Hello Elsa,

Thank you for your responses in this thread. - I dont claim to know much about cats, and it seems there are people out there who will gladly take advantage of this fact !

I would really really love to own a Bengal, however I cannot believe the price that some 'breeders' are asking, upto £500/600 for a kitten which isn't even going to be entered into a show in it's life ! I simply cannot justify spending so much when it comes to a family pet. This was my reasoning behined trying to get a 'cross' as pedigree prices cannot be asked for.

It would seem most people are more concerned with lining their pockets than the actual welfare of the animals in question - And that is very wrong.

Anyhow. My search continues. There must be a resonably priced kitten in the area.

Thanks again for your advice and posts.

J

Hey Jord - As a breeder I'm offended by your comments above!

You've no idea how much it costs to produce bengal kitten to a high standard, and to be perfectly honest I can't even be bothered explaining the facts to you after reading your last posts on this thread.

Sure I will agree with you that there are "some" breeders out there who'll extort you out of your money for a inferior/cross breed or as you put it "fake" bengal, but if you were willing to do just a little research you'd be able to sort the good out from the bad. What are your reasons for getting a Bengal exactly, have you read about the breed and do you know anything of the history behind the breed.....what are your motives for owning a bengal?

Also I don't understand what you mean by your comment about the price of a kitten even though it'll never be shown. It shouldn't make a bit of difference to the price at all as its still the same kitten regardless....even if its just going to be a family pet. Show cats don't just sit in cages 24/7....they have families that love them too you know!

However I do understand your point about not being able to afford or justify £500-600 on a family pet, but you'll just be kidding yourself if you buy a cross-breed and think it'll be anything like a bengal in its nature!

If you really want a bengal then just save up your money a little longer, do some research and get the real deal, you won't regret it.....ask anyone on this forum and they'll say the same.

Also one last thing, don't tar all breeders with the same brush.....some of us actually care about the breed and work towards the future for the bengal breed, you whinged about a 90 mile round trip to see kittens....just the other weekend I went to a meeting/AGM regarding bengals which was a 6 hour round trip not to mention the 4 hour duration of the meeting itself, this is something we do every 3 months.....There was atleast one other breeder from this forum there also too, so I'm sure they're equally offended with your comments.

Just because you can't or won't justify the cost of a pure bred animal doesn't mean we're all bad to the core like you imply.....We don't make money from our breeding, it all goes back into our cats futures whether it be showing or welfare.

You don't know what happens behind the scenes to keep the bengal breed alive and moving forward in the uk!

on another note - whilst I personally don't want to offend anyone both human and feline....I must point out that this is the Bengal cat forum!

Thank you and good night......"cue the Elsa"

Wow this one got quite heated for a while.
Well said Luke and Elsa.
The cost of a pure bred Bengal does sound high to would be pet owners but consider the fact that those of us who buy cats from abroad pay up to £4000 when the cost of quarantine is included. To buy top quality breeding stock here can cost £1500 for a queen.
There are breeders that don't put back lots of money into new stock but for those of us that care about progressing the breed and showing the best, we are forever dipping into our pockets.
These cats are our life and because of it holidays are rare or non existent.
The amount of time and effort that goes into producing top quality kittens cannot be added up or they would cost even more.

Regards

Liz Slater

Junglefire Bengals

Only joking with you Elsa!