Advice for the Savannah Cat Enthusiast
"I Want a Kitten-- What's Next?"
Congratulations! You’ve decided you want a purebred kitten! I’m sure you are excited and want to rush right into a purchase, but before you do—let’s cover eight essential steps to not offending purebred cat breeders.
1. Do the basic research before contacting breeders.
Now, I know websites can be confusing and contradictory, but the basic information tends to stay the same regardless of the breed. Research the activity level, the type of household these cats excel in, the grooming requirements and the basic necessities of the breed before emailing a few catteries to inquire about cute smooshy kittens. Lay the groundwork in your mind about the breed and then allow the breeders to clarify anything you might find confusing or difficult to understand.
For example—in the Savannah breed, you should already have an elementary understanding of F1-F2-F3. After all, if you don’t understand it—how do you know what generation kittens to inquire about in the first place?
2. Be honest and up front.
If you want a kitten for breeding or to show, SAY it. I know, I know. You are afraid every breeder is going to shut you down if you state up front that you want a kitten to breed—but everyone starts somewhere. Developing a thick skin fast is pretty much a prerequisite for anyone wanting to breed any purebred animal. Expect flat-out refusals, expect a few breeders who are willing to educate you and work with you and expect a few breeders who will sell to you outright regardless of your knowledge of the breed. Guess which breeder you should work with if you want to breed/show? NOT the easy sell. I promise you.
If you aren’t seriously interested in investing in a kitten in the immediate future—be honest and up front about that too. Don’t waste breeders’ time pretending you are seriously interested in buying a kitten TODAY when really you are thinking maybe in the next two years you might be able to afford to bring a kitten into your life. The difference here is quite simple—your emails/phone calls can be answered, but you have time to develop your knowledge base further. For a buyer who is truly interested in buying right now, their questions and needs should come before a lookie-loo.
Remember, “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” In this case, you would want your breeder to be there for you when you are purchasing your kitten—not investing invaluable time with people who may or may not invest in the breed in the future.
3. Respect your breeder’s opinion on their litters.
Okay, so you finally found the breeder you will work with after doing some research and being up front with them. They know you want a pet and one which will work good with kids and dogs.
Now is the time to respect the breeder’s opinion on their litters. Let’s be honest—kittens are cute. Some kittens are damn cute. And there may come an occasion when you pick out a kitten and say, “This is the one for me!” Only to hear the breeder reply, “Uh, no—that kitten is scared of his own shadow and really needs a quiet home with grandparent types versus a home with kids overhead and dogs flying by.”
You will probably want to argue with your breeder--- heck, you may even feel like pulling out the whole tears and sadness routine. Because you LOOVE this kitten. But let’s have a reality check. You don’t really love this kitten—you love what you see on a computer via pictures. When you decided to go with your breeder, you should have decided this is someone you respect and who will work well with you. So respect their opinions in this case! Instead ask them which kitten would fit into your household and why. I bet they’ll have a beautiful amazing baby picked out for you already.
And if you are that person wanting to breed—do NOT try to convince a breeder to sell you a nonstandard kitten with breeding rights when it’s clearly labeled a pet kitten. Come on! That’s a whole new discussion, but until you’ve had your feet firmly planted in breeding and have some ideas about what’s to come—leave the nonstandard colors behind. Just for now. They’ll be there later on down the road.
4. Time to meet the kittens! Keep it clean!
Time has passed and now you are so anxiously waiting meeting your kitten in person. Listen up. Do NOT spend the last few hours in the pet store petting the rescue cats. Do NOT go down to the shelter just to have a look at the kitties still in need of a home. Don’t pop by another breeder’s house just because maybe they have a kitten at a better price although you really do LOVE your kitten… Just don’t. Best option is to go from your home straight to the breeder’s home to meet your kitten. Second best option is to simply ensure you are not handling other animals before going to your breeder’s house. And for the love of all kittens and puppies everywhere—do not handle a mangy looking puppy an hour before you go to meet your kitten! Let’s keep your baby and others healthy!
5. Be on time!
I wish I didn’t have to include this in my list, but it’s a hard cold fact. People think breeders live in some type of vacuum just waiting for buyers to come along for their kittens. We don’t have kids to feed or kittens to clean up after or cats which may need to be played with or groomed or fed. Nope. We’re in a vacuum just waiting for you to descend upon us to visit your kitten. Right?
Wrong. Please be prompt. If you cannot be prompt, email or text your breeder and tell them ASAP and reschedule your visit (even if it’s just 30 minutes out—let your breeder know!) It is true—whether you are an hour or two or three late—you will still probably be greeted with a smile, but the reality is—you’ve just wasted another person’s day. Don’t do it.
6. Do NOT ask for a kitten that has been sold to someone else.
I’m putting this out there because I heard of it recently this weekend. If you see all of the kittens in a litter and the breeder tells you XYZ are not available, do not try to barter with the breeder and offer a higher price on Z. It’s not cool, man, not cool.
7. Follow your breeder’s protocol.
Now that your kitten is getting ready to head home, remember to follow your breeder’s protocol. If this means waiting until the kitten is spayed/neutered before it can go home—you need to find that patience and wait. No badgering! If it’s bringing your kitten home and spaying/neutering him promptly at 6 months—go ahead and enter the date into your smartphone now so you can be reminded a few months down the road. Get your vet check in, get your last set of shots (if needed.) Remember to follow your breeder’s protocol—quarantine, changing food, etc.
8. Enjoy your baby!
For the next 20 years, this baby hopefully will be bouncing around your life. Enjoy every moment. The breeder has loved and cherished this little one from the moment of birth. This sacred joy has been transferred into your life and it’s time for you to cherish it. Share your happy moments with your breeder over the years—and don’t be afraid to share the scary and sad moments too. A good breeder cares.
