About Us...

Get to Know Us With Q&A

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Q: Who is My Champion Heart Ragdolls (MCHeart)? My Champion Heart Ragdolls (MCHeart) is a small, ethical, in home cattery built on transparency, intention, and deep respect for the cats we raise. We are a low volume program focused on quality, health, and long term breed preservation rather than trends or production.

 

Q: Is this the official My Champion Heart / MCHeart website? Yes. All content on this website is original work belonging to My Champion Heart Ragdolls. This cattery is not affiliated with any other domain or website. This is the only official website representing MCHeart @ MyChampionHeartRagdolls.com

 

Q: What values guide your breeding program? At the heart of our breeding program is a deep respect for the Ragdoll breed and for the cats who share our lives. Our goal is to preserve the Ragdoll as defined by CFA and TICA while thoughtfully improving genetic health through selective breeding and meaningful diversity. That diversity comes from carefully chosen international bloodlines. Over the years, we have invested in and imported lines from:

• Poland

• Hungary

• the Czech Republic

• China

• Canada

• Italy

• and directly from the United States

Each line is selected with purpose, studied carefully, and evaluated for health, temperament, and how it complements our existing cats. This can be challenging as not one cat has it all which is where breeding comes into place. 

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We believe responsible breeding requires ongoing learning. Showing our cats allows us to better understand the breed standard in practice, while continued study and genetic testing help guide our decisions behind the scenes. We do not breed blindly or based on appearance alone... genetics, health, and long term soundness matter deeply to us.

Just as important is how our cats live every day. We intentionally maintain a small cattery so we can provide a lifestyle that reflects our personal beliefs about what a happy life looks like for a breeding cat (not the same as a pet cat). We work to keep their daily lives as close to a pet lifestyle as possible, while also being honest about the realities of breeding hormones and natural behaviors, which can make this balance challenging at times.

 

Every decision we make is grounded in patience, care, and responsibility. Breeding, for us, is not about volume or profit, but about companionship... caring for the cats in our home today while protecting the future of the breed for generations to come.

 

Q: Are all Ragdolls lap cats? Not necessarily, and we believe in being honest about that. Ragdolls are known for their gentle, social nature, but each cat expresses affection differently. Some enjoy lounging in laps, others prefer to sit beside their forever family members, curl up nearby, follow their humans from room to room, or quietly keep company.

 

Lap cat behavior cannot be guaranteed. It is influenced by individual personality and personal preference rather than sex or how a kitten is raised alone.

 

Q: What can families expect overall from a Ragdoll companion? Families can expect a cat that values connection and inclusion. While the level of boldness or physical closeness varies from cat to cat, Ragdolls are people oriented and want to be involved in daily life rather than living at a distance.

 

When lap time is especially important to a family, we encourage paying attention to kittens who naturally seek that level of closeness. For example, a kitten that frequently chooses to nap on a family member or consistently climbs into laps may be a better fit for those expectations. Keep watch on Instagram for these behaviors while you wait on the waitlist. Have these kitten on your top wish list. 

 

The beauty of the Ragdoll breed is the balance of individual personalities within a consistently social, family focused companion.

 

Q: Do all Ragdoll kittens have the same personality? No. Even within the same litter, personalities can vary significantly. In our experience raising both small and large litters, some kittens may be bold while others are more reserved. Some are highly affectionate and seek constant closeness, while others fall somewhere in between. Individual temperament develops naturally and cannot be forced or predicted with certainty.

 

What remains consistent is the Ragdoll’s desire to be involved and part of the family, not simply a passive presence in the household.

 

Q: Does sex determine a Ragdoll’s personality? No. Based on our experience raising intact, spayed, and neutered adults as well as kittens, we do not see personality differences that can be reliably attributed to sex alone.

 

Temperament is shaped by the collective of individual genetics, early environment, socialization, and life experience rather than XX or XY chromosomes.

 

Q: How are your kittens raised and socialized? Our kittens are raised in our home and thoughtfully socialized with children, two Grate Dane dogs, and everyday household life. By the time they leave us, most are confident, litter trained, well adjusted companions who are ready to form deep bonds with their families.

 

Q: Where did your cattery journey begin? Our journey began in North Carolina and other states before settling in California, where we continue refining our breeding program with care, education, and purpose.

 

Q: What colors or lines are you especially passionate about? We are particularly passionate about preserving and expanding flame Ragdolls, also known as red and cream varieties. In the future we will add on the lilac and chocolate lines as well. These lines are uncommon or challenging to acquire one of showing and breeding qualities, especially red & lilac females of show standard. Through careful selection of red males, tortie and torbie females, including lynx varieties, and strong foundational lines, we work to protect and promote this beautiful bright side of the breed.

 

Q: Why do you participate in cat shows? We attend cat shows not for ribbons alone, but for accountability. Showing allows us to evaluate our cats against TICA and CFA standards and ensures our breeding decisions remain aligned with correct structure, temperament, and overall breed health.

 

Q: What does day to day kitten care look like for you? Day to day care in our home is hands on from birth. Kittens have 24/7 access to dry food and clean water, along with regular wet food mealtimes. They are raised in a dedicated nursing room for safety during their early weeks, where we can closely monitor their growth and comfort.

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As they grow, kittens enjoy supervised time exploring the home and experiencing everyday family life. This includes exposure to children (know how to handle cats/kittens) and our two Great Dane dogs, helping them become confident, well adjusted companions. Our goal is to raise kittens in a calm, loving, real home environment that prepares them to transition into family life.

