Q:  "I saw an ad in the paper for ragdoll kittens for $200.  Why are yours $700 and up?  I don't want a show cat, just a great pet."

A:  There are many reasons!  First of all, besides being certified as purebreds by the major cat registries TICA and CFA, our kittens come from some of the best contemporary champion ragdoll bloodlines in the world.   As a result, I am happy to say, my ragdolls are making a name for themselves.  Some of my breeding cats have done very well in the show halls before having their first litters.  We have traveled all over the Southwest, and even as far as Alaska.    I love to show.  My passion for breeding our cats to the standards of physical and temperamental perfection is why I breed ragdolls.

Luckily, kitten sales offset the expenses of showing  and maintaining my cat family.   It always seems that even at $700 per kitten, we're barely breaking even.  This may not always be the case; a litter might have problems early on which will require emergency vet services.  A queen might need an emergency c-section.  We do genetic tests on our breeders and have a certified cardiologist ultrasound our breeding cats to detect genetic heart or kidney problems before they are integrated into our breeding program.   And then there are the complete  kitten shots, dewormings, registration papers, and spaying/neutering.  We also have a very small cattery, which means our kittens get alot of attention, meaning a well-socialized pet for you.  Did you know that your kitten price includes these things?

Anyone who breeds ragdolls responsibly knows I haven't even scratched the surface when it comes to a breeder's expenses, not to mention the time it takes to have a small program, where all kittens get daily individual handling and attention from me.

This is so you can be assured that you will be bringing home not only a gorgeous kitten, but one with the well-known ragdoll temperament. 

Our cats and kittens also get the finest veterinary care available.  This is to ensure you will not start with a sick kitten and having to spend thousands to nurse her back to health.  A reputable breeder lets the kittens leave at 12 weeks of age.  This is so they will have all the early-care they need, including 2 sets of shots, etiquette training (scratching post and litterbox) and socialization.  Anyone selling kittens younger than this is selling you short. 

The mother cat does practically all the child care in the case of a healthy normal-sized litter until the babies reach 6 weeks of age.  Being slow to mature, ragdolls do not wean before then.  The hard work for the breeder begins at 6 weeks and doesn't end until the babies are homed.  Anyone selling 8 week-olds has invested very little of her time or money into the litter.  They are not even old enough for their first shot (an expense) until then.  She probably has gotten tired of cleaning up after the rowdy brood.   Who will have to deal with the messy stools of weaning kittens and trying to teach kittens to be good housemates?   YOU.

What about the so-called ragdoll kittens (just ask to see the registration papers, there won't BE any) for $200-400?   There are individuals who are using the popularity of our breed to pass  these domestic cats of uncertain background off as ragdolls.   Insist on seeing the blue slip before picking up the kitten.  If they aren't available, ask to see the registration slips on the parents.   If the parents aren't registered, the kittens can't be!   $200 is alot to be paying for something you can find at the local animal shelter.

Make sure you're starting out with a genuine ragdoll.  You are making the decision to add a member to you family for the next 15 years or so.  The initial cost of a kitten from a reputable breeder is a drop in the bucket compared to what will be spent on your cat throughout her lifetime.   Considering what you'll be getting, it's money well spent.