Today, someone asked me why I retire my breeding cats at such a young age, usually between two and three years old. This is why:
For the males, they spend their time in a very lovely atrium , but they are limited to that room during the time they are being used as sires. That is also where the breeding takes place.
All of my breeding cats always start out when they are kittens, living and sleeping with me. They are very socialized and attached to me. Then I put them to work for a year or two and they are limited as to what they can do and where they can go.
After a couple of years, I want them to have their freedom and run around and play and, love and live their best lives. I can’t in good conscience, keep them in their sire position and location longer than that. They are beautiful spaces, but Maine Coons are very social and love being with their humans.
With my females, I do not want to over breed their bodies and cause them to become tired, or rundown. I will only breed them a certain amount of times before I retire them.
They also live in my Cattery, and although it is also a beautiful place for them and very spacious, they too want to be with their human family more than with each other.
The best part of their day is when I’m with them, feeding them and petting them and sitting with them. I want them to love and live their best lives as well. And I don’t want them to begin to live when they are older. They give to me the most beautiful kittens, and in return I give them a beautiful life at a young age.
When I retire, any breeding cat, they are sterilized before I begin to look for a perfect home for them. I get to spend quality time with them while they heal and re-socialize them in the most loving ways possible. I always know when it is time for them to enter a new and loving home.
It is extremely important to me as a breeder to treat my animals with the upmost respect and with the highest integrity possible. I could never be a cage breeder and keep breeding cats for years. That is cruel and is abusive to the animals, and if I could not do this in the ethical way that I do, I wouldn’t do it at all.
One day when I retire myself from being a breeder, they will all be sterilized and I will keep a handful of them for myself to love and enjoy while they love and enjoy their lives. Until then, I do my best not to become overly attached even though I love them dearly. Otherwise, I would end up with 100 pet Maine Coons! But in the end, I will allow myself to love them freely and openly and choose the ones who will remain with me and become part of my forever family.
This is how I believe it should be done, if it is to be done at all. It’s a magical journey for me, for my animals and for my kitten and cat families. .I make sure of that. And young retirement is just one part of my commitment to my wonderful and amazing animals. ❤️