What is a holistic cattery?

Breeding conditions for cats, as for all other animals, differ significantly. These differences arise from unequal standards of housing, feeding and care, and also, indirectly, from the number of animals and litters in a given breeding.

The so-called "maximisation of profit" or “competitive prices” in breeding of animals can unfortunately be achieved only at the expense of their natural needs. In such case, solely the basic needs (or those that have a positive impact on the final price) are to be satisfied. Savings on food and housing conditions are in this respect the easiest to be made. Breeders following this philosophy may (or must) use drugs and chemicals raising the animals’ “productivity” (hormones, prophylactic antibiotics or antiparasitics necessary in large clusters of animals).

Holistic cattery is the opposite of commercial breeding, both in terms of philosophy and principles, as well as of standard of nutrition, housing and reproduction conditions. It corresponds to the type of organic farming and is based on empathy, regard and respect for animals.

Holistic principles

The basic principle of holistic breeding is that the interests, needs and well-being of animals have an absolute precedence over particular interests of the breeder. He or she must seek to ensure their joyful life, such as they would have in nature. They must live in accordance with their natural needs, spend their time according to their desires and enjoy company and freedom.

Holistic health considers all the things that go into the environment and have a direct or indirect impact on the body. In the case of animals this includes where they live, what they eat, whether they are confined for much of the day or allowed to run free, how much company and entertainment they have. The mental and emotional health cannot flourish in poor and restricted conditions, which can lead to behavioral and physical problems.

Holistic philosophy (also a holistic medicine) attaches great importance to prevention and to supporting the natural resistance of the body. Proper food, its adequate selection and quality; avoiding excessive exploitation of the organism through too frequent matings and births; open-air and sunbathing are its basic elements. Medical intervention, if necessary, should take into account the functioning of the whole body and focus on the elimination of the disease and not just on its symptoms. Whenever possible, non-invasive treatment should be chosen, in order to minimize the stress and the side effects for the animal.

A holistic approach recognizes the huge impact the immune system has on the health of the body and focuses on keeping it as healthy as possible. The immune system is very sensitive to toxins, poor diet and stress and prolonged exposure to these things can seriously weaken it, leaving the body susceptible to recurrent infections and degenerative diseases (V. Harris, Natural Remedies...).

"Organic cat"

Is such a cat, apart from the moral aspect, better than others?

As in many other areas, the effort and sacrifice is always visible. First, such cats are indeed happy, joyful and trusting animals. But the most important difference is their good health and strength. It should be noted at the same time that health is more than just the absence of disease. It's the energy and the guarantee of a long, good life. It is a calm, balanced character and a sense of harmony and joy of life on a daily basis. It is how the Nature expects all living creatures to be and it is what they deserve. Anyone looking for a new feline friend and family member should care about how the cat has been raised.   

Natural health

Cats are by nature extremely resistant, strong and healthy. They are slender, agile and intelligent, curious and keen to play. Their fur and eyes shine. They are insensitive to changes in temperature and their digestive system’s high pH effectively eliminates parasites. The proper bacterial flora also prohibits bacteria, viruses or fungi from multiplying. This is a naturally healthy cat.

Unfortunately, our civilization with its fast food, modified food, antibiotics, hormones, steroids, frequent vaccines, poses a great threat to this natural harmony. While adopting our lifestyles, cats also inherited the “modern” diseases - obesity, depression, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and lack of energy and joy.

Make a change. Let your cat be as the Nature intended.

Rules for an organic cattery

Holistic breeder must follow a long list of essential rules:

Housing conditions

1. -the cat’s health and happiness are the paramount value;
   

2. -the cats live in the house, where they have maximum contact with people and are members of the family;
   

3. -except in cases of quarantine, separation of a male during the female’s estrus cycle or of the expectant mother for the time of birth or nursing, cats are not closed and their freedom of movement is not restricted;
   

4. -the cats have access to open air and can stay in the sun in an appropriately secured balcony or garden;
   

Reducing the reproductive stress

1. -the number of cats is limited, so as not to cause unnecessary stress and rivalry within the group and to ensure that all cats have sufficient contact with the breeder (caress, play);
   

2. -neither males nor females are used to the maximum extent to which their body allows. Queen has enough time to rest and return to form before she becomes pregnant. Stud is not used for continuous, excessive mating.
   

3. -the cats are not forced for mating;
   

4. -in case of exhibitions, in the event of a conflict between the cat’s well-being (exposure to excessive stress, over-vaccination, exhaustive travel) and the interest of the breeder, the cat’s well-being must be decisive;
   

5. -queens who have difficult pregnancies or deliveries are excluded from the breeding program (sterilized). All retired cats have the right to remain in the cattery, which is their native, home environment. The transfer of such cats in a foreign place is not supported and is accepted only if the cat’s well-being it requires (for example rejection by the group).
   

Nutrition and care

1. -the cats are fed in line with the natural functioning of their bodies, according to the recommendations of holistic medicine (BARF diet - Biologically Adequate Raw Feeding);
   

2. -the cats uncompromisingly receive the best quality products. Meat should come from organic farming, free from antibiotics and hormones;
   

3. -the cats are not subjected to hormonal fertilization treatments;
   

4. -in case of disease, the use of natural, herbal or homeopathic medicines is seriously taken into account before any invasive treatments, antibiotics, or drugs with side effects are considered;
   

5. -automatic deworming or vaccination of cats is not applied without checking their necessity. Relevant tests are a regular part of prevention;
   

6. -if possible, home veterinary visits are used to reduce the stress factor;
   

7. -the breeder attaches a great importance to enhancing the cats’ natural immunity through holistic nutrition and natural supplements;
   

8. -the cattery is absolutely clean and free from fleas, parasites, fungal and viral diseases. Any slightest symptoms of weakened immunity are consulted with a holistic veterinarian, possibly even before the development of an disease;
   

9. -apart from the necessity to save life or health, the pregnant queen is not subjected to ultrasound or X-ray. Such a procedure performed solely for the purpose of counting kittens is considered contrary to mental and physical well-being of the mother;
   

Raising kittens

1. -kittens are not weaned against their or their mother’s will;
   

2. -kittens are allowed to remain with their mother at least until they are 13-weeks old (to ensure their maximum immunity due to the long breast-feeding and in order to exclude the suffering associated with a premature separation of the mother and kittens);
   

3. -kittens receive particular attention and care, in order to ensure their trust and ease in creating bonds with people. For this reason, the breeder should not have more than two litters at the same time. In justified cases (common heat cycles) brief overlapping periods are allowed, when the eldest kittens are just prior to adoption and youngest still cannot walk;
   

4. -kittens are never vaccinated before the 12th week, while the mother's antibodies are still active;
   

Adoption

1. -the breeder makes a careful and thorough selection of people who adopt kittens from the cattery. In case of any doubts about the future care or housing conditions, kitten should not be sold;
   

2. -the breeder shares the knowledge necessary to raise a cat in the best health and well-being. Advice and readiness to help should not end with the sale of the cat;
   

3. -when choosing a kitten for a particular person, the breeder will serve with an advice, taking into account the individual characteristics of each of his or her animals;
   

4. -within one month from the adoption, the breeder is ready to take the kitten back in the event of an unexpected allergy in the family of the new owner. The conditions are set in the contract between the breeder and the owner. 
   

author: Lucie Miara, LL.M, Holistic Breeder,

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