I think this might be a differing custom between countries.
But I would think that a lot of people would want to visit a cattery before picking out a kitten.
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
Problem with our 'reserved' kitten coming home :(
- Thread starter nekochan
- Start Date
But I would think that a lot of people would want to visit a cattery before picking out a kitten.
I would think that, for the breeder, it would be a good sign that a prospective adopter takes the time to actually attend a show before adopting.
And for the adopter, you can see how good the breeder is at the show by how well their kittens place, how she treats her cats (and especially if they don't perform as well as she may have liked) and also how she interacts with other breeders.
Also, some shows have shelter/rescue kitties available for adoption at their shows as well. They may or may not allow the cats to go home at that time though. That I wouldn't know.
And for the adopter, you can see how good the breeder is at the show by how well their kittens place, how she treats her cats (and especially if they don't perform as well as she may have liked) and also how she interacts with other breeders.
Also, some shows have shelter/rescue kitties available for adoption at their shows as well. They may or may not allow the cats to go home at that time though. That I wouldn't know.
Must be a UK thing, cos that's pretty much what I said too! Personally I would worry slightly about the risk of them picking something up, I mean no-one responsible would take a sick cat to a show, but there is a possibility that one could have just come down with something and not be showing symptoms yet so at no fault of the owner - and one sneeze can go a long way!
Here we have (or should I say the GCCF has) the 7 day rule which prevents showing a cat 2 consecutive weekends, or rehoming within 7 days of attending a show, as a quarantine period just in case... which I think is sensible, personally.
Actually the ideal is to visit the cattery. But I've picked up cats at the breeder's house, at a show, or had them shipped to me.
In all cases, there was no problems, no sick cats. However, I had talked to or met in person all the breeders and knew them pretty well - this was not just one or two conversations.
Two of the cats had to be picked up at shows or shipped as the breeders were out of state. One was a judge and the others were long time breeders with grand champion cats.
IMO if you pick a breeder that shows, has champion/grand champion cats - maybe even regional/national wins (in recent years - not 10 yrs ago
), you should be ok.
And in any case, go with your gut feeling (and eyes open) - if it doesn't seem right (care of cats, papers, etc.) then pass that person by. Look elsewhere for your new kitty.
In all cases, there was no problems, no sick cats. However, I had talked to or met in person all the breeders and knew them pretty well - this was not just one or two conversations.
Two of the cats had to be picked up at shows or shipped as the breeders were out of state. One was a judge and the others were long time breeders with grand champion cats.
IMO if you pick a breeder that shows, has champion/grand champion cats - maybe even regional/national wins (in recent years - not 10 yrs ago
And in any case, go with your gut feeling (and eyes open) - if it doesn't seem right (care of cats, papers, etc.) then pass that person by. Look elsewhere for your new kitty.
My preference would be to visit the breeder's cattery as well, however that isn't always feasible when you consider distances. And it saves the kitten the stress of being shipped.
Neither would I do this if I didn't know the breeder, their reputation, their cats, etc.
Neither would I do this if I didn't know the breeder, their reputation, their cats, etc.
We've handed off kittens to new owners at shows fairly frequently.
Usually the kitten never even enters the showhall. We ask that the new owners meet us at the showhall prior to the show starting, so they can take possession of the kitten without him/her being subjected to the noise, commotion and other things in the showhall.
This is a good solution for a kitten that would otherwise need to be shipped. It's much less stressful for the kittens and the new owners actually get to meet the breeder in person before they take the kitten.
Also of importance is that no kitten under 3 months of age is allowed in the showhall and all shots must be up to date on the kittens that meet the age requirement. Kittens in the showhall that are for sale, are normally not being shown. They remain in the breeders benching area and should be safe from "catching anything", so long as the breeder doesn't allow handling without proper hygiene protocols.
I have seen some very good breeders selling excellent kittens in the showhall and I have also seen some that I would tell anyone to steer clear of.
Buyers should use some common sense about kittens at the show. Wander through the whole showhall, sometimes it can be pretty evident who's doing things right.
