So this journey has been quite an emotional roller-coaster. We've had to earn our place (and still have a way to go). We respect those breeders who have been breeding and showing for years, decades even. I hope to learn as much as I can from those who are generous enough to share their time and knowledge. 

We have several cats now who have budding show careers. I have a few people on my side helping me along. We're not in it for the ribbons, we'd just like some experience and instruction on breed standard & type. Additionally, we hope it helps to build some trust and respect from others to know that we are putting health and type first. 

Kuro, our companion boy, was the first to be shown around the end of 2019, and this was for experience only. Companions are judged on temperament, grooming, coat colour. It's a bit of fun and really helped us 'ease' into the process.

Transparency and honesty is the BIGGEST thing for us. We are strong believers that we've all made mistakes, but our true character is shown with how we pick ourselves back up and learn from those mistakes. Actions are always louder than words. 

Let me tell you about some of our past experiences which have shaped our mindset about remaining ethical breeders:

Several years ago, during a chaotic and toxic relationship, my ex-partner told me we couldn't keep my 2 beloved pet cats (which were there long before him). I was devastated and unwell (to the point of needing multiple hospitalisations over a long period of time). They did eventually get rehomed. But I will never get rid of that empty place in my heart from losing them. I failed them, and I never want to do that again. 

Another memory... when I was a child, we had this gorgeous red long hair domestic cat. I named Tim-Tam (after the biscuits of course!) and he was a free-roaming cat, as many were back in the 1990's. Sometimes, we wouldn't see him for days, and then finally he disappeared altogether. I was absolutely heartbroken. 

Another cat was baited, and yet another hit by a car. Several friends have had animals who've had snake bites. One didn't survive. 

I promised myself that I would never have free-roaming cats again. This protects them from danger, but also protects wildlife too. 

A few years later I fostered some other cats through a rescue organisation. Some had kittens in my care. I loved this so much. It was truly rewarding! They stayed with me until they found their furrrever homes through a pop-up adoption day organised by the rescue. I was so happy for them. 

Breeding and rescuing are two concepts that many believe cannot co-exist. Many rescue organisations do not tolerate breeders. A lot of hate and resentment is thrown around unfortunately. The see us as the 'enemy'. They hold the view that breeders are contributing to the increasing numbers in shelters, and for every cat that is bought, this leaves one behind in a shelter. 

I disagree, the adopt-don't-shop movement is dangerously misplaced. It paints all breeders under the same brush, when this is not true. 

Instead, we need to move toward the concept of #adoptORshopResponsibly.

At the start of this journey, we didn't have much success locally (within Australia). In fact we were met with some outright hostility. When you're trying to break into a breed, you're kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't. Other breeders don't trust you because you've never bred anything before. Or if you have, they don't trust you because they think you're competition. Gatekeeping. It's bullshit. I'll always remember this when it comes to mentoring someone else in the future. 

So we decided to look overseas to import our first cats. This involved a lot of risk (and panic attacks!) and unfortunately, like most breeders, we've lost a lot emotionally and financially.

This heartache does not come without joy though! As a result we've also gained some truly valuable experiences and friends. We're grateful for our mistakes. We have grown, in leaps and bounds. Most importantly, we're happy.

We handpicked our imports, and they were the best cats available to us at the time, with the knowledge we had (which was very little). In hindsight, many of our choices would have gone differently. But we did things the best we knew how... and we've learnt from it!  

We will eventually work with new breeders. However over time, we've developed high standards (as a result of our own mistakes). We will expect any new breeders approaching us for mentorship or advice, to respect our choices and standards, and to uphold this level alongside us. 

We'll never turn anyone away. We'll never be hostile. But we will call someone out if we think something's sketchy. Basically, we'll be honest with you.