What questions should I ask prospective kitty people when they inquire about my kittens. I'm afraid that I don't know a lot about cats (even though I do have one sitting on my lap right now) but these are barn cat kitties and I've got an ad going in the paper on Tuesday. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
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How do you know you've found the right kitty people?
- Thread starter susangail
- Start Date
The goal of a serious breeder is to have every generation of cats be an improvement on the one before it. However, as you have stated this litter is not pedigreed, then I feel certain you will be having this kitty spayed as soon as possible after the kittens are weaned.
While the following normally apply to breeders of pedigreed cats, most all of these things can also be applied here...hope this helps.
My best to you,
Gaye
The breeder does not sell kittens before a minimum age of 3 months AND 2 pounds in weight. (This applies mainly to breeders of Siamese cats).
The breeder does not sell kittens without a contract which details what the breeder expects of the buyer, and what the buyer should expect from the breeder. No kitten from an ethical breeder should EVER end up in a shelter -- the kitten/cat should ALWAYS be welcomed back by the breeder.
The breeder does NOT sell kittens without vaccinations and a written form of health guarantee, nor will a kitten be allowed to leave if it is not well or the breeder has any concerns about it at that time. In addition, many breeders will provide a certificate that the kitten has been tested for FeLV and is negative.
The breeder is always available to answer questions and assist the new kitten owner whenever possible.
The breeder carefully screens potential buyers, and will refuse to sell a kitten to an inappropriate buyer. Not everyone understands the special traits and personalities of cats, and an ethical breeder will explain the breed's quirks to a potential buyer so that this person fully understands what they are like and what to expect. If the kitten's personality and activity level is NOT what the potential owner wants, it is important to weed these people out during the screening process. More people are screened out than ever get to buy a kitten.
The breeder sells pet quality kittens with a neuter/spay contract or sells these kittens already neutered or spayed, a practice which is becoming common in areas where the vets are progressive enough to practice early neutering/spaying. In no event, will a pet-quality kitten be sold with breeding rights, nor will an ethical breeder sell a breeder-quality animal to someone who does not follow the same ethical guidelines on breeding that this breeder practices.
The breeder will, in the screening process, ask a potential owner personal questions such as:
Do you own your house or rent; if you rent, I will need a statement from the landlord that animals are OK.
If you currently own animals, who do you use as a vet and what is his phone number?
Have you owned a cat before; if not, do you understand their temperament and needs?
If you have other cats, are they allowed outdoors?
Are those cats declawed?
Do you have very young children in your house?
Do you intend to breed?
Since we wish our kittens to have a good, stable home for life, what would you do if you had to move - look for a place which allows animals or give up the cat?.
These are only a few of the questions that should be asked.
While the following normally apply to breeders of pedigreed cats, most all of these things can also be applied here...hope this helps.
My best to you,
Gaye
The breeder does not sell kittens before a minimum age of 3 months AND 2 pounds in weight. (This applies mainly to breeders of Siamese cats).
The breeder does not sell kittens without a contract which details what the breeder expects of the buyer, and what the buyer should expect from the breeder. No kitten from an ethical breeder should EVER end up in a shelter -- the kitten/cat should ALWAYS be welcomed back by the breeder.
The breeder does NOT sell kittens without vaccinations and a written form of health guarantee, nor will a kitten be allowed to leave if it is not well or the breeder has any concerns about it at that time. In addition, many breeders will provide a certificate that the kitten has been tested for FeLV and is negative.
The breeder is always available to answer questions and assist the new kitten owner whenever possible.
The breeder carefully screens potential buyers, and will refuse to sell a kitten to an inappropriate buyer. Not everyone understands the special traits and personalities of cats, and an ethical breeder will explain the breed's quirks to a potential buyer so that this person fully understands what they are like and what to expect. If the kitten's personality and activity level is NOT what the potential owner wants, it is important to weed these people out during the screening process. More people are screened out than ever get to buy a kitten.
The breeder sells pet quality kittens with a neuter/spay contract or sells these kittens already neutered or spayed, a practice which is becoming common in areas where the vets are progressive enough to practice early neutering/spaying. In no event, will a pet-quality kitten be sold with breeding rights, nor will an ethical breeder sell a breeder-quality animal to someone who does not follow the same ethical guidelines on breeding that this breeder practices.
The breeder will, in the screening process, ask a potential owner personal questions such as:
Do you own your house or rent; if you rent, I will need a statement from the landlord that animals are OK.
If you currently own animals, who do you use as a vet and what is his phone number?
Have you owned a cat before; if not, do you understand their temperament and needs?
If you have other cats, are they allowed outdoors?
Are those cats declawed?
Do you have very young children in your house?
Do you intend to breed?
Since we wish our kittens to have a good, stable home for life, what would you do if you had to move - look for a place which allows animals or give up the cat?.
These are only a few of the questions that should be asked.
Gaye's advice was great so I'm adding a few of my own that are in my contract.
Cats are not allowed to be devocalized.
If they cannot keep the cat, I get the first say if I want it back or I place it with another family.
The cat is not to be given to a research lab, pet store, etc.
I do tell them that I will check up on my cat every so often.
If the cat is sick, can they afford to take it to the vet or even an emergency vet which can run into money.
That they are to take the cat to a vet within 72 hours to make sure it is healthy.
Common sense is the real word here.
BTW, since I have both abys and oriental shorthairs, they do not go to a new family until they are 4 months of age. Although I do know other breeders that allow their cats to go at an earlier age, it is not in my practice.
