A reputable breeder will:

• Guarantee that your kitten is in good health and free from Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodefiency Virus (FIV).


• Strongly urge you to have your own veterinarian examine your kitten within a few days of purchase to confirm its good health.


• Require that you have your kitten neutered or spayed at the appropriate age (if it has not already been done).


• Provide a written sales agreement that describes all terms of the sale, including the breeder's health guarantee and the neuter/spay agreement.


• Be intensely interested in the welfare of every kitten they produce, and encourage you to call whenever you have questions or concerns about your kitten.

To tell if a kitten is healthy, handle the kitten. It should have good muscle tone, a clean coat (or skin in the case of the Sphynx), and bright, clear eyes. The kitten should not be sneezing or sniffling. Its eyes should be free from discharge and its ears should be clean and pink inside. There should be no bald patches (except in the Sphynx) or signs or dry, flaky skin. Check behind its ears and low on its back, at the base of the tail, for flea dirt (which looks like black sand).

Most reputable breeders allow their kittens to go to new homes at 16 weeks of age. If you're used to seeing barely-weaned kittens in pet stores, this might seem old; but it's actually a good age to make the transition to a new home. At 16 weeks, a kitten is weaned, litter trained, and has been vaccinated at least twice. It still has plenty of comical, lovable kittenhood to go.

When you bring your kitten home, make sure you follow the breeder's instructions carefully. Making the transition to a new home can be very stressful for any cat. Changes in food, water, litter, and overall environment can cause minor ailments, even in healthy cats. (For example: Dairy products usually cause diarrhea, so don't give your kitten milk unless instructed to do so by the breeder.)

Play with the kitten using a non-threatening toy, such as a feather or ribbon. After a period of normal caution toward strangers, the kitten should relax into a friendly, active and playful attitude. Many perfectly friendly kittens would rather play than be held; however, after becoming acquainted with you, the kitten should let you hold it for a short time.

Don't be offended if the breeder asks you questions (for example, whether you have other cats, whether your current cat has been tested for Feline Leukemia, etc.). The breeder is not trying to embarrass or intimidate you; they are simply trying to determine whether their kitten will have the kind of home they want. (Remember, to a responsible, reputable breeder, a kitten is not a commodity; it is an individual to be loved.) A reputable breeder strives to find the best possible home for each kitten.

A reputable breeder is acutely aware of the vast numbers of unwanted cats and kittens, and breeds for quality rather than quantity. Breeding a cat with less than ideal "show conformation" adds to the pet overpopulation problem and degrades the overall quality of the breed. Don't think you can "offset the cost of the kitten by having just one litter".

A reputable breeder will be happy to discuss the breed's characteristics and special requirements with you. Be sure you discuss the breed's characteristics with the breeder and decide whether they are right for your lifestyle and personal preferences.

A reputable breeder sells a kitten only with a written contract that includes a health guarantee. They will vaccinate the kitten at least twice against Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper), Calicivirus and Rhinotracheitis. They will guarantee that the kitten is in good health and is free of Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodefiency Virus (FIV).

A reputable breeder puts careful thought and much care into raising healthy, outgoing kittens and will be happy to discuss their methods with you.  They will be able to provide references on request.