Choosing a Breeder CHOOSING A RAGDOLL BREEDER IN SOUTH AFRICA Insist on viewing both the stud and the queen as well as their pedigrees.  Establish that you are in fact buying a purebred and registered Ragdoll kitten bred by a registered and reputable Ragdoll breeder.  To register a kitten in South Africa cost a mere R20,00 per kitten so don't be misled by lies stating "I am saving you money by not registering the kitten"!   Any reputable breeder would be proud to only sell purebred, registered Ragdoll kittens! Insist on viewing the stud's quarters and establish for yourself that he is properly and lovingly cared for.  Enquire and view where the queens are kept, and in my opinion, that would preferably be inside the breeder's house where they are first and foremost BELOVED PETS and not locked up in cages, buildings, etc. outdoors.  View where the kittens are born and raised till they leave the breeder's home.  In my opinion, reputable and caring breeders will never  have their kittens born nor raised in outdoor cages, areas, buildings, etc.  ALL kittens and queens deserve to be with the breeder, in his/her home. Establish that the breeder scans all his/her breeding cats on a yearly basis for HCM, or preferably had them genetically tested for the HCM gene.  Insist on a genetic health guarantee, not just a general health guarantee which is only valid for couple of days. Should you have any doubt, call the SACC (011-616-7017) or the CFSA (011-792-0676) to establish the validity of the breeder, as well as get their approval/recommendation that you are dealing with a reputable breeder. Backyard breeders, kitten mills and kitten brokers are claiming that they are breeding "Ragdolls" which in fact are only "look-alike" pointed and/or non-pointed cats, or in some cases they are breeding their purebred Ragdolls without the permission or knowledge of the breeder they bought their kitten from. There are also many adverts on Junkmail, Gumtree, etc. offering "Ragdoll" kittens for ridiculously low prices.  Here is what Junkmail advises regarding buying pets advertised on their website :  "When buying a family pet, meet at a vet (of your choice) to get a professional opinion on the condition of the animal and verification of pedigree etc. Ask to see documentation issued by vets when animals are dewormed, inoculated etc rather than taking the word of the seller. Good owners, who have taken good care of their pets would have little difficulty in providing this to you. Ask a pet shop owner, vet or other professional on things you should look for to ascertain the health status of the animal - such as checking in their ears for fleas, ticks, secretions; if their stomach area is swollen and hard, it may indicate worms; skittish behaviour may indicate previous maltreatment; feel for bulges or growths. Over-inflated emotional displays of how loved the pet was, and how sad the person is to part with the animal may be an honest refection of adoration - or an attempt to use your emotion to pressure you into taking an animal with pre-existing problems. If the owner says that the price quoted in the ad was a misprint - still carefully consider whether you want to go through with the sale for the new price quoted. Fraudsters trust that you will pay higher prices when looking at that adorable puppy / kitten face. As with all transactions, if in doubt, walk away - be smart, be savvy, be safe!" Determining the Reputability of a Breeder The defining difference between that of a Reputable Breeder and a “kitten producer” is the concern and the responsibility the person shows towards his/her breed, breeding program, fellow breeders, and his/her individual charges; cats/kittens and purchasers thereof. The Reputable Breeder spends large amounts of time and money on that which he/she believes to be for the best interest of the breed, the cats and those directly and indirectly affected by his/her actions. The Reputable Breeder sees his/her breeding program as an unfinished work, a creative masterpiece that drives him/her towards excellence and purrfection.  Whereas, the “kitten producer” is motivated by profit. While the “kitten producer” is happy to sell quantity to whomever; dealers, brokers ... the reputable breeder insists on individual contact with each prospective owner and will only place a kitten after careful and thorough screening. Direct contact is necessary in order to insure a mutual compatibility between the would be purchaser, the cat/kitten and him/herself. Because of this great concern on the part of the reputable breeder, he/she will help the novice purchaser select the cat/kitten that is compatible with their lifestyle, personality and expectations, even if it means talking them out of a cat/kitten. Screening is necessary to ensure a successful placement and this