I've just read through this and have to say how sorry I am for your situation
If I suspected that one of my kittens had something on his/her fur it would be washed off immediately! to have two kittens die in accidental circumstances like yours is more than unfortunate - it's carelessness on the part of the breeder and your deposit should have been refunded.
Does the breeder have a prefix registered with the GCCF? It might be worthwhile getting in touch with them, though like the RSPCA, sadly I doubt if it will change anything.
If you pursue the matter through the small claims court judgment may well be in your favour but unfortunately that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get your deposit back
Sorry to sound so negative but it saddens me to think we have so little real come-back against unscrupulous people

__________________

How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven. - Robert A. Heinlein
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

Sounds extremely dodgy to me. Two kittens dead by poisoning?? What kind of a breeder is so careless? And then "not sure" what killed the first kitten?? No, something is up. Get your deposit back and find another reputable breeder.
So sorry for your disappointment.

She has now said that she will be consulting a solicitor to see where she stands, and I have informed her that I will be taking her to the small claims court if necessary.
As other people have said on here, all would give a deposit back as a matter of it being the right thing morally to do, as would I if I were a breeder myself. Surely it's hard enough to tell a buyer that both their kittens have died in your care, without then telling them that actually you're keeping their money too. It's almost insane! She just can't seem to understand that for us, the purchase of the replacement kittens didn't feel like the right thing to do, and this situation made us feel very uncomfortable.

It seems like we made the wrong choice for our breeder, we are so upset with this whole situation as it is!

Either she's lying or the her vet is an idiot as well. It's well known that washing tablets (anything you put in your dish washer or washing machine) is extremely dangerous to ingest! It's highly caustic. It's no laughing matter and if the vets been laughing at is, he/she needs to have the license removed.

Just imagine... would you tolerate a doctor laughing and talking about a nice breath if your child had eaten a washing tablet?

Could it be that these kittens are indeed still alive and been sold onto someone else by the breeder. A scam of sorts....

I have heard of "bad breeders" selling kittens ten times over, to scam deposits out of people.

I did actually phone the vets who confirmed the washing tablet situation- so it appears to be the case.

Have just been emailed by the breeder who has now agreed to my deposit being sent back. I had told her the advice I had been given on here, which maybe has made her see sense. She has insisted that the breeders she knows had given her was different- but who knows!
Her email was a little more polite and professional, so maybe she has realised that this whole situation is maybe something she needs to really think about. She has said she is going to still seek advice so that she knows where she stands in the future; let's just hope this never happens again!

i seriously can't believe what I have been reading! I can't give you any more advice than what has already been said, but just wanted to say I am very sorry you have found yourself in this situation. How awful and what a callous lady... doesn't sound like a responsible breeder to me more like a byb. Good luck with everything and keep us updated with the outcome as this could be useful for people in the future. Unfortunately you are not the only person that has been in this situation I'm sure.

This must have caused you so much heartache

Did you describe the kitten's colouring to the vets? To make sure it was your kitten, as this women seems to have several.

I hope you find two kittens soon, maybe try a rescue centre. A rescue deserves a donation more than lining the pockets of a byb.

Wishing you luck on your quest. And hopefully your deposit is forthcoming soon.

Blimey! What a horrible thing to have to go through!

Glad it's all been sorted and your getting your deposit back.

Poor kittens, what was she thinking letting them anywhere near washing tablets

***
Hope you and your boyfriend manage to find your perfect kittens ((big hugs))

Firstly i`m glad you have got your deposit back & sorry that you lost your kittens.

I can only reiterate what other people have said....there is something seriously amiss here when the kitten has been able to access washing up tablets. Any caring breeder will attempt to make sure that everywhere in their home is kitten proofed......i mistake can happen to anyone but having lost 2 kittens to ACCIDENTS seems a little more like negligence than an accident.

I hope you find some kittens for a more reputable breeder. If its a particular breed you want i`m sure some of the breeders on here could point you in the direction of a more Conscientious breeder.

I myself had problems when looking for my maine coon babies & under the advise of a PF member i found a breeder with babies who couldn`t have been loved more and are both beautiful.

I hope you have the same good fortune.

__________________


4 working cockers dexter 7, dizzy 3, murphy 2, charlie 1 and Eccles the dalmatian
5 cats cleo, katie & mickey (all 11) Merlin & Starr MC`s kittens
4 chinchillas (ranging from 19 to 4 yrs)
2 red foot tortoises
tropical fish in 6ft tank

Sprocket the rocket....(hamster) RIP


Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France
www.clarevilloscockers.co.uk