Looking for 2 purebred kittens: Help with breed selection, please

hopehacker

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If you got Aby's I would have begged and pleaded to come to your house and visit so I could so those beautiful kittens. So maybe for your sake it's a good thing you're looking at Oci Cats.
 
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bahger

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Originally Posted by HopeHacker

If you got Aby's I would have begged and pleaded to come to your house and visit so I could so those beautiful kittens. So maybe for your sake it's a good thing you're looking at Oci Cats.
Well, the Ocis are beautiful, too, especially the silver ones, no?
 

goldenkitty45

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Well we have the chocolate spotted; now I just have to work on DH to get my chocolate-silver one
Already have his name picked out
 

hopehacker

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Originally Posted by Bahger

Well, the Ocis are beautiful, too, especially the silver ones, no?
Yes, they're beautiful, although I've never seen an Oci in person. However, I'm obsessed with Aby's. I think Aby's are about the most beautiful cat around, and I have 2 Bengal's and 2 Siamese, but I am just so IN LOVE with Aby's/
 
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bahger

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Yes, I love Abys, too, in spite of the all cautions I've been receiving. If the Ocis do not work out tomorrow I'm going to stuff the children in the car and travel down the coast for two hours on Sunday to see a new litter there.
 

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Regarding your concern with the housecleaners - is there a room that you can have them ignore? We have cleaners come in every other week and the Bengals go into a room that we don't have them clean, with the request that they let them out just before leaving. I do this for two reasons. First, I'm afraid of one of them trying to get out because the cleaners do prop the door open while brining in cleaning equipment. Second, they would be completely underfoot and in the way. Our third cat hides from strangers - I have a feeling the cleaning folks have never even seen her!
 
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bahger

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Okay, so what should I expect from this breeder if we go ahead and buy the Oci kittens tomorrow?

- Should I expect her to have neutered the cats and, if not, I know I will be contractually obliged to do so, and will, of course but will this be reflected in the price?

- She says she's about to register the kittens and get their paperwork. The mother is a champion cat belonging to her and I'm not going to show or breed the cats but since they are purebred animals I'd like to go by the book. If she doesn't bring the papers, how long should I expect to wait for them and is it customary to pay in full while the paperwork is incomplete?

- I'm expecting the kittens to accept handling by humans, to be inquisitive and lively, to be responsive to the children and to play without excessive, deliberate use of teeth and claws. Is this reasonable? Should I be on the lookout for any red flags? And how much of an influence might it be on the kittens' demeanor that they will be on our home territory, not theirs?

- If I decide to buy the kittens but if she has not yet neutered them, should I pay for them and arrange to pick them up after she has had the procedure done or should I simply undertake the responsibility myself?

- What health documents might I expect to receive?

- Er, what am I forgetting?

Today I bought a leopard-print cat bed, lots of non-catnip toys, a scratching post, a litter and food dishes. I once learned that it's good to leave a ticking clock in the place that new kittns sleep as it comforts them because it reminds them of their mother's heartbeat. If we buy these cats I'm eager that their first days with us are not fraught. Any advice?

As for Chelsea, poor old lady. I bought a pheromone spray that might comfort her if she seems too agitated and she will have the run of most of her territory downstairs, with food and litter in familiar places. I hope she does not go on a hunger strike or pee on the floor in protest. I bought her some new catnip toys. I'd love to know if there is anything else I can do to ease the transition. She will be in an adjacent room to the newcomers, separated by either a closed sliding door, or a Japanese screen. Will it help or harm things that she's in visual and aural contact with the kittens and vice-versa? Oh, I forgot, she's stone deaf. And I need to get an old towel, rub the kittens thoroughly in it and leave the for Chelsea to investigate, right? Oh, will there be hissing.
 

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Should I expect her to have neutered the cats and, if not, I know I will be contractually obliged to do so, and will, of course but will this be reflected in the price?
Depends on the breeders policy, many these days desex before rehoming.