is foremost with the reputable breeder. The Reputable Breeder is concerned with pedigrees and the breed standard is of utmost importance to his goal for excellence and the betterment of the breed. Because of the goal of betterment in mind, NEVER would this breeder think to breed without knowing the pedigree or without holding the papers qualifying the dam and the sire as breeder quality. A reputable breeder will own the right to breed, the papers proving such, and will have the pedigree of his/her cats as well. This breeder is willing and able to educate and be educated, has a willingness to answer questions correctly and cares about the concerns of the potential new owner. He/she will allow visits to see the mother and if available, the father, and kittens in their environment when it is feasiblely safe to do so. The “kitten producer” may offer seemingly good reasons to meet in places with available kittens other than the raised environment. The Reputable Breeder insists on contracts and requires that the cat/kitten be returned to him/her if for any reason the purchaser is unable to keep the pet. It is this breeder who shows responsibility to the breed, and the cats/kittens they have “created” for the lifetime of this pet. Health records, pedigrees and care information are a source of great pride to the breeder that is reputable as well as a sanitary, clean, healthy and happy environment. The Reputable Breeder is excited at the prospect of furthering his/her education through breed clubs, cat shows, seminars and will take advantage of available resources. This reputable breeder tends to live around their cats/kittens. Every opportunity to participate in activities with other reputable breeders ensuring them that their breeding program compares to others within their breed group is looked upon favorably by this reputable breeder. The Reputable Breeder realistically understands that sometimes things go wrong but, he/she maintains a responsibility to the situation, if it is within his/her power, they do what is needed to rectify a problem fairly. The reputable breeder does not abandon a situation. ®Brigitte McMinn 1999 10 Commandments of the Reputable Breeder 1. The Reputable Breeder places cats/kittens by contract. 2. The Reputable Breeder places cats/kittens with a health guarantee. 3. The Reputable Breeder insists and contracts the return of a cat/kitten should the purchaser be unable to keep the cat/kitten. 4. The Reputable Breeder carefully interviews prospective owners and has specific requirements that are to be met, i.e.; cat/kitten is to be altered if the breeder is not already practicing early altering, cat/kitten is not allowed to roam outdoors, etc. 5. The Reputable Breeder is willing and able to educate the novice. He/she happily answers any/all questions regarding the breed and his/her breeding program. 6. The Reputable Breeder insists on being informed of any health, genetic, or behavioral problems the cat/kitten may develop in it’s lifetime. 7. The Reputable Breeder does not have more cats/kittens then he/she is able to keep clean, healthy and well socialized. 8. The Reputable Breeder spends individual time with each of his cats/kittens. 9. The Reputable Breeder is very concerned with excellent temperament in his/her cats/kittens as well as excellent health. 10. The Reputable Breeder makes him/herself available for advice and help to other breeders, and throughout the life of the cats/kittens he/she has placed. This is not meant to say that these are the only factors of determining a Reputable Breeder. TICA What is a breeder? A Breeder (with a capital B) is one who thirsts for knowledge and never really knows it all, one who wrestles with decisions of conscience, convenience, and commitment. A Breeder is one who sacrafices personal interests, finances, time, friendships, fancy furniture, and deep pile carpeting ! She gives up the dreams of a long, luxurious cruise in favour of turning that all important Show into this years "vacation". The Breeder goes without sleep (but never without coffee!) in hours spent planning a breeding or watching anxiously over the birth process, and afterwards, over every little sneeze, wiggle or cry. The Breeder skips dinner parties because that litter is due or the babies have to be fed at eight. She disregards birth fluids and puts mouth to mouth to save a gasping newborn, literally blowing life into a tiny, helpless creature that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams. A Breeder's lap is a marvelous place where generations of proud and noble champions once snoozed. A Breeder's hands are strong and firm and often soiled, but ever so gentle and sensitive to the thrusts of a kits wet nose. A Breeder's back and knees are usually arthritic from stooping, bending, and sitting at the birthing