Do cat breeders actually do reference checks on prospective buyers (cross post sorry)

[cherham]

Just a small rant and need to be sure I am not improperly offended here.

We recently lost an old very loved cat to stomach cancer. One cat left in the home who is lonely. I have ALWAYS adopted via the local pound but after adopting two cats that turned out to be positive for feline leukemia (and hence having to find new homes for both these cats so not to infect my remaining old guy) I thought I would try a reputable breeder.

Saw the photo, cute cat, 9 months old not located far from my home. About an hour drive. The Kijiji ad indicated the location was in Toronto by the way.

I contact seller and advise I really like the kitty and would like to come by and visit and see if he might be a good fit for my home. Also request current vaccination schedule and vet report. This is an expensive cat by the way…below is the reply I received this morning.

Offended and upset does not begin to describe my reaction. I was totally taken aback by this email. Not to mention I thought I was dealing with a woman where in this instance I believe I have a cat “breeder” that is a male. I don’t even know if the cat is located anywhere near me. Is this normal when selling small animals? To not even know the buyer or ask anything about them. I was prepared to complete a full questionnaire and have a complete check done on me. Heck I had to attend two private sit down interviews before I could adopt the previous cats from the local cat shelters. Here is the exact reply I received this morning…

“Maam, if i were to allow the 30 people a day to visit the cats i would be running a petting zoo and not breeding animals. Bengals are the exact same in either breeder. They are domesticated! We sell globally from germany and england to muskoka and montreal. A picture of a bengal is a exact replica of what will be produced. If you think that a kitten will gracefully accept you and want to be beside you right when you come to visit is preposterous. Like every kitten they are shy when new people come around so its very clear they will build up to loving you and not give you the attention your clearly expecting. And no we do not need to meet you either. To be bland, if i were to sell you a chair on kijiji, and you were to do your research you would know what your expecting, and not ask to sit on it in person to see if it fits your butt properly. Hope that answers your absurd inquiry. Good luck finding another snow bengal for this price”

[Mukluk]

She (He?) does not sound like a pleasant person with whom to do business but perhaps rather a wack job of some sort. Hope you will be able to find a nice Bengal. My brother has a Bengal and he is the coolest cat (aside from our new Maine Coon Cat kitten of course!).

[IdahoRider]

OP, chalk it up to a really crappy breeder trying to divert your attention from how crappy they are.
Sheilah

[Rudy]

Cat breeders can be veeeery interesting people however…

My knee jerk reaction when I read the reply was “Go f*%× yourself.” Not very nice on my part but in no way is a reply like that warranted.

If going for a breeder you will find more than one who will not allow visitors, especially without a deposit and contract already on hand. The risk of bringing in URI in to a cattery is high and people can be very protective to keep their cattery URI free.

Also remember to do tons of research on Bengals before you decide to get one. Love them but not for the faint of heart.

[Marshfield]

I think you contacted a broker as opposed to a reputable breeder. I doubt you’d be allowed to meet the cat/parents/see where raised. They likely ship cats from all over.

[S1969]

I’d respond to that jerk. Something to the effect of “I wasn’t interested in seeing just the cats, but to meet the breeder and see the premises to make sure the kitten was bred by a reputable breeder. Thanks for clearing that up for me; you’re exactly what I’m NOT looking for.”

[cherham]

Thanks everyone for your insight. I think in particular this line was the most offensive to me…(To be bland, if i were to sell you a chair on kijiji, and you were to do your research you would know what your expecting, and not ask to sit on it in person to see if it fits your butt properly.)

Really? did I need to be told that visits were not possible to be put in these particular words. I have never been spoken to like this…nor do I deserve it. No one does…ever!@

I have never purchased directly from a cat breeder, I certainly did not know that pre-visits were not acceptable. Honestly I still disagree with this practice but whatever… as a breeder of any animal I would want to know where my animals are being placed. I certainly would not sell to anyone who came up with the cash particularly through a Kijiji ad. I would check these people out as best I could. Vet references, personal references whatever.

I have in the meantime contacted two other breeders in my area and both welcomed me to come visit anytime. Full Vet reports will be available upon my arrival (and I am welcome to contact them directly to confirm).

This is the proper way to do business…thankfully there are still some decent people out there. Beware people when contacting those on these free websites. There are seriously some crazies out there…scary!

[Casey09]

It might be worth it to pay more to have a breeder that you can have a good relationship with. I have dogs but I can text my breeder with a, “What do you think about this” question and get a nice response. I did ask about visiting before the puppies were 8 weeks though and was nicely told no due to the risk of disease. I was there when they were 8 weeks and saw the whole place, so I don’t think anyone was hiding anything. I would always rather deal with someone who takes the time to be nice though.
I know you aren’t asking this and I’m probably out of line, but why not another breed like a Maine Coon? I know some people who have Bengals, and I’m sure it is personal taste, but something about the breeding bothers me.

[french_fry]

I am 100% sure you can find a more reputable rescue so you will not end up with the heartbreak of another rescue you will have to rehome. So many perfectly healthy cats are out down every day in shelters.

I’m not anti breeder and am not trying to guilt trip you but unless you have a specific need for a purebred cat there are just so many rescued cats in desperate need of homes. It kills me that I can’t take in any more - I am past my landlord’s limit :eek:

[NoDQhere]

A “good” breeder will appreciate you wanting to visit the cats. No reputable breeder would send an email like that. I agree that sounds like a broker or a mill type operation.

Bengals are not rare and you will be able to find a nice one from a nice breeder, I’m sure. They are wonderful cats!

[Highflyer]

While I haven’t bought a cat, my guess is that, just as with horses, the better breeders aren’t selling them via an online classified ad on kijiji.

[Nootka]

WOW :eek: awwwww hell no! That is horrible! What an ass.

I love Bengals they are great cats and are highly amusing. I love their chirping chatter

[Puglet]

Run, run away! (lol, I know I’m stating the obvious)

I show in the CFA and know many breeders, including several national winning breeders. I don’t know a single breeder that would EVER treat a potential client that way. Good breeders are deeply invested in their cats and want to be sure their cats are matched with the right home. The actions of the other breeders are much more common! I most definitely was encouraged to come visit to be sure the cat was a good fit. My cats were up to date on shots and received a vet exam before they came home with me. The breeder has actually become one of my good friends!

Unfortunately, I don’t know any Bengal catteries to recommend, as they are not yet an accepted breed by the CFA. It sounds like you have found some alternatives though. TICA has a list that might be a good place to look if you want more options: http://www.tica.org/find-a-breeder/item/232. You could also look at TICA results and then look up the cattery name of the winning Bengals.

Best of luck finding the perfect kitty!