Things to do before buying our kittens

Buying a kitten – as with any other animal – is something that should be considered carefully beforehand and should never be done on impulse. Remember that you are not going to buy an object – you’re giving a house and a family to a living creature that will be part of your life for many years.

Adopting an animal means, fist of all, respecting it, recognizing its needs and understanding its way of communicating with you.

Consequently, your first act of respect towards your future friend should be not to support those sales chains that market kittens - and animals in general - as if they were nothing but objects, without even taking into consideration their health and wellbeing.

Therefore, there are two things you can do:

1)   You can adopt a cat from a shelter (which is doubtlessly a noble act);
2)   You can buy a kitten from a serious breeder.

The first option represents a way of saving an animal that is suffering because of the behaviour of “human beings” – let’s call them that way even if I would think of other words to describe those ruthless people.

The second option is a more difficult one since not many people are able to understand if a breeder is professional enough and, in general, to evaluate the health condition of a kitten.

Here below a quick “guide” with some useful pre-purchase advice:

• Never buy animals from a shop – the Law prohibits and punishes the display of animals in shops!!!!!!!!!
  
  
• Never buy animals online if you don’t know exactly where they are from. Everybody knows how terrible the live animal trade can be;
  
  
• Be sure about the breed you want to have, inform yourself reading field magazines, contacting a vet, visiting fairs and speaking directly with different breeders;
  
  
• Visit different breeders – in this way you will be able to check the hygienic conditions of the environment where the kittens live, get to know breeders personally and evaluate their availability to support you before and – more importantly – after your purchase;
  
  
• Always ask to see the kitten’s parents and the environment in which they were brought up – a professional breeder won’t object to this kind of request, one the contrary he will appreciate your interest;
  
  
• Be prepared to answer to any of the breeder’s questions – professional breeders always want to check everything before selling their kittens;
  
  
• Beware of breeders who “offer any breed” – they are not breeder but just sellers!

Once you’ve made your decision, take a look at the vaccine certificate and ask if it is possible to speak with the vet who is taking care of the litter and, in general, of the breeder’s cats.

Always remember to ask what the habits of your future kittens are – from their diet to the kind of cat litter they are used to. Always remember to ask what kind of food the kittens eat.
If you wish to chang e something of your future kitten’s life, please discuss that with the breeder or your vet and remember that any change must be made very slowly, getting your kittens used to it gradually.
Once you’ve bought your kitten, contact a vet in order to have your kitten checked, fix dates for booster shots and establish a correct diet for you new little friend.