She says she's about to register the kittens and get their paperwork. The mother is a champion cat belonging to her and I'm not going to show or breed the cats but since they are purebred animals I'd like to go by the book. If she doesn't bring the papers, how long should I expect to wait for them and is it customary to pay in full while the paperwork is incomplete?
Different country, but it took about 2 weeks for me to get the papers after the breeder sent the forms in. You will (probably) have to pay in full before taking possession of the cats.
If you have to desex the kittens I expect you will have to provide proof of that being done before she sends you papers


I'm expecting the kittens to accept handling by humans, to be inquisitive and lively, to be responsive to the children and to play without excessive, deliberate use of teeth and claws. Is this reasonable? Should I be on the lookout for any red flags? And how much of an influence might it be on the kittens' demeanor that they will be on our home territory, not theirs?
Demetri made himself at home right away, fell asleep on my lap within a few hours after playing/exploring.
He'd had a busy day, he was flown from another state. He was purring and needing when I stuck my fingers in his crate on the way home.
He was fine with my 3 yr old nephew, extremely confident kitten


If I decide to buy the kittens but if she has not yet neutered them, should I pay for them and arrange to pick them up after she has had the procedure done or should I simply undertake the responsibility myself?
Depends on the breeder, she may want at least some payment to secure the kittens

What health documents might I expect to receive?
I received a written health guarantee and his vet records

And I need to get an old towel, rub the kittens thoroughly in it and leave the for Chelsea to investigate, right? Oh, will there be hissing.
May be hissing, there was none from my sisters 6 boys when I let Demetri out into the group. I didn't do the towel rubbing, just had him isolated for the weekend until he'd been to the vet (to enfore my guarantee) they accepted him with no trouble at all
 

goldenkitty45

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Missy pretty much answered it well


But will add that this breeder probably has a contract for you to sign that will explain everything. How old are the kittens she is bringing? Most times they ARE neutered before you get them (included in the price). All shot records, health guarentee should be in the contract too.

Depending on how well the breeder socialized the kittens, they should not be too afraid of things. Be sure your kids are quiet around them at first - you don't what them to go running up and screaming at them to pick them up.

I'd pick a quiet small room for introductions to the family - not the middle of the living room.

When we picked up Charlie, the breeder held him at first for awhile so he would get used to us, then in about 10 mins gave him to us to play with. He was very confident, purring, etc. They socialized them very well.

As far as papers, you won't get them till paid in full. Some breeders have the "blue slip" (registration) at the time they sell the kittens, some have to wait on the association, so if you need to wait, find out how long before you get them. Up to you whether you want to register them or not - if not showing, you don't have to register them.

With Charlie, the breeder mixed up the father (she had 2 litters and accidently put the wrong one on Charlie's papers). I called her as we were heading home to tell her - so she had to re-register the litter correctly - papers were delayed for about a month


Since you are getting two kittens, they should be more adjusted to new surroundings. Hopefully the breeder will have clipped nails before bringing them. They should not bite or claw - that's the advantage of keeping them till 3-4 months old; they learn on each other - not people and are over that biting stage
 

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The only thing that bothers me is the question of why this breeder is bringing these two kittens to your home ... can you not go to her home/cattery and visit them there? IMO, it is a good thing to visit the kittens in their own environment - this can tell you many things. You can look around the cattery to gauge the level of cleanliness, observe the other cats for health issues, etc.

Don't know why but the fact that the breeder is bringing the kittens to you sticks in my craw.
 

abymummy

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Originally Posted by gayef

The only thing that bothers me is the question of why this breeder is bringing these two kittens to your home ... can you not go to her home/cattery and visit them there? IMO, it is a good thing to visit the kittens in their own environment - this can tell you many things. You can look around the cattery to gauge the level of cleanliness, observe the other cats for health issues, etc.

Don't know why but the fact that the breeder is bringing the kittens to you sticks in my craw.
Didn't want to say anything about it but since Gail brought it up, I was wondering the same too! True enough I would want to visit a prospective new home but NOT with the cats/kittens! If it were me as the breeder, I would prefer the prospective owners come visit me first - I have nothing to hide
This way the "prospect" can see the kittens,both parents of the kittens and also my cattery. If something clicks then I would pay the new home a visit to ensure that my babies would be in good hands ...

Just IMO .....
 

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Originally Posted by Abymummy

Didn't want to say anything about it but since Gail brought it up, I was wondering the same too! True enough I would want to visit a prospective new home but NOT with the cats/kittens! If it were me as the breeder, I would prefer the prospective owners come visit me first - I have nothing to hide
This way the "prospect" can see the kittens,both parents of the kittens and also my cattery. If something clicks then I would pay the new home a visit to ensure that my babies would be in good hands ...

