NadaCatz FAQ – NadaCatz Devon Rex

How Do You Determine Whether A Breeder Is Reputable?

According to TICA there are specific ways to determine the difference between a REPUTABLE BREEDER and a KITTEN PRODUCER.

The defining difference between a Reputable Breeder and a “kitten producer” is the concern for and the responsibility a person shows for their breed, breeding program, fellow breeders, their individual cats and kittens, and purchasers thereof.

Reputable Breeders spend time and money on that which they believe to be for the best interest of the breed, their cats and those directly and indirectly affected by the breeder’s actions.

Reputable Breeders see their breeding program as an unfinished work, a creative masterpiece that drives them towards excellence and purrfection. The “kitten producer,” on the other hand, is motivated by profit. While the “kitten producer” is happy to sell quantity to dealers and brokers, the reputable breeder insists on individual contact with each prospective owner and will only place a kitten after careful and thorough screening. Direct contact is necessary in order to ensure a mutual compatibility between the would-be purchaser, the cat or kitten and the breeder. Due to this concern, a reputable breeder will help the novice purchaser select the cat or kitten that is compatible with their lifestyle, personality and expectations, even if it means talking them out of a cat or kitten. Screening is necessary to ensure a successful placement and is foremost with the reputable breeder.

Reputable Breeders are concerned with pedigrees. The breed standard is of utmost importance to their goal for excellence and the betterment of the breed. A reputable breeder would NEVER think of breeding without knowing the pedigree or without holding the papers qualifying the dam and the sire as breeder quality. A reputable breeder will own the right to breed, the papers proving such, and will have the pedigree of his/her cats as well.

Reputable Breeders are willing and able to educate and be educated, have a willingness to answer questions correctly and care about the concerns of the potential new owner. They will allow visits to see the mother and kittens and, if available, the father, in their environment and when it is feasibly safe to do so. The “kitten producer” may offer seemingly good reasons to meet in places with available kittens other than the raised environment.

Reputable Breeders insist upon contracts and require that cats and kittens be returned to them if, for any reason, the purchaser is unable to keep them. These breeders show responsibility to the breed and the cats and kittens they have “created” for the lifetime of the pet. Health records, pedigrees and care information are a source of great pride to the breeder that is reputable, as well as a sanitary, clean, healthy and happy environment.

Reputable Breeders are excited at the prospect of furthering their education through breed clubs, at shows, seminars and will take advantage of available resources. These breeders tend to live around their cats and kittens. Every opportunity to participate in activities with other reputable breeders, ensuring them that their breeding program compares to others within their breed group, is looked upon favorably by this reputable breeder.

Reputable Breeders are realistic and understand that sometimes things go wrong. However, they maintain a responsibility to the situation. If it is within their power, they do what is needed to rectify a problem fairly. The reputable breeder does not abandon a situation.

Source: ®Brigitte McMinn 1999

Are Devon Rex Cats Hypo-Allergenic?

Contrary to popular opinion, Devon Rex do shed just like all other cats however the structure of the coat makes the shedding less obtrusive than in some other breeds. For some reason, there is a perception that the Devon Rex is hypo-allergenic however they do produce allergens like every other cat. Some people with allergies to cats are able to tolerate Devons but others are not depending on their personal allergies. If you are allergic and are considering a Devon, you should make arrangements to spend some time in the company of a Devon before acquiring one. Visit with one and wait at least 24 hours to see if they do elicit an allergic reaction and ideally visit more than once.

Are Devon Rex Easy to Care For?

They are easy to care for because their wavy coats do not shed very much and dry quickly when bathed. Their large ears can attract dirt, though, so these should get a weekly cleaning with a soft cotton swab. Other than that a quick shampoo with a towel dry will keep your wash-and-wear Devon curls in top shape. And a quick nail trim to keep the claws short is the only other grooming required.

Do Devon Rex Cats Have Any Health Concerns?

Devon Rex cats are generally healthy, but like all cats, they can have certain diseases. Regular veterinary checkups are essential to monitor your Devon Rex's health and catch any potential problems early. If you're considering getting a Devon Rex, be sure to choose a reputable breeder who screens their cats for genetic conditions and offers a health guarantee.

Can I Visit Your Cattery?

In this day and age, inviting people into your home can be quite dangerous. We take the safety of our Devon Rex seriously. There are many anti-breeder and animal rights activists out there. We do not want to risk the safety of our family or pets. We limit visits as much as possible for several reasons. Breeding is not our job. It’s a getaway from dealing with the criminals in our community while working in Law Enforcement.
We do not provide allergy visits, as each cat/kitten has their own level of dander, and you may be allergic to one cat over another. Nor do we allow visits to come to pick out a kitten or just to come to look at the cats. When you’re asking to visit, our “cattery” you are asking to visit our home, where we live with our family and children.

Visitors are pretty invasive in our daily life and strangers in the house can be extremely stressful. Young kittens are extremely vulnerable to airborne diseases and their mother’s stress. Therefore, we limit visitors to people who come pick their kitten up. That doesn’t mean we have anything to hide, it means we take the utmost precautions for our own and our cats and kitten’s sake.

We are always happy to meet you at a show. We’re happy to meet with you there and show you who we have with us. References are available from people who have been at our house and from friends and fellow breeders if you have any doubts regarding how our cats live and are treated.

How Much Do Your Devon Rex Cats Cost?

“Most” Devon Rex kittens start at $1900. We do not negotiate the price of our cats. Please keep in mind that most of our cats and kittens are adopted before ever being listed on our website. The exact price of our cats depends on many factors but often the kittens with better conformation cost more.

Do You Offer a Health Guarantee?

Absolutely! The health of our cats and kittens is our number one priority! All of our kittens are sterilized prior to leaving our home, they will be up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations, and come with a health certificate from the vet, and a health contract/guarantee for 3 years, plus their TICA and/or CFA registration papers.