Marketing Your Cattery: The Ultimate Guide to Selling Kittens Without Begging for Buyers

Let’s get one thing straight—breeding beautiful, healthy kittens is only half the job. If no one sees them, no one’s going to buy them. And you didn’t build your program just to watch kittens sit around waiting for the “right person” to magically show up, right?

Welcome to your ultimate guide on Marketing Your Cattery—where we flip the switch from “I hope someone inquires” to “I have a waitlist for every litter.” This is the kind of mindset shift that separates breeders stuck in survival mode from those building profitable, professional, and passion-fueled catteries.

Why Marketing Matters for Every Cat Breeder

Marketing isn’t sleazy. It isn’t salesy. And it damn sure isn’t optional.
It’s the engine that keeps your cattery moving forward—through recessions, dry spells, algorithm changes, and breeding breaks. 

Consistent marketing builds visibility, credibility, and demand. With it, you’ll stop chasing buyers and start attracting your ideal kitten families—on autopilot.

Whether you’re brand new to breeding or years in and ready to level up, this guide (and its child posts) will show you how to market like a real business. Because if you’re going to do this, do it well. Do it intentionally. Do it like a badass.

Top 5 Reasons Why Breeders Don’t Market Their Cattery

There are several common reasons breeders don’t market their cattery—and honestly, most of them come from mindset blocks or misinformation. This mentality can hinder and even prevent you from succeeding in the breeder space.

Marketing doesn’t have to feel sleazy, overwhelming, or like a full-time job. You just need a clear path, a mindset shift, and the right tools.

Let’s look at some of the reasons breeders don’t market their cattery, or disapprove of breeders that do.

1. They Don’t See Themselves as a Business

Many breeders start out with love for the breed, not a business plan. They think marketing is for “big companies” or influencers, not hobby breeders. But the minute money changes hands, you’re a business—and businesses need marketing to survive.

If you’re exchanging kittens for money, you’re running a business. That doesn’t mean you have to be cold or corporate—it just means you start making intentional decisions. Set goals. Create a plan. Invest in your image. When you think like a business owner, your actions become more purposeful and profitable.

2. They Believe “Good Cats Sell Themselves“

This old-school belief is holding people back. Yes, quality matters. But in today’s digital world, if no one sees your cats, they won’t get inquiries. Breeders who rely solely on word of mouth or referrals often get stuck with unsold kittens and wonder what went wrong.

The biggest difference between hobby breeders and business-minded breeders? Belief. When you believe your program brings value—and that the right people are out there looking for it—you show up differently. You become magnetic. Professional. Respected. And yes—sold out.

3. They Feel Overwhelmed or Intimidated

Marketing can sound like a scary, complicated thing—especially with terms like SEO, branding, and algorithms being thrown around. So breeders avoid it altogether, thinking it’s too techy or expensive. In reality, marketing can be simple and sustainable once you break it down.

You don’t need to master every piece of marketing overnight. Start with one piece: maybe that’s taking better photos, setting up a simple website, or defining your brand voice.
Focus on one small win at a time. Progress is better than perfection.

4. They Don’t Want to “Look Salesy”

There’s this fear that marketing will make them seem desperate or pushy. But good marketing isn’t spammy—it’s about sharing your story, showing your value, and attracting the right people. You can market with integrity, professionalism, and confidence—without selling your soul.

Marketing isn’t begging. It’s not bragging. It’s just telling the right people what you do and why it matters to them. You’re not forcing anyone to buy—you’re guiding the right families to your kittens with clarity and confidence. Think of it as matchmaking, not selling.

5. They Think Posting on Social Media is Enough

This is a big one. Breeders throw a few photos on Facebook or Instagram and think they’re marketing. But without strategy, consistency, or a real funnel (like a website), those efforts are just noise. Social media is part of marketing—it’s not the whole picture.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a few Instagram posts or a cute Facebook Reel will do the trick. But here’s the hard truth: social media is borrowed ground. You don’t own the platform, the audience, or the algorithm—and any of it can change overnight.

To overcome this, shift your focus to building marketing assets you control, like:

• A professional website with your own domain
• A branded email list for future buyers and kitten updates
• Blog content that brings in traffic year after year
• Automated systems for inquiries and follow-ups

Use social media as a traffic source, not a home base. It should lead people somewhere—your website, your application, your email list. Once you build a system that lives outside of social, you stop stressing about likes and start seeing real, sustainable results.

---

Marketing Tips for Pedigree Cat Breeders

Price Your Kittens to Reflect Quality

Let’s be real—pricing kittens is a touchy subject in the breeder world. Some breeders feel uncomfortable charging “too much,” while others are criticized for pricing too low or too high. The truth is, there’s no universal formula, but one thing is for sure: pedigree kittens aren’t just cute fluffballs—they’re the result of years of planning, thousands of dollars in care, and countless hours of your life. You’re not just selling a kitten. You’re delivering a piece of your heart, your time, your sacrifice, and your brand. And that has value.

