Note Worthy Information and Links  

    Many times, I am asked by future Pedigree Owners, what do they look for when preparing to purchase their new pet.  I'm not talking about just future Ragdoll owners, but any pedigree owner.  To try and help out, these are the steps that I would take.

         1.  If possible, find at least 3 breeders that live close enough so that you can visit their facility.

        2.  Are you impressed by their website or did you notice more than a couple of misspellings?  Do they use proper grammar?  (This is a first clue as to whether you want to find another breeder).  Remember, not all breeders are artist about their site, but it should contain proper spelling and appropriate grammar.

        3. After contacting these breeders, either by e-mail or phone, did they respond in a timely, manner?  And did their response leave you with a "good" feeling?  Were they polite, knowledgeable about the breed, and were they friendly?  Did they answer your questions fully, or did they leave you with a feeling of "unknown"?

        4.  Make an appointment to visit the catteries.  Any breeder should be eager to "show off" their cats and their cattery (please make a different day appointment for each cattery you plan to visit).

        5.  What is your first impression when parking your car?  Is the outside clean and tidy;  are there other animals kept on the outside; is there adequate food, water, free space; is there feces lying about?  Is there an offensive odor?  If you answer yes to any of these, LEAVE.  You don't want your future pet to come from these surroundings.  A breeder's outside animal should be just as important as their inside animals.

        6.  If you have made it to the front door, is there any detectable urine or feces odor coming from the inside?  Again, if you answer, yes, LEAVE.

        7.  Once inside, does the breeder seem glad to see you, or more like you are imposing on him/her?  Are there cats freely moving about or do you have to ask where they are?  Are the cats friendly, or do they run and hide?  Do the cats all appear to be healthy and well adjusted? Does there appear to be too many cats roaming about?  (I would think that 20 or more in a normal home environment, might be too many). IF the cattery is separate from the home, ask to see it.  If the breeder is unwilling, thank him/her for their time, leave and find another breeder.

        8.  After your have completed your visits, how did you feel?  Did you feel pressured to make an immediate deposit?  Was there good communication between you and the breeder? Did you feel that should any problems arise after you get your new pet home, that the breeder will "be there" for you? Do you really want to buy from this breeder?

    I know most of this would seem to be common sense, yet many times new owners are overwhelmed by the cuteness of the kittens and forget that these kittens are a product of their environment!