Shipping and Trustworthiness

Okay, I'm not entirely sure where to put this, but I figured experienced breeders would be the best to ask. I also apologize if this is a completely dumb question, but I honestly don't know the answer.

Is shipping a cat (I'm assuming overnight delivery) considered acceptable? If not, should a breeder that claims to ship cats be considered trustworthy enough to purchase a cat from, if you are personally picking it up from their home?

Thanks

I've shipped cats to other people (placing retired spayed/neutered) with no problems. The people pay for shipping, vet health, etc. and I coordinate the time from my end to destination.

Not sure what you mean by being trustworthy? Are you saying you don't trust the breeder to ship the cat or do you want to just go pick it up yourself?

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Not sure what you mean by being trustworthy? Are you saying you don't trust the breeder to ship the cat or do you want to just go pick it up yourself?

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I was saying that if shipping wasn't acceptable (and a breeder does ship) should they be trusted? As in can I trust them to provide me with healthy, well-adjusted kitten if they ship cats even when it's not considered to be healthy for them.

But if shipping is acceptable, then I wouldn't worry about that breeders other practices.


For instance, in the reptile world, snakes can be shipped for overnight delivery. But they should not be shipped by USPS or any ground shipping methods. If a breeder did ship that way, I would never do business with them, because they are obviously willing to cut corners and I wouldn't trust them with the other aspects of the business (health of the animals, sex of the animals, etc).

Hopefully, that clears it up a bit. Thanks for your reply

Cats are shipped on a plane. They go where all the traveling pets go in the underside and they are dropped off at teh airport and picked up at the airport. This is considered a safe practice provided its not during hot summer months being shipped to a hot place. Some breeders will refuse to ship in certain months.

Also, you take a risk by takign shipping. Most breeders will ship but you take a chance that the breeder does not have that great of facilities. You might request pictures of the environment the animals are kept but there is nothing like seeing it for yourself.

However, I don't know many breeders that don't ship and make sure there is a contract arrangement for the health of the kitten upon arrival (a recent problem a member had when their kitten came to them sick). Though some stress from the plane flight is to be expected.

There is no way to attatch whether a breeder is trustworthy to if they ship or not. They are indepandant. However, the practice is acceptable.

*edit* shipping costs are the same as a plane ticket for the most part and breeders will often attatch fees for the carrier they will have to buy as well.

All the breeders I know ship by air. And most times the cats are a MINIMUM of 4 months old - most times a little older.

If you feel uncomfortable with a breeder for any reason, then don't do business with them.

I do not ship my kittens. I require the potential kitten buyers come to my home to meet with me, meet Tonka and Lexus and meet the kittens when they are about 7 weeks old. If they choose a kitten, we finalize the purchase arrangements, they sign my sales agreement and they are told to come back to pick up the baby when he/she is 12 weeks old. No money exchanges hands until they pick up the kitten.

Shipping is an individual thing. I choose not to. But I wouldn't consider any other breeder who does choose to ship as non-trustworthy.

I dont know much about shipping cats but My Lovey (Dog) Just had her first litter of puppies and I am shipping them. Do to alot of online scams though its really emotionally hard to ship b/c you get all these people emailing you or calling you and you dont know them from a bullet in the wall. It takes alot of reasearch and Love to be able to be a responsible breeder thats a shipper. Its also very hard when you are holding this kitten or in my case puppy for someone and then one day you get an email saying nevermind I found a puppy closer to home. Or shipping is to much. I charge an adoption fee and the shipping is up to them. You really learn how much time the people will put into your babies if you make them work to get it. I make them research shipping companies and and pick the one that best suits their needs and $$$ but of coarse I would tell them no if it wasnt a good and respected and trustworthy company. (it also helps show them your not over charging shipping) But its still hard to see my babies go!

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I have every intention of finding someone within a one state radius to purchase a bengal kitten. That way i can meet them in person. Before I do, I just want to get an idea of what the acceptable business practices are so that I know if I should stay away from certain people.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by canadianmandie

I dont know much about shipping cats but My Lovey (Dog) Just had her first litter of puppies and I am shipping them. Do to alot of online scams though its really emotionally hard to ship b/c you get all these people emailing you or calling you and you dont know them from a bullet in the wall. It takes alot of reasearch and Love to be able to be a responsible breeder thats a shipper. Its also very hard when you are holding this kitten or in my case puppy for someone and then one day you get an email saying nevermind I found a puppy closer to home. Or shipping is to much. I charge an adoption fee and the shipping is up to them. You really learn how much time the people will put into your babies if you make them work to get it. I make them research shipping companies and and pick the one that best suits their needs and $$$ but of coarse I would tell them no if it wasnt a good and respected and trustworthy company. (it also helps show them your not over charging shipping) But its still hard to see my babies go!

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My personal opinion is that if you cannot spay/neuter ahead of time, that it is best to only offer up your kittens/puppies locally...unless you have a way to make sure that the new owners spay/neuter them.

Katie