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Re: WANTED! 2 kittens wanted for July in Hertfordshire area
From a moggy breeder i would ask
how old was mum when she got pregnant? (if very young (say 6 months) then smacks of an irresponsible owner who won't do the best for the kittens)
do they know who dad is? (unlikley in most cases unless they own both)
will you be able to see mum when you go for a visit?
will you be able to go for a visit before pick up?
have they been vet checked? wormed? de-flead?
how old will they be when rehomed? (personally I'd be wary of a kitten under 7 weeks of age)
are they fully litter trained?
are they fully weaned? (If they say still feeding from mum and having a little wet food - they need to stay with mum longer)
what are they eating? (start off with what they are used to and gradually change over)
what litter are they used to?
have they grown up in the home and therefore used to household noises, washing machine, kettle, hoover etc?
are they used to kids, dogs?
can they email you photos?
If you go to visit and it is very dirty or smelly etc and the kittens look in ill health walk away - as it will probably cost you in vets bills. And do collect from the owners house not a friends or a car etc.
When you pick up - check eyes for gunk, noses for discharge, dirty ears, sneezes, is the kitten playful or lethargic? Scratching excessively? Looking bright and alert and curious or hiding in a corner? Watch it play with its siblings? Again any doubts walk away. It is very tempting to 'rescue' these kittens but all it does is increase the demand in a market that shouldn't be there. I have walked away form kittens in the past as the owner said they were 8 weeks (they were nearer 5) and they were obviously suffereing badly from cat flu and looked unlikely to last the week out. Tempting as it was to rescue the kittens (especially as they were exactly the colours I wanted) it would have cost me a fortune in vets bills and ended up in heartache. Look in the internet for pictures of 8 weeks old kittens and compare them to 5 week old kittens and learn the difference. That way you will know if someone is having you on. Also never agree to pick up a kitten from a car/ in a car park - it will always be a scam!
Hope that helps
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