| Banning wild cat/domestic cat hybrids | | | | same moral dilemma exists in relation to the breeding |
| Recently the USA state of Iowa banned the keeping | | | | of cats that suffer from genetic defects (mutations). |
| of Bengal cats. This ban included all cats with a wild | | | | These cats such as dwarf cats, tailless cats and cats |
| ancestry meaning wild cat/domestic cat hybrids. | | | | with malformed ears are interesting and rare. Once |
| These cats are the Bengal, Chausie, Savannah and | | | | again the unusual catches the eye of the public |
| Safaris for example. The Cat Fanciers Association | | | | consumer and cat lover and breeders feel an |
| (CFA) refuses to register domestic cats with "wild | | | | obligation to create more of these rare cats. But is it |
| blood" in them. Fourth generation Bengal cats have | | | | right to create more cats that have a major defect |
| about 12% Asian Leopard in them. The CFA is the | | | | disorder which sometimes (rarely with careful |
| most conservative registry. The International Cat | | | | breeding) has fatal consequences and secondary |
| Registry is more adventurous and registers more | | | | conditions that harm the cat (e.g. flat chest kitten in |
| breeds including the Bengal. There is divided opinion | | | | dwarf cats). You can see links to articles about a |
| about wild/domestic cat hybrids. The Bengal though is | | | | number of mutated breeds at the Different Breeds |
| a very popular cat demonstrating the desire of the | | | | Page of my website. Examples are the Bobtailed cats |
| public to keep wild cat substitutes. | | | | and the Dwarf cats. |
| There is a continuing desire by the cat lovers to | | | | Commercial pressureThere is then commercial |
| "own" (I prefer keep or adopt) unusual and valuable | | | | pressure to breed more cats and it could be argued |
| "objects" and that includes animals and one of the | | | | cats of the wrong type. The public's desires are being |
| most popular animals to keep are cats. How do cat | | | | checked and controlled by the authorities (see the |
| breeders keep up with the demand for the exotic | | | | Iowa ban above). |
| and unusual while maintaining a moral code and high | | | | ConclusionIt is not possible to make a cattery highly |
| standards of animal welfare? | | | | commercial and prioritize the cats welfare in my |
| Moral issues/arguments | | | | opinion. Catteries should be small and one litter should |
| The moral issue is whether it is good for wildlife to | | | | ideally be bred at one time. The exception appears to |
| create designer and exotic cat breeds by mating wild | | | | be the Allerca cat, a wild/domestic hybrid being bred |
| and domestic cats. The idea is that in keeping such a | | | | by a company and which sells at high prices (up to |
| hybrid cat the keeper is reminded of the plight of the | | | | $30,000 per cat or so). The company treats these |
| dwindling number of wild cats in the world. | | | | cats as a product. I find this to be an incorrect moral |
| The counter argument is that this form of breeding | | | | attitude. |
| damages the wild cat in that the increased interest is | | | | As to the exotics and mutated breeds; I can accept |
| fed by the breeding program which encourages | | | | the exotic designer breeds provided the breeders |
| malpractice by importers of wild cats into the West | | | | observe high standards and can see the wider issues |
| and increases the importation of wild cat breeds into | | | | (effect on wildlife). I cannot, however, agree that |
| Western countries. The biggest market for exotic | | | | creating more cats with disorders is acceptable and in |
| pets and cats by far is the USA. | | | | that regard I agree with the CFA who don't register |
| Genetic Mutations | | | | for example Dwarf cats for that reason. |
| Not only are there questions about exotic cats the | | | | |