Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    		
                I think it is a great idea to write a guide specially	
                about on how to interview a breeder,and what things to
                look for.
    
    
                Jean.

    
    I too think it's a GREAT idea.  Something that I had always wanted to
    do but never found the time to sit down and do it.  I'd be very
    interested in the end product as I spend alot of time trying to educate
    pet owners/lovers.
    
    MaryAnne

    So far everyone's interested in the end product and no one's offering
    any info  ;^)  If you've got any thoughts send them to me.  Don't
    assume I already know it.  I may have forgotten it.  I need those 
    thoughts to get me started.  May 5th isn't that far away.
      Thanks
      Nancy

    Besides - I'm in the position of being so close to the subject
    that I may not be aware of how much the novice doesn't know.  I
    take alot of it for granted.
      N

    Nancy, Some things that you may want to consider adding pamphlet
    
    -Different grooming required between a long haired and short haired.
    (Combing knots out of a long haired cat can be a concern for a novice)
    
    -Differences between owning a male or female (especially if you want
    to use them for breeding)
    
    -Some breeds are more vocal than others. Some people can't stand a 
    cat that meows all the time.
    
    -A brief summary of annual vet cost. 
    
    -How to tell the difference between a male kitten and a female. (many
    of friends have come home with wrong sex kitten from what they wanted.)
    
    -Signs of an unhealthy kitten or queen.
    
    -Purchase price of various purebreds vs mixed breed.
    
    -I believe an import consideration for a new kitten owner is will your
    dog adapt. I have recently heard a story of a very you kitten being
    killed by a "playful dog".  I know most dogs and cats will get along,
    but there is always the exception.
    
                      Thats all for now

	Real basic stuff:

	How often, and what, to feed a cat/kitten.

	Be careful of dry/wet mix, and dry only

	always leave out water

	When to get injections, and what to have. Yearly boosters.

	When to castrate/spay, advantages for non-breeders.

	How to check/get rid of fleas/ear mites.

	How to spot, and what to do with abcesses.

	How to check/clean teeth

	Indoor / outdoor, catflaps - with/without auto entry, cat collars.

	Catnip, toys, baskets/carriers, scratching posts, cat trees.

	Phew that's busy!

	Heather	

    I'm not sure I want to get into a "How to take care of a cat" write-up.
    There are many of those around.  I want to write something specifically
    for someone looking for a purebred (tho much of the advice would be
    applicable to picking out a moggie too - especially the stuff about
    personality, grooming and signs of ill health.)  I will put something
    in about shots as many breeders (myself included) give their own
    distemper shots and I'll include the importance of a timely visit to 
    the vet with a new kitten (purebred or moggie).
    
    Thanks for the input.
      Nancy 
    

    Nancy-
    
    The first line in the book should be the definition of:
    
    "What is a purebred?"  
    
    I have had so many people react in such a stunned manner when they 
    have met my Korats, and I tell them they are purebred cats. 
    "Do you mean, like a purebred dog?" They ask? "Gee, I didn't know
    that, I thought cats where just, cats!"     (:-))
    
    Also include a definition of "The Pedigree" (a.k.a. "Papers")
    and what they mean, and possibly how to read them, etc. etc.
    
    Pick up on longhair vs shorthair vs no hair (:-)), High energy 
    vs couch potato, colors, personalities, .......
    color
                                                     
    Maybe you could touch on some of the intricate details on showing
    purebreds, too.....
    
    Lynne
              
                                                   
    
    

    
    Just some thoughts off the top of my head, most of them are what I tell
    people looking for a dog but I would imagine that it would be about
    the same.
    
    Go to a show and look at the cats.  Buy a catalog and mark down which 
    cats you liked.  Call the breeder after the show, let them know you 
    were there and admired their cats and was interested.  I know from
    a previous note that not everyone is at their best at a show which
    is why i suggest a call when it's over.
    
    Tell the breeder exactly what you are looking for.  If you think there
    is a chance that you might want to show or breed the cat, spend the
    extra money and buy the best you can.
    
    Make sure you understand any contracts/guarentees that may be drawn up.
    
    You should receive registration papers when you pick up your kitten.
    if you don't, ask for something in writing.
    