Just IMO .....
I also had a bit of a red flag, and agree with Gaye and Abymummy. The only other thing, that I don't know if it was mentioned, is please don't visit two or more catteries in the same day. There are many different virus, diseases, ect, that can be brought in the cattery, simply on your shoes. As a breeder, I love when people come to our home and see Mom, Dad, siblings, personality of all, and I do ask that visitors limit themselves to only one cattery visit per day.

Overall, I wish you the best finding your 2 furbabies.
 

goldenkitty45

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I looked at the website and cattery. Seems ok to me. It might be a case of the breeder is planning on being in the area at the time (for other reasons) and its more convienent to bring kittens with her.

Charlie's breeder would have delivered him to us if she was in the area; but we made arrangements to just drive down.

I didn't really see any "red flags" in this case


I've had several of my rexes shipped to me without seeing the breeder's home first. No problems. I did get to visit each breeder a few years after I got my cats.
 

familytimerags

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I looked at the website and cattery. Seems ok to me. It might be a case of the breeder is planning on being in the area at the time (for other reasons) and its more convienent to bring kittens with her.

Charlie's breeder would have delivered him to us if she was in the area; but we made arrangements to just drive down.

I didn't really see any "red flags" in this case


I've had several of my rexes shipped to me without seeing the breeder's home first. No problems. I did get to visit each breeder a few years after I got my cats.
I didn't see the site, but I am glad you have knowledge of this breeder, this will make the poster more comfortable.
Does this breeder show like Charlie's breeder? Wasn't it Charlie's brother on the "catminster"?
 

goldenkitty45

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I have no idea if any of Charlie's relatives were on there - I didn't get to see it. But good probability it was. I wish I could have seen it (don't have more then the basic cable on tv) - I would have known right away - can spot those DotDotDot cats pretty well


While I don't have personal knowledge of the breeder, my gut feeling was ok with her. There is another Ocicat breeder that I would NOT buy a cat from them - just don't like the looks or how it seems she operates. In fact a person I met at the show had an Oci from this particular breeder. If they were considering buying one, I could have told them I didn't like the cattery/cats but they already bought one from her.

The sad thing was the comment from them that their cat didn't look close to what Charlie looked like - think they were a little disappointed!

Like I told the OP, if Charlie's breeder doesn't have chocolate-silver kittens when we are ready to get another, I'd contact this breeder to see if she had any for us. I do like her cats
 

familytimerags

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I have no idea if any of Charlie's relatives were on there - I didn't get to see it. But good probability it was. I wish I could have seen it (don't have more then the basic cable on tv) - I would have known right away - can spot those DotDotDot cats pretty well


While I don't have personal knowledge of the breeder, my gut feeling was ok with her. There is another Ocicat breeder that I would NOT buy a cat from them - just don't like the looks or how it seems she operates. In fact a person I met at the show had an Oci from this particular breeder. If they were considering buying one, I could have told them I didn't like the cattery/cats but they already bought one from her.

The sad thing was the comment from them that their cat didn't look close to what Charlie looked like - think they were a little disappointed!

Like I told the OP, if Charlie's breeder doesn't have chocolate-silver kittens when we are ready to get another, I'd contact this breeder to see if she had any for us. I do like her cats
I have "been there, done that" on buying or at least once letting a breeder kitten go thinking it was the right thing. I have only let one breeding kitten go, but it was a big live and learn, and move on. I guess it is the fact, you learn, but it can be those hard lessons.
It is too bad that the other Oci, wasn't as nice as Charlie, but then...MORE POINT for Charlie!!

When I start looking for a breeder anymore, I want to know what previous cats have done in the shows, siblings, parents, and of course, if I can't be there to inspect the cattery, I like hearing good feedback.
I look forward to seeing your chocolate/silver addition, when he/she comes, do we get to hear the name yet? I bet Charlie will love another Oci to play with!! How soon before the cats are placed together, or when is the litter ready?
I can live through you, the Oci experience!!
 

goldenkitty45

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Yeah, it will be another male - given the choice we will adopt males over females. I'm not going back into breeding, so I can be "picky"


His name will be Captain Jack Sparrow - haven't settled on the nickname - DH likes Captain, I like Jack or Sparrow. I did an informal poll a few months ago and a lot of you all liked Sparrow


I think we will go for a show alter vs a pet quality. Depends on what her prices are for show alter


I keep trying to hint to DH that Charlie needs an Oci brother so he has someone that WANTS to play with him - Ling's a little "B" sometimes. And told DH I was gonna put a chocolate-silver ocicat on my Christmas list every year till he lets me get one



The lady at the show didn't have her ocicat there - it was a pet at home - she just mentioned about it not looking like Charlie and was supposed to be the same chocolate spotted color.