Well, that’s it, folks!
Congratulations! You’ve decided you want a purebred kitten! I’m sure you are excited and want to rush right into a purchase, but before you do—let’s cover eight essential steps to not offending purebred cat breeders.
1. Do the basic research before contacting breeders.
Now, I know websites can be confusing and contradictory, but the basic information tends to stay the same regardless of the breed. Research the activity level, the type of household these cats excel in, the grooming requirements and the basic necessities of the breed before emailing a few catteries to inquire about cute smooshy kittens. Lay the groundwork in your mind about the breed and then allow the breeders to clarify anything you might find confusing or difficult to understand.
For example—in the Savannah breed, you should already have an elementary understanding of F1-F2-F3. After all, if you don’t understand it—how do you know what generation kittens to inquire about in the first place?
2. Be honest and up front.
If you want a kitten for breeding or to show, SAY it. I know, I know. You are afraid every breeder is going to shut you down if you state up front that you want a kitten to breed—but everyone starts somewhere. Developing a thick skin fast is pretty much a prerequisite for anyone wanting to breed any purebred animal. Expect flat-out refusals, expect a few breeders who are willing to educate you and work with you and expect a few breeders who will sell to you outright regardless of your knowledge of the breed. Guess which breeder you should work with if you want to breed/show? NOT the easy sell. I promise you.
If you aren’t seriously interested in investing in a kitten in the immediate future—be honest and up front about that too. Don’t waste breeders’ time pretending you are seriously interested in buying a kitten TODAY when really you are thinking maybe in the next two years you might be able to afford to bring a kitten into your life. The difference here is quite simple—your emails/phone calls can be answered, but you have time to develop your knowledge base further. For a buyer who is truly interested in buying right now, their questions and needs should come before a lookie-loo.
Remember, “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” In this case, you would want your breeder to be there for you when you are purchasing your kitten—not investing invaluable time with people who may or may not invest in the breed in the future.
3. Respect your breeder’s opinion on their litters.
Okay, so you finally found the breeder you will work with after doing some research and being up front with them. They know you want a pet and one which will work good with kids and dogs.
Now is the time to respect the breeder’s opinion on their litters. Let’s be honest—kittens are cute. Some kittens are damn cute. And there may come an occasion when you pick out a kitten and say, “This is the one for me!” Only to hear the breeder reply, “Uh, no—that kitten is scared of his own shadow and really needs a quiet home with grandparent types versus a home with kids overhead and dogs flying by.”
You will probably want to argue with your breeder--- heck, you may even feel like pulling out the whole tears and sadness routine. Because you LOOVE this kitten. But let’s have a reality check. You don’t really love this kitten—you love what you see on a computer via pictures. When you decided to go with your breeder, you should have decided this is someone you respect and who will work well with you. So respect their opinions in this case! Instead ask them which kitten would fit into your household and why. I bet they’ll have a beautiful amazing baby picked out for you already.
And if you are that person wanting to breed—do NOT try to convince a breeder to sell you a nonstandard kitten with breeding rights when it’s clearly labeled a pet kitten. Come on! That’s a whole new discussion, but until you’ve had your feet firmly planted in breeding and have some ideas about what’s to come—leave the nonstandard colors behind. Just for now. They’ll be there later on down the road.
4. Time to meet the kittens! Keep it clean!
Time has passed and now you are so anxiously waiting meeting your kitten in person. Listen up. Do NOT spend the last few hours in the pet store petting the rescue cats. Do NOT go down to the shelter just to have a look at the kitties still in need of a home. Don’t pop by another breeder’s house just because maybe they have a kitten at a better price although you really do LOVE your kitten… Just don’t. Best option is to go from your home straight to the breeder’s home to meet your kitten. Second best option is to simply ensure you are not handling other animals before going to your breeder’s house. And for the love of all kittens and puppies everywhere—do not handle a mangy looking puppy an hour before you go to meet your kitten! Let’s keep your baby and others healthy!
5. Be on time!
I wish I didn’t have to include this in my list, but it’s a hard cold fact. People think breeders live in some type of vacuum just waiting for buyers to come along for their kittens. We don’t have kids to feed or kittens to clean up after or cats which may need to be played with or groomed or fed. Nope. We’re in a vacuum just waiting for you to descend upon us to visit your kitten. Right?
Wrong. Please be prompt. If you cannot be prompt, email or text your breeder and tell them ASAP and reschedule your visit (even if it’s just 30 minutes out—let your breeder know!) It is true—whether you are an hour or two or three late—you will still probably be greeted with a smile, but the reality is—you’ve just wasted another person’s day. Don’t do it.
6. Do NOT ask for a kitten that has been sold to someone else.
I’m putting this out there because I heard of it recently this weekend. If you see all of the kittens in a litter and the breeder tells you XYZ are not available, do not try to barter with the breeder and offer a higher price on Z. It’s not cool, man, not cool.
7. Follow your breeder’s protocol.
Now that your kitten is getting ready to head home, remember to follow your breeder’s protocol. If this means waiting until the kitten is spayed/neutered before it can go home—you need to find that patience and wait. No badgering! If it’s bringing your kitten home and spaying/neutering him promptly at 6 months—go ahead and enter the date into your smartphone now so you can be reminded a few months down the road. Get your vet check in, get your last set of shots (if needed.) Remember to follow your breeder’s protocol—quarantine, changing food, etc.
8. Enjoy your baby!
For the next 20 years, this baby hopefully will be bouncing around your life. Enjoy every moment. The breeder has loved and cherished this little one from the moment of birth. This sacred joy has been transferred into your life and it’s time for you to cherish it. Share your happy moments with your breeder over the years—and don’t be afraid to share the scary and sad moments too. A good breeder cares.
Well, that’s it, folks!