Usually the kitten never even enters the showhall. We ask that the new owners meet us at the showhall prior to the show starting, so they can take possession of the kitten without him/her being subjected to the noise, commotion and other things in the showhall.
This is a good solution for a kitten that would otherwise need to be shipped. It's much less stressful for the kittens and the new owners actually get to meet the breeder in person before they take the kitten.
Also of importance is that no kitten under 3 months of age is allowed in the showhall and all shots must be up to date on the kittens that meet the age requirement. Kittens in the showhall that are for sale, are normally not being shown. They remain in the breeders benching area and should be safe from "catching anything", so long as the breeder doesn't allow handling without proper hygiene protocols.
I have seen some very good breeders selling excellent kittens in the showhall and I have also seen some that I would tell anyone to steer clear of.
Buyers should use some common sense about kittens at the show. Wander through the whole showhall, sometimes it can be pretty evident who's doing things right.
That is true - I've been to shows where the kittens were sneezing and had eye problems - I would NEVER buy from a breeder like that. Also have seen kittens for sale that the breeder never took time to groom to the best (these were longhairs). How do you expect people to buy your kitten when it looks a mess?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #48
Well I got an email from the breeder that she was going to be in-state coming up, right near where my cousin lives so I mentioned that he might be able to pick the kitten up, but she said I can't have someone else pick him up because my brother needs to be there to sign the contract.
So I guess we have no choice except to wait until February...
So I guess we have no choice except to wait until February...
Uhm, she can mail you the contract to sign. For heavens sakes!Originally Posted by Nekochan
Well I got an email from the breeder that she was going to be in-state coming up, right near where my cousin lives so I mentioned that he might be able to pick the kitten up, but she said I can't have someone else pick him up because we need to be there to sign the contract.
So I guess we have no choice except to wait until February...
She could even mail the contract in advance. I mean, I didn't go to MAINE to sign MY contract. Hmmm!
Yeah, I signed my contract for my bengals months ago. My breeder e-mailed them to me and I faxed them back. She'll be sending the copy with her siggy along with Ares and Dreamer.
I'm really sorry that you have to go through all of this, but it will all be worth it when you get your new baby home!
I'm really sorry that you have to go through all of this, but it will all be worth it when you get your new baby home!
Awwww... I'm sure the kitten will be worth the waitOriginally Posted by Nekochan
Well I got an email from the breeder that she was going to be in-state coming up, right near where my cousin lives so I mentioned that he might be able to pick the kitten up, but she said I can't have someone else pick him up because we need to be there to sign the contract.
So I guess we have no choice except to wait until February...
While Charlie's breeder sent me a pre-contract to look over, we didn't sign the actual 2 copies (one for her/one for me) till we picked him up. It was signed in person.
Unless the cat was being shipped; if you are picking up the cat, the contract should be signed in person. Shipping the cat you would mail/fax the contract back and forth and signed.
I can understand the breeder's concern. She doesn't know for sure if the person picking the cat up is related to you or you will even get the cat. I'd want the person adopting to be there in person - not someone else picking up and delivering the cat later. You could come back and say you never got the cat!
Unless the cat was being shipped; if you are picking up the cat, the contract should be signed in person. Shipping the cat you would mail/fax the contract back and forth and signed.
I can understand the breeder's concern. She doesn't know for sure if the person picking the cat up is related to you or you will even get the cat. I'd want the person adopting to be there in person - not someone else picking up and delivering the cat later. You could come back and say you never got the cat!
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2005
- Messages
- 1,469
- Purraise
- 2
It is half way thru jan. It will be feb before you know it, It will be worth the wait, she sounds like she is a concerned breeder, and even if it makes it a little inconvienent to you, her priority is her kitten. If you had made these arrangements sooner, she may have been able to mail the contracts. When I sent Kluchetta the contract, I sent 2, both signed by me, then she signed one and mailed it back, and kept the other, but it was a while before shipping, where it is almost time for the show, the contract may still be in the mail between you and her, at the time of picking the kitten up. Is there any way your cousin can stay at your house the night before, and both of you meet her at the show? Or get out to your cousins house the night/weekend before, then you can meet her and your cousin can take you and the kitten home? That way you are with her and can meet the breeder and sign the contract in person.I think there isn't going to be any solution, you will just have to wait, hard as it seems, the time will come soon enough, and you will be just as happy then as you are 1, 2 or 4 weeks sooner.
