ASHLAND — Jacquelyn lazes on the highest level of the cat tree, a position that reflects her status as senior cat at Adorablerags Ragdoll Cattery.

Owned and operated by Dr. Brian Bailey, an Ashland podiatrist, and his wife, Cynthia, the cattery is home to 16 ragdoll cats, the fastest-growing breed of cat in the country.

The two top floors of their Lexington Avenue home are designed for the cats’ comfort and safety. The studs are kept in their own rooms except during breeding, during which time they are carefully monitored to ensure the Baileys keep accurate information on bloodlines. Cats undergo genetic testing to find only the healthiest cats for breeding, as many ragdolls are susceptible to a specific form of heart disease that will kill an animal before it reaches 5 and to maintain a careful balance of inbreeding and outbreeding.

“Inbreeding can bring super cats and some super-sick cats,” Dr. Bailey said, adding the right amount of outbreeding will maintain hybrid vigor.

There are toys and structures for climbing and clawing. The topmost rooms are an office and the nursery, used when a litter is due. The mother-to-be has a special area where she delivers. There’s a playpen where the kittens are kept rounded up and a bed where the humans who see the mother through labor may get a nap.

Dr. Bailey said when his daughter came to him asking for a ragdoll cat, he’d never heard of them.

“I’d never been a cat person but I started researching and found that ragdolls are friendly, laidback, like a dog,” Dr. Bailey said. “I got one for her and one for me.”

Most are unfamiliar with the breed and that’s understandable, as Adorablerags Ragdoll Cattery is the only ragdoll cattery in the Tri-State. Bailey said there are only two other ragdoll breeders in Kentucky.

When people first saw his cat, Jacqueline, Bailey said most were fascinated and many wanted a cat just like her. Her reception from the public inspired the cattery.

But the project wasn’t established quickly or easily.

The Baileys found those already breeding and showing ragdolls were reluctant to let another breeder in.

“No one would sell us a quality breeding cat,” he said. Those who raise ragdolls are protective of the breed, aiming to maintain purity of the bloodline. They want to make sure anyone who buys a show-quality cat will be dedicated to careful breeding and making sure pet-quality cats are spayed or neutered before being sold.

By 1997, the Baileys had acquired two ragdolls and established the cattery, which has earned several honors. Adorablerags is a member of Ragdolls International, Ragdoll Fanciers Worldwide Club, Ragdoll Fanciers Club International and Ragdolls of American Group and has been named an outstanding cattery by The International Cattery Association (TICA) and is a CFA Cattery of Excellence. It is one of 38 ragdoll catteries in the world listed in TICA in the United States whose owners have signed its ethics agreement.

“We want to develop the best of health and happiness in our ragdolls,” the Website states.

“When newly adoptive parents arrive to pick up their kitten, they will be educated in our kitten’s health and well-being, thus learning the dos and don’ts ahead of time in keeping with a thriving kitten so that he or she safely reaches adulthood.”

At first glance, the cats are different from most. They have mid-length coats and come in a wide variety: solid, tabby, tortie and particolor, which includes mitted and bicolor patterns. All must have blue eyes, the darker the better, Mrs. Bailey added.

Ragdolls are larger than most. In fact, Dr. Bailey said the bigger they are, the better, too. The breed gets its name because of the loose, relaxed bodies. Their coats are fluffy, their dispositions are sweet and they’re known for being intelligent and affectionate.

Careful breeding and care comes with a price. Pet-quality Ragdolls sell for $800, which includes spaying or neutering, a scratching post, a baby blanket and other newborn needs, as well as the education process adoptive parents receive. A show-quality Ragdoll goes for as much as $2,000, but the Baileys said only serious breeders would be allowed to buy one.

“We want to do everything the right way,” Mrs. Bailey said. “We want to better the breed.”

The Baileys recently took Gweniviere to an all-breed cat show in North Carolina where she won four ribbons, scored enough points to be a champion and was the second-rated cat in the show.

“She’s too young to be a champion,” Dr. Bailey said. “But she’ll be an adult by the end of December. We’ll take her to a show in Raleigh at the end of the month.”

To prepare for the show, the cats undergo a four-step shampooing process. First, the oily areas are the body are cleaned with a substance called goo. Then, they receive a shampoo and cream rinse. Finally, they’re finished with a lightening shampoo to make the white part of the coat pop. Then they are brushed and blow-dried and their nails are clipped.

All the cats are fed a mixture of half organic food and half Royal Canin food.

Frequently, the cats have their own entertainment. “They have their own television and we put on a nature video with birds and squirrels that loops,” Mrs. Bailey said. “In the mornings, we make coffee and go upstairs and have coffee and sit with the cats.”

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com (606) 326-2661.