HOW TO FIND A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER
Cat shows are the best places to meet and talk to breeders. You can see all the different colors and patterns, learn about the characteristics of the breed, and ask questions. Do your homework, and try not to fall in love with the first kitten you see.
You can also find breeders through the listings on the various registry associations and on the internet. If they have a website, you can see what their breeding cats look like. Just because a breeder advertises thru these mediums, does not automatically make them a responsible breeder. You still need to ask them a lot of questions.
Newspaper ads are probably the WORST place to try to find a breeder. Newspapers are the *primary* advertising medium for poor breeders. These breeders are often referred to as Kitten Mills or BYB's - Backyard Breeders. In most cases, the cats/kittens are NOT registered, so you are not assured the kittens are purebred. In some cases, BYB's do register their kittens, but this does NOT make them responsible in the way they are raising their kittens. Any breeder who does NOT allow you access to viewing their cattery is cause to put up a RED FLAG. What are they hiding?
If possible, you should try to find a breeder in your area, so you can visit the cattery. This is the best way to be sure of the quality and health of the animals and the ethical standards of the breeder. You should arrange to visit the cattery to see the conditions under which the kittens are raised. Although heredity plays a dominant part, the cattery environment also has a strong effect on health, personality and temperament. Things to watch out for: overcrowding, kittens raised in tiny cages, not being allowed to see where the breeding cats are kept, poor housekeeping, neglected litterboxes, unclean food or water dishes. Breeders with males should have separate quarters for them and NEVER allow the breeding males to run loose with the females. These should be large, well furnished, and CLEAN.
About cages: Some people are shocked at the very idea of keeping cats in cages or separate areas from the household. However, it is a necessary part of a clean, healthy, and controlled cattery environment; particularly if there are males present. It is the irresponsible breeders who allow the "girls to run with the boys" and just sell whatever they get. If a cat spends most of its time in the cage or a separate room, it should be very spacious and NOT the common 2' x 3' x 4'. "Tokyo cages" are *not acceptable* as permanent quarters.
You want a kitten that is accustomed to being handled every day. Kittens should be raised in a home environment. The frequently-quoted phrase is "raised underfoot", meaning that they are accustomed to being around people and have been well socialized. Naturally, you want to look for friendly, outgoing kittens, but you should also evaluate the temperament of the adults in the cattery, particularly the dam, but also the sire, if possible. This is your best indicator of the personality that the kitten will have when it grows up.
Of course, breeders will occasionally have retired show/breeding cats available. You can tell a lot more about what you're getting if you consider getting an adult cat. If you would prefer an adult cat (sure, kittens are cute, but not everyone wants one), then you might ask the breeder if he/she has "any alters available" (meaning, an adult cat that has already been neutered or spayed).
Questions to Ask
1. How early do you let your kittens go to new homes?
Responsible breeders typically don't let them go until they're 12 weeks old (some wait until 16 weeks). There are many reasons for this, but proper socialization and having a fully functioning immune system are two good ones.
2. Do you have a waiting list?
Responsible breeders don't overproduce. Depending on the breed, the breeder may have a backlog of people waiting for kittens. She will decide to breed her cats only when she has the right cats, when the queen is in good condition, and when she has the space, time, and money to devote to it. This is generally not a profit-making hobby, so breeders are not driven by market demand. If a breeder cannot provide you with a the kitten you are looking for in a reasonable length of time, she may refer you to another breeder. In the minority breeds, many of the breeders know each other. It's sometimes a good idea to get references from other breeders. Beware of any breeder who does not associate with any of the local breeders. If the breeder is a "loner", this is usually an indication that something is very wrong! Slander is all too common in the cat fancy. A good breeder doesn't have to speak ill of other breeders; she can simply remain silent.
3. Can I get a copy of your contract to look over?
You should ask to see the sales contract before you commit to buying. This is another good way of evaluating the professionalism and motivations of the breeder. Sales contracts are common, even for pet-quality cats. Every breeder uses a slightly different contract, so read through it carefully. Avoid breeders who don't have one at all.
Typical kitten contracts include a health guarantee. During that period, you should have the cat checked by your vet. The contract should allow you to return the cat, IF your vet finds something is not right with the kitten. Beyond that, many breeders include in their contracts an offer to accept the cat back (or at least request the right of first refusal) if you can't keep it. Responsible breeders don't *ever* want one of their "kids" to end up at a shelter.
If the breeder asks *you* lots of questions too, that's a *good* sign!
Feel free to ask in what association(s) the breeder registers and shows her cats. Even though you may only be interested in a pet-quality cat, you would be well-advised to find a breeder who is also a successful exhibitor. The fact that a breeder is also a successful exhibitor tells you several things:
1. Their cats conform to the standards. Backyard breeders and operators of "kitten mills" don't care about this sort of thing at all.
2. Their cats are well-behaved, even under the stress of showhall conditions.
3. These people are not in it for money. Operators of "kitten mills" consider showing an unnecessary expense. Breeders who do show alot, rarely (if ever), break even.
In general, breeders who are active in showing tend to have healthier, better quality animals and tend to be more responsible.
To see our AVAILABLE KITTENS, click and if you see a kitten that interests you, please inquire with us.