06/03/2026
Let’s talk a little more because I know many people are just as concerned as I am.
Recently, I was mentioned as the fourth Highlander breeder who is either closing, downsizing significantly, or taking a long pause. To be completely honest, I still don’t know exactly where I will land. The support, messages, and conversations I’ve received since making my announcement have been overwhelming in the best way. Many people have told me they feel I would be a huge loss to the breed if I truly walked away, and I appreciate those words more than I can express.
What I do know is that the concerns people have are valid.
We are already a very small breed, and it is understandable that families worry about what happens when breeders begin stepping away. Many fear what the future of Highlanders looks like if this trend continues or worry that the breed may eventually disappear altogether.
The reality is that many of the reasons people have walked away were not always openly discussed. Over the past year especially, there have been concerns brought forward, experiences shared by families, and information uncovered that has caused many people to take a hard look at where the breed stands today. I have personally spoken with families who have lost young Highlanders, and those conversations are heartbreaking. There have been concerns involving HCM, juvenile gingivitis, stomatitis, FIP, and other health issues that deserve honest discussion. Those conversations, along with many other factors, are part of why some breeders have chosen to step back.
I also want to make something very clear. I am not saying every Highlander is unhealthy. I am not saying every line has problems. I am not saying every breeder is hiding things.
In fact, many Highlanders live long, happy, healthy lives and bring incredible joy to their families. I would not have dedicated years of my life to this breed if I did not believe they were worth fighting for.
What I am saying is that when enough similar concerns begin appearing across multiple lines, multiple catteries, and multiple generations, we should be paying attention instead of dismissing them. When breeders begin leaving one after another, when families are sharing similar experiences, and when concerns continue surfacing, that should encourage discussion, not silence.
What I truly believe is that if this breed is going to move forward, there needs to be more honesty, transparency, and open discussion. Not just about the successes, but also about the challenges. Even when those conversations are uncomfortable. Even when the information goes back years. Even when people worry about how it may affect reputations, championships, titles, finals, or recognition.
At the end of the day, ribbons, titles, finals, and awards mean very little if we are not willing to have honest conversations about the long-term health and future of the breed. You can have every ribbon in the world, but if the breed itself is struggling and nobody is willing to talk about it, what have we really accomplished?
One area I feel strongly about is HCM screening now. Personally, I believe every Highlander being used in a breeding program should receive regular cardiac screening regardless of where they came from, who bred them, or whether there is a known history behind them. Health testing should never be viewed as an attack on a breeder or a line. It should be viewed as doing right by the breed and gathering information that can help future generations.
We cannot identify patterns if people are afraid to report them. We cannot make better breeding decisions if information is withheld. We cannot improve health, longevity, and genetic diversity if difficult conversations are avoided. Ignoring concerns does not make them disappear.
I also understand the challenges ethical breeders face. Costs continue to rise, veterinary care is expensive, and many breeders are doing everything they can while barely staying afloat financially. Add in backyard breeders, misinformation, shrinking numbers, and people cutting corners, and it becomes even harder.
For families considering a Highlander, please do not read this and think you should avoid the breed. That is not my message. My advice is to find a breeder who is transparent, welcomes questions, openly discusses testing & lineage, and is willing to support you throughout your cat’s life. Those are the breeders invested in protecting and improving the breed for the future.
I am not sharing this because I want to see Highlanders fail. Quite the opposite. I love this breed. Anyone who truly knows me knows how much of my life I have poured into advocating for Highlanders, educating owners, showing my cats, collecting health information, and trying to help move this breed forward.
That is exactly why I am speaking up.
The future of Highlanders depends on transparency, accountability, cooperation, and breeders who are willing to put the breed ahead of their own pride.
Whether I ultimately decide to close, downsize, or simply take a step back for however long, I will continue advocating for Highlanders, supporting families, participating in the show halls, and speaking up for the things I believe will help protect and improve this breed.
Because despite my concerns, I still believe Highlanders are worth protecting, worth improving, and worth fighting for.
