The Costs of Starting and Maintaining a Ragdoll Cattery

Breeding cats and starting a cattery may seem like a rewarding venture, but it’s crucial to understand the expenses involved. Beyond the initial investment of purchasing breeding cats, there are numerous ongoing costs associated with maintaining a Ragdoll cattery. In this article, we will break down the expenses involved in starting and operating a cattery, including health screenings, show participation, and other essential expenditures.

1. Starting a Cattery: When establishing a Ragdoll cattery, it’s essential to consider various upfront costs. These may include:

• Feline genetics approximately $500 for the first year and $50 annually thereafter.
• Cattery name registration and cat association membership: $50 per year.
• Business license registration: $25-$100, depending on the location.
• Cattery registration as an LLC (for taxation and legal purposes): $50-$150.
• Domain name registration and maintenance: $10-$20 per year.
• Acquiring intact cats with breeding rights: $2,000-$6,000 or more per breeding cat.
• Website design: $500-$2,500.
• Initial business supplies (business cards, phone, laptop, photography equipment, etc.): Not included in the total upfront cost.

The total cost to start a Ragdoll cattery can range from $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the number of breeding cats.

1. Ongoing Veterinary Costs: Besides the initial investment, ongoing veterinary expenses are crucial for the well-being of the breeding cats. These costs may include:

• Wellness exams: $75-$125 per visit.
• Age-appropriate vaccinations: $10-$60 per year.
• In-house fecal tests and deworming: $25-$45 per test.
• Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives: $5-$55 per month.
• Idexx PCR lab work (URD, diarrhea): $150-$500.
• Pet insurance: $50-$250 per month.
• Emergency care (initial triage appointment): $150-$250 (treatment cost not included).

Routine care expenses, such as cat food, supplements, litter, litter boxes, and grooming supplies, can vary greatly but may average around $2,000 per month.

1. Breed-Specific Health Screening: To ensure the health and well-being of Ragdoll cats, specific health screenings are necessary. Here’s an overview of the genetic, cardiac, and orthopedic health screenings and their costs for Ragdoll breeders:

• Genetic testing (UC Davis Coat Color Panel, AB Blood Group, Agouti, Dilute, Dominant White & White Spotting, Optimal Selection/MyCatDNA/Wisdom Panel): $99-$465 per breeding cat.
• Advanced cardiac screening (exam by a board-certified Veterinary Cardiologist, echocardiogram, OFA database application): $415-$815 per breeding cat (routine echocardiograms done every 1-2 years).

1. Showing Ragdolls: Participating in cat shows is important for breeding cats that conform to the breed’s written standard. Showing cats and earning titles provides unbiased feedback on a cat’s representation of the breed. Here are the costs typically associated with showing Ragdolls:

• Cat show entry fee: $100-$300.
• Show hotel accommodation: $100-$150 per night.
• Sponsorship of judge’s ring or club donations: $25-$100.
• Airfare, car rental, gas: $50-$300.
• Miscellaneous show supplies (tent, grooming station, grooming supplies, litter box, etc.): Not included in the total cost to show.

The total cost per show may range from $275 to $850.

1. Additional Cattery Operating Costs: Operating a Ragdoll cattery comes with various additional expenses. Some of these costs include:

• Enrichment items (cat trees, toys, beds, treats, scratching posts, wall perches): $50-$100+ per month.
• Clearly Loved Pets kitten enclosures: $460-$680.
• Cleaning supplies (urine cleaner, disinfectant, paper towels, paper plates): Costs vary.
• Cat/kitten/litter registration fees: $10-$50+ per month.
• Miscellaneous expenses (milk replacer, birthing supplies, supplements, etc.): $100-$500+.
• Microchipping kittens: $20-$100 per kitten.
• Spaying/neutering kittens: $75-$350 per kitten.
• Go-home day kitten kits: $50-$200+.

Moreover, if the breeder outsources certain tasks, expenses may include tax preparation, cattery cleaning, pet sitting during shows, managing the cattery website, social media coordination, photographing kittens and cats, grooming, and other administration work.

Starting and maintaining a Ragdoll cattery involves substantial expenses beyond the initial investment in breeding cats. Understanding the costs associated with cattery operations, veterinary care, health screening, and cat show participation is crucial for prospective Ragdoll breeders. By considering these expenses and planning accordingly, breeders can ensure the well-being of their cats and run a successful cattery.