Finding a Good Breeder

Anyone can breed two cats and get kittens,but what is a Responsible breeders ?

You're looking for that dream kitten. You think you know just what you want. But do you? Before you buy, please consider if you have chosen a truly good breeder. You deserve a happy, healthy, wonderful kitten! You'll be living with your choice for more than a decade- takes the time to choose carefully!

Know what you are looking for :

Please remember, Pets want to be part of your family FOREVER.Pets are not toy to be discarded when you tire of them. Pets will give you lots of love and companionship for many years. They can easily live to be 20 years old.

Attend CAT SHOWS if at all possible; talk to the various breeders. Ask them if they recommend anyone in your area
VISIT the cattery, if at all possible. Fancy websites, show champions, etc. do not necessarily make for a good breeder. Visit and take care to note the health and care given to the cats and kittens, their personalities, and the cleanliness of the cattery including food and water bowels and litter boxes, etc.

1. Good breeders NEVER sell their kittens to brokers, pet stores, flea markets, etc.
2. Good breeders stand behind their cats and kittens.
3. Good breeders don't ALWAYS have kittens on hand and you often have to be put on a waiting list.
4. Good breeders will almost never breed more than two breeds, and usually only one.
5. Good breeders do not let their kittens go to new homes before ten weeks of age.
6. Good breeders socialize their kittens.
Good breeders are proud to show you the parents of the kittens, if both are owned by the breeder, and are also happy to show off the cattery and its cats -- excluding of course young kits. They will also produce pedigrees and health information.
7. Good breeders breed only to improve their line or their breed, not for the sole purpose of making money.
8. Good breeders will speak honestly with you about the positive and negative aspects of the Bengal breed. They will not tell you the Bengal is the perfect cat for everyone.
9. Good breeders will speak frankly about health / genetic concerns in the breed or line.
10. Good breeders truly love their cats, and treat them as a member of the family first, taking the very best care of them that they can.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a good breeder will ask questions about you. The breeder may want to know whether you have children in the home, how old, whether they have been exposed to cats before, and whether they have been, or will be, trained in respectful treatment of pets. Breeders may also ask , what your experience with cats has been, and even why you want a cat and why a cat of this particular breed. Good breeders will also ask for references—they are not about to let one of their kittens go home with a stranger about whom they know nothing at all.

TICA CODE OF ETHICS

THE INTERNATIONAL CAT ASSOCIATION, INC.
VOLUNTARY CODE OF ETHICS
P: 956.428.8046 P.O. BOX 2684, HARLINGEN TX 78551 FORM: A-1030
F: 956.428.8047 WWW.TICAEO.COM REVISED: 1/31/2008

I am a member in good standing of The International Cat Association (TICA) and have a TICA registered
cattery.
I will breed discriminately, and only if I can find appropriate homes for my kittens.
I will place kittens only in homes that I believe will provide a life-long commitment of love, appreciation,
and responsible care.
Any kitten or cat sold as a pet/companion will be sold under the following conditions:
• I will guarantee that the kitten/cat is in good health at the time of sale.
• I will urge the purchaser to have the kitten/cat examined by the purchaser’s own veterinarian within
a few days of purchase to confirm its good health.
• I will require that the kitten be spayed or neutered NO LATER THAN 12 months of age and not be
allowed to produce any offspring.
• I will explain to the purchaser the dangers of an outdoor environment.
• I will provide a written sales agreement that describes all the terms of the sale. I will abide by my
own sales agreement.
• I will provide the TICA registration application form and/or pedigree for the kitten/cat ONLY after I
have received written evidence from a licensed veterinarian that the kitten/cat has been altered.
• I will encourage the purchaser to contact me if the purchaser has any questions and I will respond in
a timely manner.
• I will not release a kitten until it has been inoculated at least twice against the following:
Panleukopenia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus. I also may choose to give other vaccinations.
I have read and agree to abide by the above Voluntary Code of Ethics.