Tips for Kitten Shopping

No matter if you are shopping for a Peterbald or Bramble, many of the same principles apply. The same for shopping for any other breed in most cases. It should be a serious decision, since this is an new family member that will be with you for years to come. There are certain things that you need to look for if you are going to show, which is a lengthy list and I would be glad to share that by email. However, this is written mostly for the pet buyer. First of all, you need to realize that there are some unscrupulous breeders. They can sound sincere and warm on the phone and can fool even a pro. To avoid these breeders, get references. Make inquiries about the breeder you are choosing. Most breeders, including myself, will not talk negative about another breeder based on Internet rumors. If you have a breeder on the phone or by email that states “Don’t ever buy a cat from “such and such”, avoid that breeder and contact someone else. Internet is a great tool, but also a tool for some individuals to use as a tool for evil. Sometimes, it might be a simple misunderstanding. One breeder hears one thing, says that to someone else, and it becomes “true” in their eyes. So be careful of that. When or if you contact me, you will not hear “do not buy from…”. It is not right to do that. At the same time, I may direct you to some breeders that I trust, though. Not all catteries are created equal. Beware if the person absolutely refuses to let you visit the cattery. Some people call their catteries “closed catteries” or will state that they do not allow visitors because it protects the cats from illness. Well, I have a problem with that. If your cats have a strong immune system and are healthy, a reasonable amount of care by the buyer will take care of that issue. At Magnoliachat, we welcome all visitors. In fact, we believe that once you see the cats in person, you will fall in love. Our cats are well socialized and love to see new people. Do be aware of the fact that any cattery with males may have an odor where the males are kept. This is natural and is not a sign of not being cleaned. Full male cats can spray. Diligent cleaning will keep the odor to a minimum, but some odor can be expected in the male’s quarters – NOT all over the house. Have email conversations and talk on the phone, if needed to the breeder. Sometimes, it isn’t feasible to visit the cattery. 90% of my kittens are placed outside of my area. You can ask a lot of questions, though, and that should give you some reassurance. Also, ask for pictures! Ask for a picture every week. That is not unreasonable. Make sure that the kitten has a health guarantee and comes with a contract. Be prepared to fill out an application. Most breeders care deeply about their kittens Our worries are that the kitten will end up outside or not a loved member of the family. We ask a lot of questions by application to try our best to avoid this situation. Expect the cat to be neutered or spayed and not come with papers if it is not. Unless you are interested in becoming a new breeder, which is a different set a circumstances and preparations, no reputable breeder wants his or her cats out breeding. There is a pet overpopulation problem in our country and we guard against that, as best we can. These are just a few hints. Please be careful choosing a breeder. It is an important step.