| These are very important topics for anyone considering the purchase of a new cat or kitten. They are even more important if that cat or kitten will be one of ours. Our contract will require altering for any kitten not authorized for breeding (if your kitten doesn't come already altered), and declawing and allowing kitty outside are forbidden by the contract. After reading this page, we hope you will understand why. | ||||||
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require all of our pet kittens be altered by a specific date (by 6-7
months
of age or within 8 weeks of purchase). There are several reasons
for this. First of all, our goal is to improve the Bengal breed
and
to do this requires the use of only top Bengals as breeding cats.
You may not see a reason why your beautiful kitten is not considered a
breed or show kitten; because, it often takes a trained eye to see
minor
differences between this kitten and a littermate that is very similar,
yet better.
There are also reasons other than looks that could cause a kitten to be
sold as a pet instead of a breeder, some of these could be:
health,
size, carrying a recessive, an unrecognized color, not the conformation
we are after, tail fault, shyness, to name a just few. Just as importantly, if not more importantly, if you've only paid a pet price for your kitten, you have not paid for the right to breed her or him and put my cattery name on the kittens. Some buyers take offense at a breeder "telling me what I can and can't do with the cat I paid for". I hope this article will help you to understand. A breeder has worked hard paying his or her dues to build a solid reputation; and, when their name goes on a cat they want to be sure it is a quality they will be proud of. The breeder paid for the right to use someone else's name and to begin breeding on the up & up and expects others to do the same. As breeders we are too keenly aware of pedigreed animals falling into kitten mill situations and we try to prevent that happening to one of the babies we have bred and loved. A buyer who wants to breed their kitten and is honest with the breeder will find that most breeders will be happy to guide you to the best choice in a kitten worthy of that goal. And, will help and work with you to get you started on the road to success as a responsible breeder. If you are thinking along these lines, check out the article on becoming a breeder, if you haven't already. You will see kittens advertised as a breeder kitten for one price and as a pet kitten for a lower price. This means I consider this kitten to be a breeder quality but I'm willing to place it in a pet home where it will be happier and have a better life. (The lower price is because breeding rights aren't included.) Sometimes a great kitten will not be what I am looking for in my personal breeding program or too related to my line. If no other breeder inquires about that kitten, I will place it as a pet. Breeders can't keep them all no matter how wonderful they are. I may be keeping a different kitten from that same breeding and don't need two of the same lineage, it may not be the color or pattern I'm currently working on, or may not be the sex I need at the time. I often sell male kittens as pets because as studs they are inevitably caged by themselves, so a pet home is a nicer life; and, in general fewer males are needed in any breeding program. There are many reasons to alter a pet cat and absolutely none not to. The only reason to keep your cat whole is to breed it or allow it to breed. If unaltered, male cats (and sometimes females) are often more aggressive to other cats, both sexes spray, males are more apt to get cancer, and females are at a great risk for Pyometra. An altered cat is a far happier cat and a much better pet. Visit my memories page (Satin's kittens) and see the heartache and destruction brought on by one unaltered male. "What happens if I don't alter the kitten in the specified amount of time?" You will be signing a contract agreeing to alter your kitten by a specific date. If you change your mind or don't have the cat altered for any reason, you are in breach of your contract. My contract states that you will owe the difference between the pet price and the breeder price and, I reserve the right to repossess the cat. (If you honestly change your mind and think you'd like to breed, contact me; and, we can see if this kitten would be appropriate to start a breeding program with. Meet me at least half way and we'll see what we can work out.) |
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Many people have gotten into the habit of automatically declawing a cat
when it is altered. Often your vet will suggest doing it at the
same
time. We can't stress enough our disgust for this practice.
