Advice on finding a breeder?

[BumHairDontCare]

Hi all, I'm just looking for a bit of advice if that's ok?
We've been thinking of adopting a kitten for some time now and we're now ready to do this (I am so excited 🤗)

The thing is, although we always had cats growing up, this will be my first time adopting my own and I'm a bit confused finding a breeder.
I know I shouldn't buy animals on places like gumtree and that the welfare of the kittens and their parents are priority so I was wondering if anyone had any guidance on finding a responsible breeder, and things to look out for etc?
Also one last thing, I've seen non active/active registered is this how I tell whether the cat/kittens are pedigree?

Thank you to anyone who can help 💐

There are rescue centres for particular breeds, if you want?

You mean buy a kitten, not adopt. Adopting is usually used when talking about rescue cats and kittens. You should adopt one, by the way, there are many, many lovely cats waiting for loving homes.

Are you after a particular breed? If not rescues will have many many many kittens once the season starts.

Just get one from a rescue centre, lots of kittens there. Don’t support the breeding of even more cats.
You will find a lovely kitten I am sure

We found two gorgeous kittens.
I also volunteer at a rescue. Far too many gorgeous kittens to cuddle.

We have a steady stream of gorgeous kittens coming through our rescue at the moment, but we are not homing any cats until after Christmas now.

What breed? There are many specific breed rescues.

Easier and cheaper than finding a breeder.

Fwiw i’ve just rescued an 18month pedigree who was an ex breeding cat. She’s had at least two litters, that’s all she’s done. She shows no normal cat behaviour- doesn’t chase, can’t jump.

She’s never been allowed exercise so couldn’t climb stairs, has no muscle on her back, and i think she started breeding so young she never grew fully- her proportions are “off”.

It’s taken her 6 months to venture downstairs for her food.

Once she was no use to the breeder she was dumped at rescue.

Choose a breed and either look for a rescue centre or a club for that particular breed who will be able to recommend reputable breeders.

@chemenger kittens? At this time of year? Poor babies.

We are going to look for a ragdoll as from what I've read, they have a lovely temperament.
I wasn't aware that there were breed specific rescues so will search for any in my area. I understand they may not be wanting to rehome them before Christmas (I'm not looking for a living Christmas present 🙄) but I want to look around and was assuming it would take a few months to find one so there's no reason not to start looking around now.

Many cats have lovely temperaments. I would love a Siamese but couldn’t justify buying from a breeder when so many kittens were in rescue. (Plus I have a pedigree dog.)
You wouldn’t get a rescue kitten. Breed rescues tend to be older cats. Grooming would bother me.

There is Ragdoll Rescue organisation who are very helpful , you’ll get good advice there. I recently adopted a brother and sister 5and 8 years old from them , they are lovely cats.

I'm not really worried about grooming etc I'm from a family of cat lovers and realise you have to deal with cat hair/cat poo and it's not all fun and games, I'm aware regular grooming is a necessity.

Thank you Ineedabiscuit they really are very lovely aren't they! Congratulations on the new additions to your family!

Contact the breed rescue but don’t expect a kitten. Or contact the breed club and see if they hold the details of decent breeders.

Ok thank you Wolfiefan

Good luck!! A friend has two and they’re gorgeous.

Thanks!!
I appreciate I've posted this right before Christmas so it may look to some as though I'm after a Christmas pet but that's not the case at all. We've been thinking about this for a long time and are planning to take our time finding one. I just came on here for advice from experienced cat people and was hoping I'd get to chat to some cat lovers as I was excited about finally starting out search.

No judgment here. You’re starting a search and wanting to do it the right way. I want another dog. Not now. But I’m also at the planning stage. Another cat? The evils would never tolerate it.

Lol thank you, I was worried that I had come across as irresponsible as I'd forgotten the fact that Christmas is just around the corner and how that might look
How many cats do you have at the moment? How are they with your dog? (I don't have a dog, I'm just nosy curious haha)

I’ve wanted a dog for ages. We had a very old girl that we finally lost aged 19. I wouldn’t have a pup and an old cat.
We took on two tortie rescue kittens. Unique characters!
Then a year or so later a wolfhound puppy. They torment the dog something awful. Dive out of bushes at us on walks and sniff her/bish her as the mood takes them. She’s mortally afraid of “the Evils!”
I would judge people for not doing their HW before taking on a pet. You very clearly are. I wish you many happy years with your kitty overlord/S.

Ha yes well I have to prepare if I'm going to qualify to become a cat slave 😅

Lol the evils sound like a lot of fun! Good luck in your plans for another dog too 💐 it sounds as if your dog could do with some back up 🤣

She could. She really could. A wolfhound that gets beaten up by a chihuahua.
The evils are most fun. Luckily I grew up with Burmese and like the naughty streak that goes with oriental breeds.

Not all circumstances suit rescue centres unfortunately. None of my local ones would give me a cat because I lived in a flat...

Anyway, I have pedigree cats (bengals). My first two I got as kittens and the third as an ex breeding queen when she was three. All from the same breeder. A good breeder will let you visit them and their cats, will introduce you to the parents if any kittens and will have all the relevant paperwork. They will likely want a relationship with you (not a deep and meaningful one, but you know what I mean) and will be willing to take a cat back if something goes wrong. My oldest cat is nearly ten and I'm still in touch with his breeder, she has a Facebook group for the families of her cats and I see my cats parents and siblings in photos and things. My most recent cat had two litters and was retired so I rehomed her. She lived with my breeder for three years and honestly has the nicest nature of any cat I've ever met, everyone loves her!

Anyway, rescues are great and there are certainly breed specific ones. I could point you in the right direction if bengals were your thing. But breeding exists and if you do your homework there is nothing 'wrong' with getting a pedigree cat. Do consider an ex breeding queen or stud, honestly, an adult cat is a lot easier than a kitten!

I also had two ex breeding queens from a kitten farm. They were rescued in terrible shape. But with a lot of patience they were/ are the most wonderful and beautiful cats ever. Please consider a rescue rather than a breeder. Mine were from St Francis Persian rescue. Also please consider older kitten/ teenage or adult cats. They are just as cute and you know what you are getting. Please please don't shop.