Re-posted for guests and others

For those having the errant or even fervent thoughts of breeding, please consider the below factors during your decision process. This should cover it, if one is 110% honest about answering the following questions. For those who wish to get into the show rings? A few good resources are listed as well. The following questions are respectfully borrowed from: http://www.oldstylesiamese.com/mentor.html)

If you are seriously considering becoming a breeder, ask yourself at least these questions:

# Do I have a stable lifestyle, with plenty of time and money to spare for a demanding and sometimes stressful new hobby? When a pregnant queen or sick kitten has an emergency, can I take time off from my job in the middle of the day on short notice? Will I have the money to pay vet bills, often large and unexpected vet bills, on a frequent basis?
# Do I have the patience to hand-feed little kittens every two to four hours around the clock for days, even for weeks? Will I be able to stand it when queens come into heat a dozen times a year and yowl like banshees for two weeks straight each time? Will my spouse be able to stand it? Will my neighbors hear the noise? Queens in heat and studs spray urine to mark territory and attract mates. Will I be able to deal with it if they urinate on my favorite rug or chair when I'm least expecting it? Will I be ready to scoop multiple litter boxes every day and clean them all thoroughly every week without fail?
# Am I an organized person? Can I keep accurate breeding records and medical records month after month?
# Am I a good housekeeper? Can I stand to sweep up stray litter every day? Mop and bleach floors and walls several times a year? Launder cat beds, kitten nest rags, towels, and blankets soiled by the cats and kittens every week? Clean up after kittens still learning to use the litter box? How about the many times each year when various cats will spit up hairballs, undigested food, and bile?
# Am I willing to study the science of feline husbandry and genetics, to find someone to teach me and sometimes pay for seminars, so that I will know how to select only the most genetically sound cats for breeding and make the right decisions to keep their descendants healthy and happy?
# Why do I really want to breed Old-Style Siamese cats? Is it about my own selfish needs, wanting to impress everyone? Is it the greedy child in me? Do I have visions of possessing throngs of gorgeous pedigreed cats without understanding what it will entail? Is it about money? Do I really believe I can make a profit by selling a handful of high quality kittens each year after investing everything I can in their health and welfare? Or is it that I truly care about what happens to the breed? Am I willing to work continually with other people for the benefit of the breed, even if it doesn't help me or my cattery? Breeding pedigreed cats is trickier than most people realize. If my breeding program results in cats that are sick or unhappy, am I prepared to admit it and give up breeding for their sakes and for the sake of the breed?
# Am I prepared to learn how to deal honestly and conscientiously with kitten buyers and fellow breeders of all personality types and not always honest motives? Am I prepared to screen them diligently and reject them when necessary?
# Am I willing to take lifelong responsibility for the welfare of every kitten I ever produce? Am I willing to take a cat back into my home even after ten years if the owner is no longer able to give him a home? Am I willing to conscientiously prevent my kittens and cats from adding to the homeless pet population by (a) neutering every kitten before he leaves my home; (b) learning about and using microchipping, tattooing, and other forms of permanent identification; and (c) making sure my kittens and cats are well trained before they leave and following up with buyers to help them solve any behavior problems that occur after adoption?

The bottom line is: you have to be very, very motivated by your love of the cats AND you have to have the right kind of family, job situation, lifestyle, and home. If you don't have the full support of your spouse; if you don't own your own home; if you don't have flexible working hours; if you don't have cash to spare; if you aren't diligent, patient, clean, and organized; if you aren't willing to be a student again; then you can't be a responsible breeder. If you can't be a responsible breeder, then you should not breed.
~ ~ ~

Oh... and find a CFA-approved mentor. (http://www.cfainc.org/mentor/mentor_application.html)

For the dog afficianados? The same questions apply (just change cat to dog) and add, perhaps, a visit your breed's local AKC web site to search breeders or stewards in your area. Attend some local shows, too.