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Member
 
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Last Login: 11/23/2009 4:20:23 PM
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| As a newcomer to Ragdoll kittens, I would greatly appreciate opinions on this matter. I recently purchased a male Ragdoll kitten from what I understood to be a reputable breeder out of state. I placed a deposit on the kitten and received an email approximately 5 weeks later from the breeder advising the "kitten was ready to go". We made the 7 hour trip to pick him up. Breeder advised the kitten was "vet checked" and healthy and 9 1/2 week old. While she gave us a tour of her cattery and saw all kinds of kittens, we never saw any of his litter mates, and it never occured to me to ask. Kitten had upper respiratory infection, severe diarrhea, and was found to weight 15 oz at vet check on Monday morning. I contacted the breeder and was advised that any medical bills were my responsibility, "kitten was healthy when he left...". I specifically asked if he was the "runt" of the litter as my vet said he looked to be about 6 weeks old. Breeder's response was "No", and if I wasn't happy, I could return him. To me, this would mean his litter mates weight less than 15 ounces at 9 1/2 weeks old ?? Again, I had no frame of reference. I've never purchased a kitten and didn't realize this baby was less than 1/2 of normal weight for his age. I trusted the "reputable" breeder. I never received notification from her that this kitten was the "runt" during the 6 weeks that I waited for him to be "ready". Instead, she waited until we made the trip, got home and had him vet checked. Then the only option she offered was for us to "bring the kitten back" and said we didnt have to take him if WE thought he was too small. I would think a good breeder would have notified me before we made the drive, given me the option of refusing this kitten, choosing another one, discounted the price or offered my deposit back to me. My question: are these the actions of a "reputable" breeder ? I would really appreciate your opinions on this as I am brand new to the kitten world. Thanks so much.
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Supreme Being
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| Most breeders won't let their kittens go until they're about 12-16 weeks old, and most will give you the kitten's medical records - keep in mind here, many breeders do their own vaccinations so the kitten you purchase may not ever have seen a vet, but you'd get the vaccination records. Many breeders also include a "health guarantee" that specifies that the kitten you purchase is healthy, free of disease or known defects. Usually the contract will state that if you take the kitten to your vet within 72 hours and there's a problem, the breeder will take the kitten back and either replace it or return your money. Was the deposit policy explained to you? Did you sign a contract when you purchased your kitten? If so, what does it say about health guarantees? What paperwork were you given? If your kitten was already spayed or neutered, you should have been given the paper to register your kitten; if not, your contract will probably say something about registration paperwork being withheld until the breeder receives proof that the kitten has been spayed/neutered and at what age. Yes, it's a red flag that you did not see your kitten's littermates. I'd want to see them and the kitten's parents, their pedigrees, and medical records. Finally - how is the kitten now? Do you still have him, or did you take him back to the breeder? Love to know how he's doing!
Cats_Dolls  
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| Go CatsDolls!!!I agre with everything she said!!!! How is he?Did you take him back?If you still have him cant wait to see pics!!!!
  "I look at all the caged animals in the shelter...the cast-offs of human society.I saw in their eyes love and hope,fear and dread,sadness and betrayal.And I was angry."God" I said,this is terrible!Why dont you do something?God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly."I have done something,"He replied."I created you"~Jim Willis
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Member
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| Thanks very much for responding. According to the breeder, his littermates were all gone when I picked him up (9 1/2 weeks, 15 oz.) and she stated he was not the runt of the litter ! The "contract" states that "if the said kitten dies within one year from a fatal hereditary or congenital defect, seller will replace kitten providing seller receives proof of defect in the form of a complete autopsy report." She states she worms the kittens herself, therefore she can provide no proof, yet the website clearly states "your kitten will receive a health record showing that immunizations and de-worming are up to date". I received a printed statement from her vet showing that "a" kitten, "sex unknown" received vaccination on 8/31/09, but no health certificate, which she advised is not required in her state. It also states that "under no circumstances is this cat to be de-clawed. Contract will be void if you decide to de-claw." Yet she advised my husband and I, verbally of course, that we could choose to de-claw the kitten and said, "All of my cats are de-clawed except for one". The kitten is doing much better now, is eating well, playing, purring. I've taken him back for weight check twice since Monday and he's gained 3 ounces so far. I have no intention of returning him to his "breeder", I never did, even though she gave me the "if your not happy then just bring him back" attitude. Once I saw that little face, I wasn't leaving him behind under any circumstances. My problem is, in my opinion, this little punkin never should have been sold at his weight. She stated in emails that she never noticed he was sick, denied he had diarrhea, didn't know his weight at his 8/31 "vet check" and changed her story and said she "didn't know if he was the runt of the litter". As an "expert" on Ragdolls, exactly what did she know? In my opinion, this self-described "Christian" should be ashamed of herself. Would like your opinion of this "breeder" as well as opinions on this baby being sold at such a small weight. I feel she had an obligation to contact me before my 7 hour trip to pick him up and advise his condition, weight, etc. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for taking the time.