kluchetta had to wait about a month or a month and a half longer then she was supposed to, I had a lot of problems getting to boston airport to ship him, and she wasn't dissapointed with him when she did get him (she may have been anxious and dissapointed to have to wait so long) but I think she was more then happy with him when he finally got there and the wait kind of made her more excited to have him home
So, just try and be patient, it will all work out, mabey a little longer then you wanted, but when you do finally have the kitten you will be glad you waited, and didn't give up and find a different one closer to you.
kluchetta had to wait about a month or a month and a half longer then she was supposed to, I had a lot of problems getting to boston airport to ship him, and she wasn't dissapointed with him when she did get him (she may have been anxious and dissapointed to have to wait so long) but I think she was more then happy with him when he finally got there and the wait kind of made her more excited to have him home
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #55
It's not the show, she said we could not pick him up this weekend because of the show, but she is going to be in the town where my cousin lives (about 4 hours from here) to bring a kitten to someone else *next* weekend which is why I had asked her if my cousin could pick the kitten up then... But she said no, that she has to go over the paperwork with us and my brother needs to sign the contract...
No way your brother can go with your cousin on that weekend?
I must be missing something. I think it is awesome that she is looking out for the welfare of her kittens. You are fortunate to be working with a breeder that cares so much for her animals. But why can't she fax you the contract, go over it with you over the phone, have your brother sign it, then he faxes it back to her?
Maybe she just isn't prepared to take it to the show, and it will be inconvenient for her.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #58
No, my brother cannot leave town at all in January, he is "on call" and he may be called into work at any time...so he has to be able to get to the office right away if they page him
. I know it's kind of confusing... My cousin lives about 4 hours away, and he is fairly close to where the breeder lives (way closer than I am, maybe 1-2 hours drive) so he was willing to pick the kitten up and come up here to deliver him to us... My cousin is not willing to drive up here to Chicago (~4 hours) pick me up and then drive back down to where he lives or to the breeder's town (~3 1/2 hours) pick up the kitten and then drive back up here to Chicago and then back to his home (4 hours).
My cousin might have been willing to pick up the kitten and bring him to us next weekend (not sure yet if he would have been available next weekend, when the breeder will be in town near him), but anyway when I emailed the breeder about it she said that is not acceptable... He was free THIS weekend but as I mentioned the breeder said we couldn't pick the kitten up this weekend because of the show. At any rate this weekend would not have worked either apparently since the breeder said it was not ok for my cousin to pick the kitten up anyhow...
. I know it's kind of confusing... My cousin lives about 4 hours away, and he is fairly close to where the breeder lives (way closer than I am, maybe 1-2 hours drive) so he was willing to pick the kitten up and come up here to deliver him to us... My cousin is not willing to drive up here to Chicago (~4 hours) pick me up and then drive back down to where he lives or to the breeder's town (~3 1/2 hours) pick up the kitten and then drive back up here to Chicago and then back to his home (4 hours).
My cousin might have been willing to pick up the kitten and bring him to us next weekend (not sure yet if he would have been available next weekend, when the breeder will be in town near him), but anyway when I emailed the breeder about it she said that is not acceptable... He was free THIS weekend but as I mentioned the breeder said we couldn't pick the kitten up this weekend because of the show. At any rate this weekend would not have worked either apparently since the breeder said it was not ok for my cousin to pick the kitten up anyhow...
I agree - I must be missing something also. I assume she would not have agreed to sell this kitten without already doing her interview, receiving any references she's requested. If she can't trust that if the woman says it's her cousin and is okay with her cousin picking up the kitten, that it would *be* the womans cousin, she shouldn't be selling the kitten to her. But that's just how I see things
Ok, I think you should just corrdinate a weekend in February with your brother and go down to pick up the cat. That way you have a set time/place. The time will go fast if you have a date set up
