More Than Twenty Years of Breeding with Purpose
Mindeelyn Siberians was founded in 2002 with a simple goal: to raise healthy, affectionate, well-socialized Siberian cats that would become cherished members of their families. From the very beginning, we have also been committed to helping families affected by cat allergies discover whether this remarkable breed might be the right choice for them.
Throughout that time, our breeding program has been guided by three simple priorities: health first, temperament second, and beauty third. We have also worked carefully to develop bloodlines that have helped many allergy sufferers enjoy life with a cat..
Mindeelyn is a family cattery. Over the years, my daughter, Merrie-Lynne, has become increasingly involved in the cattery and in its future. Together, we remain committed to raising exceptional Siberians and to supporting every family who welcomes a Mindeelyn kitten into their home.
It Didn't Begin with Cats
Before Mindeelyn Siberians was founded, I spent nearly ten years rehabilitating orphaned baby squirrels. During the busiest years, I cared for more than 250 squirrels each summer.
Some arrived only days old and needed frequent feedings, while others were older and beginning to eat on their own. As they grew, their needs changed, but careful hygiene, close observation and a consistent routine remained essential at every stage.
I now realize that caring for orphaned squirrels was a gentle introduction to rearing very young animals. Squirrel kittens are generally quite robust. They matured quickly, are surprisingly resilient, and, unless they arrived already ill, are very seldom sick.
Cat kittens are different. They are far more delicate, and I quickly learned that even a healthy-looking kitten could begin to decline with very little warning. That realization led me to introduce daily weight checks and careful record keeping, so that I could recognize the earliest signs that something might be wrong before outward symptoms appeared.
Those lessons have remained with me throughout my breeding career and continue to influence the way Mindeelyn kittens are raised today.
Looking back, I now realize that my education as a breeder began long before I ever owned a Siberian cat.
Learning the Hard Way
Our first years as Siberian breeders were filled with both excitement and unexpected challenges. We lost our very first Siberian to FIP. Another three of our earliest purchases proved far too shy to be in a breeding program, one was aggressive and we had trouble getting registrations for our new cats . Then came ringworm, which spread throughout the cattery and took nearly a year of determination and hard work to eliminate. Sometimes it just felt like we could not get a break.
During those difficult years, we were fortunate to receive guidance from Dr. Robert Langill of Liesse Animal Hospital in Montreal. His knowledge, encouragement, and generosity helped us through some of our greatest challenges. We remain deeply grateful for his guidance, encouragement, and generosity during those formative years.
Those early experiences changed the way we approached breeding forever. They taught us that success is not measured by never encountering problems, but by how you respond to them. We learned the importance of careful observation, strict health practices, honest record keeping, and the willingness to make difficult decisions when they are in the best interests of the cats.
Looking back, we would never choose to relive those challenges, but we would never erase them either. They helped shape the philosophy that still guides Mindeelyn today: always keep learning, always put the cats first, and never stop striving to do better.
Growing with Every Generation
Every move, every litter, and every new generation of cats taught us something valuable. Over time, we developed breeding lines that reflected the qualities we valued most: outstanding health, exceptional temperament, and the classic beauty that first drew us to the Siberian breed.
Today, many of the cats in our breeding program are the result of generations of careful planning. Seeing kittens grow into cherished family companions—and hearing from families years later about the joy they continue to bring—is one of the greatest rewards of everything we have built.
Today, many of the cats in our breeding program are the result of generations of careful planning. Seeing kittens grow into cherished family companions—and hearing from families years later about the joy they continue to bring—is one of the greatest rewards of everything we have built.
Looking to the Future
Over time, I developed breeding lines that reflected the qualities I valued most: outstanding health, exceptional temperament, the Siberian's remarkable hypoallergenic qualities, and the classic beauty that first drew me to the breed.
In 2014, my daughter, Merrie-Lynne, officially joined Mindeelyn Siberians. It was a proud moment to see the next generation become part of the cattery. Together, we have continued to build on everything I had learned over the previous decade while preparing Mindeelyn for the future.
Today, more than two decades after welcoming my first Siberian, Mindeelyn Siberians continues to grow while remaining true to the values on which it was founded.
Our knowledge and breeding program have evolved over the years, but our priorities have never changed. Every breeding decision is still guided first by health, then by temperament, the Siberian's remarkable hypoallergenic qualities, and finally by preserving the classic beauty that first drew us to this extraordinary breed.
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Looking back, I could never have imagined where this journey would lead. What began with a love for one remarkable breed has grown into more than twenty years of learning, dedication, and the privilege of sharing these extraordinary cats with families across Canada. Today, Merrie-Lynne and I remain committed to preserving everything we love about the Siberian while helping future generations discover the joy of sharing their lives with this remarkable breed.
Continue the Story
Curious about what makes the Siberian such a remarkable breed? Continue to About the Siberian to discover why so many families have fallen in love with these extraordinary cats..