The Pet Owners Corner
May 22, 2025
Kathi Hoos
Dear Cattalker: My family just lost our beloved cat. We had gotten her from a breeder, and are now ready for a new kitty to brighten our home. We are torn between getting another cat from a breeder, or adopting a shelter cat. Can you help us make the right decision? Janet C.
Dear Janet: While I cannot make a decision for you or even nudge you in one direction or the other, I can at least enlighten you on the pros and cons of each choice.
Cats, as you probably know, will mate with any other cat breed, unlike birds where robins mate with robins only. This is a huge reason why we need preservation breeders. Each breed has distinct looks and personality traits. It is only through careful breeding that we can keep those. If you take a look at your shelter, you will see a lot of brown tabbies and mixed litters both in color and fur types. This means various breeds and domestics have randomly bred with each other.
So, if you are seeking a particular look or personality trait, the only certain way to obtain that is through a breeder. Breeders work hard to maintain the characteristics of their particular breed. A cat or kitten from a breeder (in most cases) comes having had its vaccinations, being wormed, and usually is spayed/neutered and microchipped. The breeder has a contract which gives you certain guarantees, and the assurance that if you are unable to keep your cat, the breeder will take it back. In breeds where there are testable genetic illnesses, the breeder will test for those, assuring you that you are purchasing a healthy cat. Your breeder stands behind the cat and is there for you to help with any questions or concerns throughout the life of the cat. Often breeders and pet buyers become good friends.
Yes, there are many cats and kittens in reputable shelters, and they deserve loving homes too. However, there are very few if any pedigreed cats in shelters. While a shelter may say a cat looks like a Maine Coon Cat or a Russian Blue, that is a marketing tool. Just because it is blue (the correct name for grey in most breeds), does not mean it is a Russian Blue. Just because a cat looks like a Siamese does not mean it is. Random-bred cats can produce the same coloration as pedigreed cats as well. Thus, if you are looking for a specific breed with specific traits, the shelter may not be the place to find that.
Most reputable shelters test for feline leukemia, vaccinate, spay/neuter, microchip and worm their cats; however, you would need to be sure that is done. There are lovely cats at shelters, but the health history of the parents and full history of a particular cat is unknown.
It is up to the person adopting if they are willing to take those risks. Many wonderful pets have come from shelters. In today’s cat fancy associations, you can show your household pet in shows, recognizing their value as much as the pedigreed cats.
Buyers must decide which of the two options work best for them. But maybe – just maybe – there is room in your heart and home for one of each!!
I hope this helps you sort out your pros and cons. Good luck in finding the perfect kitty for your heart and home.
Pet Owners Corner is designed to answer common questions that pet owners may have. Answers will be simple and straight forward. No questions are too silly to ask; if you have that question, others probably do as well. No medical advice will be given because diagnosing and treating is not possible without a proper veterinary examination.
You may send your questions to: Cattalker2024@gmail.com