$900 for a cat - would you do it?

Savannahs are gorgeous .They can get pretty large up to 25 pds. We also did alot of research on the Savannah cat breed and although it is a future goal ,we decided to put of the purchase.$ 900.00 is within the price range it depends on what level the cat is at. An "F1" cat is a first generation from the cervil father and domestic mother which is typically a bengal.They go up in there F grade(F1,F2,F3) depending on how diluted the wild blood is. I believe an F1 can be around $2000.00. WE decided that with small children and a fairly small dog(French Bulldog) to wait. One thing to be cautious of is that there is a black market with the Savannahs that will actually sell you an actual wild Cervil which for legal and safety reasons is an issue. I'm sure issues such s a health guarantee and appropriate breeding standards(no mills or brokers) are more of a everyday issue.Make sure to check out the breeder wioth the Savannah Cat Club and talk to other breeders about what there thoughts are about this breeder. Wild mix breeds tend to be more solitary animals not as affectionate or communicative as domestic breeds like the Tonkinese,Siamese ,American Shorthairs.Just food for thought. Goodluck!:D
 
If you are interested in a cat like that, consider a Maine Coon Cat. I've worked with the Maine Coon rescue association and the cats are incredible - smart, sweet and very loving. Very interactive with their people. You can check them out via: http://mainecoonrescue.com/.
 
Approximately 8-12 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state.

Less than two percent of cats and only 15-20% of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips.

25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.

Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. 75% of owned pets are neutered.

****************

Sobering statistics. Each animal that is "purchased" (and I agree with Kathryn that buy or purchase are repulsive terms when it comes to a living creature) is one less animal that will be rescued from the shelter (and will probably be killed).

Yes, there are "reputable" breeders, but they are still contributing to the problem. Also, there is usually not a strict screening process prior to "buying." That is how so many purebreeds get to shelters. I work with a rescue group and we screen very, very carefully. We also have it written in our contract that we will take the animal back AT ANY TIME no questions asked if it doesn't work out.

Like LauraMax said, there are many breed-specific rescue groups if one is dead-set on a specific breed. ALthough, I don't know why anyone would need papers unless they are going to breed (once again contributing to the problem) or show.

I couldn't, in good conscience, buy an animal knowing all I know about shelters and the tremendous amount of animals that are killed.

Lorie
 
>Yes, there are "reputable" breeders, but they are still
>contributing to the problem. Also, there is usually not a
>strict screening process prior to "buying." That is how so
>many purebreeds get to shelters.

I respectfully disagree, Lorie. It's not the reputable breeders who contribute to the problem. It is irresponsible people who either adopt OR buy and the dog/cat gets "inconvenient". That hardly is the breeder's fault.

It also is the fault of people who refuse to spay/neuter their pets and let them multiply like rabbits and then get rid of the oopsie litter, assuming that someone else will take care of THEIR responsibility.

The breeder I work with does screen and has a clause in their contract that they will take the dog back at ANY time.

Carola
 
>I think there are valid points to be made for both, buying and
>adopting.

Why not call both 'adopting'? That's my main point. Semanitics. Words have power and form perceptions.

One 'buys' a car, a sofa, a plant, an inanimate, non-sentient thing. One adopts a cat, a dog, a ferret, a baby, a living, breathing being. (That's all I'll say about it, because if my point isn't clear by now, it never will be!)


;-)
 
>
>I absolutely mean that. Associating the term "to buy" with an
>animal, thinking of it in terms of 'buying," is what I find
>repulsive. Like 'buying' a baby. You don't 'buy' a living
>being, you 'adopt' it, no matter how much money is involved in
>the exchange.
>
>And I can't seriously imagine any situation where spending
>$900 on an animal is 'rescuing' the animal.

I think that is more of a rhetorical thing, Kathryn.

Whereas technically I bought them, I have adopted all three of my dogs in our home. I reimbursed the breeder for her expenses and her time to raise those puppies/dogs.

I don't think just because someone adopts a dog, makes them a more responsible person and the people who buy irresponsible. In fact, many people who adopt, adopt because it is "cheaper", not because they want to rescue. Many people who adopt dogs/cats at shelters, turn them back in.

I think it is the person and their actions in the long-term that matter. It does not make me a less caring person because I bought some of my dogs, nor does it make someone a better person because they adopt from a shelter.

Carola
 
>Why not call both 'adopting'? That's my main point.
>Semanitics. Words have power and form perceptions.
>
That's what I said Kathryn :) I adopted my dogs into our home and "reimbursed" the breeder for her expenses and time.

I think we have the same view, as usual ;-)

Carola
 
I bought my horse. I don't find it repulsive to say what I did was buy him. It's a description of what I did, not a judgement.


However, when it comes to cats and dogs, I do as the bumper sticker says:

Until there are none, adopt one. ;)

Actually I adopted four!
 
I meant that they are contributing to the problem by having more animals available. So, each animal that is adopted from a breeder could be taking away from those in shelters that will be killed. Kiind of supply and demand (although I abhor taling about animals like that). If there was nowhere to get animals from but shelters, maybe there wouldn't be so many animals killed in the shelters. I realize this will never happen, but I can hope, can't I? My greatest wish is that ALL rescue groups be put out of business because we are no longer needed!

Lorie
 
Okay, I changed my mind. I agree with Carmel. If the cat pooped diaminds, even I would buy it!!! ;)

Lorie
 
Good points made here in this thread. I agree with you all that adopting is a wonderful thing to do. I have done that sooo many times in the past. I have my own reasons for paying $$$ this last time and I don't feel the need to justify it here.:) I am wealthy and I won't apologize for that either. I DO donate to the local animal shelter only a mile from my house. My records indicate that I have donated way above and beyond what I paid for my kitty (just in 3 years of records!). If it is considered repulsive by some that I had to go through tons of paperwork and an interview process in order to acquire my Bengal, then so be it. I am crazy about her and in the end that is what counts most to me!
 
