Hallmarks of Good Breeders
When you purchase a cat from a breeder, you want to make sure that your animal comes from a good breeder. The following are suggestions adapted from the Ottawa Humane Society in selecting a good breeder.
The Breeder:
Breeds cats of only one or two breeds, and does not have a larger number of animals than they can reasonably provide with a good quality of life.
• Shows you their cats (including the mothers) and where they are housed.
• Has facilities that are clean and spacious and their cats are healthy and well socialized.
• Keeps kittens clean, warm, well-fed and allows them to stay with their mother until they are weaned.
• Doesn’t allow kittens to go to new homes before 16 weeks of age.
• Raises their kittens in the home where they can become accustomed to household sounds, such as the phone, dishwasher, vacuum, people coming and going, etc.
• Is a member of their local club, and adheres to their Code of Ethics.
• Is very knowledgeable about the breed and asks you many questions to ensure your lifestyle, knowledge of cats, and attitude are a good fit for one of their kittens.
• Will talk openly about their breeding program and practices.
• Screens all their breeding cats for relevant genetic disorders. Affected cats should be spayed/neutered and may be placed as companion animals as long as health issues are disclosed to buyers/adopters.
• Does not breed cats younger than 12 months and stops breeding by middle age, which will vary depending on the breed.
• Stops breeding any female cat once she is 5 years of age.
• Provides ongoing guidance and communication to adopter.
• Provides a contract that spells out the breeder’s obligations and the purchaser’s responsibilities, such as the general care of the kitten.
• Provides kitten buyers with proper paperwork, including a bill of sale, registration papers, vaccination certificates and copies of genetic screening clearances for the sire and dam (father and mother) of the litter.