The only breeders considered to be "good breeders" are those who breed purebred animals.

Therefore, the most common suggestion is to consult the breed registries.

I believe that everyone who chooses to breed animals and sell them should be familiar with the clubs and registries for their chosen species. It's good to know what other people do and what other people's belief systems are, and there's a lot of good information to be gained by reviewing these websites.

We breed cats, so we are very familiar with cat registries worldwide.

 

In Canada, our cat registry is:

The Canadian Cat Association (CCA)

"Canada's registry of pedigreed cats since 1960.

In 1960, a small group of Canadians gathered to explore the possibility of forming a Canadian registry for purebred felines. Before this event, all registrations had to be filed in the United States or Europe, and all cat shows held in Canada were held under the rules of American associations.

The intent of the founding members is expressed in the Letters Patent of the Association: To promote the welfare of all the cats in Canada, to further the improvement of all breeds of cats in Canada and to maintain a registry of purebred cats.

By the following year enough support was gathered from members of the Canadian cat fancy to go into business and registrations were entered in a Canadian stud book for the first time. Soon after, clubs were formed which affiliated with CCA and with the publication of Show Rules, championship shows followed.

Since that time CCA has maintained a registry of purebred cats of such quality that our records are accepted by all associations throughout the world, and while we may not be the largest association , our service is second to none.

To date our Canadian Cat Association has over 190,000 individual cats registered. Since 1960, the Canadian Cat Association had grown and evolved into a registry of great merit, with affiliated clubs across Canada. CCA will continue to look to the future while we carry on the dreams of our founders; to provide the Canadian cat fancy with an association that is governed by its members and dedicated to the well being of all cats."

 

But, since we're not primarily about "purebred" animals, I'll finish off this section with the AI Summary. 

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Major North American cat registries include the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA), the largest in the US, alongside Canada's own Canadian Cat Association (CCA-AFC), all maintaining pedigrees for purebred cats, running cat shows, and promoting breed standards and welfare for breeds like Persians, Siamese, Maine Coons, and more. 

Key North American Registries:

• The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA): Established in 1906, it's the world's largest registry, focusing on preserving and promoting pedigreed cats with detailed breed standards and extensive shows.
• The International Cat Association (TICA): A significant global registry known for recognizing a wide variety of breeds, including new ones, and hosting numerous events.
• Canadian Cat Association (CCA-AFC): Canada's national registry, dedicated to promoting cat welfare and maintaining a studbook for purebred cats in Canada.
• American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA): Another US-based body focused on breed development and cat shows, known for being progressive. 

What They Do:

• Record Pedigrees: They keep official records of a cat's ancestry, proving its lineage.
• Organize Shows: They host championship cat shows, judged by trained experts against breed standards.
• Promote Welfare: They support feline health, research, and ethical breeding practices. 

If you're looking to register a cat or learn more about breeds in North America, these organizations are the primary resources.