Many people question whether with the digital age, you can find legitimate and reputable cat breeders online. The Internet is filled with frauds, we’ll have to admit that. And most of the so-called breeders have been known to steal copyrighted photographs off legitimate breeder sites like Treasured Kittens and put them on their own site, only to disappoint or even break the heart of a family, who was promised that they would be getting a beautiful Doll Face Persian or other type of kitten, and then they receive a very badly bred animal with extensive health problems. Many times these incidents don’t get reported to authorities, because buyers are either embarrassed to have been hoodwinked or have fallen in love with the kitty, and accepted the inferior and unhealthy new family member, and that is to be admired, but it’s still wrong.

So when you make the decision to get a pedigreed cat, what should you do? Firstly, check out the breeder. Contact the cat breeding organizations and verify that the Cattery is actually recorded and named on their list of reputable breeders. Then also read the (Testimonial) pages, it will take no time at all to figure out who is legit, because the truth is, a photo if worth a thousand words, and you can verify health and even DNA content virtually by looking at the various former kittens the Cattery in question has delivered. Sure, there may always be some mean comment online about someone or a Cattery, it’s the nature of the Internet. Strangers and vicious people have been able to post lies on people for years with impunity, but thanks to the slander, defamation and libel laws, that are finally catching up with technology, people are finding ways to combat this.

However, back to wanting that beautiful pedigreed kitten or cat. Firstly, you will find that reputable breeders refused to over-breed their animals. These are unhealthy practices, and therefore, you may have to go on a waiting list, and that’s not only a good idea for you, but the breeder and the cat as well. I know breeders like (Treasured Kittens Cattery), that will not over-breed their Kings or Queens, and treat them like family. They are not caged or housed and are able to walk the lay of the land (of the home); so to speak, and are happy, contented and healthy. You should find successful and reputable breeders who offer (projected breeding practices). What does this mean? If you see a Cattery that says, (Kittens will be available in the Spring or Summer of 2012), then you realize that these cats are being bred properly. Given a date to rest, to heal, to build their health and bodies back up, and are not just being bred for profit.

Does that mean that a person or Cattery making a profit is a bad breeder? Absolutely not; that only means that they are successful at finding repeat buyers, people who sometimes later comeback and want a second, a third of fourth kitten.

So do not hesitate to ask questions. If you go to a site, contact a breeder and they refuse to answer questions or claim they are too busy, then you should probably go someplace else. Because if you get a kitten and have questions, there are times that even your VET will want you to ask the breeder questions to make correct and accurate decisions about treatments etc…

Then look at the website, don’t hesitate to ask for referrals that you can email or call for proper vetting of a person or Cattery.

The Internet has made all of our lives easier, but it also has made many of us lazier. Don’t be lazy when deciding to purchase a family member, that probably will be with you for 12-20 years, if you are lucky. This is an important decision for you and your family, and the Cattery/and/or/Breeder should be just as interested in you and your home as you are in theirs.

When in doubt? ASK!