Questions to ask of cat breeders by prospective kitten/cat owners:

One thing that we as cat breeders often deal with is the prospective kitten buyer who does an internet search and starts to contact breeders looking for a kitten.  It is frustrating for us when the first and only question we often get via text or email is "what is the price of your kittens or just "Price"?"

Kittens are not something you want to "price shop".  You cannot compare "apples against apples" when it comes to kittens.  Talk to the breeders, visit them in their homes and see how the kittens are raised.  Is the breeder a "back yard breeder" who is selling kittens to make a living and does not care about the quality and in the end the health of the kitten or is the breeder breeding because they are trying to improve the breed and overall health of the kittens/cats?

Questions to ask breeders: 
1.  How long have they been breeding Birmans?  How many litters have they bred?

2.  What is their Health Guarantee/Contract?  Is it in writing? Can you see the Contract before you purchase a kitten? 

3.  Can we meet at the breeders home so I can see the environment the kittens were raised in? During Covid19 this has changed and at this time we do not allow prospective buyers in our home but can meet safely in a location near me.

4.  Can I see the kitten's parents? (Sometimes the male is offsite as the breeder might not own the male). See Covid19 changes above.

5.  Do you have a waiting list for kittens?  If so, how long do you think it will be before I can expect to get a kitten?  

6.  Has the kitten been examined by a veterinarian?  Does the kitten have all the necessary vaccinations at the time the kitten is transferred to it's new owner? What are these vaccinations? 

​7.  Will the kitten be spayed or neutered before it leaves for it's new home? If not, when is it recommended to have this procedure done?

​8.  Will the kitten be micro-chipped?  

​9.  Ask what organization they register and show their cats in? 

I register and show my kittens/cats in the CFA, Cat Fanciers Association. I show extensively in this organization.  It is regarded as the best/toughest organization for cat breeders/exhibitors. Please visit their website at www.cfa.org for a wealth of information about all breeds of cats registered in the CFA.

The reason we/breeders regard showing cats as important as it is validation that our breeding program is "working" and we are getting feedback from fellow exhibitors and judges that we are breeding according to the breed standards. Would you buy a home from a builder who does not build to code?

Ask other breeders you interview how many CFA Grand Champions (GC) have they bred?  This is a title that has meaning. The title CH (Champion) before the cats names is a title easily earned.  

Our pet kittens are from the same litters as my show kittens. Pets might not be marked as well or have what we consider a minor defect that you most probably would not see unless we point it out such as a kink in a tail, white too high or too low on gloves and laces or a white spot somewhere not allowed etc.

Lastly, "Google" the breeder by their name as well as their cattery name.  Get as much information as you can. Ultimately, we want you to be happy with the kitten you select from whatever breeder you select to work with.  You should expect to develop a relationship with the breeder as you will surely have questions regarding the care of your kitten/cat for many years.

I have developed many close friendships with persons/families I have sold kittens to over the years. They are now part of our family! 

Sue DeLadi    Bloomington, MN     (952) 831-8541 home / (952) 201-6060 cell
Please, no phone calls before 5:30PM or after 9:00PM CT on weekdays.  Calls accepted on weekends until 8PM CT. ​
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