...when the cats are no longer any good for breeding, they get neutered and dumped or sold off cheaply......... . I have heard that, or something like it, many times!
Yes, I am one of those breeders who does it this way....
I choose the homes for my neutered cats with great care, I take my time until the right person comes along for my cat, and I always stay in touch with these people.
I want to keep improving my breeding, so I try to plan good, unique pairings and keep good youngsters for future breeding.
Sometimes cats have to be neutered because an illness or a hereditary genetic defect comes to light, and once neutered they drop in the pecking order within my group of cats.
Others, sadly, simply do not get along with each other.
I wouldn't have the space, the time or the money to care for all of them properly. I only have two hands, so how much cuddling and attention would each cat get among so many.........
A neutered cat that has found a loving cuddly home with a companion or a youngster is better off there than in my breeding household!
Too many cats in one household means emotional stress for the cats, the risk of illness rises, and I cannot give enough attention to the needs of each individual cat, so they are or become unhappy!
I am not afraid to make this public here......