I met the most wonderful baby today . . . .

Hey everyone!

OK, so we went to go see another breeder today. This is the first breeder of this particular type of cat that we have seen. I was simply blown away! These cats were so wonderful, they were all very very social, and I had several of them all pushing to sit on my lap at once!!! It was such an enjoyable hour and a half!

We also found a kitten that I positively fell in love with! She was so sweet; she just crawled right in my lap and curled up and went to sleep. Later, she woke up and played with me, too. I didn't go there intending to pick out a cat, but I just fell in love with this little one!!

This breeder seems very good. She let us see all of her cats. We didn't go down to the nursery, though, because there was a litter born just a couple days ago, so she didn't want the new babies exposed to a lot of traffic from the outside. I thought this was understandable, as we still got to see the parents, as well as several other cats in the cattery.

But, like I said, this is the first breeder of this type of cat. I REALLY fell in love with this little baby, but I'm trying to be practical. Is it bad to "go for it" without seeing other catteries that have the same type of cat? We've seen several other breeders, just not that particular breed.

Also, she doesn't provide full pedigrees for pet quality cats. I've always thought that pedigrees were somewhat expensive to have made, so I thought this made sense. I might like to show a cat in the alter class, though, just for fun, so I'd like a pedigree so I can do that. I just thought I'd add that in, to see what y'all think.

So, sorry it's so long, but it's a lot to think about. What do you think? Is it a bad idea to go ahead and reserve that little girl I fell in love with? My instinct says "yes," I just want to make sure I'm not being hasty. Thanks for your help! Again, sorry it's so long!

I feel that with all my cats I "just knew" when it was right, and I've never regretted my choices. It looks like the two of you found one another! Good luck and keep us posted!

BTW, what breed of cat?

Ragdoll.

I have always wanted a ragdoll!! they are soooo cute!!!!!!

Originally posted by AuroraViva
Also, she doesn't provide full pedigrees for pet quality cats. I've always thought that pedigrees were somewhat expensive to have made, so I thought this made sense.

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Hi Viva

Everything sounded really good. .. up until that sentence about not providing pedigrees. Did the breeder say why not? Is the breeder saying the cats are indeed pedigreed, but she simply doesn't provide the piece of paper?

I don't know if you are referring to something else, but the "pedigree" that my Russian Blue got was a piece of paper with a chart filled in with her lineage going back 3-4 generations — in other words it's not something expensive to do, basically a piece of paper with the family tree written on it.

I think I'd want to know why the breeder is not doing this with her pet kitties. I love my kitty more than anything in the world and the piece of paper doesn't make me love her more or less, but it was a testament to the breeder's hard work — AND it was a lot of fun to see what famous cats were in my kitties lineage.

Just one perspective. . .hoping for all the best,
Maui

Maui -- I emailed the breeder about it last night.

She said that for a pet quality kitten, she will give out copies of both of the parents' pedigrees, and prints an unofficial one using some breeder software that she has. But, the official pedigrees from the TICA (she's registered with them) cost $25 for a 3-generation and $50 for a 5-generation. She said you only need the official one if you are selling another breeder a cat so they can see if any of their cats might be related to yours. She does order these for her kittens that she sells as show or breeder quality.

So, I do get one, just not the official one that breeders need. She said that if I wanted a professional one, I could easily get one from the TICA.

BTW -- she's really nice, she offered to take me with her to the next cat show that's she's going to and show me around.

The business about the pedigree sounds a little strange. When a litter of purebred kittens are born, the breeder can register the litter for a small fee. Then, when the kittens have names and homes, each kittens info is sent in and then her personal papers are made up. This is true for pet, show or breeder quality kittens. The kittens papers will have her name, owner, breed and colour, and a designation as to whether she is a pet, show or breeder cat, as well as her lineage. Are the rules that different in the States compared to Canada?

I will get registration papers for her. I thought I just wouldn't get a really pretty pedigree that you could frame or something. She's still going to give me one that she will print herself. But I really wouldn't know; I'm not a breeder.

Originally posted by AuroraViva
So, I do get one, just not the official one that breeders need. She said that if I wanted a professional one, I could easily get one from the TICA.

BTW -- she's really nice, she offered to take me with her to the next cat show that's she's going to and show me around.

