Legitimate Savannah Cat Breeders - How to Tell

[Sue]

As someone that had a bad experience with a breeder,all I can say is that you have to research, ask questions, but you can still have a bad experience. Tink's breeder was listed on the savannahcat.com site. The cattery was also listed on the TICA website. The cattery is no longer in existence. I had an extremely difficult time getting the blue slip. Breeder never sent it even though she promised to several times. After the breeder disappeared and with the help of 3 regional directors, I was finally able to register Tink and get her pedigree. I was surprised that since. She was an F6, that she was an F6A. Breeder failed to take Tink to the vet the day I was picking her up because she got busy, even though she said she would. Bottom line, Tink was sick and had T.F. After having Tink for a year, I found out that her father died before the age of 4. Tink died at the age of 4 years 3 months. I am about ready to get another Savannah. There are some bloodlines that I want to avoid, thus I do want to know which Catteries the sire and dam come from. I think I want an F4,5 or 6 SBT. A cattery near me has the cattery name spelled 2 different ways on the website. This is a red flag to me. I also am afraid when the website says to see the Facebook page and there is different info between the 2 places. I would prefer to find a kitten near me but am having to look further , right now it is looking like I may have to go about 5-6 hour drive one way. Sue

 

[Patti]

Sue, I'm so sorry - you didn't have just one bad experience but a constellation issues leading to the worst possible outcome. I wish you all the best in search for another Savannah and hope that you never have any other issues like the ones you've had to face in the past.

 

[MM3]

As someone that had a bad experience with a breeder,all I can say is that you have to research, ask questions, but you can still have a bad experience. Tink's breeder was listed on the savannahcat.com site. The cattery was also listed on the TICA website. The cattery is no longer in existence. I had an extremely difficult time getting the blue slip. Breeder never sent it even though she promised to several times. After the breeder disappeared and with the help of 3 regional directors, I was finally able to register Tink and get her pedigree. I was surprised that since. She was an F6, that she was an F6A. Breeder failed to take Tink to the vet the day I was picking her up because she got busy, even though she said she would. Bottom line, Tink was sick and had T.F. After having Tink for a year, I found out that her father died before the age of 4. Tink died at the age of 4 years 3 months. I am about ready to get another Savannah. There are some bloodlines that I want to avoid, thus I do want to know which Catteries the sire and dam come from. I think I want an F4,5 or 6 SBT. A cattery near me has the cattery name spelled 2 different ways on the website. This is a red flag to me. I also am afraid when the website says to see the Facebook page and there is different info between the 2 places. I would prefer to find a kitten near me but am having to look further , right now it is looking like I may have to go about 5-6 hour drive one way. Sue

Yes, unfortunately no one can tell. Just as you described, no one can know for sure. But that's nothing compared to your loss. My heart goes out to you. Happy to hear your heart is ready.

 

[Eddies]

Sue there are great breeders right here & you would have many recommendations here as well. My sympathies for you & Tink. Hopefully you will use a breeder from here, not only do they know each other but is seems they are all breeding for quality & longevity... to ease your mind maybe 1 or 2 would allow you to see their cattery, close to home isn't always the best for you; I'm pretty sure I almost drove Kelli crazy before we brought Eddie home...but that's a different story. If you enjoy shopping it could be alot of fun, I hate shopping but love the collection & comparing of information 90%can be done online View attachment 16276 ... For us it was all about looks & personality, I researched 5 breeders & dug until I knew there were only 2 to choose from then I went to see living examples of their babies...checked vet records on those babies & even size comparison; I was not looking for "the biggest" but wanted to know if they were very different... Eddie I would have been (I imagine) "king" of our house, Eddie II is a goofy clown with the perfect Savannah personality & looks thanks to Kelli.

 

[Bookfaerie]

My breeder is registered with TICA and did all the things you said. She breeds polydactyls with non-standard coats. And calls my Nala an F2.5. Her mother was Saber (an F2) and her father was Big Foot (fertile F3).
Nala is going to be a BIG girl.
I didn't know there was so much controversy in the Savannah breeding world over what is and isn't an ethical breeder.

If TICA is registering a breeder how is the average person supposed to know that something is or isn't considered kosher?

