Your guide to: PURCHASING A PEDIGREE KITTEN

The committee of Durham County Cat Club recommend that prospective purchasers of any pedigree kitten follow the clubs guide lines.

• Read the G.C.C.F.'s guide on purchasing a kitten
• Do you really want a kitten?,
  Are you prepared for a commitment which usually last's over Ten years?
• The minimum age which any kitten can be taken from it's mother is 12 weeks; the GCCF and DCCC, advocate a minimum of 13 weeks, after having had the full course of vaccinations.
• The kitten that you purchase will already have been trained to a litter tray, it also should be lively and mischievous.
• Ask to see the kitten's mother and ask. if the seller is the registered owner of the mother.
• Who was the sire; and does he have the necessary GCCF stud certificate?
• Has the kitten been wormed?, if yes, what preparation was used?
• You should be shown the following documents:
• Pedigree Certificate
  Vaccination Certificate
  Registration / Transfer Certificate (may still be at GCCF office),
  if in doubt, the buyer should contact the GCCF to verify Registration is in progress.
• These documents will come with the kitten should you decide to purchase
  ONLY Accept a kitten which has a valid GCCF transfer Certificate, If in doubt about registration, contact the GCCF.
• Ask if any insurance is included in the selling Price
• Vaccinations are usually given at 8/9 weeks and at 12/13 weeks (kittens are not recommended to be taken without the second injection being given)
• If the kitten is less than 13 weeks old, a deposit will secure your new family member until it is ready to come home.
• The breeder will advise on the kitten's diet, and what type of food they use
• It may be necessary for the purchaser to sign an agreement that the kitten shall be neutered before it reaches 6 months of age
• Do not buy a sick kitten, or any which require an unusual or special diet
• A breeder who is a member of the Durham County Cat Club, will not pressurize anyone into buying a kitten, it is in their own interest to ensure the kitten will go to a permanent loving home
• DCCC do not recommend the purchase of any kitten from Pet Shops
• If under any circumstance you feel the breeder is not looking after the kittens which they are raising, or if you are worried in any other way about the health of the kittens you have seen;
  Please contact the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, so that they may investigate.
• What if I find the kitten unsuitable?
  By having a careful discussion with the breeder prior to the purchase of the kitten this question should not arise;
  However should any problems exist, the first point of contact should always be the breeder