    Ask if the breeder will take the cat back or help to place it if for
    any reason you can't keep it.
    
    Understand that most breeders really care where their kittens/cats end
    up.  Don't be put off if they ask alot of questions or even for a
    reference.  Be polite and honest.  It assures the best for all
    involved.
    
    More to come....hope this helps.

    
    Unlike purebred dogs breeders, cat breeders rarely deliver the 
    registration papers on a pet quality kitten at the time of the sale.  
    Most pet contracts that I have seen require proof of spaying/neutering 
    prior to the delivery of the registration certificate or in some cases the
    pedigree.
    
    Jo
    
    

    And some dont deliver them at all.  It still p***es me off that I paid
    $350 for Zula (Abysinnian) and the breeder couldn't be bothered to send
    me the certificate.  I know she has had them for about a year and I
    sent her the neuter certificate about 18 months ago.  Zula is almost 2
    now, so I've pretty much given up.  I guess I'll never get them.  Hmph
    But I guess this belongs in another note.  Sorry.
    
    This note is a good idea Nancy!
    
    Pam

    
    Referring someone to the CFA/CFF standard might also be helpful. Even
    if they are not showing, they could get a feel for what the standard is
    for that specific breed.  I received extensive information up front 
    about Exotics and the quality of my cat from Cin and felt extremely
    comfortable with that information.  If I was going to get another cat of
    a different breed, I would check out the standard before dealing with a
    breeder so I would be somewhat informed to make an intelligent
    decision.
    
    
    

    On the flip side, sometimes the cat of our dreams doesn't quite live up
    to the standard set for the breed, both in physical appearance and
    temperament.  It should be noted that a breed standard is for the most
    part a guideline for the show cat, not necessarily what we pet owners
    would end up with.  Cats, after all, are individuals in their own right
    and not every purebred of a desired breed is a cookie-cutter clone of
    one another.
    

     
    I certainly agree with you Roberta, BUT if I was buying an Exotic as a
    PET and paying $450.00 for the cat and the cat was high on the legs, a
    tail a mile long, nose like a fox, and a body from here to Boston, 
    I would question the breeder charging me that much for the cat. If I
    did not have a breeder that I could turn to, I would look to another
    source, like a standard. 
    
    
    

    All EXCELLENT points folks.  Thanks
    
    Pam -
      Ask Meg to bring the papers to the Cranston show this weekend and
    give them to me.  I'll be sure you get them.  
    
    re: papers - I did give papers when I sold the kittens but I checked
    the box "Not to be used for breeding" on the kitten registration form.
    I also felt pretty confident about the folks I sold the kittens to.  If
    I had a question I would have held the papers.
      Nancy

    All it takes is that one pet buyer that tries to burn you and you will
    be holding those papers from now on.  I also check the box that says
    "not for breeding", but I think turning over the papers at the time of
    the sale is putting quite a bit of faith in a system that is brand new
    to CFA and doesn't seem to have all the bugs worked out yet.
    
    If someone is going to take one of my cats and become a backyard
    breeder with it, I would like to at least know that they are not
    holding any registration certificates or pedigrees with my name on 
    them.  I would rather that the lack of such things prove that I did my
    best to prevent that situation from occuring.  I consider myself a 
    pretty good judge of character, and I screen my kitten buyers
    carefully, but I had still have two incidences in my breeding career
    that involved the neutering and spaying of cats purchased as pets.  You
    would be suprised how quickly and easily the spay/neuter part of a pet
    contract can be forgotten by your buyers when they decide that their
    pet is wonderful and deserves to reproduce.  	
    
    The point that could be covered in your guide Nancy is that the pet
    buyer know up front what type of agreement they are getting, and
    whether or not spaying/neutering will be required prior to the release
    of papers and pedigree.
    
    Jo

    re: .16
    
    I know we're not talking horses....but as far as breeding, I know
    breeders will sell stock w/ out papers if the animal does not
    live up to the standard they are trying to achieve - for the same
    reason you mentioned.
    
    I think it is good pratice.
    
    M

    You're probably right Jo.  I stayed in touch with the new owners
    to be sure the cats got neutered at the right time.  Of course,
    the only female I sold was a straight-ear so maybe that makes a
    difference.  I'll keep your advice in mind next time.
      N