I won't be getting my kitten (the alter) any time within the next three months for *sure,* but I think that even three months isn't quite enough time to choose a breeder. In the past, when I first started thinking about doing this, I contacted several and got some information about the breed and their catteries. I think I did the right thing in that case, but there wasn't a single cattery that I was entirely comfortable with (yet).
I do have several specifications (I will pick up in the Eastern U.S. but outside of that area I'd need shipment on my kitten). I definitely want a male, and he will need to be vet checked and certified, as well as registered (I've been thinking FICA, but that could change based on what information I can get from you all here!
). Obviously I'd like the first and possibly the second round of kitten shots administered and I prefer my kitten to be between 12 and 24 weeks old and weaned onto a high-quality cat food.
I also very much want a breeder who I can communicate with easily and who has a contract. The breeder (obviously) needs to care about the kittens coming out of their cattery and be willing to accept responsibility for bad choices (i.e. be willing to take a kitten back if they sold to a bad owner -- not that I'd send a kitten back or be a bad owner, but I like the contract to state breeder responsibility).
I would like to purchase an alter from the same cattery from which I would ultimately purchase breeders.
First of all, is there anything that anybody has to add to this? Am I being *too* picky? I don't know that I'm willing to slacken at all on what I want, because I think picky can be a good thing, but I'd like to know what you think.
From this basis, how do I go about finding and establishing contact with a breeder? I find it easier to communicate via e-mail most of the time rather than run up phone bills, for example.
I do have several specifications (I will pick up in the Eastern U.S. but outside of that area I'd need shipment on my kitten). I definitely want a male, and he will need to be vet checked and certified, as well as registered (I've been thinking FICA, but that could change based on what information I can get from you all here!
I also very much want a breeder who I can communicate with easily and who has a contract. The breeder (obviously) needs to care about the kittens coming out of their cattery and be willing to accept responsibility for bad choices (i.e. be willing to take a kitten back if they sold to a bad owner -- not that I'd send a kitten back or be a bad owner, but I like the contract to state breeder responsibility).
I would like to purchase an alter from the same cattery from which I would ultimately purchase breeders.
First of all, is there anything that anybody has to add to this? Am I being *too* picky? I don't know that I'm willing to slacken at all on what I want, because I think picky can be a good thing, but I'd like to know what you think.
From this basis, how do I go about finding and establishing contact with a breeder? I find it easier to communicate via e-mail most of the time rather than run up phone bills, for example.