Before you buy a kitten you should have given the following questions a thought. Please read them carefully - it will take a little time, but it is definitly worth. Maybe this will save you >from a disappointing experience and a kitten from a frustrating life. Thank you !

Some Questions to think about  - BEFORE - you even consider taking a kitten

• Is someone in your family allergic to animals ?
• Are you willing and able to take care of a cat for the next 15-20 years ?
   
• Are you aware of the fact, that every cat can get sick and this might create expenses like vet bills ?
   
• Are you willing to put your designer sofa, your curtains and your carpets second behind the welfare of your cat ?
   
• Are you aware, that you should not keep a cat alone, if you are working all day ?

It is not necessary to buy two kittens at once. Also an adult, neutered cat or a healthy, tested household pet are good alternatives.
 

In search of a kitty

• The most important thing you need to have, when you are looking for a kitten is: time !
• Try to get as many informations as possible- ask your friends, search the internet and ask references from people, who have bought already a kitten from a breeder.

A responsible breeder will happily answer all your questions, will give you information about available kittens - about their personalities and how they develope.

• A responsible breeder will not always have 10 kittens on the ground - you should be patient and wait for your kitty. Don´t be impatient and buy any kitten just because it is available and do not support backyard breeders.
•  Please be patient enough to wait at least 6 weeks before you visit your kitty - no responsible breeder will allow you to visit the mama and their kittens before that age.
•  Be prepared, that the breeder will ask you several questions  - a responsible breeder wants to know about the conditions of a possible new home for his kitty.
  A responsible breeder is not giving away his kittens like on a market  - money is not the top priority. If you are under the impression that money is the only motivation of the breeder - you should be very careful and might consider another cattery.
• Make appointments in the cattery you are interested in - but please just visit one cattery a day - bacteria and viral infections can easily be transmitted over shoes and clothes.
• Take a close look and watch out for caged cats or cats, which are locked up somewhere. Please do not buy a kitten from a breeder, who cages his cats or keeps them in the cellar - it is hard, but that way you are supporting backyard breeders and they will never be stopped.
• Ask the breeder to see all rooms of the cattery - be careful, if you are not allowed to see all rooms, where cats live and extra careful, if the kitty in question is brought to you and you are not allowed to see the place where the kitty usually lives.
• Ask about the conditions for all cats in the cattery - watch the behaviour of all cats, you get to see there, check if the cattery is clean, etc
• Ask about the parents of the kitten and let the breeder show you the parents.
• Ask about a sales contract, about a vaccination booklet and about the kitty´s diet.

You have found YOUR kitty !

• Keep asking regulary about your kitty  and visit it on a regular base., Every responsible breeder will keep you up to date about its development and his health status as well as its very own habits and development of personality.
• Prepare your home for the new family member.
• Please be patient and give your kitty 13 to 14 weeks before it moves in with you. If the kitty is for some reasons not in top health condition please let it stay at the breeders home as long it takes for the kitty to get well again.
  It is never advisable to change the kittens environment if the kitten is not in top health conditon - even if there is just a small problem like diarreah.
• Ask for written documention about any treatment your kitten has gotten, as well as documentation about vaccinations, diet or medication.
• Please follow the breeders advise about cat litter, diet etc. - he has raised your kitty and knows it best.
•  Bring your kitten within the first week to a vet for a routine check-up - even if the kitten looks completly healthy.
•  

Enjoy your new friend - we wish you a lot of fun and a long and happy life with your kitty !
 

If you experience a problem, although you have followed all advises and have taken all precautions please:

 contact the breeder as soon as possible - every responsible breeder will help you, no matter how small or big the problem is. If for any reason the breeder will not help you, please contact either another breeder or a cat-club. If you cannot find help, please do not give up ! There are plenty of breeders and there is a solution for every problem. There are people out there, who are willing to help you and your kitty !

If you have to place your kitty for any reasons, please contact the breeder first. Every responsible breeder will either take the kitten or adult cat back or help you to find a new home.

If this does not work out, please contact other breeders or the catclub. Also your vet can be an alternative - you will certainly find someone, who will help you.

•  PLEASE ! never drop your cat at an animal shelter !
  
  if you kitty has grown up and you have to place it as an adult cat, please neuter it first, before it will move to its new home.
  If you place your cat not neutered you give backyard breeders another chance to produce kittens in miserable conditions.
  Often backyard breeders watch out for "second-hand" breeding cats :-(

Ingrid Vitali

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