A Cattery Horror Story

Scout Stormcloud

Scout Stormcloud is very special to myself and my husband.

All my life I had 'rescue moggies'- but one day I saw there was a breeder of Maine Coons advertising a black kitten.

I knew nothing about breeders or pedigree animals but had always admired Maine Coons so we made the trip.

We were horrified to find not a clean, comfortable cattery but a filthy little bungalow stuffed full of these beautiful creatures - kittens everywhere, full grown adults, the smell was awful.

Horrified, I asked about the black kitten.

Oh, the woman said carelessly, that'll be him - and there he was, cuddled up to his sister who had deformed front paws due to inbreeding but was also lovely.

Quickly I handed over what was to have been our holiday money and ran out with our boy.

I cried in the car because I wished I could have saved them all. Scout Stormcloud was, as it turned out, very ill with stomach problems but now at a hunky 8 months and many vet visits and stays in the vet hospital is on the way to full fitness.

My message is - do research - go to a reputable breeder and report bad breeders for their cruelty.