Читать книгу The Cat Handbook - Karen Leigh Davis - Страница 32

If your heart is set on acquiring a purebred cat, there are several advantages to buying from a private, small-volume breeder. If the breeder is local or near the town or city you live in, you can visit the cattery and see firsthand the environment in which the kitten was born and raised. You also can see what the dam (the mother), and sometimes the sire (the father), of your kitten looks like. Usually, other cats from the same bloodline are present to give you a good idea of what your kitten’s appearance and temperament will be like when grown. Also, when you buy from a small-volume breeder, you gain the opportunity to establish a relationship with someone who can share his or her experiences in raising and showing that particular breed.

Before you buy, first research the breed that interests you in order to learn about its temperament, genetics, and care. Some breeds, such as the Siamese and Abyssinian, are highly active and energetic, while others, such as the Persian, are noted for their quiet, passive personalities. Make sure the qualities inherent in a particular breed match your own personal preferences for a feline companion. For breed-specific information, read books or call one of the cat-registering associations and ask for a breed profile.

Then, to begin your search for a reputable breeder, call the various cat registries and ask for a list of people in or near your area who breed the type of cat you are looking for (see Useful Addresses and Literature on page 188). Peruse the ads and breeder directories published in the cat magazines. Attending cat shows is an especially good way to meet cat breeders, because you can talk to them in person and see firsthand the quality of their cats. Some breeders advertise in the classified sections of newspapers or pin their business cards on bulletin boards in veterinarians’ offices.

If the cattery is within driving distance, visit and observe for yourself whether the facility is clean and free of pungent animal odors. Also note whether the cats are kept in cages or allowed to run about freely in an area of the house. While it is not unusual for breeders to keep their studs caged or to confine kittens for their own safety when unattended, it is highly preferable to acquire a kitten that has been allowed to explore its surroundings and socialize with people and other cats. In fact, experts say that kittens gently handled by people at an early age tend to grow up to be better people-oriented pets.