That's what I do too - I'm very picky about pedigrees if I'm considering a show cat (especially) - even if its not, nice to know the parents are well-bred
 

familytimerags

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Yeah, it will be another male - given the choice we will adopt males over females. I'm not going back into breeding, so I can be "picky"


His name will be Captain Jack Sparrow - haven't settled on the nickname - DH likes Captain, I like Jack or Sparrow. I did an informal poll a few months ago and a lot of you all liked Sparrow


I think we will go for a show alter vs a pet quality. Depends on what her prices are for show alter


I keep trying to hint to DH that Charlie needs an Oci brother so he has someone that WANTS to play with him - Ling's a little "B" sometimes. And told DH I was gonna put a chocolate-silver ocicat on my Christmas list every year till he lets me get one



The lady at the show didn't have her ocicat there - it was a pet at home - she just mentioned about it not looking like Charlie and was supposed to be the same chocolate spotted color.

That's what I do too - I'm very picky about pedigrees if I'm considering a show cat (especially) - even if its not, nice to know the parents are well-bred
Keep on DH, wear him down, you can do it!! I like the name you chose, of course Jack being my favorite, he was our very loved Sheepie. A family that adopted a kitten named him Jackson and it was shortened to Jack, and they ended up changing the spelling to Jax, so it didn't remind me so much of our loss, but that isn't what reminds me so much of him, everything does, so it is just a process.
I, very much think that Charlie NEEDS a brother, and it will HELP it giving Ling her space, AND knock out a Christmas present, maybe throw in, it is an Anniversary present combined, it seems like that can really get DH's mind to start liking the idea. Start talking about wanting a big expensive vacation or jewelry for your anniversary, and I bet another Oci starts looking much better!!

With family, I don't always get to all the different nooks of this forum. I think I may have missed the poll, so I would vote Captain or Jack, or Cap'n Jack.

I have many names picked for boys should I get them. I want Yensid to be my next boy, (scorcer Mickey's real name in Fantasia was Scorcer Yensid), Disney spelled backwards, but girls names are getting harder, as the kids help, as we have a Disney theme, and there isn't as many girl names I like. It was the same with naming human babies, I could name a boy all day long, but a girl, was so hard.

Keep us posted!!
 

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Originally Posted by gayef

The only thing that bothers me is the question of why this breeder is bringing these two kittens to your home ... can you not go to her home/cattery and visit them there? IMO, it is a good thing to visit the kittens in their own environment - this can tell you many things. You can look around the cattery to gauge the level of cleanliness, observe the other cats for health issues, etc.


I'm glad a few others have mentioned this as it's been bothering me since I read this thread this morning. Unless travel is impossible, I would always want to see kittens in their own home and see mum too (and dad if breeder owns him). It may be hard to judge the sociability of the kittens if they're in a strange place - it would be much better to watch them playing in their own home.

Sorry if I've missed it, but is the breeder bringing these kittens to you just to look at? Or are you expected to decide whether you want them there and then? Will the breeder leave them with you if you say you want them? That sounds like they are presurising you into having them - will you be able to say no if you're not sure? Or will you feel you have to say yes? They are sure to be cute! I would also worry about stressing out your other cat needlessly if decide you want to think about it.

Sorry to be a party pooper but this just seems odd to me. Although I don't know how common it is to buy kittens sight unseen in the US - the UK is small enough for it always to be possible to travel to see kittens and registering bodies recommend seeing kittens in their own home.
 

goldenkitty45

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Well the US is bigger and its fairly common to buy cats without seeing the cattery. Usually if you are in the show circuit (or know people who are) they can tell you if a breeder has a good/bad reputation. I've met both good/bad.

Like I said in a previous post - I do know of an Ocicat breeder that I would not want their cats. This one seems pretty good and I'd buy a cat from them.
 
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