Many backyard breeders offer kittens they call Ragdolls that are not registered. These cats are never purebred Ragdolls. If a breeder's cats can be registered, it's worth it for the breeder to register them. So-called unregistered Ragdolls are one of two things. Either the breeder has purchased pet-quality Ragdolls and is breeding them without breeding rights, which means that you are purchasing an inferior kitten. The other possibility is even more heartbreaking when you get your kitten home. Many backyard breeders will find a cat that looks like a Ragdoll at the local shelter and breed with another cat that is long haired and colorpoint. These kittens often have no Ragdoll in them at all, and you may be paying purebred price for a barn cat.
These breeders definitely do not care about the well being of the breed. They usually do not even care about the well being of their own cats. They are simply in it for the money. Veterinary care, proper food and maintaining sanitary conditions all cost money. These factors don't line the pockets of backyard breeders and are ignored. Unregistered Ragdolls usually bring home a variety of diseases with huge vet bills attached.
Ragdolls are a very special breed of cat. No other cat is as floppy and gentle and sweet as a Ragdoll. The only you know for sure that your kitten is a real Ragdoll is by it's papers.
Please purchase your dream kitten from a registered cattery that produces registered kittens. Please don't support Backyard breeders aka Kitten Mills.