How to Adopt a Siberian Cat
Relatively new to the U.S., the Siberian is a long-haired, sweet-tempered breed of cat native to the coldest areas of Russia. It has enjoyed a huge surge of popularity in the last few years because of the discovery that some lines produce lower levels of allergens. Cat lovers with allergies are searching the country for available kittens and currently, the demand exceeds the supply. If you’re interested in owning one of these beautiful cats, here are some hints on how to find one.
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Instructions
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Read up on the breed and manage your expectations. You want to make sure that this is indeed the breed of cat you want. It can be very hard to find a Siberian in the flesh (or in the fur) so you may need to use online resources to get to know the breed.
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Realize that because of the demand for Siberians, it is highly unlikely that you will have the opportunity to “adopt” one. In the cat fancy, adoption means taking in a homeless cat and paying either nothing for it or a modest adoption fee. Siberians, being purebreds, are usually purchased rather than adopted.
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Consider whether you might be willing to accept a neutered or spayed adult, because this will be less expensive and may produce a cat for you within a much shorter time span. Also consider whether there is a particular color that is important to you. Colorpoint Siberians tend to be very popular and may therefore be more expensive. Brown tabbies or brown tabbies with white are more widely available and other colors fall somewhere in between.
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Try to meet a Siberian in person. Unlike dog shows, which are under the auspices of one organization (the American Kennel Club), cat shows are sponsored by several different organizations. Each has its own unique approach to the different breeds and because of this, you’ll find larger and smaller percentages of certain breeds in each. The International Cat Association (TICA) has the largest concentration of Siberians, and the Cat Fanciers’ Association the second largest. While you may find Siberian breeders in some of the smaller associations, it is probably best to start with these two.Start by checking the show schedules for these two organizations to see if there is a show within a reasonable drive of your area. If so, contact the entry clerk for the show (which should be listed on line) to ask if he/she expects there to be any Siberians present at the show. The entry clerk won’t know for sure until entries close (which will be about 5 days before the show) but should have a good idea of the likelihood since he/she will know whether there are breeders that have come to previous shows. If you find a likely possibility, plan to attend that show in person, but if it is a long drive, confirm with the entry clerk that Siberians will actually be present before you make the trip.
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Locate one or more breeders. TICA and CFA provide breeder referrals to breeders by area and breed. You can contact each organization’s main office and ask about breeders in your area, and they will provide you with some contacts. I highly recommend starting with this approach rather than an online breeder listing, because it can lead you to breeders who may be expecting kittens in the future or who have adults seeking new homes. These people may not be advertising in cat magazines or listing their catteries on online breeder sites because they don’t currently have kittens.If this method doesn’t yield a Siberian breeder within an easy drive of you, you will need to look online. The oldest and best resource is www.fanciers.com, which lists breeders from smaller registries as well as TICA and CFA. You can search by breed and by state.
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Contact the breeder by email. Most breeders respond better to email inquiries than phone calls, and are more likely to respond if you introduce yourself with a sentence or two about your occupation/lifestyle and express your interest in learning about the breed. You should realize that breeders receive many inquiries that consist solely of “Do you have any kittens?” and they are unlikely to respond if they don’t currently have anything available. However, if you express an interest in learning more about the breed, they will be much more receptive to talking to you and you may be able to get on a waiting list. If you really want to speak with the breeder on the phone, indicate that he/she can call you collect and note some good times to reach you.
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If you are specifically interested in a Siberian because you are allergic, be sure to state this in your email. In this case, it is essential that you do one of the following and preferably both. A) Inquire whether the breeder has done any testing for the FeL1 levels in her lines. FeL1 is the protein found in cat saliva that is one of the primary causes of allergic reactions. Siberians often have lower-than-average levels of this protein, which is what makes them easier for allergic people to tolerate. B) Try to arrange a visit to the cattery and plan to spend at least one or two hours there. You need to handle the cats and test your tolerance before committing to buy a cat. It is also an excellent idea to see the environment in which your kitten or cat is being raised.
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Ask the breeder about his or her approach to reserving kittens and review a sales contract, even if no kittens are currently available. Given the demand, you will mostly likely have to wait a few months anyway. It’s not unusual for a deposit to be requested to reserve a kitten, but if you do put any money down, make sure you have a written agreement that it will be refunded if a kitten does not materialize within a specific amount of time. If you are not able to personally visit the cattery due to distance or other reasons, it is a good idea to ask for a reference – one or more people who have purchased cats from this breeder and would be willing to speak with you about your experience. If the breeder isn’t willing to supply any, you should probably look elsewhere for your cat.Once you have made contact with a reputable breeder and gotten your name on a waiting list, you can look forward to sharing your home and life with one of the most mellow, sweet-tempered cats available.
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Tips & Warnings
Important: cat allergies are individual and unique things and people may react differently to various breeds. If you are allergic, it is essential to have a backup plan because you may still develop allergic symptoms when you get your Siberian. it may be smarter to choose an adult rather than a kitten; most breeders who place adult cats will be willing to take them back if the new home isn't a good fit.
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- Photo Credit Photo by Robert Zinck
