Starting the adoption journey for a pet is a joyous, yet daunting task. It's particularly challenging when your choice is an ethically-bred Russian Blue kitten. This article narrates my personal experience of adopting Mouse, and buying from an ethical breeder.
Join me as we dive into the process of choosing the right breeder. We'll also unravel the complex details of a kitten contract. Additionally, we'll cover the ins and outs of introducing your new pet to its home.
This article will discuss the significance of ethical breeding and the need for thorough documentation. We'll also discover the joy that comes from joining a unique community of pet owners.
Selecting the Perfect Companion
I decided to adopt a Russian Blue, as my apartment is tranquil. These cats are often content living indoors and appreciate quiet surroundings.
I once considered adopting two cats. However, from my past experience with two sister cats, I learned that as they age, bullying can occur.
With little space in the apartment for cats to avoid each other, I was worried it could happen again.
Finding A Breeder
I spent a lot of time thinking about my options for acquiring a new cat. Buying a pedigreed cat was one of them. I started by looking at endless cat association websites, breeder websites, and the GCCF site. Finally, I approached the breeders I felt comfortable with, the ones that weren't just business-like.
I contacted potential breeders via email and phone calls. These helped me assess the breeders and find a cattery I liked.
After settling on a cattery, I made no immediate plans to meet the breeders. The visit would only happen once the kitten was of the right age for the introduction.
This was due to the geographical distances in my case.
If possible, I would have loved to meet the breeders and their other cats. Meeting the kitten's dad was also on my wish list.
Visiting the Cattery
During my visit, the breeder told me all about how they worked and the contract they used. They also introduced me to all of their cats, including the parents of my kitten.
I was granted full access to the breeders' home. This allowed me to see where all the cats lived, not just my soon-to-be kitten.
The breeders welcomed my frequent visits. They were prompt and clear in answering all my questions.
They were transparent about limiting their cats' breeding cycles. Additionally, they provided comprehensive details on the veterinary care the cats received.
I was also shown their registration documents and family history.
My feeling was that the breeder wanted to know about me as much as I wanted to know about them and their cats. I was glad to learn that they had kept in touch with other people who had adopted their kittens.
No one else was visiting my kitten. I felt confident that I wasn't being led up a garden path in terms of bringing him home. In my case, they were even happy for me to choose the name that went on to his registration documents after their prefix.
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The Contract
The contract we agreed upon specified two things. First, I would adopt a neutered kitten; second, he would remain a domestic pet only.
The contract specified a minimum adoption age of 14 weeks. Also, all vaccinations had to be completed at least a week before adoption.
The contract also stated that the kitten was to be neutered and chipped prior to adoption.
The kitten was insured from birth, and I was asked to keep him insured and was given a transition period to arrange my own coverage. Both parties had to sign and keep a copy of the contract.
The breeders were able and happy to socialize the kitten appropriately for what I was bringing him home to, and everything was planned ahead to keep his separation from his mother as low-stress as possible.
My boy was spoiled rotten and was still getting drinks from 'Mom's Milky Bar' when I brought him home at 15 weeks!
Taking Mouse Home
The payment was made in full on the day I went to collect my baby blue boy. No down payment was asked for like I have heard some breeders do.
All UK registration papers and family history documents were complete and given to me together with instructions on what I had to do to get them transferred to my name. All the vaccination and health paperwork were provided as well, so I had them at the same time as I paid and collected my kitten.
I was then given full information on things like the food and litter he was used to, and a little bag of food to take with me. They even gave me one of his little toys to keep (and it's still one of his favorites!).
The Follow-Up
I introduced my boy to his new vet the day after he was adopted. My vets were impressed with the process we had followed and with how healthy my boy was.
Mouse has had health issues since adoption, but I am confident the breeders had no history to indicate this. The breeders have followed with interest how his health has developed over the past couple of years. We continue to chat about what the significance of his health problems might be.
I can see how my breeders have been concerned and looked into it with the interests of their cats and future kittens at heart, not seeing this as some financial burden.
We are in regular contact, and I have also been introduced to other people who have adopted their cats. It is like a happy extended family that comes with your adopted cat.
I feel even more confident now that they are caring and reputable cat breeders than I did when I first met them, and have no doubt that their main priority and interest is their love of cats and not finances.
My only wish is that I could adopt more of their cats and am envious when I speak with others who have gone back to them to adopt and increase their blue families.
I take it as a good sign if someone happily goes back to the same breeder!
Some Advice
Anyone buying a pedigreed cat should verify the legitimacy of the breeder, and check the registration documents for the parents.
They should also be concerned if being asked for money upfront, or if expected to take the kitten or cat without immediately being given -
- the full registration documentation
- veterinary and vaccination records
- insurance documentation
- and written adoption contract
See and bond with your kitten or cat before you adopt and take it home, and make sure you are right for each other, and that you are comfortable with the people who have purposefully introduced your new cat into this world!
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Written by MServant
MServant is a TCS member who shares with us the experience of buying her first purebred cat, a beautiful Russian Blue named Mouse. The entire process of adopting Mouse offers us a great example of what buying from an ethical breeder is like.
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