| Not too long ago, the rich and fashionably elite | | | | and stamina. Many cats at these breeders are not |
| money makers were flashing their cute little teacup | | | | receiving medical care and are not up to date on their |
| Chihuahuas and dressed up canines. The smaller the | | | | shots, putting them and others at risk of getting |
| better. The more fashionable these little dogs were, | | | | very sick. Most breeders only care about putting |
| well that was even better yet. | | | | money in their own pocket and not focusing on the |
| Before we knew it everywhere you would look you | | | | care of the cats. |
| would see a flock of Chihuahuas and designer dogs | | | | Because most of these animals are not registered, a |
| under the arm of almost every pet crazed teen and | | | | question could be raised as to how the pets are |
| trendy 'wannabe' out there. Retailers were even | | | | being treated during the breeding and pregnancy |
| selling gemstone flocked attire and pet purses that | | | | stage. If a so called 'Back Room Breeder' is just in it |
| matched the pampered canines. | | | | for the buck, some of these animals may be in |
| I remember to my surprise when I was vacationing in | | | | danger or at an increased risk for developing health |
| Florida, I stopped at a small pet boutique to do some | | | | problems, especially during their pregnancy and |
| browsing and a woman reached in her purse and | | | | delivery stages. |
| pulled out a mini- dog! It easily fit in the palm of one | | | | The Hybrid cat scene has remained quite |
| hand! The poor little dog just sat their shaking as the | | | | controversial due to the fact that they are selling for |
| owner drooled and made over it like a baby. | | | | such a high price. Some breeders are trying to cash in |
| Whatever! | | | | on mixing pure bred felines with mix bred felines and |
| Well it seems as if Designer Dogs are yesterday's | | | | selling the animal for much less than an exotic cat. |
| news, designer cats are the next 'Chic'. Designer Cats | | | | What most owners don't know is the past health |
| are seemingly becoming the latest trend in the Hybrid | | | | problems of the breed and also what problems could |
| Pet Craze, but at what cost? | | | | arise due to the breeding of two different types of |
| Breeders are taking the plain old domestic cat and | | | | felines. |
| cross breeding the animal with an Asian Leopard or | | | | With designer kittens that resemble small snow |
| even a Jungle cat! These are the Hybrids that are | | | | leopards or mini black jaguars, the look appeals to all |
| going for a very hefty price tag anywhere from a | | | | ages and serves as distinct gifts that some people |
| few hundred dollars to around $20,000.00. | | | | may chose to give to the debutante or super spoiled |
| It has become more of a style statement than | | | | brat who already has it all. These cats are merely |
| anything else. These Hybrid Kitties are being bred just | | | | being bred and sold to show off. |
| for the mere fact the breeders know they can make | | | | Truly it is hard to believe that most of these |
| some serious money with these pets. They don't | | | | designer kitties will be loved and cared for as much |
| tend to take into consideration what damage they | | | | as a farm cat or stray from the local humane society. |
| are doing to either breed of the cat. Cross breeding | | | | Not to mention there are thousands of felines out |
| is not a good idea as it destroys the bloodline and | | | | there at the moment who need homes and also |
| DNA of pure bred cats, this also results in medical | | | | need to be spayed and neutered with adequate |
| ailments which can in turn rack up some seriously high | | | | medical attention. |
| Vet bills. | | | | None the less, as with designer dogs, designer cats |
| This isn't stopping the elite and wealthy from going | | | | are the newest up and coming trend in the lifestyles |
| out and purchasing these felines to add to their own | | | | of the wannabe chic and fabulous. Before we know it |
| family tree. For those whom money is not an object, | | | | Paris and Brit will be toting around a darling little |
| they rarely think about what conditions these animals | | | | tigress instead of their yappy little pooches. Hopefully |
| initially came from. The problem is many of these | | | | they realize they will need to leave the cat fights at |
| pets are bred day in and day out and their bodies are | | | | home, not for the paparazzi. Wait, that will never |
| not able to recover fully to regain proper strength | | | | happen. |