Ann Baker set up a franchise for the breeding of Ragdoll cats. [definition of franchise: a business method that involves licensing of trademarks and methods of doing business4]. This was a way of getting other people to help her expand the breed6 but in a controlled way. I think this is the first and last time this has been tried in the cat fancy.
In other words, people breeding Ragdoll cats had to do it by her rules and register with her registry set up in the 1970s6: International Ragdoll Cat Association. She set strict breeding rules; something that must have seemed a little unusual at the time. Laura and Denny Dayton in 1969 signed up and progressed the development of the breed but fell out with Baker due to her alleged unreasonable demands. There was litigation and no doubt there was animosity2. In the 1970s a group of Ragdoll breeders broke away from the franchise and worked towards the breed’s acceptance at other registries and bred the cat according to their own objects and standards. Success followed6.
The RagaMuffin cat also came out of this schism in the 1980s6. It was created by Ragdoll breeders: See RagaMuffin cat.
If you’d like to read more on Ann Baker and some of the myths and facts (from a first-hand observer) surrounding the origins of this breed click here: Ragdoll information.
In 2016, a cat adopted us. He was a stray, but we soon learned he was domesticated and fixed. My daughter believes he is a ragdoll. He fits the characteristics: size, demeanor, eye color etc. Can you view the pics and tell me what you think. I have other pictures of him.
Hello, I picked up my Rockstar from a breeder here in Vancouver Canada. She is a retired breeder who apparently never gave her owner kittens. I’ve had her for a year now(she is 4). She has issues with peeing everywhere. Bathtub, bed, my rug, and most recently my couch. I have been using Feliway but it only seems to work for a while. She spends most of her time alone in the basement. I got a kitten this past summer. They seem to get along. When I pick her up to pet her she has a look of “why are you touching me”. Will she ever warm up to me or is she destined to be anxious forever. I’m tempted to try drugs to keep her happy.
Hi Dale. Thanks for commenting. It seems the years with the breeder may have affected her character. She is definitely anxious as you say. Chronically anxious it seems. I guess you have checked her out for cystitis. A long shot. Anxiety can cause cystitis and cystitis causes inappropriate elimination.
I presume she is spayed by the way. If not please spay her.
Sometimes a cycle can be set up. A cat pees on the carpet. The owner becomes annoyed. The cat becomes anxious. The cat pees some more on the carpet through anxiety and so on. That cycle needs to be broken. Is he litter trained? Crazy question perhaps but worth asking.
Are you around the home a lot or not much? If you are away a lot that may cause anxiety and her reclusive nature. It can also lead to cystitis as mentioned. Personally I don’t like the idea of drugs because it just treats the symptoms. If you have totally covered all the possible causes then drugs might be the answer but they must be a last resort.
What does your vet say? I’d try and interact more with her. Play with her. Be around her more etc.. If you don’t have the time for this it would be a shame because I think it may be the cure but it will a slow process I feel. Although I may be incorrect about the cause.
I presume she is a full-time indoor cat. If not and she goes outside sometimes there may be a cat outside who terrorises her. Sometimes indoor cats can be upset by the presence of cats outside who they can see through the window. That is a long shot to but may be worth checking out. I am speculating because I don’t know the full facts.
There is one last possibility: rehoming with a retired person who has time. But this may seem crazy to you and I’d understand if it is. Good luck.
twice in my 50yrs as a cat person i came across a purebred cat. the 1st a
siamese and then 40yrs later a ragdoll
ragamuffin mix. the cat is one of the nicest i have ever had. he’s a individual. talks a lot to me and my
other cat. loves to play,eats like a
barn cat. needy little guy if you ever
find one?grad ’em and do not let go.
Thanks Art. Nice to hear from a visitor who has some personal experiences of the very popular Ragdoll or RagaMuffin (a very similar cat).
I would love to share my home with one of these amazing cats. My problem is that I can not afford spend the 400 hundred dollars and more, even though I know that life with with one of these cats would be a total blessing. Is there some other way to adopt one of these beautiful animals? Thank you so much and I look forward to your reply.
Hi Francis. Sometimes, rarely, purebred cats are available in shelters. Yahoo Groups is a community based system and there may be a Ragdoll Yahoo group. Sometimes Ragdolls need rehoming and group members assist in this. Try searching for “Yahoo groups ragdoll”.
There is also a website concerned with purebred cat rescue. This may help but I think you’ll be lucky to find a Ragdoll cat in need of rehoming. Sorry if that sounds defeatist or too negative. I am just trying to be realistic.
Good luck.
i live on my own an its quiet to.
helo im interested in a ragdoll kitten or cat. its new to me.
Hi Catherine, the Ragdoll is quite a common and well known cat breed so you should be able to find a breeder not too far from where you live. Go to Google or Bing or Yahoo (one of the search engines) and search for “ragdoll breeder” followed by the state or country where you live and go from there. Alternatively try the Cat Fanciers’ Association website. Good luck. The Ragdoll is a fabulous purebred pedigree cat. They cost about 600+ USD or GDP (pounds in the UK).