Could This Kitten Be A Scam?

“Buyer Beware” Applies to Kitten Purchases Too

Kathi Hoos

Unfortunately, today, a kitten found on line could be a scam. If you are looking for a new furry family member, here are some red flags that could help you to avoid a scam situation.

What’s wrong with this picture? First: This “breeder” has so many kittens available from a minority breed. What else hints at something amiss? (image created for this story)

Websites

Most breeders have a website, but not all. The absence of a website is not necessarily an issue. What could be a big issue is a website that is filled with kitten photos of available kittens. Most breeders do not have a large number of kittens available at any one time. In fact, with most reputable breeders you will have to wait for a kitten. Often those with a large number of kittens for sale, are stealing photos of kittens from reputable breeders.

What should be on the website is photos of their adults, photos of the cattery where kittens and cats are housed. Hopefully the adult cats would have titles earned at shows in the association the breeder is a part of.

There should also be contact information for the breeder.

Listings

You will not find reliable breeders on Craig’s List or other non-cat only sites.

Each association will have listings of breeders by breed. For example, you could look at www.CFA.org.

There are other reputable sites as well such as www.breedlist.com. The site should contain solid information regarding the breeder and the cattery.

Working With the Breeder

Once you have decided to make contact with a breeder, they should return your call or email promptly.  Keep in mind that on weekends many breeders are at cat shows so contact may not take place until during the week.

The breeder should be happy to answer any and all of your questions. If the breeder is annoyed or unable to provide you answers move on. Breeders that are reputable are happy to help educate you and provide referrals if they do not anticipate having kittens in the near future. No question is too silly to ask and the breeder should make you feel comfortable in asking.

While in today’s society many breeders do not welcome people just looking to their homes, they should be able to provide photos, even Facetime or Zoom meetings. Frequent updates on the kittens via photos and other media should be readily provided.

If these are not available that is a big red flag.

Deposits

Scams are more likely when LARGE, nonrefundable deposits are required.  A reasonable small deposit may be asked to reserve a kitten. Most breeders have conditions in which they would refund your deposit. ASK.

What to Ask About the Kitten

When you are deciding about a kitten, ask about the health testing specific for that breed.  Educate yourself about what the breed you are seeking might have as genetic health issues, and inquire as to testing.

Ask what vaccinations that kitten will have had. Most breeders allow kittens to leave between 12 and 16 weeks depending on the breed. Some vaccines should have been given. Has the kitten been wormed? Has the kitten been vet checked?

Kittens allowed to leave very young are a red flag. It is not in the best interest of the kitten or the buyer to take young kittens from their mothers. In scam situations kittens are often sold at 6 to 8 weeks of age.

Inquire as to health guarantees. No breeder can 100% guarantee a kitten’s health, but should something unfortunate happen, how does the breeder handle this. Is it by refund, or replacement or??

Going Home Day

If at all possible, the kitten should be picked up in person. Shipping is better left to repeat purchases from a trusted breeder. You want to see that you are receiving a healthy kitten with clean eyes and ears, at a nice weight, fur is not missing and in general seems healthy. Trust your gut instincts. If the kitten appears ill, do not proceed with the purchase no matter how much you love the kitten at that time. Either pass or wait until the kitten is healthy.

The breeder should supply you with a contract, registration paperwork, if microchipped the chip registration, written instructions on food, and follow up vet care needed.  Ask in advance if all of this will be provided.

In Summary

To avoid scams:

  • Use reputable lists to find breeders or visit a cat show.
  • Look at the breeder’s website.
  • Don’t expect a kitten to be ready immediately.
  • Pay attention to the deposit required.
  • Ask for photos and updates.
  • Videos or Zoom and other media visits to the cattery and kittens are desired.
  • Ask questions, if the breeder is not friendly and open to your inquiries move on.
  • Ask about health issues for the breed.
  • Ask about vaccines, worming etc. prior to purchase.
  •  And most importantly if it seems to good to be true, RUN.