How to adopt or buy a kitten

2007-6-7 13:30:17

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When you review a catterys' web site, check to determine when it was last updated. If the pedigrees are not posted, there may be a reason why. If the breeder does not provide you with a current picture of the kitten/cat and a pedigree, ask yourself "Why?".
Never buy from a pet store. I have seen the poor kittens/cats in local pet stores. Frequently they are mis-marked and only sub-par pet quality. Mis-markings are a sign of in-breeding. Pet stores will frequently charge $500, plus want another $600 for giving breeding rights to these poor felines that can pass on their genetic anomalies.
Never buy from a breeder who advertises in the newspaper, or from a pet store. Those breeders who do not have a web site, frequently in or line breed. I answered a newspaper ad for Angel. And found, he was in-bred, too small, and only pet quality. Miette was also purchased from the same breeder, and had a genetic anomaly that caused her to have to be put down.
Determine what kind of support, if any, the breeder offers after purchase. You may have questions that the breeder can help you with, and save you a vet bill.
Go into the breeders' Guest-Book and look for comments about them and their cattery. Comments about the temperaments of their cats, and if the adoptive parent had a good experience with the breeder. The Guest-Book comments of Miettecats are never "doctored" or changed in any way.
A reputable breeder does not want the poor qualities of their kittens to make more of the same. Only high breeders and above are given breeding rights at Miettecats. Breeding rights should be included in the price and you should not be charged extra for them. If a kitten/cat has the right qualities to breed, they 'have it' or they don't.
Expect that if you purchase a show quality or above kitten at say 12-weeks of age, their facial conformation frequently changes over time, and then after the adolescent period will go back to the original conformation. Reputable breeders will state in their contracts that they are not responsible for the outcome of judging of the feline. I've also had the experience whereby a kitten was adopted as one type, only after several months to turn into a different type. Both kittens went back to the 6th generation of the queen! Both the sire and queen are Himalayans, however two kittens out of the same litter changed into Exotic Short Haired adolescent cats!
Most reputable breeders will require a reservation fee for the kitten of your choice. Expect that this will be non-refundable. After all the breeder has taken the kitten/cat off the market for you when and, if you should change your mind, the feline could have gone to some other adoptive parent. The breeder has to spend the money all over again to re-market the kitten/cat. This protects both you and the breeder. Obtain a picture of your chosen kitten, ask for updated pictures as the kitten matures to the point the breeder will allow it to be adopted. This will ensure there are no switches made.

Understand that reputable breeders should not give breeding rights to pet/low breeder felines. Purebred felines are much different than domestic cats. You must deliver all of your own babies, and have all that is necessary to do so. Plus you must find a suitable stud to sire the litter. Most cattery's that are reputable are "closed" to stud service. There is a good reason for it. People will bring pet quality queens to a breeder for studding. I will not take a pet quality queen to one of my show quality sires. Frequently people have not properly cared for their cat. This may bring into the cattery diseases which the breeder doesn't want, nor need. If the breeding doesn't take, the breeder gets blamed which is not fair.
When you email a breeder, are they registered with the CFA? What are their breeding policies? If you visit the breeders' home to see the kittens, may you see at least one of the parents? Can you touch any part of the kitten, demonstrating a good temperament? Are the kittens clean? Look into the ears. Don't expect to view the cattery. Breeders have mating going on frequently, and anyone new in the cattery may bring disease in, and/or stop the mating. Expect if you see the queen of the litter to be shaved down. This is done so the kittens can get to the milk!
If a purebred pet quality, Persian, Himalayan, Exotic or other type of feline is advertised on a site as available for less than $500, ask why? The breeder may be downsizing a line in order to make room for a new line, just need to downsize, or the kitten/cat may be a retiree that has been spayed/neutered. Or, the feline may be in-bred. Ask if either one of the parents sprays (yes females will spray too!).
Please understand that breeders who show often, and win awards, may not be the breeder of choice for you. They may tell you how many years they have been in the business and about all the awards they have won. However, breeding should be an on-going research project, there is always something new to learn. Breeders who indicate for example, "I've been in the business for over 20 years," may not know as much as a breeder who has been in the business for 5 years. If you are not treated professionally and with courtesy, why would you want to do business with such a person?
If you purchase a show quality kitten/cat, and the breeder restricts you by contract that only they may approve what shows you may attend. Don't go for it. You paid for the kitten/cat, why should you be restricted in any way? (This does not apply to a "protected line". Frequently, breeders will purchase a pregnant queen who was sired by an outstanding cat and is bound by contract not to allow at least the first litter to be sold with any breeding rights). Even if you are seeking a pet quality kitten, review the pedigrees of both the sire and queen. Look for Champions, Grand Champions, Regional and National winners.
Any reputable breeder does business with you, after you provide enough information to indicate to the breeder you will provide a good home for those they have spent a lot of love, time, energy and money on. If they "don't work with contracts", then if your kitten/cat is found to have a genetic fault, how will you re-coup your money or have a kitten/cat of like quality sent to you when one becomes available as a replacement?
I get emails almost daily from people who only want a "pet" and immediately ask "how much?". Even if you want a pet quality kitten/cat, obtain one that comes from quality lines with parents that do not spray. Why purchase a kitten/cat with a defect that will break your heart if you have to put it down after bonding with it and loving it? I've even been asked whether or not Miettecats will refund the money for a kitten if it doesn't get along with an existing cat in the home! How can a breeder be responsible for this? We don't know the temperament of your existing animals, and cannot predict their acceptance of a kitten.
Please understand that BYB's = backyard breeders, have brought down the good name of reputable breeders. No, this doesn't mean they breed in their 'back-yards'. It means they are not reputable and do not have good breeding stock. Plus they frequently sell through the newspaper, and do not use contracts. Any breeder who advertises "ringworm free cattery" is questionable. Ringworm can be caused by going to a different environment (home), stress, or many other different reasons. All breeders Miettecats networks with have to deal with it at one time or another. It's a fungus and very treatable.

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