Welcome to
OUR PET PROJECT
Alberta, Canada
Let's face it, we need to re-evaluate how we view, buy, and sell our companion animals.
Our rescues and shelters are overflowing, and buying a pedigree/registered animal can easily cost thousands of dollars, even from online selling sites.
Our dogs no longer join us on big game hunts, guard sprawling estates, or herd flocks of sheep, and our cats rarely encounter a mouse, let alone take on the responsibility of keeping our homes rodent-free.
Genetic research reveals that all modern domestic cats trace their ancestry back to the African wildcat of the Middle East, and their relationship with humans began approximately 9,500 years ago.
The earliest evidence of a human-animal bond comes from an ancient burial site in Cyprus, where a cat was buried alongside a human. Since cats are not native to Cyprus, this discovery indicates they were intentionally brought to the island and had established meaningful relationships with the humans they lived with.
The practice of pure breeding, or selective breeding, represented a notable shift away from the natural process of domestication and physical development. The change started in the late 19th century, fueled by the growing popularity of cat shows and the aim to develop specific physical features and behaviours to meet human desires and preferences.
Even Harrison Weir, a British artist and "Father of the Cat Fancy," who organised the first formal cat show at the Crystal Palace in London in 1871, regretted his achievements. In the preface to the second edition of his book Our Cats and All About Them (1892), Weir expressed remorse for his continued association with the National Cat Club, which he founded in 1887.
His main concern was that the focus had shifted from the animals' well-being to the owners' desire to win prizes and medals, driven by vanity and competition.
He wrote:
"I now feel the deepest regret that I was ever induced to be in any way associated with it. I found the principal idea of many of its members consisted not so much in promoting the welfare of the Cat as of winning prizes, and more particularly their own Cat Club medals."
The focus on selective breeding often comes with a cost to animal health.
Reduced genetic diversity from selecting for specific physical traits has increased the risk of inherited diseases.
Health problems such as hip dysplasia, blindness, and heart issues are more frequent in selectively bred animals with limited genetic variation.
Furthermore, breeding for exaggerated features such as flat faces, short snouts, and extreme traits has led to chronic health issues that significantly affect quality of life.
It is the "purebreds" who are actually 'mixed breeds'. A moggy is much closer to a 'pure' cat than the deliberately bred and selectively chosen animals. In response, some countries, such as Norway, have introduced restrictions on certain breeds. There is also a growing movement advocating for outcrossing—breeding outside of closed gene pools—to address these concerns and improve genetic diversity. It’s time to refocus and prioritise the health and well-being of these animals above everything else. Experts emphasize that focusing on the health, behaviour, and welfare of both breeding animals and their offspring is crucial, requiring a shift in how we view the animals living with us and how breeding practices are conducted.
Our mission is to help establish a new vision and philosophy for our companion animals, giving our everyday cats greater acceptance and value.
We want a new mindset that better suits today’s busy homes and modern lifestyles, and we want to prioritize both physical and psychological health above all else to create a better future for every animal - not just the "purebreds."