Contracts when buying pedigree cats

[Pennies]

I'm looking into getting a British bluecat and have found that many breeders stipulate that you have a contract by which you commit to keeping them as indoor cats.

I really don't want to have an indoor cat. How enforceable are these contracts?

i'd not buy a pedigree cat, though, tbh.

both DH and i have always had strays or rescue cats.

It's more about attitude. I think we will have to agree to differ. Thanks for the debate.

on the whole pedigrees are generally in/over bred to get the right nose/ears/eyes/temperament and often as a result they have a lot of illness etc.

Plus I do have a bit of an issue in general with people deliberately breeding animals for money.

Having had cats all my life, both pedigree and moggies I'd recommend keeping a pedigree indoors. I have yet to come across a pedigree cat that could survive outside, they really are incredibly stupid. Other cats/animals and cars are a massive risk. your average moggy more than capable of dealing with these things (although not all, have had one absolutely stupid moggy aswell)
And for all those who are saying outside is best, cruel to keep cats in etc. Have any of you ever actually owned a pedigree cat? It would be utterly cruel to put most of them outside knowing that they can't deal with anything out there! Besides which pedigree cats don't have a 'natural habitat' they exist only because of us. Whether you agree with that or not, they exist and a responsible owner should do what is best for the animal, in this case it would be keeping the cat indoors.

And fwiw I have had many very content, healthy and happy indoor cats

OP if you really don't want an indoor cat, don't get a pedigree, really.

It is not all or nothing. Inside cats can be walked outside on leads/harness like dogs can be. They can be kept in a properly fenced garden like dogs are. You can even buy make outside exercise runs, like dogs can have.

Cat litter trays should not smell of cleaned often enough. Try Catsan and /or a litter tray freshener and a vet visit for the offending cat if this is a regular problem or you. Better quality cat food can also decrease the number of solid wastes. worth a try if you really can't scoop the tray any more frequently.

In USA it is becoming increasingly necessary to keep your cats (and their poo) on your property, especially within city limits.

'In USA it is becoming increasingly necessary to keep your cats (and their poo) on your property, especially within city limits.'

Dogs, too.

The city of Denver, for example, strictly enforces lead laws and issues on the spot fines for those who don't keep their dog on a lead outside their own property excepting in a couple of lead-free parks.

Fouling laws are enforced as well.

It's wonderful to be able to go for a run or a picnic and not have to worry about someone's damn dog bounding up to you.

There is a British Blue girl available at this rescue near Bristol if you are nearby. Be warned though, I was turned down by this sanctuary and accepted by the RSPCA so I think they have quite fixed ideas about what is good enough for their cats (but have ranted about that before on here so won't again).

I think it is best to decide what to do about indoor/outdoor when you've got the cat tbh. Some cats (mine) would go insane indoors if they can see nice gardens outside. Interestingly, all rescues in the US will only allow cats to go to indoor homes so attitudes obviously differ. I suppose it is about weighing it up - risk from cars v. quality of life for cat.

Pedigree cats including British Blues and Russian Blues are so beautiful but most pedigrees are considered a bit more demanding than the average moggy - e.g. genetic abnormalities far more common etc. A blue cat will definitely stand out amongst the moggs outside and might attract attention. I wanted one but weighed it up and decided I'd be a) too worried about the cat going out and b) not really willing to pay up to 600 quid when there are cats needing homes all the time - after all I'm not going to show a cat or anything.

Just to add to the debate,the only cat i had which was run over was a NON-PEDIGREE.
My pedigrees are all fien outdoors-one travels about as far as the end of the (very small garden) the other wanders quite a lot.They are a fairly rare breed and whilst I used to be worried about them being "nicked" i don't any more...cats are smart-even the "thick pedigree" ones being talked about.

Go with your heart,British Blues are a fabulous breed,wondeful temperament,low maintenence and will probably decide for themselves whether they are "indoor or outdoor cats".......

Whether contracts can be enforced or not, you can guarantee the breeder wants the cats they breedn to be kept indoors as they truly believe that is best for them, and it is very disrespectful to decieve a breeder by 'pretending' you will keep a cat indoors when you have no intention of doing so.

We have two indoor cats. One moggy kitten and one Ragdoll older girl. The Ragdoll likes to lay outside in the sun, but won't go out of the garden and we do supervise her when she is out there so she can't 'escape' but she has never tried to. The kitten recently escaped and hasn't tried to go out again since, she had to be brough back by a neighbour who found her scared and hiding in her garden. Both my cats are perfectly happy as far as I can tell and I don't think they'd have anything to gain by going outside. Indoor cats live for much longer than outsdoor cats in general.

If you want a cat to go outside but also want to keep it safe, you can always cat proof your garden fences so they can have access to the outside but remain in the garden.

MrsWolf-a fellow Rex owner! We are a rare breed!
Both of mine are very well-covered but one barely strays from the nearest flowerbed-prefering the radiator.
All this aside,cats ARE NOT MEANT TO BE INDOOR ANIMALS.
They need space,exercise,variety of medium to scratch on etc etc.
God forbid we should end up like the Americans who pracice the most inhumane procedure of "De-clawing".
Cats should be allowed to be cats-whatever their colour/breed/race/fur type......"most" love being able to get outside.

I had 2 pedigree cats one got run over and the other one got shot by someone with an air rifle luckily he survived. I now have a fence around my garden called purrfect fence that allows my cats to go outside in the garden but not to roam and get into trouble. Its great I could never go through having a cat run over again, it was just two days before Christmas and my children have never got over it nor me. My son still cries about his cat.

Have a Maine Coon who has always been an outside cat, hunting and killing more than the previous moggy who thought that food came out of a tin. She's even moved country and coped with Manchester to Bordeaux flight at the age of 12.