AI for a Devon Rex breeding

Question
Hi Jessica

I own a pedigree Devon Rex cat in Canberra. I get so many comments about her because they isn't a breeder here and no one has seen them before. I have started doing a lot of reading about breeding Devons, but the biggest problem is the resistance from existing breeders to let 'their' queens (even after I have purchased the cat) mate with a tom from another Australian cattery. The main issue is protecting imported bloodlines. I was thinking perhaps I could get around this by purchasing frozen sperm from the UK and using that to found my cattery.

My questions are: does AI work in cats (I know it is rare)? would a standard vet do this? Would customs allow the import of frozen sperm? If this works it could be a great way of preserving the breed.

Answer
Hi Julia.  There aren't any standard vets that I know of that do artificial insemination in domestic cats.  Artificial insemination is performed in some wild cats with endangered populations.  However, for the process to be most successful, it requires that the sperm be introduced into the uterus (past the cervix).  This is uncomfortable and would require that the cat undergo general anesthesia.  The risks of anesthesia are low, but it does pose a risk nonetheless, and most vets aren't willing to put cats through that risk unless the procedure is medically necessary.  You would probably need to find a vet with an interest in feline preservation, one who works with a zoo, perhaps, and convince them of the need to further your Devon Rex line.  As for importing the frozen sperm itself, I'm not sure, as each country has its own customs laws.  But the sperm would be extremely temperature sensitive, and it would probably be costly to have it shipped.

A more popular way to found a breeding program is to locate stud service in another country, and fly your queen out to the stud for service.  If you have her heat cycles down, hopefully you will be able to predict when she will be receptive to him, so she won't have to spend too long out there, but some cats do need to remain with the studs for a couple of cycles.  Alternatively, you could purchase a young male with breeding rights to be imported to you.  If you are planning on more than one litter, this is the way to go, since flying your girl back and forth to conceive each litter will not only be expensive but stressful.  

Surprisingly, sometimes you will find people who travel to cat shows internationally.  If you haven't been to any, that would be a great place to start networking.  A lot of breeders will want a queen to have a show history behind her before agreeing to stud service, so if this interests you, it's best to get her into the ring as soon as possible.

Good luck with her!

Jessica