CHOOSING A KITTEN
Adding a new member to your
family is not a decision to be made lightly. Learn about the breed that
you are considering to make sure that the characteristics of the breed will fit
into your lifestyle. You should also visit any cattery that you purchase
your kitten from to ensure that the kittens are raised in a healthy and clean
environment. Not all breeders raise their kittens with standards as high
as those of Cindon Burmese. These are some things you should
look for when you visit a cattery:
1. The
cattery, whether it is a part of the home, or a separate facility, should not
have a strong, offensive odor. Strong odors of urine and feces are an
indication that things are not kept clean. It is normal for there to be
some odor, especially if the breeder is housing a stud male, but it should not
be overpowering.
2. There
should be sufficient, clean litter boxes that do not smell.
3. Food and
water dishes should be clean and an adequate supply of each available.
4. When you
enter the home, the adults and the kittens should readily come out and greet
you. If they run and hide, be wary of how the breeder is raising the
kittens. Sometimes there will be a shy adult or shy kitten, but after a
reasonable amount of time, they should cautiously come out and inspect
you.
5. The
adults and kittens should have clear eyes and no runny noses. There should
be no signs of diarrhea. The ears should be clean and free of
debris. The coats should be clean. The kitten should have a good
smell about it. Bad odors can indicate illness in the kitten or that the
cattery is just plain dirty.
6. The
kittens should be playful. Get down on the floor at their level to play
with them.
7. Be wary
of a breeder who has a huge number of cats (20, 3o or more). Too many cats
is stressful on the cats and increases the possibility of the outbreak of
illness within the cattery. It is also difficult to give the cats and
kittens the attention they require if one has too many cats.
8. Be wary
of a breeder that works with many different breeds. It can take years to
learn one breed inside and out. Consider how well can they know each breed if they
are working with several.
9. A
reputable breeder will guarantee in writing the health of their kittens for at
least one year after the date of purchase.
10. A
reputable breeder will ask you lots of questions about yourself, your life
style, and the home the kitten will be living in before selling you a
kitten. A written contract signed by both parties should be expected when
purchasing from a reputable breeder.
11. A
reputable breeder takes seriously their responsibility of bringing kittens into
the world and cares about the future of the kitten.
12. A
reputable breeder will take back a kitten that does not "work out"
within a reasonable period of time.
13. A reputable
breeder will take the time to answer all of your questions before and after the
sale and will be there to guide you with any issues that may arise in the
future.
14. A
reputable breeder will ensure that any kitten sold as a pet will be
altered.
15. A
reputable breeder will want you to let them know how the kitten is doing and
will be thrilled to receive letters and photos of your new family member.