As breeders, we pour ourselves emotionally, physically, and financially into our programs. From the sleepless nights helping a queen deliver safely, to the vet visits, to cleaning, feeding, photographing, posting, emailing, texting, screening buyers—you’re working a full-time job. Pricing your kittens fairly isn’t greedy—it’s about being compensated for the work, expertise, and energy that goes into creating healthy, socialized, beautiful kittens. You’re running a small business, not a hobby rescue. And if you’re doing it right, the quality of your kittens and the experience you offer absolutely justifies the price.

Pricing is one of the most nerve-wracking decisions you’ll make as a breeder—but it doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Learn how to set your kitten prices with confidence, taking into account your quality, costs, branding, and the market. You’ll learn how to stop charging “what everyone else is charging” and start positioning your kittens like the premium babies they are.

---

Create a Logo That Represents Your Cattery

Creating a brand for your cattery means giving it a personality and a vibe that people recognize, remember, and trust. It’s more than just having a cute name or a pretty website. It’s about creating a full identity that reflects who you are, what kind of cats you raise, and the experience someone can expect when they adopt from you. A strong brand sets you apart from every other breeder on the internet—and let’s face it, there are a lot of them. When people see your name or your photos, they should immediately know, “Oh yeah, that’s from [Your Cattery Name],” even before they read the caption.

One of the biggest parts of your brand is your logo. It’s like your cattery’s face—it shows up on your website, social media, kitten contracts, boxes, merch, and more. A good logo gives off a vibe at a glance: luxury, playful, earthy, modern, whatever fits your style.

Think of companies like Nike, Apple, or Starbucks—you could spot their logos anywhere without seeing a single word. That’s branding. For breeders, this means you want people to recognize your cattery name and logo instantly when they see one of your kittens online.

A clean, consistent logo helps you build trust, look professional, and stay top of mind for potential buyers. You can easily create a cattery logo using Canva, or hire us to design a custom, one-of-a-kind logo.

---

Be Prepared for a Recession

A recession is defined as a significant, widespread, and prolonged downturn in economic activity. That typically starts with the major markets like real estate and stock. This eventually rolls downhill to the small consumer.

When the economy gets weird, buyers start second-guessing everything. Even buying a kitten. But that doesn’t mean your program has to stall. Create a game plan for adjusting your messaging, offers, and marketing strategy to stay competitive (and profitable). This will give you the edge in a down market.

In this episode of the Cat Breeder Sensei Says podcast, April Katido does a deep dive into the critical role of marketing in a successful cattery. Drawing on her experience in real estate, she explains how many pedigree cat breeders are struggling now because they never learned to market their business properly, instead relying solely on social media platforms like Facebook—which are unreliable, restrictive, and riddled with scammers.

Consistent, strategic marketing should come before breeding. She shares how she built demand for her Maine Coons before her first litter was even born. She encourages breeders to shift their mindset, treat their cattery like a real business, and stop feeling guilty for doing so. For those unsure where to begin, she recommends her course Cat Breeder Blueprint – which is available only through the Sensei Collective Membership.

---

Don’t Rely on Social Media to Sell Your Kittens

Relying on social media alone to market your cattery is a risky game. It’s one too many breeders are playing. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram don’t actually belong to you. At any moment, your account can be restricted, deleted, or shadowbanned for violating vague community guidelines (like “selling animals”).

Years of posts, followers, reviews, and content can disappear in a second. It’s almost impossible to get it back. That kind of instability isn’t a solid foundation for your business.

On top of that, social media is loud and fast-paced. Your posts are competing with everything from political rants to cat memes. Only a small percentage of your followers will even see what you post. If your whole marketing strategy lives on borrowed land, then you’re not building a sustainable brand. You’re just riding the algorithm wave.

Breeders should focus on creating a marketing mix that includes platforms they control, like a professional website, an email list, and SEO-optimized content. That way, when social media goes quiet, your business doesn’t.

Let’s be real—social media is noisy, unpredictable, and designed to keep you addicted, not help you build a sustainable business. In this post, we’re unpacking why social media is trash for breeders who want real results—and how building your own website gives you the freedom, control, and credibility that platforms like Instagram just can’t offer.

---

Teach Yourself How to Take Professional Style Images

People buy with their eyes first—and that couldn’t be more true when it comes to selling kittens. The very first impression someone gets of your cattery is usually a photo. Not your reputation, not your contract, not your health guarantees—it’s the image. A blurry, dark, or cluttered photo can make even the most beautiful kitten go unnoticed. But a crisp, clean, high-quality photo? That stops the scroll. It makes someone pause, fall in love, and think, “Tell me more.”

Great photography isn’t about fancy equipment. It’s about showcasing your kittens in a way that highlights their charm, their coat, and their personality. When your images look professional, it elevates your entire brand. It says, “I care about my kittens, and I take my cattery seriously.” And buyers feel that.

Here are some effective tips on how to take stunning kitten photos—even with just a smartphone. Because once you master this skill, it can absolutely transform your marketing game.

---

Final Thoughts

You can be the best breeder in the world, but if no one knows you exist, you’ll always be stuck in a loop of stress and uncertainty.

When you treat your cattery like a real business—and market like one—you’ll create consistent demand, loyal buyers, and a brand you’re proud of.

This is how you stop hoping people will find you and start knowing they will.