Why should I get a Registered purebred Bengal with TICA paperwork?

There are many Bengal breeders out there but not all of them are in fact TICA registered. Some people will sell Bengals claiming they are purebred registered Bengals without any TICA (The International Cat Association) registered papers.

Is it important to get a TICA registered purebred kitten?

1. Some states have laws concerning hybrid pets and in a few states Bengals are included into that category. States address this concern by requiring any Bengal to be registered in an official cat organization so that pedigree is documented and it is a known fact that the Bengal pet is NOT an early generation Bengal, which is illegal in several states. Please refer to www.HybridLaw.com for laws regarding Bengals in various states. 

2. TICA also has it's ethical rules concerning its members that all members must sign and adhere by. These rules make sure that ethical breeding is being practiced and protects the rights of the sellers and the buyers. Breeders that are found in violation of these rules can be kicked out of TICA. Thereby being a member in good standing is a good indication that buyer's rights will be honored. 

3. People who sell Bengals without TICA registration papers have cut some corners. These Bengals typically will be a lower price and therefore more economically appealing. However, the fact that corners have been cut will give warning signs that you don't know how their breeding practices may have impact the health of the kitten you are getting. There may have been reasons why they could not have acquired TICA registration papers. Either the Bengal is not a purebred or Breeding Rights were not sold and they are illegally breeding out of contract. Sometimes a Breeder will not sell Breeding Rights on particular kittens because of health and/or genetic concerns of the kitten and so you run a risk when you purchase a kitten from a Breeder that don't have TICA registration papers.

4. A TICA Registered Bengal has documentation of all pedigree to it's original ALC (Asian Leopard Cat) mating and thus guarantee the cat as a purebred

Why is it important to get a documented purebred Bengal?

Bengals have very different social personalities than other breeds. Many people who buy Bengals do so not just for their awesome Leopard looks but also for their outgoing dog-like personalities and intelligence. A Bengal that is not a registered purebred may have other breeds that will alter this famous personality and give a different less-desirable experience. So you don't always know what you're going to get. 

Purebred Registered Bengals are also known for having less genetic health problems. Mixed Bengals run the risk of health problems associated with other breeds. 

If you're going to spend the money and invest your heart into a friend that will be around for 15-18 years, isn't it worth it to get a purebred Registered Bengal that will offer the social temperament and good health throughout that time with you

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