Best way to liquidate a cattery?

[Ivy Norsk]

Wyndy Wrote:I agree with you. The whole KittyCatS! phenomena has become no more than a cash grab. It's the same with most everything in Sl: those who got in early make a lot of money; the rest go without.

This past week I've sent 27 cats, (mostly live) to the menagerie in order to pay the food bill.

Cat sales Will Not Pay for food, not unless you are positioned with very saleable cats. There are specific things to look for in cats that will sell. People who are successful at this have targeted breeding programs. Of random cats, many are destined for menagerie. Sure they're cute. But mostly people don't need to buy those as pets - they're breeding their own random cute cats. But you don't need to have gotten in at the beginning, you just need to know how to do it (and have some luck).

I see that you only started in January, Wyndy. It really does help to take some time to scope out the breeding scene before trying to sell. And bottom line, for most people it is a hobby and you have to be able to feed your cats on your own dime.

A word about menagerieing cats to pay for food: It has been estimated that a box costs about 150L to produce (in catfood).* All those people selling boxes for 100L and less are selling below cost. Menagerieing a cat pays you something like 20L. (People please correct me if I'm wrong. It pays 50 KittyDollars, which I think is something like 20L.) So when you menagerie, you are taking a loss of 130L every time you click that button. That's not an economical way to pay for cat food.

*Perhaps that estimate is wrong, and it would be good to see the numbers. A hard and fast rule is impossible since it doesn't factor in the cost of buying the parents, some of whom may have been Free and some of whom may be very expensive kitties indeed.

[Kayleigh McMillan]

I am a sucker for old traits let them coming I sure would be your customer.
I fear sometimes older traits get lost in the more recessives which is such a pitty why I hoard older kitties and love to add newer traits I like on them
Sort of old meets new.
I also sell cats alike and it seems there are more people than I thought interested in just that.
Especially retired traits if you've them would be such a asset.
For example whiskers I always adored plush (retired) and white, 2 tone and black.
Themore recessive whiskers do not suit all furs so well so I prefer those whisker colors.

I'd give it a shot if I was you! :-)

[Devilness Chant]

(03-10-2015 12:14 PM)Kjerstin Resident Wrote:  

(02-10-2015 05:07 PM)Wyndy Paine Wrote:  So I've been perusing the forum regarding pricing. I've been doing KittyCats! for years and have almost 1000 boxes in my cattery (this after much menagerie-ing). They are nice kitties, but honestly, if I were to open up a stall and try to sell them, they wouldn't sell. Most are older traits and it seems these days, wandering through the markets, that only the new traits are popular and frankly, available (I have been looking for burmese sable, one of my favorite furs, and can't find it anywhere). Where the newer traits are available, the prices are exhorbitant for anyone who is not playing sl solely to breed and sell kittycats!

So, you tell me. I spent alot of time breeding these kitties at one time, I didn't just buy out a bunch of breeders. However, they will not sell for 100L per trait, guaranteed. I think, personally, that kittycats! should be something that everyone can enjoy, considering how much I've always enjoyed them. These would make great starter kitties for someone new to KittyCats! or just someone with not many lindens to spend. What would you do?

thanks for considerate responses!
wyndy paine

I agree with you. The whole KittyCatS! phenomena has become no more than a cash grab. It's the same with most everything in Sl: those who got in early make a lot of money; the rest go without.

This past week I've sent 27 cats, (mostly live) to the menagerie in order to pay the food bill.

I have 4 burmese sables (all boys) and would be happy to give you one.

Wyndy, if you want to take the time and have the prims, you could put a bunch out at your place, priced at what you are comfortable at parting with them for, and have a few sales that you could advertise in groups or here in forums.

I've seen a lot of old faves and bought a couple myself. Sometimes it's nice not only to find old faves, but it's nice to have the older traits to breed with the new traits so it's not a mish mosh of rec traits. lol

Kjerstin, I think it was Kay that once said she set aside a budget for kitties. I had been breeding since almost the begining, but let myself get overwhelmed trying to keep up with everyone. And going way over what I could afford.

I'm back now with my teeny cattery and enjoying the heck out of it. I'm not over spending cause I don't have a hundred kitties to feed and milk. I don't plan on going over 20 to 26 kitties. It's my budget.

You can get caught up in it all or you can just enjoy the heck out of it. Kittie boxes can be full of wonderful surprises, and kitties do so many fun things. I got a cute little kitty and bought an outfit just to wear with him. lol

The community is made up of some of the most wonderful ppl I've ever met. I've made lasting friends that were even here for me when I came back after a looooooooooong break. Hugzzzzz

[Oselkhandro Resident]

I guess, as a new person to KittyCatS, they ALL seem new to me. I am probably mostly getting those old or non-trendy taits that the forum suggests to be undesirable. I really wish I knew which ones are still "good", because it sounds as if the traits go off of the hot list pretty rapidly. So, I am planning to ignore the fashion. I am inventing my own breeding goal based on my favorite science fiction series (Darkover) by the late Marion Zimmer Bradley. She wrote about a planet on which psychic traits were genetically bred into the ruling families (this was the major theme of the books). Just for fun, I am going to try to breed cats that seem to me to suggest the various psychic genetics in MZB's families (for example, Blush Quartz eyes match the grey eyes that Bradley's psychics show). I am going to assign specific psychic genes to certain furs and eyes, and try to create cats who manifest the "Gifts" of the Darkover Domains. Silly, maybe, but it will be an amusing challenge for this Darkover fan!

[Oselkhandro Resident]

I guess, as a new person to KittyCatS, they ALL seem new to me. I am probably mostly getting those old or non-trendy taits that the forum suggests to be undesirable. I really wish I knew which ones are still "good", because it sounds as if the traits go off of the hot list pretty rapidly. So, I am planning to ignore the fashion. I am inventing my own breeding goal based on my favorite science fiction series (Darkover) by the late Marion Zimmer Bradley. She wrote about a planet on which psychic traits were genetically bred into the ruling families (this was the major theme of the books). Just for fun, I am going to try to breed cats that seem to me to suggest the various psychic genetics in MZB's families (for example, Blush Quartz eyes match the grey eyes that Bradley's psychics show). I am going to assign specific psychic genes to certain furs and eyes, and try to create cats who manifest the "Gifts" of the Darkover Domains. Silly, maybe, but it will be an amusing challenge for this Darkover fan!

[Arwen Swordthain]

I don't think theres any good way to liquidate as cattery. If I intended to return at some point I think I would pick out my best cats to keep to assist in restarting, then see if any friends needed anything then menagerie the rest and get at Tiger