Why Do Chinese Li Hua Cats Have a High Abandonment Rate?

1 Why Chinese Li Hua Cats Have a High Abandonment Rate

Reasons for the high abandonment rate of Li Hua cats

1. Huge numbers, not valued

Li Hua cats are hardy and adaptable, so they also breed readily, making them very numerous. As a native Chinese cat, they are easy to get — even free to adopt, no purchase needed. But the easier something is to get, the less it is valued; many adopt on impulse, then ditch it when it’s troublesome, shirking owner responsibility.

2. Likes to roam

Li Hua cats are free-spirited and love freedom, so even with an owner they often slip out to play, sometimes gone for half a month. They aren’t really running away — just wandering — but owners feel they ‘have a cat yet don’t,’ and think of discarding it.

3. Influence of foreign breeds

As foreign breeds entered China, people gained more choice and are drawn to soft, cute purebreds, paying less attention to native cats. They reason that if they keep a cat it should be a good-looking one; Li Hua cats lose status because looks aren’t their strength. But every cat has pros and cons and a precious life — think before adopting: why keep a cat, why this breed, and stick to that choice for the cat’s whole life.

4. Vanity

Foreign breeds are pricey in China, often thousands, versus the cheap or free Li Hua. Many see Li Hua as low-value and purebreds as noble — pure vanity and one-upmanship.

5. Some wildness

Most Li Hua cats keep some wildness; they don’t please owners like hand-bred cats, and seem less tame. Some find them hard to control. But once a Li Hua accepts its owner, it is deeply loyal and gentle only with them.

6. Unstable looks

Li Hua cats mate naturally with little human intervention, so they are healthy but their looks vary — some beautiful, some not. Some owners, seeing theirs grow ‘ugly,’ consider and even commit abandonment.

Above are the reasons for the high abandonment rate. We hope everyone views every cat fairly and equally; once you choose to keep one, take responsibility for its whole life, since each is a precious life.