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Ahhh. . I see. Y'know I think that "unofficial pedigree" is what my kitty has also — it's been 12 years since we got our kitty and my memory is a little hazy

That's really sweet of her to take you around a cat show — you should take her up on it! Cat shows are so much fun. . .but confusing unless you understand how the rings work. It sounds like you feel really comfortable with this woman.

If you've done your homework breedwise and know what characteristics are likely in a Ragdoll, then you don't have to continue shopping around. You might have gotten the right fit breeder-wise on the first go. But, the other kitty that you were interested in Burmese was it? is different temperamentwise, body shape, fur maintenance etc from a Ragdoll. Ragdolls are very mellow. Burmese would interact more. Burmese aren't as active as Siamese, but are definitely more involved than Rags. If you like more interaction, the Rag might seem rather sedate. Though if you like calmness, the Burmese might seem hyper. It just depends on what characteristics appeal to you.

And I'm sure you will fall in love with whichever kitten you choose.. . just want your first purebred to be a good experience.

Thanks Maui! I like both the Ragdoll and the Burmese, the thing they have in common is they are both very people-oriented. That's most important to me.

They are both beautiful cats, and have different body shapes. Shedding is a bit of a concern, but the Ragdoll has no undercoat, so it sheds about as much as a short-hair cat does. I would brush my cat no matter what kind I got, so it's not really a problem. I don't really have a preference about activity level, as long as the cat doesn't "swing from the chandelier."

Like I said, I just fell in love with these cats when I saw them, especially the little kitten! I had about 7 of them in my lap, kittens and adults, all trying to get me to pet them! It was terrific. And I've done my homework on all the breeds I looked at.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to put a deposit down on this kitten . . . she just stole my heart!!

I just wanted to add a couple of thoughts and suggestions.

When I was looking at breeders, there was never a doubt that I would get the papers for the kittens pedigree. All the breeders I spoke with always included this. From what you have stated, it does make me curious as to why she doesn't (but I'm no expert by any means!).

Second, I would call the TICA and ask what they think about this practice. They could give you further info on why or why not this breeder is not fully registering the kitten.

Third, ask the breeder for some references. Most breeders will have no problem giving you references to buyers of their kittens and other people in the industry. I would go to the cat show and see what the general opinion is on this breeder.

I'm a little thorough on making sure a breeder is a responsible and ethical one. There are many kittens that you will fall in love with, but after the fact it wouldn't be very comforting to know that the breeder you chose ended up being unethical.

Just some thoughts!

First, she does fully register the kittens, using the "blue slips" and all that. She gives me copies of the parents' pedigrees, and prints an unofficial pedigree for the kitten. I checked the TICA web site -- it does cost money to have a certified, professional, official pedigree made for a kitten. The prices are the same as what the breeder told me. So, that's the only thing I wouldn't get if I get a "pet" kitten -- just an official pedigree. Like I said, I checked it with the TICA and it was all there.

Thanks for the suggestion about references . . . I think I'll do that. Thanks for everyone's input. It does wonders for peace of mind, being able to post questions here!!

Kassandra,

I am fairly certain my Russian baby's breeder said the same thing that the Ragdoll breeder said.. . that I could get the official papers if I wanted. Since the only reason to get the official papers would be if I were to breed (which I wasn't) or show (which I wasn't) I chose not to do it and we both saved 25-50 dollars which CFA would charge. My Russian's breeder is extremely ethical, well established, well respected in the cat fancy. She also raises the most wonderful kitties.

Viva,

I'm soooo excited for you that you may have found your baby Now , does the breeder have a clause that you have to have kitty's health verified at the vet within a couple days after purchase? and if kitty is not sound your money will be refunded or kitty replaced? (This is for BOTH of yours protection.) Does she require that you keep kitty indoor and fully clawed? These are all good breeder practices. She should have been just as interested in the kind of home you will provide as you are interested in the kitty she breeds.

Can't wait to see what you do. . .

Yep, she requires all of those! The contract has 14 "purchaser requirements." She is very thorough: She even requires that the cat will have a scratching post. The cat can't have fleas, or worms, etc. An allergic reaction to the cat is the responsibility of the purchaser, etc. She is VERY meticulous!

In fact, I just decided to do it -- I sent her an e-mail telling her to hold the kitten for me. So, as soon as I hear back, I'll post out in the Lounge, letting everyone know I have a new baby. I'm soooooo excited!!!

yippeeee! I'm soooo excited for you! Will head to the Lounge. . .