Thank you so much for taking the time to help.I did a Google image search on the photo, and the identical photo appears on expired kitten sales advertisements listed in Pittsburgh PA and in Germany. It's pretty common for scammers to steal pictures from other kitten ads, and pretend that they have the kitten for sale. So my guess is that this is probably a scam, and they do not even have the kitten in the picture to sell you.
If you are looking for a kitten or cat from a breeder, it's important to take your time finding a good responsible breeder. It can take time to find the right breeder, but you will be much happier in the long run. Another good option would be to adopt a kitten or adult cat from a shelter or rescue.
Thank you for you help and replyIt does look very suspicious. I would suggest you look for a breeder closer to home or adopt a kitten from your local shelter instead. If you're going to pay a lot of money for a pedigree kitten it would be much better to buy from a breeder you can visit, so you can see the mother and father cat and make sure the kittens are healthy, being raised in a suitable environment etc.
Shelters sometimes have pedigree cats that have been surrendered because their owners can no longer care for them. Non pedigree kittens make wonderful pets too.
It is not necessarily a positive sign when a breeder maintains an elaborate web site that is "chock full of information"... especially when a lot of the web site is devoted to information about kitten sales, with pictures of available kittens. This can be a sign of a breeder whose focus is primarily on making money through overpriced kitten sales.Most will have a website although I've noticed these days some have dispensed with that and only use Facebook. Perhaps due to the cost of maintaining a website - I know the breeder we got our Maine Coon from hadn't updated her website in a couple of years and the only reason I knew about her was I'd met her a few years ago and had the foresight to look her up elsewhere. The good thing about having a full site is that they will usually be chock full of information; pedigrees of the males and females in their cattery, available kittens, info on their cattery, business practices, pricing, expectations, etc.
Thank you for adding this, of course there are excellent breeders who do not advertise. I should have mentioned this too, I know of a couple via the breeder we used.It is not necessarily a positive sign when a breeder maintains an elaborate web site that is "chock full of information"... especially when a lot of the web site is devoted to information about kitten sales, with pictures of available kittens. This can be a sign of a breeder whose focus is primarily on making money through overpriced kitten sales.
Lots of excellent breeders do not have a web site or Facebook page. I haven't had a web site since the early 1990s and I do not post anything public on Facebook. I already have too many people interested in kittens, and I prefer to keep a low profile.
Great suggestion. We did this. Met the breeder initially several years ago at a show. Really liked the quality of her MC's. Kept her in the back of our heads. When we got put on the list of another breeder who was 2 plus years out (and we are still on their list, I'm loathe to remove myself from it because I admire not only their cats but their dedication to the breed), I again looked her up.I would also suggest visiting a show to meet breeders of the breed you are interested in. TICA allows Munchkins I believe, but the CFA does not recognize them. Learn what genetic disorders can be tested for in the breed and ask for copies of the paperwork - not just take their word that it had been done. Above all, don't rush. Don't buy from your heart (I know that is difficult!). This is a major purchase so think about it and consider the kitten before committing. The kitten will be with you for years so make certain you get the right one. I speak from experience - I let my heart rule on a kitten and even though the kitten physically is everything I could want, temperament wise the kitten turned out not to be what I needed. I love him anyway, but if I had listened to my head and not my heart I would have passed. I spent several thousand dollars on a show cat that I can't show. I know you are looking for a pet, but it still applies - head first, then heart.
Buying from your heart may be fine, is even often the recommendable, but its the rule of thumb for picking an adoptee at a shelter... Or from the occasional litter from your neigbour or a farmer nearby. Because you cant take them all, and you must choose. In both these cases you practically have just a few minutes to choose and decide.. Don't buy from your heart
Yeah. The show judges usually do understand a cat may be nervous, and do have some leniency for this. At least on the lower niveus before the finals begins. After all, its not easy to be a fully fertile cat in a hall full with other fully fertile cats... And a totally new milieu.. Most show cats are frightened when they go to their new home, but don’t try to bite.
This is so true, but I see it at every show. Cats who really should NOT be there because they are stressed beyond what they can handle. My cat never bit a judge because I realized he hated the show halls. I am very disappointed that I can't show him, but his happiness is more important than a few ribbons. I will not show a cat that could be a danger.Yeah. The show judges usually do understand a cat may be nervous, and do have some leniency for this. At least on the lower niveus before the finals begins. After all, its not easy to be a fully fertile cat in a hall full with other fully fertile cats... And a totally new milieu.
Of course, a well behaving cat gets recognition for this...
But a biting cat, or otherwise violent, is a red flag. Such a cat gets immediately send away in disgrace... and its of course not fun for the owner, especielly if its an established breeder / Show participant...
You can get red over face and neck for less.