>I meant that they are contributing to the problem by having
>more animals available. So, each animal that is adopted from
>a breeder could be taking away from those in shelters that
>will be killed.

Yeah, let's prohibit breeders from breeding in a responsible way, so we can pick up after ALL the irresponsible people, so the only dogs available are the "designer breeds" those people are creating by letting their dogs and cats procreate at will.

With all due respect, Lorie, I think you are pointing the finger in the wrong direction.

I think people should be forced to spay/neuter their dogs, unless they are "licensed" breeders and are showing they are breeding in a humane and responsible way, and they will take the dogs/cats back, if it doesn't work out.

In my case, the dogs that I adopted from the breeder did NOT take away from a shelter dog. I wanted a Mini Australian Shepherd for various valid reasons and they just don't have them at the shelter. I adopted / bought from that breeder for very specific reasons.

Psst, don't tell anyone, my dogs poop diamonds :+

Carola
 
>>>The whole idea of 'buying' a pet (a living being) is
>>repulsive
>>>to me.
>>>
>>I hope you don't really mean that, because to "rescue" a pet
>>many times you have to "buy" a pet.
>
>I absolutely mean that. Associating the term "to buy" with an
>animal, thinking of it in terms of 'buying," is what I find
>repulsive. Like 'buying' a baby. You don't 'buy' a living
>being, you 'adopt' it, no matter how much money is involved in
>the exchange.
>

I saw my mutty mutt in a pet store one day, (I had no intention of buying a dog, I went with my friend to look at some birds) held him and walked out with the love of my life and $600 less in my bank account. I bought that dog, and I own every inch of him. :) I'm not sure but I think pets are considered 'property'. I reported to the ASPCA about a dog that was being beaten and they told me they couldn't do anything because the dog was the man's 'property'! Considering how much my mutty mutt has brought to my life, that $600 was the best investment I could have ever made; and considering the fact that I can't walk into Pet Smart without spending at least $150, and since my dog only gets the best cuts of meat (I feel that since I took him out of that store, I owe him the best life I can possible provide so yeah, he is a little spoiled, not wild, he is well trained, but spoiled.)I really can't balk at anyone who is willing to spend a lot of money on a pet. Especially if you have already seen it, held, and felt it's little heart beat.:)

In the future I most likely will get a dog from the shelter. We donate 10 bags of food every two months to various shelters and Pedigree wi11 match what ever you donate. I can't think of my life without my mutty mutt now (my husband had to get my dog's seal of approval when we were dating!) but he is getting up in years.

DeeDee
 
I just find it nuts that some people are 'repulsed' (I think that is WAY to strong of word) by the term 'buy', that some people may use for getting a pet. It almost sounds like they are assuming that those who have used this word, are somewhat callous and shallow. Not all pets are officially 'adopted'. If you 'buy' a puppy from the little boy sitting outside the grocery store, you did not 'adopt' it, you 'bought' it and you are not a bad person for doing so. Geez, I have customers that 'traded' a lawn mower for their dog. Is that term 'repulsive' too? I have customers that have also 'swapped' dogs. One had a Border Collie that was tearing up her small yard while she was at work and other had a poodle that was scared to death to be outside with her and her horses. They 'swapped', and all are happier for it. No 'adoptions' whatsoever. So, trading, buying (weather it be $10 or $3000), swapping, adopting or even getting a pet for 'Free' or whatever transpired, it all comes down to this; You now 'own' (I'm guessing another bad term) a pet and are responsible for it's care. You shouldn't feel guilty about how much you spent or how you got or why you 'own' your pet. Just be responsible once it's in your hands. And I also believe you especially shouldn't feel guilty if it turns out not to be the pet for you. Just responsibly find it a another more fitting home (like Laura did with her little kitty).

If you own a dog or any animal, DON'T breed it if you are not educated in what you are doing. Like, breeding little 'fluffy' to your neighbors little 'Spike' because they'd make such 'cute' babies, is not being responsible. THAT and the roaming unneutered animal is one of the biggest sources where the shelters get their animals from. It's not from the resposible breeders out there. The responsible breeders go through all kinds of thought and decision before even attemping to bred their animals and then only breed once maybe twice with that animal. They are not back-to-back breeding their dogs til that can't breed anymore. It's very expensive to breed and it's not very profitable at all. And most are breeding for very specific qualities which is a extremeley difficult process that takes years and percise selective breeding to get.

I also agree that many people go the 'Cheap' route on getting a pure bred dog through a rescue, without any thought whatsoever to what is involved in raising that animal. The animal ends up back at the shelter, which then goes back to the rescue, rinse and repeat.

I'm all for the diamond poop and also vote for liquid gold pee.:)

www.picturetrail.com/keeponthesunnyside
 
I always try to stay out of these kinds of posts but I must also add that I am in total agreement with Carola and Dallys. I have 5 cats-all are purebread persians and I "spent money" on 4 of them and one I adopted from the shelter. These are my favorite breed of cats and I spent ALOT of money "acquiring" them and would do it all over again. Alot of people get animals from a breeder then breed them-well I "SAVED" these kitties from breeding because not only do they have a wonderful home and a mommie who adores them but they will NEVER be bred as I have fixed all of my animals. And yes my cats do poop diamonds and pee gold!!!

Sincerely,

Lisa
 
Because breeders purposely force the animals to reproduce to make a profit...most are not doing it out of the kindness of their hearts
 
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