How to Choose a Kitten Breeder

If you are in search of a kitten, you are in luck. There are many places that sell kittens. One option you have when purchasing a kitten is buying the kitten directly from the breeder. Buying a kitten from a breeder is a good option, because you don't have to deal with pet stores or kennels.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Find a Breeder

1. Ask family and friends who have cats. They may have gotten their cat from a breeder and can recommend one to you.

2. Talk to a local vet. Vets are sometimes hired by breeders to do health checks on their animals. If this is the case, the vet will be able to recommend which breeders he works with and whether or not the breeder's animals are healthy and clean.

3. Read cat magazines and the classifieds. Some breeders will advertise their animals.

4. Check out the Internet for cat breeders. As with any option, exercise caution when choosing a breeder online, especially if there is no way to meet before buying the animal.

Screen the Breeder

5. You should ask the breeder the price of the kittens and what it comes with. Does the price include vaccinations, worming and spaying or neutering? Does that include having a microchip or some other type of identification in place? Kittens aren't cheap, and you should make sure that you are getting a fair deal if you're willing to pay several hundred dollars for one.

6. It is very important that you ask the breeder about his health guarantee of the animal. What is his policy about taking the kitten back if a health condition arises? A reputable breeder should be willing to offer a great health guarantee with his kittens and should also submit to a health check through your local vet.

7. Ask the breeder if he registers the kittens and if so, where are they registered. This is important if you ever decide to place your kitten in a professional show.

8. Ask for references. A reputable breeder should have no problem providing references for past clients. When you call the clients, you should ask about the transaction, the personality and status of their kittens and if there have been any health problems.

9. After you have chosen a breeder and feel comfortable with him, ask if you can see the place where the kittens are raised. Seeing the environment the kittens are living in may help you make a final decision. If you get to check out their home, look for the personality of the other kittens around the home. Do they have essential supplies and clean bedding? Are they roaming free or locked away in cages with no human interaction? All of these things can make a big difference in the personality of the kitten.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time choosing a breeder. You want to make sure that you are getting a good, healthy kitten.
• Never choose a kitten over the Internet that has to be transported by airplane to get to you. This may be traumatizing for the kitten and may create a lot of undue stress.

Resources

• American Cat Fanciers Association
• The Cat Fanciers Association