10/22/2026
Couldn’t agree more!
"Apparently", if you breed cats, you’re automatically part of the problem. I’ve seen these comments more and more lately........
“Nobody should be breeding cats. There are millions of suffering cats” and “Ethical breeding isn’t ethical. It’s for profit”
Let’s unpack that for a minute......
Yes, there are cats suffering. Yes, shelters and rescues are overwhelmed. And yes, responsible breeders should care deeply about that reality. But pretending that all breeding is the same does absolutely nothing to solve the problem.
There is a massive difference between intentionally producing animals with no regard for health, temperament, genetics, placement, or lifetime responsibility and a responsible breeder who spends years researching pedigrees, health testing breeding cats, screening homes, providing contracts, carefully planning pairings, raising kittens underfoot, and remaining responsible for the animals they produce long after they leave.
And no, making a profit does not automatically make something unethical. Veterinarians make a profit. Groomers make a profit. Trainers make a profit. Boarding facilities make a profit. Rescues fundraise and employ people. Does earning money automatically erase the care and ethics involved in the work?
Of course not.
The ethical question isn't whether money changes hands. The ethical question is what happens to the animals because of the choices being made.
~ Are they health tested?
~ Are genetic risks being considered?
~ Are breeding cats selected for sound health and temperament?
~ Are kittens properly socialized and cared for?
~ Are buyers screened?
~ Are contracts in place?
~ Does the breeder take responsibility when something goes wrong?
~ Are the cats treated as individuals rather than inventory?
Those are the questions worth asking !!!
You don't have to agree with breeding. You don't have to want a purpose-bred cat. You are absolutely entitled to choose rescue.
But “I don't believe animals should ever be bred” is a personal position not proof that every breeder is unethical.
I can respect someone choosing rescue without pretending responsible breeding doesn't exist and if we're genuinely concerned about animal welfare, maybe we should spend less time painting everyone with the same brush and more time addressing the actual practices that cause suffering. Because responsible breeding isn't about producing more animals just because we can.
It's about being accountable for the animals we choose to bring into this world 🐾
