for helping me solve my cat’s annoying night time calling. Who could believe by simply following your instructions I could keep him content and in bed with me where he belongs. I appreciate that you would take the time to help the owner of a domestic cat. I also believe that Jasmine is the ‘Cat Guru’ of the Internet. Thanks once again!!”
LaDonna’s comments -
“I am so excited to find your book. It’s just what I’ve been looking for. I’ve been contemplating starting a cattery on my own but being employed full-time, on a one person income I could not get answers from the cattery where I bought my precious baby. Thank you! I can hardly wait to get started.”
Jasmine’s Jewels of Wisdom
The Soul of a Breeder
What essential qualities produce a soul who loves every aspect of living with a multitude of felines?
As a breeder, you are the first person to hold each new life as it enters your cattery. You stroke your queen’s swollen belly and remember your own pregnancy. As your queen labors in kittening, you comfort her with soothing words and remember your own long hours of labor.
You bring a book down to your sick stud male’s nook to simply sit with him, reading and cuddling for hours. You know there is work to be done however your male needs all your love and attention right now. Somehow everything will eventually be done.
You give up extended vacations and weekends away because no one else knows the routine to keep everyone content within your cattery. Instinctively, you are able to meet every feline’s needs so that each precious cat in your care knows they are treasured.
Breeders are unselfish totally dedicated individuals with loving hearts and open minds. Simply taking the time to read Proven Marketing Tips for the Successful Cat Breeder separates you from a breeder who only sells kittens.
If the above personality traits match yours then you are on the road to a successful cattery.
A Cattery of Substance
Having a cattery of substance does not necessarily mean having one that is large and affluent. A cattery of substance does not operate on an unlimited budget nor treat its cats as merely breeding stock.
Buyers can always recognize a cattery of substance through the open heart of the breeder. This type of cattery is blessed with an unselfish breeder who is totally dedicated to the fine art of cattery management.
A Breeder of Substance
Breeders of substance respect the special needs of every feline within their care. Time and attention are taken with each buyer to ascertain the perfect feline to blend within the buyer’s heart and soul.
A breeder of substance is responsible for each life that is born in the cattery with busy hands for grooming, cleaning stud male nooks and welcoming newcomers into their care.
A breeder of substance is a unique and caring individual. They are quickly recognized as people who have problems meeting their own needs as they are so involved with the many other lives in their care. There is always one more job to complete, one more visitor to view a litter or one more long night of sitting up with a pregnant queen as she is kittening.
Breeders of substance have generous hearts, open minds and are always willing to learn. Thank you for permitting Jasmine to find a place in your never ending day of cattery responsibilities.
Finding a Mentor
Every breeder needs advice and help to create a profitable cattery. However, when do you know that you have found a competent mentor?
A good mentor will want to educate you. A poor mentor will place their needs first by using your success to profit their own cattery. There are many essential secrets that should be passed along from breeder to breeder. Unfortunately, these guarded secrets change from one breeder to the next and even within the different breeds.
That mentor who has become so helpful to you may not have your best interests at heart. If you have found a breeder who is taking on the role of mentor ask yourself the following questions:
1) Do you find yourself questioning your mentor’s suggestions?
2) Do you trust your mentor’s actions and agree that their methods are ethical?
3) Does your mentor raise the same breed of kitten as you and are you purchasing from their cattery?
4) Do you feel used or taken advantage of by your mentor due to contracts and purchases that appear to work more in their favor?
1) Do you find yourself questioning your mentor’s suggestions?
Always follow your instincts. Although I had an excellent mentor it was his suggestion to purchase three felines sick with ringworm. He found a breeder who was leaving town and the cats she needed to place were worth thousands of dollars. For a few hundred dollars I would be purchasing Top Show Quality breeding felines for a fraction of their original value. The magnificent stud male was proven and the two queens were adult but yet to have their first breeding season. It was a deal too good to let pass by and although I hesitated I felt pressured to follow my mentor’s advice. He had gone to a great deal of trouble locating this breeder and I felt obligated due to his kindness.
Within 24 hours of purchasing the cats I discovered that they also displayed a trace of blood within their soft diarrhea formed stool. After a veterinarian consultation, followed by three expensive lab tests, I was further informed that these poor cats were also infected with coccidiosis (coccidia). In addition to treatment for ringworm they would also require additional medication and time to cure this second condition. Coccidiosis is an annoying contagious problem with infected felines carrying the parasite responsible for the condition within their systems. It took months with several additional outbreaks before this problem was properly addressed.
Approximately eight weeks later with a great deal of care my three cats were finally cured of ringworm. However the male suffered through three additional outbreaks as he became known as a “carrier”. Such a feline carries the dreaded ringworm infection within their system despite the appearance of being cured. The ringworm infection lies dormant only to reappear. Three years later I was still battling this annoying infection and watching my beloved male depressed by weeks of medication and isolation.
I truly lived to regret my decision. Coming from a family of canine breeders my father had always insisted in only purchasing healthy breeding stock for our family kennel. As a cat breeder I wish to further stress the importance of only purchasing the best quality breeding felines you are able to afford. Ensure that you are conducting business with a reputable breeder and purchase felines with strong compatible bloodlines. You may spend more with your initial purchase but will save many years of breeding and expense to perfect your own bloodline. This holds especially true for your stud male as he is the ‘Cornerstone of Your Cattery’. There are few bargains in the Cat Fancy World. As the saying goes, “If it appears to be too good to be true it probably is.”
2) Do you trust your mentor’s actions and agree that their methods are ethical?
It is best to be of like minds with your mentor. I have known relationships that came to an abrupt end when breeders have tried working together. The same can be said of accepting a mentor’s advice in the management of your cattery. If you are uncomfortable with any aspect of your mentor’s participation within your breeding program it is best to politely listen but follow your own counsel.
3) Does your mentor raise the same breed of kitten as you and are you purchasing from their cattery?
Unless your mentor resides in an area far removed from your cattery problems