About 2 1/2 years ago I bought a show quality Ragdoll (Maddie) from the same breeder as our first Ragdoll. After many unreturned phone calls and e-mails, the breeder finally mailed us Maddie's papers to send in to TICA. I forgot to send them in for awhile, but when I received Maddie's bloodline tree, I noticed that Maddie's father had been mated with his grandmother.
Normally, I wouldn't have thought much of it.....but Maddie seems to have problems. She is almost three, and is extremely small. She hates being around people, and will spend 18 hours a day in the cat tree. When she is out of the tree, she just walks around and meows and meows. She doesn't want to be touched and runs away and cowers when you try and touch her. I also have to constantly clean her eyes because of the tear stains.
I am really bummed, because our first Ragdoll is the best cat in the world. We were hoping to get one just like her, but it seems we actually got the opposite.
I have tried to call and e-mail the breeder, but unless I am offering her $600 for a cat, she wants nothing to do with us. I also e-mailed TICA, but they didn't e-mail me back either!
I am guessing I have no recourse....but I don't want anyone else to go through this ordeal either. Maybe I am just being overreactive, as I realize you cannot guarantee temperment, but I didn't know whether anyone else has had a similar experience or can give me advice. Thanks!
Not sure exactly what you mean (a grandmother is also the mother?). This issue is evaluated by running inbreeding coefficients to see how much genetic diversity really exists - and there is not much agreement on how much is too much. Close breedings are sometimes done for good reasons - and sometimes they are oops litters. They may result in problems - and they may result in better kittens than more distant breedings. Nobody will be able to tell you the cause for what you are observing - and that is particularly true without knowing the characteristics of the cats involved. One can certainly sometimes identify a characteristic from a relative, but one needs to know the relatives to do that.
The tear staining is likely from sinus infections, which are as hard to get rid of in cats as in people. That is not likely from inbreeding. Timidity certainly could have a genetic element, but most breeders would not choose to repeat close timid relatives in a pedigree.
Thanks for your reply, Jan. Yes, Maddie's mother is also her grandmother. I have done research and heard that this type of breeding is sometimes done to preserve certain breed traits, but only by very experienced breeders. I spoke to a gentleman who is on the board of a reputable association who says that even he would never do it. I just feel that I not only was I misled, but my breeder seems to be acting very suspiciously. Why not return my calls and allay some of my fears if she did nothing wrong. We have given her over $1200 now, I think we deserve at least that! At this point, do I even have any recourse, since she is almost three?
i dont have any advice but i just wanted to say that does sound rather disappointing and upsetting for you. im sorry. maybe u could make a complaint/warning others about that particular breeder. i dont know.
Thanks for your sympathies. It seems that people who have bad experiences with breeders have no real recourse. If TICA doesn't even respond to concerns, I wouldn't even know what to do, except maybe start a website where people can give their experiences with breeders.
Moonauggie Wrote:Thanks for your sympathies. It seems that people who have bad experiences with breeders have no real recourse. If TICA doesn't even respond to concerns, I wouldn't even know what to do, except maybe start a website where people can give their experiences with breeders.
that is a very good idea! make two columns, one for great reviews, one for bad.
And set aside some money to fight the defamation lawsuits. ; )
I wish there was a site like that before I got Dolly. I'd have avoided her breeder like the plague! I've since found out from another breeder that she has heard of similar stories from many other people about Dolly's breeder
She referred to her as an "Animal Broker" and nothing more.
JanH Wrote:And set aside some money to fight the defamation lawsuits. ; )
It it's true it isn't defamation Jan.
These stories are always distressing to hear. I wonder though why you waited so long to raise the point. I've been fortunate in that the breeders I've dealt with have all been reputable. I say that not to rub it in but you have to vet the breeder just like--if they are a serious breeder--they are vetting you. That street runs both ways.
Your sinus issues need the intervention of a capable vet preferably one that you have determined
LIKES cats. If you can find a cat only vet near you so much the better. Bringing Maddie out of her shell may be more of a challenge. Have you ever considered contacting a cat behaviourist (and I don't mean one of these confounded cat communicators either)? Even though they cost a bit it may get you on the right track quicker. I thought I was going to have to use one with Snowman at one time because of some litterbox issues I was having so I have a name I can give you.
It can take expensive litigation to prove up that defense. Therefore, one needs the funds to defend. You just do not walk in and say "But it's the truth. See you later." (There are also other causes of action for which truth is NOT a defense, like interference with beneficial business relationships and invasion of privacy.)