New Owners what do you Expect-- Breeders what do you give

I am in the middle of homing our kittens of this year both Coonies, British and Abyssinians..

The Dutch people expect a lot more, or maybe they are nicer people, who knows, so I thought I would ask what are you experiences... and list what I do and what they ask....

Usually when a new owner visits me, they stay for minimum 1 and a half hours, have been known to stay 5 hours, This is and can be their third visit... now some may find that a drag, if I am not busy its very nice.!!:koolkat:

We have coffee and cake which is always home made, and cookies and juice for the kids which I always tell them to bring.. mind they can bring the whole family sometimes..

They in return usually always bring me a gift, Flowers and plant and sometimes a cat figurine and or toys for my kittys..

I find they get down with the kittens play with them all of them usually not their own... lol. I have had people come for say a British and leave with a Abyssinian and a British... We have a bank.... on our estate as this area is a retired person area! VERY Handy:satisfied:

The always ask about the parents insist on seeing them and playing with them, they ask all the normal Health stuff etc and wish usually to see all the certificates..



What do they get!!

A kitten or two..
A contract which they have to agree to and sign, all my kittens are vaccinated twice microchipped, pets pass-ported and insured... ALL my kittens are registered

They only get the official Certified pedigree when they send to me a certificate of Neutering with the cats microchip number on it.. a copy pedigree is given until then.

They get a Royal canin kittens pack.. fab over here with a big pink box... or blue for a boy.
A large bag of litter the kittens have used.
A small kittens sized cat scratch
A tunnel and or a crinkle tunnel bed
A radiator bed
A small selection of toys one on a stick..

100% feed back from me on advice etc... I even visit if they are not far... (THEY invite me:rofl:)

Now I have had the same treatment when I bought Ambers Dutch coonies and similar when I came to the UK...
I recently picked up a Ragdoll for someone from Germany, he is here for 6 months quarantine before he goes to the Uk..

We had a fab time, again fresh cakes coffee and a tour of this ladys house... and she wasnt the seller she had merely picked it up for me from Prague....

I am soon off to the South of France... and will stay overnight... when I go for our New Babies...


So what are your experiences and what do you as New Owners / Breeders get!!

I have to agree with Louise, with her posting... too.. One of the nicest parts of breeding is meeting the New Owners

Hi Debbie

I always expect new owners to visit a few times and wouldn't sell to someone that only ever visited on the day of pickup. I email at least one a week with updates and photos, normally more because I am always taking photos of the babies! I normally already have a relationship of sorts with the kitten owners as we run quite an extensive waiting list on our litters so most people email me to say what they are after and then stay in touch.

They normally stay for a good couple of hours and we too encourage them to bring the children - we have had mum and dad in laws too though! We always offer tea/coffee/drinks but I do think the british people are more reserved and don't always take us up on our offers!

We keep the kittens in the special kitten room for the visit so that they are in a nice enclosed area and every one tends to sit on the floor and play with them and the families with children usually bring some toys for the kittens to play with too. Once we have played with the kittens and mum, we then go and visit the other cats whether they are in other rooms or out in the pen and they always get to have cuddles with dad cat too.

On the day of pickup, the new owners only stay for about an hour as they are so eager to get their kittens home! We supply:

5 generation pedigree
Contract that states the living conditions and care we expect our kitten to have and some other rules and guidelines they have to adhere to.
A kitten care guide that we have prepared that also lists suppliers, helpful websites etc and gives all of our contact numbers - we offer a lifetime support service on all of our kittens.
A very nice kitten pack with bowls, a kitten blanket that has been in the room for a few weeks so has all the other kittens and mum cats scent on it, lots of toys, a very good supply of food and some vouchers for food too.
4 weeks free insurance
Vaccination and health check cards
A small bag of used cat litter that we advise the new parents to put in the litter tray when they get home so the kitten instantly knows where to go.

We don't register our kittens until we get proof of neutering/spaying from the owners.

We have been very lucky that all of our kitten owners have stayed in touch and we have become very good friends with quite a few of them. If I don't hear from them for a couple of weeks then I always send an email or text to see how things are going.

One of my favourite parts of breeding is having the new owners coming and visiting us and seeing how excited they are about seeing their new kitten and meeting all the furry family.

Louise

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WoodsideMaineCoons

Hi Debbie

I always expect new owners to visit a few times and wouldn't sell to someone that only ever visited on the day of pickup. I email at least one a week with updates and photos, normally more because I am always taking photos of the babies! I normally already have a relationship of sorts with the kitten owners as we run quite an extensive waiting list on our litters so most people email me to say what they are after and then stay in touch.

