Finding a breeder can be hard. And there are so many websites out there that say all the right things. But what’s printed online and what’s reality can be wildly different.
But here’s the main tip, above all other tips: do your research. If you do that, you should be in good shape. Research will let you know what to look for. When you know what to look for, you can make informed decisions.
Here’s my outlook on fining a good breeder:
1. Ask if you can visit their cattery/home. If they say no, still find out if you could meet in person somewhere. It’s so important to meet and get to know one another to get a feel for the person.
Remember, you’re engaging in a transaction here. You want to make sure you’re getting what you pay for. That may sound cold, but when you’re looking to hand over $700, it’s just the reality of the situation.
A breeder who doesn’t want you to visit may just want to feel like they know you a little better. That’s cool, but don’t hand over a deposit until you’re sure they run an ethical and clean cattery. Maybe once you’ve met and talked, they’d be willing to let you come by.
If you can’t visit in person, as for references or testimonials. Again, that can feel kind of weird in the moment, but you deserve to have that reassurance, and they should be able to give them.
2. When you visit (if you visit) verify that the home is clean and maintained. I think it’s a little harsh to say the house shouldn’t smell at all. I mean, pets/animals smell. I don’t expect it to smell like roses or anything. That being said, you shouldn’t be bowled over by the smell of urine or anything.
It’s likely that the tom cat of the house has sprayed somewhere, but a good breeder hasn’t given up and stopped cleaning. That’s the main thing.
You want to make sure that the house doesn’t feel like the valley of the lost where all hope of cleanliness is gone.
3. When you visit (if you visit) verify that the cats are living “under foot”. It’s so important that you’re getting a cat that’s been socialized in a home and is used to the sights and sounds of a home as well.
I know that in my research, I saw breeders with separate cat houses where they kept their kittens and toms and what not.
In my opinion, half the money you’re paying for a breed goes toward getting a well socialized kitten. Personally, I think this happens best when the kitten lives at home.
And that’s it! Well, those are the main things in my opinion. Obviously I really stress the visit. It’s so important to the process that you verify what you read online is true to life.
Feel free to comment if there’s something else you look for.
Luckily, my experience with our breeder was really awesome. She was totally fine with my husband and I visiting her home and cattery.
She answered my questions and was always really courteous to us.
She keeps a clean home and I could tell from talking to her that she cares about her kittens.
To top it all off, her home was obviously a home shared with cats. Beautiful cat trees and toys galore. From that, I could see how much she gives to her cats, and how much she invests in their well-being.
Phoebe Tails 