It is a fairly simple thing to keep your cats claws clipped and if you
are comfortable doing it yourself, you can have your vet or the local
grooming parlor do it for a very nominal fee. (I used to pay only
$4 to have Pixie's done about once every 3-4 weeks.) Declawing is very painful for your cat and leaves him totally defenseless. Not only that, he can not even scratch an itch or properly groom himself! Why would anyone do this without waiting to see if this kitty could be taught not to claw furniture?? (Think of how you would feel if your fingernails were removed!) If you're thinking that your cat would be safer around your children, grandchildren, or the neighbor child -- think again. Many cats who are declawed become biters as this is the only defense left to them. One California county is already calling for this cruel practice to be outlawed and it is illegal all over Europe. So please think seriously about this decision and don't take it lightly. I've often been told by owners of declawed cats that it is "OK" because "Fluffy" never goes outside. While you may not allow your kitty outside, there is no guarantee that he will never get out. Ours are not allowed out either, but have on occasion managed to get out (once they pushed out a window screen, once a queen jumped over my foot as we came in the front door, and sometimes a guest has allowed one to slip out). You can't predict the future and if your cat does manage to get out, and has not ever been out before, they will have to contend with enough without being unable to flee up a tree or turn and fight. Contrary to popular belief, cats are very trainable and there is a lot of good information on the web and in your library to help curb undesirable behavior. However, if a good scratching post (or several) is provided and the cat is scolded with loud hand clapping or a squirt from a small water gun when they start to scratch an inappropriate place, you should have no problem getting kitty to use the scratching post. (Don't forget to praise kitty for good behavior, too. And, a little catnip on the post doesn't hurt either.) If you are really concerned about your furniture, provide your kitty a room to use when you are not there to enforce the rules. This should be a room with a comfortable place to sleep, a window to look out of, his food, water, litter pan, and furniture that will not be an issue if it is damaged. Most of all this should be a room where kitty will be happy and comfortable until you return. (This is meant to be his or her personal space NOT a punishment for crimes (s)he hasn't even committed, yet.) |
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This subject is probably not as cut and dried as the others, but I
personally
believe that cats allowed to roam are going to eventually pay the price
for their freedom. This price is often death. Allowing your
cat to just come and go as he pleases may seem like the kind thing to
do
but, when you consider the many dangers that your kitty is not able to
protect himself against, are you really being kind? "I live in the country so my cats are OK outside." Are they? There may be fewer cars and farther to go to get into a garbage can, but what about the wild animals (including Hawks, Fox, Wolves, Coyotes, and Cougars)? What about the pesticides, antifreeze, and other poisons that are out on the farms, just like in the city? What about the rodents that your kitty might catch to eat that have been poisoned or are carrying diseases? (To say nothing of the beautiful birds your cat could be praying on or the neighbor's gardens your kitties may be disturbing.) Often the country is the area where people are most likely to allow their dogs to run and these can also be a danger. There is danger from other cats and cat fights that can lead to injury and illness. Speaking of illness, your cat will be exposed to other people's cats, feral cats, and dogs who may be unvaccinated or carrying diseases that there are no vaccines for, not to mention the cars. Are you really prepared to subject your cat to all of these dangers and to live with the consequences? We have not even talked about the fleas, ticks, other parasites, or the children who can be cruel and even viscous. Another consideration that applies to pedigreed cats especially newer breeds like Bengals, is theft. I do agree cats love to be outdoors and that they need fresh air and sunshine. These can be allowed without the cat being loose outside. We have enclosed our front porch for the cats to go out and enjoy (also, now, if one slips out the front door between our feet, or a guest's, they are still in a safe place). If you read the cat magazines, more people with household pets, without the pedigreed price tags, are valuing their animals enough to give them a safe enclosure to play in. Should you do any less for your beloved pet? We lost our Brandi and have no idea what happened to her (dog? car? cat fight?). (Story on our memories pages.)
Contrary to popular belief, cats can be taught to walk on a leash,
ride in a car, and travel with you. This offers a wonderful way
to
interact with your cat and still keep him safe.
Right, is Sassy on her first outting with a leash. (We were at a lake and she climbed onto Ken's head to get a better look when some "ski-doers" went by!) |
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<http://amby.com/cat_site/plants.html> Articles on General Care and Safety: <http://www.21cats.org/health.html> Article on "What Breeders Look for in Buyers" <http://www.acfacat.com/articles/breedlook.html> |