They normally stay for a good couple of hours and we too encourage them to bring the children - we have had mum and dad in laws too though! We always offer tea/coffee/drinks but I do think the british people are more reserved and don't always take us up on our offers!

We keep the kittens in the special kitten room for the visit so that they are in a nice enclosed area and every one tends to sit on the floor and play with them and the families with children usually bring some toys for the kittens to play with too. Once we have played with the kittens and mum, we then go and visit the other cats whether they are in other rooms or out in the pen and they always get to have cuddles with dad cat too.

On the day of pickup, the new owners only stay for about an hour as they are so eager to get their kittens home! We supply:

5 generation pedigree
Contract that states the living conditions and care we expect our kitten to have and some other rules and guidelines they have to adhere to.
A kitten care guide that we have prepared that also lists suppliers, helpful websites etc and gives all of our contact numbers - we offer a lifetime support service on all of our kittens.
A very nice kitten pack with bowls, a kitten blanket that has been in the room for a few weeks so has all the other kittens and mum cats scent on it, lots of toys, a very good supply of food and some vouchers for food too.
4 weeks free insurance
Vaccination and health check cards
A small bag of used cat litter that we advise the new parents to put in the litter tray when they get home so the kitten instantly knows where to go.

We don't register our kittens until we get proof of neutering/spaying from the owners.

We have been very lucky that all of our kitten owners have stayed in touch and we have become very good friends with quite a few of them. If I don't hear from them for a couple of weeks then I always send an email or text to see how things are going.

One of my favourite parts of breeding is having the new owners coming and visiting us and seeing how excited they are about seeing their new kitten and meeting all the furry family.

Louise

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For got to add!!!

Also add maybe what you would change when you visit for either a second kitten and or another breeder..

From a buyers point of view I have always been treated by the three breeders & treated the breeders as you both have stated & would now expect it or would look again,I always send updates & pictures reguarly,two of the breeders come round,one because she is a friend who lives close & the other one when she visits this area,two of mine I class as foster MCoons because of the situation in which they came to live here & any health problems I run by the breeders,both of them know I will do the best for them but I still believe that as I didn't go,choose & pay for them they are leant to me for their life span & I woudn't assume what I do for them is what the breeder would have expected,also it is great to have understanding breeders to talk to for help,when you first bring kitty home any minor problem can seem a mountain to climb,I also like the fact that all my breeders state that if for any reason I can't continue to care for the cats they rehome them so they still know where their cats have gone{hopefully never to happen} Just as a matter of interest for me & the breeders, because all my cats are neuters, I have just had three of mine tested for the HCM gene,I picked one from each breeder because they all have lines that still are within breeding lines & was over the moon to have them all come back as normal,don't think the breeders thought I would really do it but curiosty got the better of me just hope the other line to this doesn't apply....!
It is great seeing what breeders offer & the new parents can be sure of having a healthy confident baby arrive in their home & the excitement of it all,would love to go through it again but.....

When we got our 1st MC in 1999 we stayed ................................ still there :LOL: still very very good friends with his breeder.

We saw Louie when he was about 2 weeks old through the window into the nursery room, had lots of pics emailed of him over the weeks & he came with a 2kg bag of RC kitten food, 5 generation pedegree, pink GCCF slip, kitten contract 4 weeks free insurance & his vaccination card there was also a RC booklet with vouchers for food to. We did'nt take the litter & toys etc offerd as we already had them. We also get his MC food from his breeder as it is alot cheaper :nod:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Louie-Louie

When we got our 1st MC in 1999 we stayed ................................ still there :LOL: still very very good friends with his breeder.

We saw Louie when he was about 2 weeks old through the window into the nursery room, had lots of pics emailed of him over the weeks & he came with a 2kg bag of RC kitten food, 5 generation pedegree, pink GCCF slip, kitten contract 4 weeks free insurance & his vaccination card there was also a RC booklet with vouchers for food to. We did'nt take the litter & toys etc offerd as we already had them. We also get his MC food from his breeder as it is alot cheaper :nod:

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I have made many friends through my cats.... and stayed friends some 20 plus years on..:winkwink:

The cake and cookies has sold me ! Next time I'm coming to you Debbie !

But kidding aside, thats nice to read I wish the breeder we obtained Hank from remained in touch after the sale. We did email photo's of him to show her how he's doing but that was always our move and never by request. We never had any contact asking how he was doing which would have been nice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dave

The cake and cookies has sold me ! Next time I'm coming to you Debbie !

