Alex, a pedigree cat, easily costs between 700 and 1,000 euros. Sometimes even more. For that, vaccinated, neutered, and medically examined.
Take a look, among other places, at the large online auction house to see how much money look-a-likes from "loving" hobby breeding are paid. Without papers, every cat is a bratwurst.
Especially with fashionable breeds, good money is made by breeding. What doesn’t sell gets disposed of. One of my tomcats also comes from such a disposal.
And to the owners, their four-legged friends simply grow on their hearts. I couldn’t be without velvet paws anymore. I haven’t had any foster cats from animal welfare for 3 years, I just can’t manage it timewise anymore, but my own tigers are always welcome.