How to Know a Breeder

[Lori Greer]

I hold papers on kittens until I received proof of spay/neuter. Recently I have been sending them to TICA for individual registration as well because most pet buyers don't do it and that affects our standing with TICA as well. I do not charge more for papers... all our litters are registered. Someone breeding/selling unregistered kittens is not someone I would suggest doing business with, and definitely walk away if they are asking for more than the 12.00 fee to do it for you. Just my opinion.

 

[Dantes]

I wrote her back that it was going to be too complicated to go visit (there's no direct flights to the airport which is nearly 3 hours from her house--wowee! I bet it's beautiful out there!) and without knowing more about the kitten or seeing videos or such that I couldn't go through with it. She wrote me back saying that she had (earlier) sent me an email saying she would supply the papers for free and didn't I see it? The problem at this point is less about the papers and more that I really don't want to mess with the possibility of that tritrich stuff, it sounds nasty.

Should I be honest with her and tell her that her favorite reference told me about the tritrich, or just move on and get out of the soap opera this seems to be becoming?

I need to stop giving kitties little nicknames in my head so I don't become so attached.

Anyone know where I can find a tritrich-free yodeling cat?

 

[admin]

I would just move on and thank her for her time...jmo

 

[Kronos]

Great advice on here so far. I am sorry this happened Dantes

 

[Kiangagirl]

I have spoken to Carol on the phone and she sounds lovely. I guess I'm just covering all my bases? Also, after the fact I did find this: http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/wind-haven-exotics-arizona-c307539.html and http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/wind-haven-ocicats-vernon-arizona-c256600.html but I also know that there are disgruntled people all over the place....

BTW, I wanted to mention that you've done a beautiful job building this site!

If this helps---I bought my stud-cat from Carol and he is a lovely boy. Came to me very healthy and well-socialized, had no problems getting registration papers for him.

 

[Kiangagirl]

I hold papers on kittens until I received proof of spay/neuter. Recently I have been sending them to TICA for individual registration as well because most pet buyers don't do it and that affects our standing with TICA as well. I do not charge more for papers... all our litters are registered. Someone breeding/selling unregistered kittens is not someone I would suggest doing business with, and definitely walk away if they are asking for more than the 12.00 fee to do it for you. Just my opinion.

I have always spayed/neutered any pets before they ever go out my door. That way I don't have to worry about buyers who won't honor a spay/neuter agreement and will breed unpapered kittens just to sell for a few hundred dollars---what I derisively call "back-yard breeders".

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I'm not certain about this claim that Tritrich comes from water. Parasites like Giardia are found commonly in water (just read the fine print on your city's water report for example) but Tritrich is thought to be transmitted by contact with infected cats as far as I know...

From a scientific article I just found:
"Thus, the present study provides no direct evidence for recent or ongoing acquisition of T. foetus from other species (particularly cattle or swine), dietary sources (including ingestion of raw meat or toilet water), or exposure to international or domestic travel."
"In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a high prevalence of T. foetus infection in purebred domestic show cats and a strong association between infection and the presence of diarrhea within the connected cattery."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC427826/

And fromhttp://fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/tritrichomonas.html
"Infection is most commonly seen in colonies of cats and multicat households, where the organism is presumably spread between cats by close and direct contact. There has been no evidence of spread from other species, or spread via food or water."

The cure is hard on a cat but the side effects reversible, but obviously it is a severe enough disease to not take lightly. I've not had it (touch wood) here and hope never to!

I agree with Karenleigh, breeders that answer all your questions are a good choice. And the answers obviously have to satisfy you! I think papers should be standard, they cost very little and to me are part and parcel of selling a pedigreed cat. I also think people should see the contract and read it carefully before they agree to the terms and send money. I make my buyers wait until they see the contract even if they want to say yes right then and there!

 

[Trish Allearz]

I think... You need to realize that your relationship with your breeder will also be (*knock on wood*) for a lifetime. If you feel uncomfortable right now- imagine when ktity comes home and you have any issues with him/her (and I'm just talking about a normal whatever that pops up). Move on, hon- the right kitten will be there with a breeder that will click with you!

As far as admitting you heard abou the issue- I don't see the point in getting into it. The response on tritrich didn't necessarily come from the breeder- it probably was told to this pet owner via her vet when he/she treated the kitten for it. Perhaps the breeder was unaware of it and has since treated the cattery. You don't know unless you ask, BUT you are already having second thoughts. It's better to move on.

Last kitten I bought even though I had second thoughts came to me with the ickies- I had to have a friend keep him the first month of his new life out here because I didn't want to risk my own cats with what this kitten came with! (Non-SV). I wish I had went with my gut and cut my ties as soon as I started having misgivings- even though I had already paid a deposit!

 

[Lori Greer]

I have always spayed/neutered any pets before they ever go out my door. That way I don't have to worry about buyers who won't honor a spay/neuter agreement and will breed unpapered kittens just to sell for a few hundred dollars---what I derisively call "back-yard breeders".

Well that works if they are older when they leave, but I firmly believe 12 weeks is far too young. So far this has worked well for us.

 

[Breheart]

Well I was corresponding with one of the breeder's references, she said "One of the kittens has had a condition called Tritrichomonas foetus which is a parasite found in water and needs to be treated. Some cats get it and some don't, she was more sensitive as the others did not get it. It was easily treated."

I just read Brehart's thread about this and the cure sounds terrible. I think it's time to look for a new breeder.

Sorry about the luck with that breeder Dantes, tritrich is no fun, and that weird fee stuff makes me feel uncomfortable. Go with a breeder you are comfortable with! It is easy to fall in love with a kitten, but you definitely don't want any regrets or to get more trouble than you wanted. I am glad Keljin's story has helped you see how things can turn out, you are taking your time and making an intelligent choice and I back you up on agreeing its time to search for another breeder!