Okay, here’s my attempt at a blog post about starting a Cornish Rex cattery, written in a casual, experienced-blogger style:
Okay, so you wanna breed Cornish Rex cats, huh? Alright, lemme tell ya, it’s not all cuddles and purrs. It’s WORK. But, if you’re a crazy cat person like me, it’s totally worth it. Here’s how I dove in (and some of the face-palming moments along the way):
First things first: Research, research, RESEARCH! I’m talking BEYOND just Googling “Cornish Rex cute.” I spent MONTHS reading breed standards, joining online forums (cat breeder forums, specifically!), and talking to actual breeders. Not just any breeder, though. I hunted down breeders who seemed ethical and were producing healthy, well-socialized kittens. This part is HUGE. Don’t skip it.
Then, I started looking at cats. Good cats. This is where the money started flying. Forget buying a kitten from just anywhere. I needed foundation cats – a female (or “queen” in breeder-speak) and eventually a male (a “tom”). Finding cats that met breed standards and also had good temperaments took a long time. I drove across three states to pick up my first queen, a gorgeous cream point girl. Cost me a pretty penny, but she had an amazing pedigree and a super sweet personality. I knew she’d be a great mom.
Set Up Shop (Kinda): You can’t just throw cats in a room and expect magic. I dedicated a spare bedroom to the cats. It needed to be easy to clean (think hard floors, washable paint), secure (no escaping!), and comfy. I bought multiple cat trees, scratching posts, toys galore, and good quality food and water bowls. And litter boxes… oh, the litter boxes. Get ready to scoop A LOT of poop. I also invested in a good HEPA air purifier to help with dander.
Health is Wealth: Before even thinking about breeding, I took my queen to the vet for a full check-up. We did genetic testing for common health issues in Cornish Rexes (like hypokalemic polymyopathy – a scary muscle weakness thing). We also made sure she was up-to-date on all her vaccinations and free from parasites. Regular vet visits are non-negotiable. If you can’t afford vet care, you can’t afford to breed.
Finding Mr. Right (The Tom): This was tricky. I didn’t want to just breed my queen with any tom. I wanted to improve the breed, not just churn out kittens. I ended up doing a stud service with a reputable breeder a few hours away. Basically, I took my queen to his place for a few days, they did their thing (supervised, of course!), and then I brought her home, hopefully pregnant.
The Waiting Game (Pregnancy and Kittens): Once my queen was confirmed pregnant (vet visit!), the real fun began. I provided her with a nesting box – a quiet, safe space to give birth. I read up on feline labor and delivery (YouTube is your friend). And then… I waited. The birth itself was intense, but amazing. Seeing those tiny, curly-coated kittens for the first time was incredible.
Kitten Mania: Newborn kittens need CONSTANT care. I weighed them daily to make sure they were gaining weight, kept the nesting box clean, and made sure Mom was eating enough. As they got older, I started socializing them – handling them, exposing them to different sounds and sights, and introducing them to people. Well-socialized kittens make the best pets.
Finding Forever Homes: I was super picky about who I sold my kittens to. I screened potential buyers carefully, asked them lots of questions, and even did home visits. I wanted to make sure my kittens were going to good, loving homes. I also required spay/neuter contracts for pet-quality kittens (to prevent accidental breeding). And I made myself available to answer any questions new owners had – even after the kittens were gone.
The Legal Stuff: Depending on where you live, you might need a breeding license or permit. I made sure to check with my local authorities and follow all the regulations.
Ongoing Learning: Breeding cats is a constant learning process. I’m still learning new things every day. I continue to read, attend cat shows (when I can), and network with other breeders. The cat fancy community can be a real resource, so get involved!
It’s a lot of work, I’m not gonna lie. There are vet bills, sleepless nights, and the occasional heartbreak (not every kitten survives, sadly). But seeing my kittens go to loving homes and knowing I’m contributing to the preservation of this amazing breed makes it all worthwhile. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
So, there you have it – a glimpse into my journey of starting a Cornish Rex cattery. Hope it helps if you’re thinking of doing the same. Just remember, it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a passion project that requires dedication, responsibility, and a whole lotta love for cats. Good luck!