But kidding aside, thats nice to read I wish the breeder we obtained Hank from remained in touch after the sale. We did email photo's of him to show her how he's doing but that was always our move and never by request. We never had any contact asking how he was doing which would have been nice.

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Hi Dave your on!! Yesterday my new owners had a choice of lemon cake and Chocolate cake..

I love it when they keep in touch and send us photos of the babies.. we send also every year the kittens a birthday card!! they seem to like this?/ or maybe I am a little ga ga:drool1:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by debbie560

Hi Dave your on!! Yesterday my new owners had a choice of lemon cake and Chocolate cake..

I love it when they keep in touch and send us photos of the babies.. we send also every year the kittens a birthday card!! they seem to like this?/ or maybe I am a little ga ga:drool1:

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Ahhh that's nice and not over the top at all. I guess the larger the breeder the less likely they are going to keep in touch. I'd also like to see how Harry's siblings are getting on, the closest I got is Louise's "Star" who is from the same breeder, has the same parents but from the previous years litter ! I still love looking at the pictures on the breeders website, did so the other day and couldn't believe how much Harry is getting to look like his father, although they are different colours.:nod:

Some times I do wonder... if I am over the top..... but most times I think I am not!! lol

Well that 4 kitties off to their new home... really full with Cake and coffee... have to make another batch tonight... for tomorrows visitors.... They are such nice people.. one lady has written a blog about us and our cats and their visit.... its in Dutch so not much point me putting it here.... but still it was so nice...

http://www.badsworthcats.com/PHOTOSA...badsworth1.gif

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dave

The cake and cookies has sold me ! Next time I'm coming to you Debbie !

But kidding aside, thats nice to read I wish the breeder we obtained Hank from remained in touch after the sale. We did email photo's of him to show her how he's doing but that was always our move and never by request. We never had any contact asking how he was doing which would have been nice.

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Debbie and Louise you both sound like very good caring breeders. I have no complaint about the breeder we got Simba from but although I continue to send her updated photos I don't get any response back now so I presume she has no more interest in how he is doing. I'm happy if that is how she feels but with my dogs I am still in contact with their breeders three years later. One has become a good friend and I am always in constant contact with them. I enjoy showing them they made the right decision selling me their pups and showing them how well and happy they are. I'm not sure why Simba's breeder doesn't show the same interest.

What we got:
With him we got one month free insurance, small pack of kitten food, fresh litter and a small toy, a contract of what the breeder expected from us and a helpful sheet on a few simple basics on having a kitten, pedigree certificate, and he was also micro chipped, neutered, vaccinated and wormed.

All seemed in order so as I say no other complaints. We visited once before picking him up. Their cats seemed healthy and well cared for and they were a nice couple so as I say no complaints really - just proud of my boy:smile:

I would expect before buying a kitten
1)to meet one or both parents.
2)See where they live and what condition they are living in.
3)A pedigree certificate
4) vaccination certificate and proof of worming.

Apart from that anything else would be a bonus.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Karena

Debbie and Louise you both sound like very good caring breeders. I have no complaint about the breeder we got Simba from but although I continue to send her updated photos I don't get any response back now so I presume she has no more interest in how he is doing. I'm happy if that is how she feels but with my dogs I am still in contact with their breeders three years later. One has become a good friend and I am always in constant contact with them. I enjoy showing them they made the right decision selling me their pups and showing them how well and happy they are. I'm not sure why Simba's breeder doesn't show the same interest.

What we got:
With him we got one month free insurance, small pack of kitten food, fresh litter and a small toy, a contract of what the breeder expected from us and a helpful sheet on a few simple basics on having a kitten, pedigree certificate, and he was also micro chipped, neutered, vaccinated and wormed.

All seemed in order so as I say no other complaints. We visited once before picking him up. Their cats seemed healthy and well cared for and they were a nice couple so as I say no complaints really - just proud of my boy:smile:

I would expect before buying a kitten
1)to meet one or both parents.
2)See where they live and what condition they are living in.
3)A pedigree certificate
4) vaccination certificate and proof of worming.

Apart from that anything else would be a bonus.

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Thank you so much.... I do try, my thoughts are if you can not do the job properly you should not do it at all...

