How to tell the difference between a back yard breeder and a reputable one?

Easy.

Reputable breeders:

1. Genetic test their breeding purebred cats for any and all problems with the breed.

2. They show most all their cats to champion or grand champion status.

3. They guarantee health (at least a year) and will give ALL shots, worming, FELV testing and spay/neuter the kittens before they are adopted.

4. They are willing to take back any kitten/cat when you can't keep it.

5. They base prices on quality - either pet or show - not on color or sex.

6. They keep the kittens for 3-4 months MINIMUM to ensure the kittens are physically and socially ready to leave home.

7. They follow up with you to be sure everything is going ok. They are there to answer any and all questions.

8. They are recommended by other breeders!

A backyard breeder or one that just wants to make money from their animals will not do any of the above (or very very few things).

BTW REPUTABLE breeders do not overbreed their cats - the females may only have 1-3 litters before they are retired and adopted to loving homes as a spay. And they also have waiting lists for kittens - so they have everyone spoken for ahead of time. I had forgotten to include these important things.

Reputable breeders are NOT bad people and reputable breeders are not the problem with shelters - its the backyard breeders and irresponsible owners that allow their non-purebred cats to breed over and over - so PLEASE do not blame the caring reputable breeders (like some of you are). That's insulting to those that really are reputable breeders and care about every kitten they bring in the world. Why do you think they neuter/spay BEFORE the kitten goes to the new home?

I agree with the other poster. Not all cats in shelters are sick. The more people buy from breeders, the more unwanted cats there are in shelters. If every one would stop breeding, less cats would be euthanized every day. Every person who buys from a breeder denies a poor cat in a shelter to have a chance at being adopted into a loving home...

Report the shelter. The cats should not be sickly. They should have a clean bill of health....

IMO-There is no difference. It's all about the money. Reputable or BY breeders, does not matter. It is not good for ANY queen to have so many litters in her life.....

Just because you had a sickly cat from an animal shelter doesn't mean all cats from them are like that. That animal shelter should be shut down, that is not how they are supposed to run. If many of it's animals are like that you should report them to Humane Society of the United States. You should try to go to a different shelter this time. By buying a pet from a pet store or breeder you are killing animals in humane societies. There are way to many stray animals in this world and breeders are making it worse. So please adopt, don't buy :)

Reputable breeders:

~Show their dogs or participate in breed specific trials. Breeders should be winners. Example: Boarder collie breeders will have titles in herding. OR They should have championship titles in the show ring. Having both is fantastic.

~Preform and make available health testing results. Each breed will have different medical issues that breeding dogs should be tested for. Example: German Shepards should all have their hips certified by age 2. Breeders should be happy to show you all the test results and vet statements.

~Insist their puppies be spayed/neutered. There are very few exceptions.

~Specialize in 1 or 2 breeds.

~Have only 1 or 2 breeding females.

~Don't use cages. Puppy gates, yes. Breeder boxes, yes. They shoudn't be caged. I object to kennels, but other people find them acceptable.

~Insist on having the dog back if you can't keep it. AT ANY POINT IN IT'S LIFE.

~Offer health guarantees.

~Have waiting lists before they breed a litter. Meaning, all the puppies have homes BEFORE they are born.

~Never sell to brokers or pet stores.

Back yard breeders are people who decide to let their pets "just have one litter". Or they decide their mutt dog is pretty, smart or want a quick pay check and think selling puppies will put money in the bank. These folks are a mixed bag. Some really love their pups and produce good pets. You just have to be aware. They are often uneducated about dogs, dog breeding, puppy raising and everything else. You could get a great dog. You could get an unsocialized nighmare of genetic problems.

I would answer this, but I think Allanas over there got it covered. Some one who says, I love my dog, lets make more dogs, is a backyard breeder almost for sure. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with a rescue, that's horrible, though there are still so many pedigreed (healthy) and needy animals in shelters, that it might be worth your time to go look. You never know, you may just find your soul mate! If you still feel uncomfortable with adopting one for health reasons, see if you can get it vet checked, or offer to take it to a vet prior to adopting to ease your mind. Good luck!