Good luck and if there is anything else, please ask.
Frannie
Cats are not allowed to be devocalized.
If they cannot keep the cat, I get the first say if I want it back or I place it with another family.
The cat is not to be given to a research lab, pet store, etc.
I do tell them that I will check up on my cat every so often.
If the cat is sick, can they afford to take it to the vet or even an emergency vet which can run into money.
That they are to take the cat to a vet within 72 hours to make sure it is healthy.
Common sense is the real word here.
BTW, since I have both abys and oriental shorthairs, they do not go to a new family until they are 4 months of age. Although I do know other breeders that allow their cats to go at an earlier age, it is not in my practice.
Good luck and if there is anything else, please ask.
Frannie
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
Thank you for the ideas you have given me in what to ask potential kitty buyers. These kittens are going through our local Humane Society so a spay/neuter contract will be enforced. Other than that though, I really didn't know what people should be asked. I had started a list like 1. How long have you been thinking about getting a kitty (did they decided this morning that having a kitty would be a good idea ...) and 2. Will you find the cat a good home if you should no longer be able to take care of it (unlike you breeders - I am not willing to take back the kitten unless there is no other choice)
Unfortunately the mother of one of these litters (4 kittens) was killed on the road. She was a very wild but beautiful Tortoise and the mother of the other litter (we took her kittens away before she could move them again) she has disappeared as quickly as she appeared in our barn.
We have spayed 3 cats and neutered 2 just in the last 12 months.
The spay/neuter pot of money is gone now. The best I can do is try to place the kittens in good homes so that at least they don't have kittens.
Thanks again for your help!
Unfortunately the mother of one of these litters (4 kittens) was killed on the road. She was a very wild but beautiful Tortoise and the mother of the other litter (we took her kittens away before she could move them again) she has disappeared as quickly as she appeared in our barn.
We have spayed 3 cats and neutered 2 just in the last 12 months.
The spay/neuter pot of money is gone now. The best I can do is try to place the kittens in good homes so that at least they don't have kittens.
Thanks again for your help!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Frannie and Gayef,
I had a lady come out to see the kittens today. I didn't have to worry about what questions to ask or how to check her out. She said the kittens faces weren't round enough! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Faces not round enough. I was speachless. Just had to share.
Susan
I had a lady come out to see the kittens today. I didn't have to worry about what questions to ask or how to check her out. She said the kittens faces weren't round enough! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Faces not round enough. I was speachless. Just had to share.
Susan
Our first litter isnt due for a few more weeks yet,but i have my contract and list of things id like to know about new parents.My question is,how do you go about telling people you dont think your cats would be right,or more so they be right for your kittens,i know this is going to come up as not everybody that calls or comes to visit is going to meet my requirements
Leigh
Leigh
Leigh - Here's a link to a thread that might help you. Hissy, a long-time member here, rescues and places lots of cats and kittens. She's a great judge of who should get her cats, and she's turned many people down. I think she talks about this in this thread. If you have more questions for her after you read this, I'm sure she would help you out if you send her a PM.
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...&threadid=2697
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...&threadid=2697
frannie, did you say that I am tactful? Well, sometimes I guess I am - if I get a bad feeling I tell people that I have other people coming to look at the kitten and that I have the unfortunate job of choosing the best home for that particular cat or kitten. I tell them that I will call them - and I do call them and tell them that I felt the other home was better because they (did or didn't) have kids, (did or didn't) have other cats, etc. I find a reason that does not hurt their feelings. If I feel they are the right home for a different kind of cat I tell them that and tell them what I have - if I feel they are not a good home at all, I tell them I don't have anything available right now and suggest they go to the pound. I would rather have a cat not killed and go to an okay home even if I don't want them to have one of my own rescues.
Placing rescue purebreds I am even more of a pain. The cat is altered before it goes to its new home which means I keep the kitten until they are 12 to 16 weeks old and I do an early spay and neuter program. With the Abysinnians I will use Frannie's contract as you cannot alter an Aby too young.
Oh and as for really being tactful - I always innocently ask if it is going to be an indoor only cat - if they say yes, I ask them if they are going to declaw - if they say yes, I tell them they can't have one of my cats. I explain how declawing maims, cripples and changes a cats personality. I'm real tactful then.
Placing rescue purebreds I am even more of a pain. The cat is altered before it goes to its new home which means I keep the kitten until they are 12 to 16 weeks old and I do an early spay and neuter program. With the Abysinnians I will use Frannie's contract as you cannot alter an Aby too young.
Oh and as for really being tactful - I always innocently ask if it is going to be an indoor only cat - if they say yes, I ask them if they are going to declaw - if they say yes, I tell them they can't have one of my cats. I explain how declawing maims, cripples and changes a cats personality. I'm real tactful then.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
We adopted out our first kitten tonight. She went to a great home. They just lost their 18 year old male and still have a nine year old male. They have three dogs and several birds. (Lookout birdies) They have two kids (older) who are very nice children. It took them over an hour to choose one of the kittens.
AND; I have another lady coming Thursday who just had to put down her 15 year old female and she wants a Grey tabby boy. I just happen to have one.
8 more kitties to go.
AND; I have another lady coming Thursday who just had to put down her 15 year old female and she wants a Grey tabby boy. I just happen to have one.
8 more kitties to go.
Well, I was trying to be nice. For the ones of us who know Rene really well, know exactly how she is. One thing, she tells them no better than I could. I just simply say "no, you can't have one of my cats."
Frannie
Frannie
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