I love to see new photos and I have a couple page dedicated to my new owners... I have over the years many pages, Sadly I lost many of them in a computer crash before the days of external hard drives... now I back them up twice you just never know...


http://www.badsworthcats.com/PHOTOSA...badsworth1.gif

sounds bad but did my best no to get too interested ,as kit was for fugde my old cat , the ony reason we got kit 2. found out fudge has heart problems. was not sure how she would be with them.,,, if she was not ,,then they would have to go, but she is ok so we can keep them and love them to bits
had not expected anything with them but we had papers ,a tin of cat food, RC in a tub, blanket ,a toy. as i paid £775 for 2 kits think it takes the piss....but i am happy to pay for the kits which is what i wanted ... not a bag of stuff ,, the one thing i will say is they look a lot bigger in the pics,when i saw anna thought you dont get much for your money lol we did not see them until collected them ,they are now part of the family would never be without them

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Originally Posted by mollyanna

sounds bad but did my best no to get too interested ,as kit was for fugde my old cat , the ony reason we got kit 2. found out fudge has heart problems. was not sure how she would be with them.,,, if she was not ,,then they would have to go, but she is ok so we can keep them and love them to bits
had not expected anything with them but we had papers ,a tin of cat food, RC in a tub, blanket ,a toy. as i paid £775 for 2 kits think it takes the piss....but i am happy to pay for the kits which is what i wanted ... not a bag of stuff ,, the one thing i will say is they look a lot bigger in the pics,when i saw anna thought you dont get much for your money lol we did not see them until collected them ,they are now part of the family would never be without them

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Wow not a lot really, I charge for a pet kitten across all the breeds!! around 400 euros..


Maybe not sure but people should have a weight chart around so that when new owners ask they can have an idea of the weight of the kitten....

Why did you not go before to see... them and if you ever though of a kitten in the future would you do things differently??

When I got Freyja, the breeder quite rightly wouldn't let me visit until she'd had her first jab, but allowed me to option her on the strength of a photo. So I saw immediately after she'd been jabbed and got to spend a good hour with her and her siblings - there were two litters born at the same time so 11 kittens to fawn over! And I got to meet Freyja's mum, her nan and the mum for the other litter. Also spend another hour or so with the breeder getting to know each other. Between my first visit and final collection, I had heaps of email correspondence with the breeder - I wanted to make sure I'd got all the bases covered, and despite the banality of some of my questions, Catherine was brilliant - good advice, always answering more fully than my original question required and I learnt heaps. When I picked Freyja up, I had another hour at the house and got to play with Freyja away from the kitten room before we took her away, and Catherine was great about me dragging my pa along. Since then, whilst most of the contact has been driven from my end, I've had lots of communication with Catherine - again, she's given me advice, encouragement, and confidence that I'm handling Freyja in the best way I can. She's always delighted to get pictures of her and is encouraging me to show her now.

In terms of the other stuff, I got a nice little wallet to keep her pedigree receipts in, and a booklet of RC vouchers that gave me a free bag of Kitten 36 and a discount on a second bag. I got a provisional certificate for Freyja's pedigree but the official one will provided once Freyja was spayed. And I got some simple instructions to follow for feeding, worming, flea prevention, and the jab record. I was offered copious amounts of tea/ coffee (no cake, but I've got a fat bum so probably no bad thing!!) and was made to feel incredibly welcome. I also got to meet a number of other pets and could see how happy and healthy they all were.

All in all, a great first experience of buying a pedigree kitten and Catherine would be one of my two first points of contact in the event I decide to get Freyja a playmate. Whilst there might not have been blankets and cat litter provided, the after care support and encouragement has been priceless and I wouldn't trade.

Cake, coffee!! Ha ha... I always think people are lucky to escape with their lives when they visit me!!! My kittens are lovely well adjusted purry furry's but my dogs nooooo! I love to hear news about my kittens, but some people just pick up the kitten sign the paperwork and run, never to be heard of again, and in all honesty it hurts... I've put months of care and love into the kitten and I know it's your cat now, not mine but I still feel love for them, even years after they have gone. But then I've only bred 40 kittens in five years, so I really am a small time breeder... I'm getting one of my boys back soon, which is going to prove difficult as he never got on with the other cats... maybe he can stay in the kitchen and bake cakes for me they'd probably be as edible as anyting I'd cook/burn!

Hmm we came away with two nearly eight week old kittens on our first visit. We knew they had no papers but did spend about an hour there with them and got to meet both parents. They all lived in the house and there were two litters for us to pick from. We saw the ad on pets4homes and had said we wanted two one of which was a blue one and we would pick the second when we saw them. We watched them to see which other kitten was the closest to her (or him as she was sexed wrongly) After all I have read on here I now know they left their mum too early but do seem to be happy. The sad part was after we had put them into the carrier their mum came to say goodbye and put her paw through the grill at the front of the carrier and touched them as if she was saying something to them before they went to their new home, I have to say I get a lump thinking about that still.