First Contacting a Breeder?

darkfeline

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Hi there! I have FINALLY found a Somali Breeder in Australia who has been highly recommended to me. I've seen pictures of her studs and queens and some of the kittens who've come from them (some have even gone on to become studs and queens of different breeders themselves!) and I'm IN LOVE.

The problem is - she doesn't have a website and I am yet to find a ph no. It seems that I am going to have to make first contact through an e-mail. I am not sure about what to write and I don't want to ask to many questions/not enough questions. I also don't want to just say; "hi there, have you got any kittens at the moment?"

Does anyone have advice on what to write and what NOT to write in the first email?

Thanks so much,
Siobhan
 

mews2much

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Tell them who recommended them to you.
Ask how much charge and if thet have any kittens.
I just got a sphynx last month and my sister is writing breeders right now.
You do not need to ask alot in the first email.
 

missymotus

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First of all make sure they are registered with a governing body, if you don't already know who they are with it's not rude to ask.

I think I just said I was looking for a kitten to show, which colour & sex I wanted. That the kitten would be indoors unless on a harness or in enclosure.

Since the breeder doesn't have a website (a bit unusual) you may need to ask if she does have kittens, price, what's included.

Somali's are lovely cats, I like the black silvers
 

abymummy

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Answering as a breeder, this is my preferred type of introductory email to recieve:

1. Name and general location
2. Referrer, if any OR how you found the breeder
3. Home situation - iro pets, whether there are any in the house currently
4. Home situation - iro children, other adults, allergies
5. What you know about the breed or what you love about the breed
6. Your intentions towards the cat - pet breeder or show neuter, show breeder

I can recall my first email to Solehah's breeder - I admit I gushed. But then again, she was the owner of the Aby that made me into the breeder that I am now


Good Luck!

PS. I love Somalis. Red over any other color, although I wouldn't mind owning a silver!
 

mews2much

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I have the first email I sent Ed.
I just said who referred me and I would like more info.
He wrote back fast.
After he wrote back I told him where I live and everything else.
 

kalikat

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I've only ever contacted a border collie breeder last March when I was after a puppy. I had seen her web site & had a rough idea what she had. At the time she was only advertising one puppy and I asked if she was still available. After a few more emails & phone calls & one chance meeting I got my puppy 7 weeks later.
 

goldenkitty45

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What you have in the first paragraph (some of it) is good.

Just email them and say "so in so, recommended that I contact you regarding your cats/kittens. I am interested in getting a Somali kitten (male/female, color) and wanted some general info.

I'd like to see some pictures of your cats, what your prices are, what health guarantees, and a way to contact you better. Could you please give me a call or email me asap?"
 

kitytize

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I would give your name and location and who referred you and your intentions for the kitten. But I would not ask about price in the first email. I know there are Somali breeders here in the US who do not like to be asked what the price is right away. I don't really understand that because I like to know price right of the bat but some breeders feel if price is to much of a concern you can't afford the cat I guess. Save price for the second email.

Veeshan my ruddy Somali's father is from Australia
 

goldenkitty45

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I've asked the price in the first email with no problems. Of course I was looking at getting show quality; so maybe that's different. The breeder would know you are not trying to find "cheap" for a show cat. I also mentioned that I had bred and showed cats (again, the breeder would know you have the finances).
 
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darkfeline

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Thank you all very much for the incredibly helpful advice. I especially enjoyed the opinion of a registered breeder, and will probably end up using your numbered points as a first email. Thank you Abymummy!

Btw, I have chosen this particular breeder for the fact that she specialises in Black Silver Somalis. I am looking for a female - for the first time! (I've always been a fan of males)
 

goldenkitty45

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Cool, I wish the Silver Somalis would be recognized here in the US - I think they are soo pretty. Are you looking for a pet or a show cat?
 

missymotus

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There's a breeder here in SA who has stunning black silvers. (Even if one of their neuter girls came 2nd overall for end of year, just beating my Farley putting him into 3rd
) Their cats are just gorgeous, in looks and temperament.
 
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darkfeline

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Cool, I wish the Silver Somalis would be recognized here in the US - I think they are soo pretty. Are you looking for a pet or a show cat?
I know! They're sooo gorgeous! I am just looking for a pet - haven't ever really stepped into the show world before (frankly it scares the living daylights out of me!
)

I've always been more of a 'rescue' cat owner - this is my first time venturing into purebreed territory. I'm nervous!
 

celestialrags

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Originally Posted by missymotus

First of all make sure they are registered with a governing body, if you don't already know who they are with it's not rude to ask.

I think I just said I was looking for a kitten to show, which colour & sex I wanted. That the kitten would be indoors unless on a harness or in enclosure.

Since the breeder doesn't have a website (a bit unusual) you may need to ask if she does have kittens, price, what's included.