box, but are strong enough to enable the breeder to Show the next choice kitten to a Supreme Championship. A Breeder's shoulders are stooped and often heaped with abuse from competitors, but they're wide enough to support the weight of a thousand defeats and frustrations. A Breeder's arms are always able to wield a mop, support an armful of kittens, or lend a helping hand to a newcomer. A Breeder's ears are wonderous things, sometimes red (from being talked about) or strangely shaped (from being pressed against a phone receiver), often deaf to criticism, yet always fine-tuned to the whimper of a sick kitten. A Breeder's eyes are blurred from pedigree research and sometimes blind to her own cat's faults, but they are ever so keen to the competition's faults and are always searching for the perfect specimen. A Breeder's brain is foggy on faces, but it can recall pedigrees faster than an IBM computer. It's so full of knowledge that sometimes it blows a fuse: it catalogues thousands of good bonings, fine ears, and perfect heads ... and buries in the soul the failures and the ones that didn't turn out. The Breeder's heart is often broken, but it beats strongly with hope everlasting ... and it's always in the right place! Oh, yes, there are breeders, and then, there are BREEDERS !! Author unknown. The following is hard-hitting and brings home yet another reason why pets should be early neutered/spayed and breeding should be left to responsible and caring breeders  The Miracle of Life ...  "Come quick, come quick", their mother said "The time is getting near"  She feels that when the kittens come the children should be here.  She told them that a big orange Tom took "Kitty" as his wife  "It's wonderful, a gift from God, the miracle of life"   At half a year young "Kitty" feels too painful and too scared  to appreciate six miracles, blind-eyed and yellow haired.  But she knows these lives depend on her and nature tells her how  and as she cleans them, children ask "Mom, can we go now?"  But now and then for six more weeks the children visit her  to play with six new magic toys made of life and fur.    The six weeks pass, the newness gone and new homes yet unfound,  Mom bundles up six miracles and takes them to the pound.  Where lovingly, with gentle hands and no tears left to cry,  the shelter workers kiss them once and take them off to die.  And "Momma Kitty" now she's called, mourns her loss and then,  she's put outside, and of course, she's pregnant once again.    Dad tells "Kitty" STOP THIS NOW or you wont live here long!  but deep inside of Momma Cat, this time something's wrong.  Too young, too small, too often bred now nature's gone awry,  Momma Kitty feels it too and she crawls off to die.  She too is freed from this cruel world, and from her time of strife.  How harsh the truth, how high the price this "Miracle of Life"?   -By Barry Taylor, DVM- I love my little kitty, she makes my house a home. She always is my best friend, I never feel alone. She makes me smile, she makes me laugh, She fills my heart with love ... Did some breeder breed her, or did she fall down from above? I've never been a breeder, seen life through their eyes, I hold my little kitty and just sit and criticize. I've never known their anguish, I've never felt their pain, The caring of their charges, through snow or wind and rain. I've never sat the whole night through, waiting for babies to be born, The stress and trepidation when they're still not there by dawn. I've never felt the heartache, of a little life in my hands, This darling little baby, who weighs but 60 grams. Should you do that instead of this ....or this instead of that, Alone you fight, and hope one day, he'll grow to be a cat, and bring joy to another being, and make a house a home, You know it's all just up to you, you'll fight this fight alone. Formula, bottles, heating pads, you've got to get this right, Two hourly feeds for this tiny guy, throughout the day and night. In your heart you know, you're almost sure to lose the fight, to save this little baby, but God willing ... you just MIGHT. Day one he's in there fighting, you say a silent prayer, Day two & three, he's doing well, with lots of love and care. Day four & five ... he's still alive, your hopes soar to the heavens, Day six he slips away again, dies in your hands day seven. You take this little angel, and bury him alone, With aching heart and burning tears, and an exhausted groan, You ask yourself "Why do this? ... why suffer all this pain?" But see the joy your kittens bring... it really self explains. So, when you think of breeders and label them with "greed", Think about what they endure to fill another's need. When you buy a kitten and with your precious dollars part, You only pay with money ... they pay with their heart. Author Unknown