Dahliadolls Ragdolls Toronto, Ontario, Canada

In the last few years, we are seeing more and more ads for cheap

Ragdoll kittens. They may seem like a bargain, but there are several

things you should know before you fall for that "bargain".

1.   The Registration Number for purebred TICA registered Ragdolls

starts with "SBT".  Ask the breeder if you can see the papers for the

parents to be sure your kitten is purebred.  "AOT" means one parent is

another breed.  You will not be getting the floppy, melt in your arms

personality of a Ragdoll, with an "AOT" parent.  Also, there are now

fake registries that will register any cat without pedigree for a small

fee.  Many backyard breeders now use these phony registries to trick

people into thinking they are buying a purebred.  Research the registry

the breeder registers with, to make sure. 

2.   Reputable breeders do not allow their kittens to leave home until

they are at least 12 weeks old.  Many wait until 16 weeks.  Yes, they

eat a lot between 8 and 12 weeks, but kittens need the extra time for

proper socialization.   They still need their Mommy and their

littermates and getting your kitten any younger will not help you bond

with it.

3.   If the breeder does not register their cats, the cats are NOT

purebred.  Any colourpoint, medium haired cat could pass for a Ragdoll

to the untrained eye, but you will notice the personality of an

unregistered cat is not what it should be.

4.   Purchase only from registered catteries.  You can check with the

associations to make sure the breeder is registered. 

5.   Ask to see the breeder's contract before you agree to purchase. 

The contract should include clauses such as "no declaw" and

"indoor only".  You should also get a health guarantee and your breeder

should give after-sales support for any help you need.  The contract

may seem tough, but reputable breeders care about their babies for

their entire lives. 

6.   Ask for references from families who have purchased a kitten

from that breeder. 

7.  Be prepared to wait for your perfect kitten.  Good breeders have

waiting lists, usually from repeat customers and referrals.  Good

breeders don't over breed their cats and only breed when the queens are in perfect condition.  When you think about the length of the cat's life,

it's worth waiting a few months for a healthy kitten.  A good breeder

will refer you to another reputable breeder if they know they won't be

able to help you. 

8.   Never buy a kitten that has been raised in a cage.  Kittens need

to be raised with other animals and people.   The busy day-to-day

happenings in a home and handling by people will help ensure a properly

socialized kitten.  Stay away from catteries with ALOT of cats. You

can bet those cats live in cages. 

9.  Look for breeders with Champion Lines.  Backyard breeders and

kitten mills see the expense if champion cats as unnecessary to their

profits.  Reputable breeders don't profit from their cattery. 

10. Newspapers are probably the worst source for kittens.  Reputable

breeders have websites with lots of photos.  We are very proud of our

cats and want everyone to see them.  Backyard breeders advertise in

newspapers since the condition of their cattery is usually nothing to brag about. 

11.  If a breeder offers you a discount if you take your kitten

"unregistered", DON"T fall for it.  It costs a breeder $10.00 to

register an entire litter, regardless of the number of kittens in that

litter.  The breeder is just gambling that a discount will be enough

incentive to keep you from discovering that the kitten is NOT purebred.

  Also, if a breeder says they don't register their kittens because they

don't show their cats, don't believe them.  They don't register because

their cats are not real Ragdolls and they can't register them. 

12.   A reputable breeder will ask you lots of questions.  Please don't

be offended.  We want the best for our babies and how you answer our

questions will show us how committed you are to the life of our cat. 

We take the future of our kittens very seriously.  Be wary if a breeder

doesn't ask you questions.  They won't be there to give you answers

either after you take your kitten home. 

13.  Ragdolls are not cheap.  If you see an ad for kittens that cost

less than the average cost of other breeders, those kittens are not

Ragdolls.  If it seems too good to be true, it is. 

14.  Do not purchase from breeders who do not give at least two sets

of shots to their kittens before allowing them to leave.  The immunity that a kitten gets from it's mother milk starts to wear off at 7 or 8 weeks. 

The first shots should be given at 8-9 weeks.  The second shots should

be given at 12-13 weeks.  Only after the second shots, will the immune

system be functioning properly.  Taking home a kitten that has had only

one set of shots will cost you big in vet bills. 

15.  Reputable breeders early spay/neuter their kittens before allowing

them to go home.  Altering a kitten is less traumatic than altering an

older cat.  Please read the Winn Foundation's article on early alter. 

It may seem like a bargain at the time but buying from a BYB will soon

cost you in vet bills and heartache.