 

Q: How are your breeder males housed and socialized? Our breeder males live indoors in their own secure, comfortable spaces and are an active part of our daily lives. They receive regular, one-on-one bonding time, affection, and interaction with our family.

• Intact male cats can develop hormonally driven territorial behaviors toward other intact males, which increases the risk of conflict if allowed to free roam together. This behavior is specific to male-to-male dynamics and is not typically directed toward people, female queens, or kittens.

• To prioritize safety and reduce stress, our males are managed individually. Each boy enjoys scheduled outdoor enrichment in a secure catio, along with supervised indoor family time. When appropriate, diaper training (avoid spraying) allows for additional shared time while maintaining a clean and low stress environment.

Why this is normal in ethical breeding:
Responsible breeders manage intact males intentionally to prevent stress, injury, and behavioral conflict. Individual housing with regular human interaction, enrichment, and structured bonding time is a widely accepted best practice that prioritizes safety, mental well being, and long term health. Very manageable with small catteries. 

 

Q: Do neutered male kittens have these behaviors? No. Neutered male kittens do not exhibit the hormonally driven behaviors associated with intact breeding males. Once neutered, territorial marking (spraying) and male-to-male behaviors do not normally develop, allowing pet kittens to integrate normally into shared home environments.

 

Q: How do you approach health, nutrition, and environment? Nutrition, health, and environment are foundational to everything we do. Our cats are provided with premium nutrition, a clean and enriching home, and an atmosphere rooted in affection and stability.

Kittens are spayed or neutered unless placed with approved breeding programs and go home vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and with medical records. Veterinary health testing is performed when applicable, including pre and post surgical care, along with routine preventative prescriptions for each cat and kitten. Each family receives a purchase agreement (PA) with a health warranty.

 

Q: Do you place kittens with other breeders? Yes, selectively. For approved breeders, placements are made thoughtfully and with intention to sustain and improve the breed . We provide transparency through photos, videos, and honest evaluations of type and temperament. Our goal is not simply to produce kittens, but to contribute positively to the breed’s future and long term genetic health.

 

Q: Are you a registered breeder, and are kittens sold with registration papers? Yes. My Champion Heart Ragdolls is an established, registered cattery, and we adhere to the ethical standards set forth by both CFA and TICA. Kittens are sold with appropriate registration documentation in accordance with registry rules and placement terms.

 

• For pet placements, registration papers will be withheld until proof of spay or neuter is provided (in the odd event this is not completed before going home), which is a standard and ethical practice supported by both CFA and TICA. This policy helps protect the integrity of the breed and ensures kittens placed as companions are not used for unauthorized breeding.

• Kittens placed with approved breeding programs receive registration consistent with those agreements.

• Ethical breeding is not defined by paperwork alone, but by responsibility, honesty, and long term accountability to the cats, the breed, and the families who trust us.

 

Q: Why do your kittens have different prices? Kitten pricing reflects the intentional planning, time, and resources invested into producing each individual kitten, not trends.

 

Some kittens are priced higher because they are the result of more selective and challenging breeding outcomes. Certain lines or color varieties, such as flame (red) and cream (diluted red), are produced in lower numbers and require careful pairing, long term planning, and greater investment to achieve correct type, temperament, and genetic health, and sourcing a suitable breeder ragdoll with these genes. 

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Pricing may also vary based on pedigree depth, alignment with the breed standard, and intended placement, such as pet home versus approved breeding program.

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Reassurance: A higher price does not mean a better companion. All of our kittens are raised with the same level of care, attention, and love.

 

Q: What matters most to you as a breeder? At the heart of everything we do, our Ragdolls are family. They are loved, protected, and raised with intention so when they go home, they carry that same foundation of care, trust, and respect with them.

 

Q: What does kitten pricing help support within your program? Raising and maintaining an ethical cattery is an ongoing commitment of time, space, and resources that extends year round.

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A cattery functions much like a part time profession. Beyond hands on care, there is significant time invested in planning, communication, education, and daily management. This time is consistent and ongoing, even when kittens are not actively being raised.

 

Kitten pricing helps support the full line of care and responsibility involved in maintaining a small, intentional program, including far more than the cost of an occasional veterinary exam or surgery. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Daily care and observation, including monitoring health, behavior, development, and maintaining routines

• Premium nutrition, supplements, and enrichment for cats and kittens

• Routine veterinary care, health testing when applicable, and preventative prescriptions

• Pre and post surgical care when procedures are necessary

• A clean, low stress home environment, including hygiene supplies, litter, puppy pads, dishes, air filtration, and professional grade cleaning products

• Dedicated use of space within our home, including furniture, equipment, and utilities

• Increased household expenses such as electricity, water, climate control, and gas

• Business related costs including website creation and maintenance, hosting, domains, software, association listings to prove legitimacy and peace of mind to those first time buyers of pedigree kittens, record keeping, and taxes

• Time spent communicating with families across multiple platforms, including email, text, phone calls, and social media

• Travel and participation in TICA and CFA cat shows, including entry fees, transportation, lodging, meals, and ongoing evaluation

• Continued education, research, and learning related to breed standards and feline genetics

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These are not short term or occasional expenses. They represent ongoing annual investments of both time and resources that allow us to maintain a high standard of care while remaining a small, ethical program.

Pricing supports sustainability, transparency, and the ability to prioritize the cats’ well being, long term genetic health, and thoughtful placement... rather than volume or shortcuts.