Somali's are lovely cats, I like the black silvers
Why is it "a bit unusual" to not have a web site? Do you feel that makes them a bad/back yard breeder if they don't?
I had a web site for a while, but didn't keep it, I don't know how to make one.
I had more emails asking about buying breeders, which I didn't sell. Or using my stud or "renting me their stud" I was a closed cattery and didn't let my cats into another cattery, or bring theirs in mine. For the most part I wouldn't ship. I had a few select litters a year and didn't need a web site, I pretty much found homes for most of my kittens by word of mouth. Many owners would either get another from me or recommend me to their friends. I didn't really need a web site, I could email pics, or they saw the kitten their friend had in person.

Originally Posted by kitytize

I would give your name and location and who referred you and your intentions for the kitten. But I would not ask about price in the first email. I know there are Somali breeders here in the US who do not like to be asked what the price is right away. I don't really understand that because I like to know price right of the bat but some breeders feel if price is to much of a concern you can't afford the cat I guess. Save price for the second email.

Veeshan my ruddy Somali's father is from Australia
I wouldn't worry about asking the price in the first, get that right out of they way. I have had people send many emails and even then come see the kittens and decide they didn't like the price and went and found a "cheaper" kitten in the paper, it was just a waste of my time and theirs, if they know the price first off they can decide if they want to pay that price or not instead of getting all the info liking a kitten and then decide they can't pay as much as the breeder wants. Most breeders are about the same price but there are a few that run quite a bit higher then others, like a some one who got one from from me, they had checked with another breeder but they wanted 800 without being altered (I sold mine for 6oo altered) So some times price does make a difference and it's best to know before getting too involved.
 

mews2much

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Do not worry I just bought my first purebred and picked her up at the airport Dec 10th.
I am just learning how to show also.
Samalis look like nice cats.
Do you know why the breeder has no website?
 

missymotus

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Originally Posted by celestialrags

Why is it "a bit unusual" to not have a web site?
Unusual in that these days most breeders usually have a website...especially with the template based sites available for free or little $ you don't even need to know html.
 
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darkfeline

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Originally Posted by mews2much

Do not worry I just bought my first purebred and picked her up at the airport Dec 10th.
I am just learning how to show also.
Samalis look like nice cats.
Do you know why the breeder has no website?
I think that she did have a website once, but it was a freeweb service and she ran out of bandwidth. Last time I checked she was working on setting up a proper one.

Btw, I may decide to learn how to show once I've got her, but it all depends on the situation I may or may not be in next year (I'm leaving a full-time course studying on-campus accomodation), and the cat.
 

wellingtoncats

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Originally Posted by celestialrags

Why is it "a bit unusual" to not have a web site? Do you feel that makes them a bad/back yard breeder if they don't?
I had a web site for a while, but didn't keep it, I don't know how to make one.
I had more emails asking about buying breeders, which I didn't sell. Or using my stud or "renting me their stud" I was a closed cattery and didn't let my cats into another cattery, or bring theirs in mine. For the most part I wouldn't ship. I had a few select litters a year and didn't need a web site, I pretty much found homes for most of my kittens by word of mouth. Many owners would either get another from me or recommend me to their friends. I didn't really need a web site, I could email pics, or they saw the kitten their friend had in person.



I wouldn't worry about asking the price in the first, get that right out of they way. I have had people send many emails and even then come see the kittens and decide they didn't like the price and went and found a "cheaper" kitten in the paper, it was just a waste of my time and theirs, if they know the price first off they can decide if they want to pay that price or not instead of getting all the info liking a kitten and then decide they can't pay as much as the breeder wants. Most breeders are about the same price but there are a few that run quite a bit higher then others, like a some one who got one from from me, they had checked with another breeder but they wanted 800 without being altered (I sold mine for 6oo altered) So some times price does make a difference and it's best to know before getting too involved.
I agree. Websites may be easy to set up now but they're still time consuming and for those only having a few litters a year they may not need to have one. I get more emails from my cat fancy details on the webpage rather than my website.

As a registered breeder/Judge myself I like to know where the people are from, if they have any other pets, if they've had a Persian/Exotic before and it's always good if they ask a price - because people wont email again if they don't like the price. It's also good asking what colour/breed/sex you're after also.

Good luck
 

missymotus

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Originally Posted by DarkFeline

Btw, I may decide to learn how to show once I've got her, but it all depends on the situation I may or may not be in next year
You need to let the breeder know beforehand if you might be showing, so she can give you a show quality cat. Or you will get papers saying pet only, not for showing/breeding.
 

mews2much

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I plan on showing Cleo a few times.
Once you start emailing the breeder you can start asking questions.
You can also talk on the phone with the breeder.
You need to ask the breeder for a cat you can show.
Cleo can be shown but the breeder said do not be surprised if she dosent do well.
 
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