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Supreme Being
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| Thank goodness he's doing well! The language you quoted from your contract is familiar to me - I've seen lots of contracts on breeders' websites, and without looking up my contract for Kearstie (my Scottish Fold), I can tell you that it had some very similar language. I can also tell you that Kearstie's health record was a simple page showing the dates that she was vaccinated and with what vaccines - not just "FVRCP" but the brand. I don't think I asked what her weight was, but I would certainly have expected the breeder to have a pretty close idea, and I would have expected her to know if this was the "runt" and if the kitten had shown any sign of diarrhea. In your breeder's defense, I have to point out that changing brands of food can cause diarrhea in cats - and you may not have known what she'd been feeding. I don't quite know what to think about the breeder telling you verbally that it was OK to declaw your kitten even though the contract specified that the kitten should not be declawed. I would think that a court would go by the written contract over a verbal agreement. Ragdolls are one of the largest breeds of domestic cat. I don't know how much a 9 1/2 week old Raggie should weigh, but I was quite surprised in your original post to learn that this kitten weighed 15 oz. at that age! Our Raggie is a shelter kitty that we got when he was 10 weeks old (he got separated from his mother at 2 weeks and was handraised by the shelter office manager). I think he weighed about 4-5 lbs. when we first got him. I probably wouldn't go back to this breeder for another cat - but I'm glad you're keeping this baby, it sounds like he has a good home with you. I'm excited for you having a new kitten - when can we see pictures?
Cats_Dolls
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Supreme Being
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I have been following this topic but since I have no experience I couldn't help you in your situation, but I am glad to hear that you kitten is doing good. And I'm sure that you will be a great mommy! 
  
"The really great thing about cats is their endless variety. One can pick a cat to fit any kind of decor, color scheme, income, personality, mood. But under the fur, whatever color it may be, there still lies, essentially unchanged, one of the world's free souls." Eric Gurnery
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Last Login: 11/23/2009 4:20:23 PM
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| Thanks very much for your advice. I'm afraid we can't blame a change in food..the breeder gave me 2 cans and a bag of dry food that he had been eating and that's only what I've fed him. We picked him up on Sat, 9/12 and had him at the vet Monday morning, 9/14/09. I know I must sound like an idiot for not refusing him, and maybe I am to some. But regardless of his size or health, I couldn't refuse him. I just couldn't do it. So, there you have it. And somehow I think this "Christian breeder" was counting on just that, especially after a 7 hour ride. She was "kind" enough to offer to let us "bring him back" if we're not happy with him. I did advise that I would not return him, but would make certain to post her emails and all documentation related to this kitten's health on every website I could access. It might save the next unsuspecting buyer from her. She had the audacity to threat ME with legal action for slander. I then emailed her the definition of "slander". Thanks again and I'll post pictures of my little guy soon. He's a sweetie, but you might need to "zoom in" to see him !!!
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Supreme Being
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Can't wait for some pictures of the little guy!
"The really great thing about cats is their endless variety. One can pick a cat to fit any kind of decor, color scheme, income, personality, mood. But under the fur, whatever color it may be, there still lies, essentially unchanged, one of the world's free souls." Eric Gurnery
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Supreme Being
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debra7252 (9/18/2009)
I know I must sound like an idiot for not refusing him, and maybe I am to some. But regardless of his size or health, I couldn't refuse him. I just couldn't do it. No, you don't sound like an idiot to me, you sound like an angel. Certainly to this little baby you are one! He's in good hands with you. You mentioned that you are new to kittens - as you have questions, please come back here and post them. I have a feeling that you won't be asking your breeder! But someone here usually will have an answer for you and will be glad to help you. We're all looking forward to "watching" this kitten grow up!
Cats_Dolls
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