We at Pendragon have some firm philosophies regarding the raising of cats. These can
be summed up in a rather simple, but wise, statement. We declare emphatically that "A
room filled with cats is not a healthy environment!" And good health is what raising
cats must be all about!!!
Among felines (the lion is the single exception) solitariness is not only a matter of
inherited choice, but also a matter of LIFE. Cats, large and small, wild and domestic,
are simply not meant to exist in large groups. The wise cat breeder knows, accepts
this premise, and then acts upon it in a very timely fashion. A barn, a converted
garage or basement filled with breeding cats is an impossible situation. Dogs, being
natural pack animals, perhaps can exist under crowded adverse condition. But we do
not advocate crowded conditions (i.e. "puppy mill") for canines, and we most
certainly vigorously deplore any type of overcrowding for cats: they simply do not
thrive. And most certainly NO litter of young kittens should ever come into any
contact with older cats!! Overcrowding leads to unhealthy cats and kitten
mortality!
We at Pendragon do not maintain a "Cattery!" We maintain gentle, clean, personalized
environments for the few cats we keep. When a new litter is born, it is isolated
from all other cats and existing litters: in a cozy yet airy, bedroom, on an open
screened sunny porch. Overcrowding is really NOT a problem here at the Pendragon
simply because we do not have many cats. We try not to have more than one or two
litters at one time.
Before we continue, the use of cages probably must be defended. "Oh," declares the
cat lover, "I would never put a cat in a cage!" A pleasant and understandable
opinion, but it does not work when one is raising kittens. Caging is so
misunderstood that We do not want to give the impression all cats need to
be caged, only those females with litters. Being even more solitary when
involved with her young, the mother cat will often move the litter - instinctively
attempting to keep them safe from predators (even though there seem to be few of
these rampant in our houses), and from human "good-doers." To keep kittens safe,
they, and their mother, must be caged. This is only logical unless the owner
wants to hunt and rehunt to find where the kittens have been relocated: a
dark closet, a narrow sock drawer, a dangerous laundry dryer. Not only is
being moved inconvenient, it encourages a slight "wildness" in the kittens
that must be prevented if they are to mature into loving devoted pets.
Which brings us to socializations! Caging makes the project of socialization
easier. Early handling (with sterilized hands) makes each kitten more malleable
and gentle. Even before the eyes are open, kittens sense a peaceful
environment: they sense the calm of the mother, and respond accordingly.
Socialization does not come automatically - it takes conscious effort.
The only reason PENDRAGON breeds a litter of Tonkinese is to obtain show prospects.
What are show cats? These are Tonkinese who have the correct "look," bountiful
health, and the outstanding personality for which the breed is famous. Pendragon
never breeds kittens earmarked as "pet quality." Thus all kittens we offer for
sale are potential show animals with ALL the characteristics mentioned above.
Pendragon does not believe in two separate categories of Tonkinese. Purchase
one of our "show kittens" at "pet prices!"
