| Are you interested in buying a purebred cat or | | | | the time to match the kittens and the owners |
| kitten? Although there are plenty of mixed breed | | | | carefully in order to make certain everyone will be |
| cats for sale or being given away for free, there is a | | | | happy with the kitten's new home. |
| certain amount of joy involved with owning a | | | | Visiting Breeders |
| purebred cat - particularly if you have always been in | | | | While you are still visiting with different breeders and |
| love with the way a particular breed looks. But, | | | | trying to decide which one you want to work with, it |
| before you head out and buy a purebred cat, there | | | | is also important for you to take the necessary |
| are a few things you should keep in mind in order to | | | | precautions to keep all of the kitties safe and |
| be certain you get a great price as well as a healthy | | | | healthy. You may not realize it, but transmitting |
| cat that is truly of pure lineage. | | | | parasites and diseases is relatively easy to do. |
| Finding the Right Breeder | | | | Therefore, if you plan to visit with several different |
| The most important step in buying a purebred cat is | | | | breeders or if you plan on going to shelters or |
| to find a responsible breeder. There are several | | | | rescuers to see what they have to offer, it is best |
| things to look for in a breeder that will tell you | | | | for you to shower and change your clothes between |
| whether or not the person is someone you want to | | | | visits. This way, you will not inadvertently transmit |
| do business with. As a general rule of thumb, you | | | | disease or parasites from one place to the next. |
| should look for a breeder who:o Does not sell the | | | | Getting the Proper Paperwork |
| kittens until they are at least 12 weeks oldo Is willing | | | | Once you do find the right breeder, make certain |
| to answer all of your questions and to back claims | | | | you get all of the paperwork in proper order as you |
| with the proper paperworko Asks you plenty of | | | | complete your transaction. A responsible breeder will |
| questions to make certain the cat is going to a good | | | | not charge "extra" to provide you with paperwork or |
| homeo Is a member of at least one cat organizationo | | | | to register your kitten. Some of the papers you |
| Takes steps to screen for hereditary diseases that | | | | should expect to receive from the breeder include:o |
| are associated with that particular breedo Requires | | | | Registration paperso Health clearance paperworko |
| kittens to be neutered or spayedo Is honest and | | | | Title certificateso Pedigrees |
| straightforward about both the advantages and | | | | Any other claims the breeder makes regarding the |
| disadvantages of owning the breed you are | | | | kitten or its lineage should also be backed by |
| interested ino Provides references for you to | | | | paperwork, all of which the breeder should be willing |
| contacto Appears to know each kitten as an | | | | to make copies of so you can have the paperwork |
| individual, which demonstrates that the breeder | | | | for your records as well. Last but not least, make |
| spends time handling and socializing with the kittens | | | | sure you call the Breeder's references (preferably |
| Remember, a responsible breeder does not treat the | | | | people who have purchased pets in the past) to |
| kittens as merchandise. Rather, the breeder takes | | | | verify the Breeder is who they claim to be. |