Of course there are kitten mills and scam artists and breeders that just don't give you what they promised. How do you recognize a reputable breeder?
Most cat breeders have a website these days!
A breeder’s website will tell you a lot about them! A good breeder will have lots of information about their breed and articles on their care. They will have information about themselves, maybe telling you what made them choose their breed or how they got started with breeding. Look for a kitten contract. A kitten contract will tell you how that breeder treats their cats by telling you how they expect you to treat their kittens.
Don't blindly give kitten deposits!
Speak to the breeder on the phone first. Some breeders don’t want to list their phone numbers because their cattery is in their home. They should, however, offer their phone number after an email or two, especially if asking for a kitten deposit. It is a good idea to speak with the breeder personally if you plan to send them money. This is another good chance to get a feel for the breeder. If it is long distance, ask the breeder to call you.
Print your kitten contract!
You’ll notice that many breeders ask for a non-refundable deposit. That’s okay. Make sure, however, that they offer a complete health guarantee contractually promising a replacement kitten if anything goes wrong. Remember that kitten contract? Print it out and date it so that you have a copy.
Ask for references
Don’t be afraid to ask for references. Ask for pictures of the kitten you are putting a deposit down on. If the kitten looks dirty or uncared for in the picture or is on dirty blankets or in a dirty house, look for another kitten. People put their best foot forward in pictures, and if that is their best, you’ll get an unhealthy kitten.
Ask for a health guarantee
Ask about health testing for the breeding parents. They should be ringworm and parasite free, be tested for feline AIDS, feline leukemia, and PKD. Good breeders will not send a kitten home without first giving worming treatments and his first set of kitten vaccinations, so if they haven’t had these things, the breeder is just irresponsible.
Reputable breeders register their kittens
Make sure that the parents and the kittens are registered. People have all sorts of excuses for not having registered cats – avoid them at all costs! Many backyard breeders have unregistered cats because no reputable breeder would sell them breeding rights.
There are many wonderful breeders out there! Thanks to the Internet, we have access to so many different breeders and can research and interview and find a perfect, healthy, happy kitten. If the breeder gives you any doubt at all, look elsewhere.
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