to being indoor-only cats.

There may be indoor moggies at a rescue, so it's worth asking.
The ragdolls I know are very content being indoors, more so than the indoor moggies I know.
A dog would also be nice.

So no help from me, as I think any of those options is do-able.

You could see if the shelters near you have any indoor cats available? They do a home check anyway, you know - they won't home any cats with you unless they're happy that your home is suitable for them.

In your shoes I would get a little dog, I think.

I should add I have a cat and a dog and both are equally annoying though the dog requires more effort from me but also adds most value. .

Would you consider older cats, who might be less bothered about going out? Litter Tray in Pets might be a good place for catio ideas.

I have to say,from experience,rescue homes won't give you a cat if you don't have your own private garden :(

I have a very, very indoor cat. She has free access to outside all the time via her cat door but in winter she often won't leave the house for weeks at a time. In summer, though, she loves doing out into the garden for a potter, exploring the neighbours' gardens etc, and there's no way I'd want to deprive her of that chance.

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful replies so far.

My Mum also thinks I should get a little dog because apart from the pleasure of creating that bond, when you're home working freelance, it's a good way to get up off your arse several times a day I reckon!

The thing about going to a shelter and getting an 'indoor cat' only is - I just can't believe that cats can really be indoor only. Sure, they may have been born and raised indoors and that's all they've ever known, but...that's because it's all they've ever known. I've done loads of research on this and forums are full of people saying they mistakenly let their cat slip through the door, and since then, despite being a 'happy indoor only cat', the cat has been constantly whining to be let out. That tells me that as content as they may be staying indoors if that's been their life, still, the basic instinct of a cat is to get outside, feel the grass, prod a snail, etc. :-D I don't think I'd feel happy knowing I was keeping one indoors just because that's all it's ever known, so really, to me it's going to be ragdoll cat or a dog until my fantasy life later down the road ;)

Oh and re the 'magical cat garden': just half the balcony secured and filled with catnip, grass, you know. Somewhere that really feels like an outdoor space.

I agre with Matilda You need to think seriously about what you want before committing. No decent breeder or rescue will let you have a pet if you don't even know what you want. I only ever have rescue pets but you must be sure because either way it's a sentient being that you're responsible for and quite frankly you sound too unsure for a pet currently.

I suppose as well as asking about my own situation I'm also asking: is it morally wrong to take a cat from a reputable, caring breeder? On the one hand, there are loads of animals begging for a home. On the other hand, those animals come from somewhere. Isn't it good to be going to buy an animal from a responsible breeder, as a responsible owner?

Sorry last 'musing out loud' post - I also can't help but wonder, re the floppiness of ragdoll cats, their defenselessness, etc. Is this not just a symptom of being inbred? And in that case, whether it's a dog or cat, is it responsible to be supporting inbreeding? Still doing research here...

Look up the book catification by Jackson Galaxy, he's a big advocate of indoor cats and gives you examples of how to make your indoors meet your indoor cats every desire.

Also, there might be cats at the shelter who may never have been outside. Try talking to the cats protection league.

I have a beautiful rescue ragdoll, when I got him 10 years ago I lived in a flat. I've since moved to a house and he has limited access to a secure garden. He enjoys the outside but rarely ventures out for more than 30 mins a day. All in all and feline garden on a balcony would be fine for him.

If your keen on Ragdoll have a look at rescuing one from here www.tbrcc.co.uk/rehoming.htm

Yes, you're spot on. But don't think I'm casually throwing this question out there. This is part of me "thinking", I've been thinking about it for months now, I don't plan on going out and getting an animal tomorrow.

It's because I like all animals and just want what's best for the pet I eventually get.

Our half ragdoll is very much an outdoor cat

I don't particularly like cats but my mum has a ragdoll and she is lovely. Very dog like for a cat which is probably why I like her.

She does go outside occasionally but my mum has to.go with her and she doesn't go further than the front lawn.

She came from a rescue place!

My nan has a ragdoll. He is an outdoor cat through and through

Very good hunter. So don't expect them to be indoors

Go and speak to your local rescue. They often have cats that need an indoor only home. Often ones which have had an accident and are nervous of the outdoor work or a blind cat, or just an older one who wants a quiet life. They will know which of their animals will suit your situation.

Kittens are inquisitive by nature and I have known quite a few who would be all too keen to jump off a balcony just to see what's on the other side. Not a good idea!

In your position where you are still weighing up your options, I think a visit to your local rescue would be ideal they will give you lots of advice and suggest suitable cats they may have.

We couldn't get indoor cats from a rescue home either. Not even FIV+ blind ones

We got an indoor breed and we love them.

Thank you for this, I have fallen in love with the idea of a ragdoll and I'm waiting to hear back from some UK shelters but the problem is where I am they don't have ragdoll specific shelters and I'm not sure it's possible to "import" a rescue, although I will be going back to the UK to visit in a month.

I'm glad you found your rescue ragdoll, they are beautiful creatures and apparently quite dog like in character 😅

Shelters will often have cats that can't go outside for health reasons. Our little boy has a congenital neurological condition, but FIV is also a common reason. Would this be a compromise for you?

There's plenty of cats that can only live indoors - I have 2 indoor cats, and neither would last long outdoors because of physical disabilities.

One was going to be euthanised if it didn't get a home and the other had spent nearly a year in a rescue centre.

Don't go to a breeder, get a housebound moggie that'll love you forever for giving it a proper home.