| Feline Q and A: Frequently Answered Questions | |
Q: I have been attempting to find Birman kittens. I am not having a lot of success finding websites or lists of breeders that have kittens available.
I have been to the Birman Ring and cat fancyers website - I'm wondering if their are other search tools or methods of locating birman cats.
Thanks for your help.....I enjoy the info you are sharing with your web site - keep up the great work!
A: I have a list of Birman breeders on my site, in the Subject page by the same name. The Fanciers' Breeder Referal List is another excellent resource.
You might also want to buy a copy of Cat Fancy magazine and look in the back under their breeder ads. Unfortunately, web sites and magazine ads are not always indicative of the quality of the cats. Gorgeous websites and ads may be created for so-so catteries.
In my opinion, the best way to find a local breeder is to attend a cat show and check out the Birman area, watch the judging, and meet the breeders personally. They'll be eager to tell you if they have kittens available, and you can get a first-hand look at the quality of their cats, for a small admission fee to the show. There are links to the various fanciers' show schedules on the Show Time Subject page.
Unless you're planning to show your cat, the Birman Rescue group might be a good place to start.Hope some of this might help! Thanks for the nice comments about my site.
Followup:
Q: Thank you very much for the rapid response. We just returned from our first cat show today. I had thought about attending such an event but with the concurrent small show going on today and with your endorsement, it seemed like the perfect time. We met 5 different breeders and gained a great deal of information (and respect) from each of them. I just hope my lack of patience doesn't hinder our choice to acquire a new member of our family.
A: Glad to hear my advice was helpful. When you take the next step, by visiting the various catteries, take a list of questions with you, and also be prepared to be grilled by the breeder as to your intentions. Don't be a bit surprised if breeders will only sell you a pet quality kitten and insist on neutering it in their contract. Few of them want to turn over their top quality breeding or show stock to a stranger. Of course, if you're primarily looking for a pet anyway, this won't create a problem.
Ask to see the kittens' momcat, and the sire, if available. Take a good look at the cattery quarters (if separate from the house), and observe for cleanliness. If they refuse you full access, back off from that cattery. Don't be surprised to experience some "cat odor," if they have unaltered male cats. However, the last "cattery" I visited, which was in a home, with only one area (a closed-in porch) set aside for breeding males, and a queen and her kittens in a large clean cage, was scrupulously clean, with not a hint of a "catty odor." I'd buy a cat in a minute from that breeder, if I was in the market for a Bengal.
Do take it slow and easy, and try not to buy the first kitten you fall in love with. Visit several catteries, and then make your decision. This is a lifetime decision (for the kitten, at least), and is one that should not be made hastily.
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