Breeder and lack of information

I have paid a deposit with a Siamese breeder in my area for two male Siamese kittens. She originally told me that she wasn't sure if I would be able to visit her cattery because she had a sick family member so she would let me know.

After that, the only time she contacted me on her own volition was to let me know that she received my deposit check. I asked her to keep me updated on the upcoming litter and let me know when the kittens are born. She agreed.

I hadn't heard from her for a couple months, so I emailed her to check in. She let me know that it should just be a "couple weeks" before the kittens are born and she would let me know when they are born. I waited another few weeks. When I hadn't heard from her I emailed again. She let me know that the kittens were born a couple weeks ago and that she would send photos soon. It has now been almost 3 weeks after that email and I have not heard from her since.

Is this normal? Am I being a pest and expecting too much information?

Sorry, I should have mentioned before that I did check her out. She is registered with all of the proper associations and shows her cats. Her cats have won numerous awards and there are also articles about her cattery.

Well, I kind of received communication from the breeder. I let her know recently that I had decided to go with a different breeder and due to her lack of communication, not being able to visit, and lack of photos.

I had just visited another breeder who allows and encourages visits at any time (other than the first ten days after a birth). She wont even take deposits unless the buyer visits. In between when I talked to her on the phone and visited, she sent me maybe 12 photos. Not only all that, but her cats are very friendly and affectionate, even her females.

As it turns out, a 6 week old lilac point female became available while were were there and my husband fell in love with her. She is super friendly, outgoing, affectionate, playful, and loves to be handled. So not only are we taking her home when she is 12 weeks old, but we are going to adopt 2 boys from her next litter. She has already sent two additional photos of our little girl, Freya.

The old breeder was not happy that I cancelled. At first she said she was disappointed but was still available if I had any questions about the breed. But then she emailed back to say that she hadn't said that I couldn't visit at all, just not until they were just ready to leave and that she's a licensed mediator.

But all in all it ended well. I love the new breeder and I am very happy and much more comfortable dealing with her. And I know, after visiting her and her kittens that I will get new family members that will fit in well. I'm just a little sad that I had to cancel on the other breeder and that she's upset.

No, I didn't get my deposit back. I actually didn't even ask for it. To a certain extent I figured that it was fair that she keep it. That deposit held my place for two male kittens for 5 months. So I didn't bother trying to get it back. I figured it was a lesson learned.

Maybe this is just her business practice, who knows? It seems she has no problem selling her kittens. But, I don't have to agree with her business practices or buy kittens from her.

In any case, tack så mycket StefanZ!

We went to visit Freya yesterday and it looks like she will be a blue point instead of a lilac point. She's getting darker. So I agree, we were meant to have her. When the man that originally had a deposit on her called to say that he didn't want to wait for her because she is three weeks younger than the other kittens, he also mentioned that he didn't want a lilac point. He only wanted a blue point. Right time right place.

The breeder was actually going off of her paw pads. She said that they looked more blue over the past week. Myself, I didn't think to look at her paw pads. But I did notice that her nose and tail were noticeably darker and more blue and less pink.

She could be purple with orange stripes and I would still love her to pieces.

The same man that decided not to take Freya also decided not to take the boy he had a deposit on. Better for us! We decided to adopt him as well! Meet Magnus! He's a lighter lilac point than Freya (looks like she is still a lilac point, her paw pads are still pinkish), but he is a big boy. He's the largest of the litter.