The Responsible Breeder ...

Protect yourself, your family, and your investment! There are a great number of back yard breeders out there who are selling Ragdolls. Often these kittens can be purchased for $400.00-500.00 but the cost to you and your family will be far greater in the end. These kittens rarely come with all vaccinations, they are unregistered, and as such are NOT PUREBRED, they have not been altered, they have been raised in questionable cirucmstances and were probably brought into this world for no reason other than personal profit. The people who bred them are looking to capitalize on your desire to own one of these captivating Ragdolls but they have put no money or effort into doing any genetic testing, they do not show their cats to ensure that they meet the requirements of the CCA breed standard, never mind to ensure they are purebred and not an outcross. These backyard breeders offer no health guarentee, and once you have placed your hard earned money in their hands they will not return your calls or take the kitten back if it develops health problems. These unknowledgable people are unaware of any health problems that may occur in the breed, they have little or no knowledge of feline husbandry, infectious diseases, or proper cattery management, and they certainly do not care what happens to the kittens they have produced once they leave for new homes. Their callous disregard for the kittens well being, the future of the breed itself, or the fate of homeless cats and kittens in this country is underscored by the fact that these people not only do not alter their kittens before they leave for new homes, these people freely offer "breeding rights" to anyone unknowledgeable person who feels the urge to produce more kittens.

A poorly bred kitten who develops health problems, primarily FIP, may cost you thousands of dollars in vet bills and still the kitten will probably die, causing great anguish and heartache to you and your family members. You will still be responsible for micro chipping your kitten, vaccinations, and spay/neuter surgery; all over and above the $500.00 "deal" you got on buying the "cheaper" kitten. " You get what you pay for" is an old adage that is particularly true when purchasing a family pet. If the price seems to be too good to be true, it is. Do yourself, your family, and your bank account a favor, buy from a reputable breeder who will be there throughout the lifetime of your pet, it will cost you far less in the end than that "bargain" you got from the stranger selling "cute kittens".

 

A Few Guidlines for Selecting a Ragdoll Breeder

1. A reputable breeder will not breed cats under the age of 1.

2. A reputable breeder will conduct genetic health tests on their breeding animals, including, but not limited to: Echocardiogram to screen for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopothy and ultrasound scan for Polycystic Kidney disease.

3. Beware of breeders who scoff at genetic testing and say their particular breed/line is problem-free.

4. A reputable breeder requires that "pet-quality" animals be spayed or neutered prior to leaving the breeder's home. Be wary of breeders who do not mention altering.

5. A reputable breeder provides a written contract with the sale of the kitten. This will vary from breeder to breeder, but usually spells out the rights of the seller and buyer, health information, genetic health guarantees (should be at least 2 years), required altering, no declaw clause, and buy-back/return policy.

6. A reputable breeder registers ALL cats and kittens, no exceptions. It is your right to be provided with registration papers if the kitten is being sold as "purebred". Do not accept excuses as to why the kittens have not been or will not be registered with CCA, TICA, or CFA. An unregistered Ragdoll is NOT a purebred Ragdoll. The cost to the breeder to register your kitten is minimal.

7. A reputable breeder typically has a waiting list for most, if not all, of the unborn kittens and does not advertise in the local newspaper.

8. A reputable breeder shows passion, love, and tremendous knowledge about the breed. He or she cares about placing kittens in excellent homes and will often interview potential buyers thoroughly, insist on meeting your entire family, ask for references, and will refuse to sell a kitten if the home is not appropriate for the breed or for a kitten.

9. A reputable breeder will hold on to kittens as long as it takes to place them in the right homes. Reputable breeders do not "discount" their kittens for any reason, nor should they be expected to.

10. The environment (typically a home) in which the breeder keeps the kittens should be clean and well-maintained. Do not agree to meet the breeder off site. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS ON THIS! No reputable breeder agrees to deliver you kitten to you without having met you first! The breeder's home need not be the Taj Mahal, however the cats should be healthy, free of matts, eye discharge, sneezing or obvious signs of infectious disease and the litter and housing for the cats should be spotless.

11. A reputable breeder is actively involved in the cat fancy, including showing and/or breed clubs. A person who is not involved with shows, breed clubs, or other fanciers in the breed should be highly suspect. Serious breeders show their cats to ensure that their breeding cats meet or exceed the requirements set out in the Ragdoll Breed Standard.

12. A reputable breeder is willing to provide answers to questions you may have and is willing to provide names of others who have purchased kittens from them.

13. A reputable breeder will allow you to meet the kittens parents if available and, if the father isn't available, they will show you pictures and provide you with the information on how to contact the owner of the sire(father).

14. A reputable breeder follows up on kittens. He or she is interested in how the kittens develop physically and mentally, difficulties in the owner/cat relationship and health problems that may arise.

15. A reputable breeder will not let kittens leave their home prior to 12 weeks of age and often not until 14 weeks of age. A reputable breeder does not let their kittens leave unaltered, period!