GCCF code of ethics - buying a new kitten

[borderdawn]

As I said this is my last post in this thread as it is getting stupid and way off track but I am sure that Dawn will have the last word as she usually does.

Typical response, please Kay, just because somebody isnt following you, dont throw your toys out of the pram, you might break them!

The thread is NOT way off track, its just you dont like being disagreed with, I read catsey all the time but rarely post due to the nature of much of its content, but when you get people such as yourself who breed a fair bit, promoting the GCCF as some sort of religion, its a bit pathetic to read, and very misleading to newcomers who dont know any better. The GCCF is a registration organisation and little more, NOBODY (for the second time) has said any is wrong with registering kittens and ANY responsible breeder would anyway, but it does NOT make for an ethical breeder nor one who's policies on rehoming is right or wrong. You tell me Kay, if the kitten is homed at 8 weeks what does the GCCF do about it? Nothing! they still register the kittens and subsequent kittens too, its pretty rare they refuse, they are a business and there to make money.

Now if thats the "last word" fine, but dont preach to people about things without explaining the obvious points to people who may be novices and take a breeders word as gospel, it often isnt!

[bobbie3917]

Originally Posted by Erin

People are on here because its a cat forum and wether Pedigree or Moggy owners we all share the same interest and love of cats.

sorry i get re-read what i wrote and it didnt come out right
i ment if so many people dont like the GCCF why have cats that a reg with them or pedigree cats at all

not why do members come here, i know this is a place for moggies and pedigrees alike

[Moli]

I wanted Siamese and Exotic cats, simply because I love them, yes they are all registered, but thats not why I bought them....

[borderdawn]

Originally Posted by bobbie3917

sorry i get re-read what i wrote and it didnt come out right
i ment if so many people dont like the GCCF why have cats that a reg with them or pedigree cats at all

not why do members come here, i know this is a place for moggies and pedigrees alike

Its not a case of not liking the GCCF, its the fact that they were being portrayed as something they are not and the fact that some members here appeared to be saying that registering their kittens with them means they are ethical and responsible breeders following "guidelines" by a registration club and that made them "right" it doesnt, not necessarilly, and in many cases, not by a long shot!

All my pedigree Cats are registered, and id expect them to be from a good breeder, BUT it wouldnt stop that breeder doing things that were not ethical would it, if they so choose, its no guarantee of anything.

[Fran]

Well from reading this thread I conclude that: we should stop registering our kittens as seemingly it seems a worthless thing to do, it counts for nothing, no body gives a damn whether they are registered or not anyhow and we'd save ourselves a few bucks. Then when you all find out we are selling pedigree kittens unregistered and letting them go to their new homes at 7 weeks old, you can start a thread about us being irresponsible breeders

[borderdawn]

Originally Posted by Fran

Well from reading this thread I conclude that: we should stop registering our kittens as seemingly it seems a worthless thing to do, it counts for nothing, no body gives a damn whether they are registered or not anyhow and we'd save ourselves a few bucks. Then when you all find out we are selling pedigree kittens unregistered and letting them go to their new homes at 7 weeks old, you can start a thread about us being irresponsible breeders

Why would you conclude that? I certainly havent said kittens should NOT be registered!! All I have said is that the GCCF is not God and shouldnt be portayed as something that guarantees a kitten is from a responsible ethical breeder, am I wrong? Are all breeders that register with the GCCF ethical and responsible?

Re the age thing. i think you will find that most behaviour experts will say that the optimum age for socialising a kitten is upto about 7/8 weeks, after that it becomes more difficult as it does with Dogs. Of course a home with kids and other pets will help if they are exposed to them, but many are not and Cats will be the only thing they see in the first 3 months of their life, that to me is not ideal, I never said wrong, but not ideal.

[Fran]

I never protrayed the GCCF as being God, merely posted their guidelines so that people new to pedigree cat ownership would know. I agree that buying a GCCF reg kitten does not guarantee you are buying from a reputable breeder but a reputable breeder will register their kittens with the GCCF and abide by their rules and regs if you understand what I am saying.

Regards the age thing, I understand fully where you are coming from but I feel if the kitten is brought up with the knowledge of a breeder aware of these issues and who puts the proper time and effort in then there is no reason at all why a kitten of 13 weeks would not adapt to a new home as well as a kitten of 7 weeks JMO

[bobbie3917]

out of the 3 of my cats the 1 that i had at the youngest is the worst, the only 2 things she likes in my house is the dog and my self

Rosie Loves just about any 1 and any thing she is not to keen on the dog but she often sleeps in her bed with her but not touching and has never hissed at her and i got her at 15 weeks (she had never seen a dog before)

Opal is the same but loves every 1 even more she loves the dog and every night sleeps with her right up close, she loves the kids to bits even josh at 5 and she had not seen young children before coming to my house
i got Opal at 13 weeks

Bailey
now the little so and so that hates every 1 i got at about 6 weeks old and like i said only likes me and the dog she hisses at people that come to the door friends that i have over even the kids,

give me a 13 week old kitten any day thanks

[yola]

Both my cats, when kittens came from Persian different breeders at 12 weeks. They are like chalk and cheese and it's completely down to the environment they came from. Balie was in a horrible environment; smelly, dirty house, lots of kids, dogs, cats and kittens all over the place, litter trays in odd places, and he was terrified. And that's how he has remained. We've also had some toileting issues with him on several occasions.

Fifi's breeder has a lovely clean, calm house. All her 'retired ladies' where in a sunny conservatory, her breeding queens were in heated pens in the large garden with their kittens, the kits were friendly, clean and obviously using the litter tray from an early age. She's a curious, friendly little cat now who fears very little (except carrier bags )

Both were registered breeders, both had Grand Champions from whom they bred but the latter so obviously took much more time and attention to make sure her cats were ready to go to their new homes fully prepared.

I understand that both were probably adhering to GCCF guidelines however for me it was clear that one really cared about her cats and their new owners and the relationships that developed far more than the other and that is something that cannot be determined by rules but must come from the heart.

[Elaine]

I have followed this thread with great interest, I have always beleived that many things are questionable and shouldnt be taken simply at face value.
Having read and re-read this thread many times, I'd like to ask just how you go about finding a reputable breeder?
If a breeder tells us they follow the GCCF code of Ethics, does that make them reputable?
Do many prospective buyers care about the breeders Ethics or do they just want the kitten they have fallen in love with?
This should not be read as an attack on any breeder here, I just think the whole thread begs the question.