what does it take and cost to breed ethically?

As a Maine Coon breeder I often have to justify why my kittens are not free. Here I'd like to clarify what it takes to breed Maine Coon kittens ethically, as well as why it's necessary to charge a price for them.

Maine Coon cats are a popular breed known for their large size, gentle temperament, and long-haired coat. However, breeding Maine Coons is not something that should be taken lightly. It requires a lot of knowledge, experience, time and financial resources to do it ethically.

Firstly, breeding involves careful selection of breeding cats. We must ensure that our cats are healthy, free from genetic defects, have good temperaments and are breed standards. This requires regular veterinary check-ups, genetic testing, and careful observation of the cats' behaviour and features. In order to breed the best cats and produce the best kittens, we must study the lines of the parents, which takes a lot of time. Aside from these, there are also the travel and import cost, as all our kittens are imported from Europe where we have an established cattery. The registration with a legit international cat association to produce the pedigrees of our kittens and the rental cost of our Pet Shop in Singapore are also additional costs.

Regarding the kittens parents, the "breeding cats", they must be properly cared for and socialised, which includes feeding them a high-quality diet, providing them with appropriate exercises and playtime, and giving them plenty of attention and affection. I spend most of my time with my breeding cats to ensure they are the healthiest and happiest and have a stress-free environment. 

I also devote time and resources to my kittens from birth until they leave our cattery. This includes providing them with veterinary care, vaccinations, deworming treatments, as well as socialising them with people and other animals. I bottle-feed the kittens every 1h on the first week of their lives to help their mother, once every 2h the following week and so on until they are weaned (at around 4 weeks old).  Kittens should be properly weaned and litter trained. The kittens also need to grow up and be kept in a very clean environment with special equipments for them. They need a cosy and safe space that is arranged according to their needs. As they grow very fast, their nursing room needs to be updated regularly to ensure they are growing healthy and happy at each stage during the first three months of their life. This require a huge amount of time and financial ressources that I dedicate to my kittens every day from their birth until they find their forever family. 

Now, why can't Maine Coon kittens be given away for free? The answer is simple: breeding Maine Coon kittens ethically is a costly endeavour. It requires a lot of time, effort, and financial resources. We must pay for regular veterinary care, genetic testing, high-quality food, nursing room equipment and other supplies. 

It's also important to note that charging a price for Maine Coon kittens can help to ensure that they go to good homes. People who are willing to pay for a kitten are often more prepared in providing it with a good home and the care it needs. This can help to prevent the kittens from being sold to people who may not be able to properly care for them or abandon them in the future.