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Im in the UK and the closest breeder that I felt happy and could trust is almost 2.5 hours away
So I made the trek and selected her, however, I wouldn't be happy getting a cat from a breeder who I did not know whatsoever delivered without seeing the actual cat in person
I think if you know the breeder or built a relationship with them its a completely diffrent kettle of fish :smile:
Think with the UK and some of the lets just say not so nice and dedicated breeders, then it is a bit of a mine field.. I also agree if you build up a relationship with a breeder its good..Quote:
Originally Posted by Samantha
When living in the UK I have traveled over 7 hours one way to look at a kitten, but then I am a breeder so it is kind of different as breeders are looking for different things to pet owners.
What you should be looking for? when you can not visit
Photos of your baby with DATES from the day it was born.
Kittens that look healthy, and look to be enjoying them selves as they grow.
Check contracts and information sheets ask for them to be sent to you by email if need be also look at what you get with you kitten when you take it home.
NEVER even if you have seen this baby grow and become attached to it, take a kitten when you see it that looks unwell because you feel sorry for it..
Buying kittens off bad breeders makes them continue in their practice, as good bad or indifferent so long as they can sell the kittens they will.
Horror stories have just come to light, of sick kittens being sold, masked with drugs to cover their illness, Kittens that are at least 6 week older that what they are supposed to be. Kittens with out vaccinations being sold, the list is endless.. Do your homework ask lots and lots of questions!!
I had a couple drive a long way to me at the weekend to look at an Abyssinian Kitten they were informed they could not touch her she was too young but they came, they wanted to see certificates of tests done on parents, parents pedigrees, the parents them selves, known diseases and how to be sure their kitten would not have them like PRA PKD PL.
2 hours, of questions, and pleasant conversion. they reserved the kitten and we will continue to send them photos until she is ready to go..
This to me is a new PET owner doing their homework.
We got our Bruce by only a chance look at a photo but I had been to the breeders concerned with a friend who got her first breeding queen from there,so she had to be good, the 2nd kitten on the photo was another she was going to have,I had been waiting for a while for some news from someone else & a picture of the "Babe"that could be mine & it had still not arrived or heard anything well over the time period of when we should even have been able to see it & collect it so just seeing this red & white boy sitting there melted my heart,my friend thought he was still available,checked for me & the rest is history but I would not have just cold bought him if I hadn't known something about the breeder,my money is hard come by like most people & paying for quality meant thats what I wanted.Here in the UK I think we are all pretty lucky to have good breeders within a fair driving distance so have no reason to support what could be "dodgey"ones & what Debbie has put on about questions to ask & things to see is good advice.Yes I do agree that where some of you live it is more difficult but being able to Google sites like this must help & you can still ask a lot of questions,take notes,ask the same again a couple of weeks later & compare,if facts differ leave well alone...!