 

[Trish Allearz]

My breeder is registered with TICA and did all the things you said. She breeds polydactyls with non-standard coats. And calls my Nala an F2.5. Her mother was Saber (an F2) and her father was Big Foot (fertile F3).
Nala is going to be a BIG girl.
I didn't know there was so much controversy in the Savannah breeding world over what is and isn't an ethical breeder.

If TICA is registering a breeder how is the average person supposed to know that something is or isn't considered kosher?

Tica is a registry. That's it. It's not their job nor do they have the money or manpower to enforce ethical guidelines.

As with everything, buyer education is necessary. You wouldn't buy a car just because the brand could be registered with the dmv. You don't buy most big purchases without some research. Kittens and puppies live ten years plus in our lives (kittens hopefully twenty. ) those are big purchases so research

I believe if I remember right, your breeder sends kittens home at 8 weeks? Yes? No? That's a huge no no

Making up their own filial generation as in f2.5 is a big no no. Didn't you wonder why no other breeders have .5 generation cats in their home? I've a litter of gorgeous babies--they are f5s, not f4.5.

If you spend some time within the Sv community before you buy, you'll easily see some red flags easily.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Eddies]

I'M BITING MY TONGUE... Eddie behave... there should be an angel sticker for this!

 

[Bookfaerie]

Nala came to me at 10 weeks. My breeders are Taran and Jimmy Nolan in Southern California.

I'm a highly intelligent woman. I was looking for a pet Savannah. I had no idea there was so much breeder controversy.

My Cooper kitty unexpectedly died. He was an amazing animal. He was my "baby". He thought he was a people. And ultimately that was what killed him. We moved, and he was hiding under furniture. I thought he was having a difficult time adjusting to the new house. He never complained. Not once. Then one morning I found him limp and cold and unable to raise his head with a huge knot in his belly. (July 4th). We rushed him to the animal hospital which was closed. He nuzzled my neck and nibbled on my ear the whole way.
On the way home, he started fading. I held him for an hour. I went to get a blanket to lay him on. It was like he waited until I wasn't holding him. Because he was gone.

In learning about cat behaviors I discovered my Cooper had all of the traits of a Savannah. Including his ability to float through the air. (I have an open bathroom with no wall or door in my bedroom. If he was in the room he would jump over my head. Just to be with me. And yes, could clear it easily.) He was highly intelligent and more "dog" like.

So, I went to TICA, found the breeder closest to me, and contacted her. We've been talking for about 6 months, and now I have my cat.

So, that's my story. Because of this thread I no longer know what "F" my Nala is. Her mother was an F2. Her father's parents were an F2 and F6 respectively. I think that Taran is correct that that makes him an F3.

I don't hate the snow shoe feet, but Nala doesn't have them. She's a marbled tabby though. So the coat is non-standard. I've been looking up genetics, and I'm wondering if that's in part because of her mother melanism which is also a recessive gene.

So that's my story. And I have to say Taran and her husband were very kind and have been very helpful.

 

[WitchyWoman]

And I have to say Taran and her husband were very kind and have been very helpful.

I have never met Taran and my opinion of her is formed by the experiences of members here who were royally screwed by her. She is not nice. She is either dumb as a stump or shrewd like a fox. She continues to misrepresent the filial generation of F2s, sells sick cats, and usually sends them to their new homes way earlier than generally accepted practice. That is not a nice person. I don't remember Taran offering financial help with medical issues after her kittens became ill upon reaching their new homes. I could be wrong about that.

Condolences on the loss of Cooper. I hope you have many happy years with your new fur kid.

 

[Eddies]

SUE IF YOU LOOK UNDER THE FORUMS FOR Savannah Kittens for sale there you will find a few really great Breeders, The Kabash has recommended a few more off her website for less $$$... no matter what generation or how much $ you do/don't have enjoy the search, enjoy the furbaby you find for yourself. Hugs from Eddie & Mojo.
Bookfaerie if this sound harsh it's because we all want only the best for you & every buyer out there looking for that "perfect" Savannah. With that being stated if a breeder lived just a little ways away from a buyer with the expectation of a sale the seller could be friendlier if not more ethical. If you have paperwork on your SV you can see the generation or show it to any breeder in here & they can tell you without question as long as the papers are truly for the SV you've been sold. It's OK to just the love the kitten you have without worrying about Fs & Pedigrees...just walk through the posts & you will see why the need is so great.
WW I'd go with cold heartedly shrewd...