Possible New Adoption- Questions

So, I've recently come across a purebred Somali for sale. He's a beautiful ruddy male from champion lines, but he is just a pet (for reasons I don't know.) I assume he is under the height limit, for he looks quite small and he is a year and a half old. The people own two other Somalis, and I don't know if they're show or not.

Anyway, he is priced at $250. I know this is quite cheap for a Somali, even of pet quality. This raises a red flag for me. But I know some people price them cheap (and add a house check) to make sure the cat goes to a good home, like we did when we had to sell our Bengal. But I'm still cautious.

The seller said that he is house trained, friendly to people and other animals, non-destructive, and very sweet. He said that he must sell him because him and his wife are moving into a new home that only allows two cats, and he has three. One he cannot sell because it is too shy, and the other because it has health issues.

I think I will go see the seller and the cat, but I do want to make sure this really is the great cat the seller made him out to be. What questions should I ask to ensure I don't end up buying a problem kitty?

Are these people breeders? Do they have his papers? The main thing you can do honestly is ensure that he has his papers and find out who the breeder was.  Call the breeder to discuss with him or her too.  If it is a reputable, licensed breeder, you minimize your risks as many tests would have been run on this cat as a kitten, and in addition, should something come up, the breeder would take the cat back.

Regarding some of the other issues, you can request to meet the cat and observe him. See if he really does seem sweet, friendly, and non-destructive.

See the vibe you get from these people.  Trust your instincts.

Good luck!

Thank you for the response! No, they are not breeders, just lovers of the breed. I will be sure to ask about his papers. So far, the owner has not responded to my email if he is still available, but if he does I will arrange to meet him. The owner said in his ad that he would rather meet the new owner anyway.

I'll update when he responds!

Agreeing with tulosai.

Be very careful of online ads. lf the only picture you've seen is the one on the online ad, google search it and see if it was taken from another site. This happens all the time. We had an ad placed with our city cat society selling cats, and the pictures were pilfered from an out-of-country breeder!

Anyway, please do your homework, don't send money upfront, and l really hope this is legit and works out for you 

Let's know how you get on.

There are multiple pictures that look home-taken, but I'll google them anyway I suppose. Thanks for the well-wishes!

I just noticed you post and while I add another voice of caution I also wish you well and hope that this is one little cat that is being well cared for and what the current carers describe.  Here is a link to an article in the Publishing House which I contributed to last year, about adopting pedigree cats.  I hope it is helpful to you. It is based on adopting / buying in the UK but much of what you should look for is the same.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/267319/adopting-mouse-the-experience-of-buying-from-a-uk-breeder/0_100

Thank you, MServant; that's very helpful

Sadly, the owner never responded. I assume the cat was adopted and the ad was just never taken down I hope he found a good home!

I'm sorry you didn't get to meet this cat.  Perhaps this beautiful looking cat's information will inspire you to open your home to another cat in need of a safe and loving place to live. I hope so.  

I wish so, but my father is very picky on what cat breeds we have. We've had plenty of mixes, but now, if it isn't a Bengal or a Somali or a Savannah, the chances of getting it is slim it breaks my heart to see so many helpless shelter cats, though!

Curious, why is he insistent on getting certain breeds?  Does he know much about the activity levels of the breeds you've mentioned?  I ask because people think that they want this beautiful and expensive kitty, and then find out the cat is much more active than they can handle.

peaches08 said:

Curious, why is he insistent on getting certain breeds?  Does he know much about the activity levels of the breeds you've mentioned?  I ask because people think that they want this beautiful and expensive kitty, and then find out the cat is much more active than they can handle.

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He is very attracted to the "wild cat" look. And yes, we know of the personality we used to own a Bengal named Tiger.

Adult purebred cats seeking a new home goes way cheaper than kittens.  So the price tag of 250 bucks is fully normal, no real discount no.   Perhaps even a cut above average!

Also, somali tends to be rather small cat breed, so Im not sure he is smallish.   My guess him being pet may be simply, he didnt got breeding rights with him - owner perhaps didnt afford to pay for them,  and thus, in his papers he got the label for pet.

Btw, in sweden its common ALL purebred kitten cats are labelled for pet, because the breeder can seldom quarantee they will be really show qualtiy as adults.   But they are also just happy if the owner decides to participate in shows, and take some litter - of course with agreement from the breeder.

The only question if he IS purebred with papers.   Also, you will have the normal questions of healths, etc...  ,,,,@Whisperer

Good luck!