highlander mission

The Highlander Breed Group's primary mission is advancing the Highlander in The International Cat Association (TICA).

Goals:

To continue to breed Highlanders that consistently conform to the type and personality that have made our Highlander kittens so sought after.
To provide a forum for Highlander breeders to interact, exchange ideas, and work together in a cooperative and supportive environment.
To continue to welcome and mentor new breeders that will strive to put the breed's best interest first and foremost in their breeding programs.
To continue education in various formats.
To continue rescue of all Highlanders in need.

HIGHLANDER BREED GROUP CODE OF ETHICS

PURPOSE – In the breeding of Highlanders, emphasis is to be placed on good health, stable temperament, intelligence, and conformation with the Breed Standard.

BREEDING – Breeding programs will include only those Highlanders who conform to the criteria stated above. All breeders will be in excellent health, and any that produce deformities will be removed from breeding programs and placed as an altered pet.

Queens will be bred only after they have achieved their first birthday, the only exception to this being a queen who has had repeated heat cycles and breeding is medically indicated. All queens will be maintained in excellent health and not bred more than twice a year.

Stud service will be offered to registered Highlanders only. Out crosses to DSH and DLHs only. All matters pertaining to the expectation of the stud owner and queen owner should be in writing to protect all parties and clearly state the terms of the agreement. Any breeder who is unable to readily sell or place kittens should refrain from further breeding.

HEALTH/CONDITIONS – All cats in a breeding program are to be maintained in excellent condition, that is, they are to have ample room for movement and exercise, they are to be well fed, kept clean, protected from the environment, handled and socialized. All recommended immunizations are to be kept up to date and the use of parasite control is required as needed.

SALES – No kittens/cats are to be sold to wholesalers, retailers, research facilities, and none are to be offered in raffles or placed for adoption in Humane Shelters.

Kittens/cats sold as breeders will be released only after the new breeder has been interviewed, educated as to the scope of breeding and its inherit responsibilities, and understands that I have a vested interest in the kitten/cat and expect to maintain a relationship with its new owner.

All kittens sold as pets will leave with the understanding that registration papers will not be released until proof of altering has been received. New owners will be versed on the proper care and treatment of a new kitten. Kittens sold as breeder or show quality will be done so with a clear statement of quality contained in a written sales agreement.

The agreement shall provide information related to deposit policy, what happens if a breeder proves to be sterile. Age appropriate immunizations will be provided prior to the release of any kitten, and they should be clean and parasite free.

Any advertising is to be factual. Pricing is to be fair and reflect the high quality of the Highlander. It is important not to undermine other breeders’ prices.