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Original poster

What to look for when buying kittens from a stranger

19 replies

Dumbledoresgirl · 07/07/2021 20:17

I know this is unethical but I have been turned down as a potential adopter by cat charities as I dont live on the quietest of roads. This despite the fact i have kept multiple cats safe for 16 years in this house.

I am desperate for some kittens and thought I had found 2 to buy today. But my spidey senses are tingling and I am so unsure what to do. As it stands, I am going to view the kittens tomorrow. The owner seems ever so keen to offload these kittens on me. In part I am grateful I am not being questioned about my ability to keep cats (i know i am an experienced and competent cat owner) but I also know the seller should be more concerned about where her kittens are going. She isnt concerned at all.

So what should I look for when I view these kittens? It has just occurred to me they could have FIV through their mother. This would be impossible for me as I have to consider my existing cat. I have asked the seller but of course she says the mother is healthy. Please help wise cat owners.

OP posts:
Ingloriousbasterd · 07/07/2021 21:49

I'm confused, what are you actually worried about? That you've asked about buying some kittens...and the person selling them has told you to go and view? Genuinely interested ! Are the kittens ready to leave the queen yet? If I were you I'd just go along and view and see how it goes

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 07/07/2021 22:06

Sorry I didn't explain it properly. Partly, I feel uncomfortable buying from a private seller. My preference would be to adopt from a rescue, but i have been turned down by rescues.

Private sellers worry me though. You hear stories of people buying kittens who turn out to be sick and even die. The woman I have been speaking to (texting) tonight seemed Ok to begin with but then seemed far too keen to offload her kittens on me. She offered to deliver them to me tonight even though I have not seen them, have not had time to buy food or litter. All advice is to view the kittens with their mothers, to check the validity of the breeders, even to gain assurance from them that you can return the kittens and receive a full refund if the kittens do not pass a vet check within 48 hours. When I said I would go to hers to view the kittens, she implied she would bring them down to me (she lives in a flat) making me think I will not be able to see them with their mother and will be moreorless expected to buy them straight away.

I don't think this sounds right, do you? So I was wondering what advice anyone can give me here. At the very least, what is the minimum checking I should do to ensure these kittens are healthy ?

're the FIV thing, is there anything anyone can do to avoid this? I asked the seller if the kittens have seen a vet? She said no. She assured me the mother was healthy but she would, wouldn't she? Is it normal to take on trust the health of the mother?

OP posts:
Ingloriousbasterd · 07/07/2021 22:46

No, that doesn't sound right, I'd be wary buying from somebody that's so keen to offload, and so quickly after speaking to you...I would definitely make it clear that you want to see them with the mother first, also be a good idea to do this so that you have the address if there are any issues!

adoptivemummy87 · 08/07/2021 11:14

No that doesn't sound right at all. What age are the kittens? I would absolutely be wanting to see the mum and the conditions they are being kept in. If they have not seen a vet then they won't have been vaccinated either I'm assuming?

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 08/07/2021 13:40

They are supposed to be 8 weeks and in fairness the photos do show approx 8 week old kittens. No, owner makes no secret they have not seen a vet and are not vaccinated. But then, that seems the norm round here? I am also in contact with another owner who lives on a farm and tells me the kittens have not seen a vet or been vaccinated, and I can see mum if she is around as she is no longer with the kittens as they are weaned. They are 10 or 11 weeks though.

It all seems so dodgy. I knew there was a reason I wanted to adopt from a rescue! At least there you get the feeling they have been seen by a vet.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 08/07/2021 13:44

If I can view the mum, what am I looking for? I am not sure I would be able to tell if there were ongoing health problems at a glance. I mean, to be honest, how do I even tell if the adult cat being shown to me is the mum? I know enough to know that once the kittens are weaned the mum may well cuff them away as much as any other adult cat might.

Re the kittens, I know I am meant to look on their ears and eyes for signs of gunk, yes? And check bottoms for diarrhoea? Anything else?

OP posts:
GuppytheCat · 08/07/2021 13:44

At least there you get the feeling they have been seen by a vet.

Yes, rescue kittens will have seen a vet, probably several times since birth, and be wormed, vaxed, flea-treated, chipped and generally given the all-clear.

iamalighthouse · 08/07/2021 13:47

I do think the charities are too strict. we got ours from a small local charity. ...they took the view that yes we live on a road.,but doesn't everyone have you tried smaller charities? I would , like you, be very wary of private buyer. In fact because I love cats I would not do it.

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 08/07/2021 13:56

Iamalighthouse Sad I cant disagree with you. But it was small charities turning me down. I did have a vague hope for the CPL as I adopted from them before but they no longer cover my area. Also, they make you feel so bad for not adopting older cats. And they dont advertise kittens as a rule. You have to somehow know they are available by telepathy.

OP posts:
iamalighthouse · 08/07/2021 14:03

When we got a cat some years ago the main charities wouldn't let us because our dd was so young. by being so strict they almost force you to buy.

Bamaluz · 08/07/2021 14:04

Get in touch with some local vets to see if they know of any kittens.

SirenSays · 08/07/2021 14:10

I wouldn't buy from her. No good breeder rushes sales like this.

Things to look out for in future:
Can you meet parents? Do parents appear healthy and friendly? How many litters has mum had?

Where are the kittens kept? Is it safe and clean? How many litters do they have? How many cats in the home?

Are eyes, ears, nose and bums clean and clear with no swelling? How is the kittens skin? There should be no sign of fleas or flea dirt. How do the kittens sound? Do they wheeze? How do they smell? Freshly washed kittens can be a sign the breeder is masking diarrhoea.

How is the kittens behaviour? Are they friendly? Used to being held? Are they lethargic? Do they play?

Ask about favourite foods, toys, ask about kittens behaviour. A good breeder will know each kittens personality. Does she know the dob? Where is was born? Are kittens kept with mum? Does any of this information change, like she is making things up on the fly.

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 08/07/2021 14:38

@iamalighthouse

When we got a cat some years ago the main charities wouldn't let us because our dd was so young. by being so strict they almost force you to buy.
I certainly feel forced into this situation. I know I am not actually being forced, but yes it feels like that.

@SirenSays thank you. That is a useful checklist. Is there nothing I can reasonably do about the risk of FIV ? I've read up about it a bit and it seems to be something even a good breeder might not know about.

OP posts:
ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 08/07/2021 14:45

I would not touch those kittens with a bargepole.

How busy is your road?

I do think with a busy road (assuming it's not a super fast road) that older cats with some street smarts are a better bet generally. Have you exhausted all the rescues?

ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 08/07/2021 14:47

Also, whilst letting kittens go at 8 weeks is legal, decent breeders will keep until 12 weeks or so.

DogsSausages · 08/07/2021 14:48

I would steer clear, you haven't seen the mum, who is the dad. You know nothing about the kittens, their parents or the seller.

LikeAnOldFriend · 08/07/2021 18:33

If it helps I found this which helped me a lot figuring out what felt ok when getting our kittens. It is endorsed by Cats Protection, RSPCA, Blue Cross, PDSA etc and it certainly helped me remember what things to be aware of, hope it helps. www.cats.org.uk/media/3722/the-kitten-checklist.pdf

Blueberrymuffin79 · 08/07/2021 18:43

I came on to say something different then you said she offered to deliver them and the red flag popped up don't have them find someone else and visit them

Oldraver · 09/07/2021 08:56

I've looked at kittens recently ahem and you have to feel good with the situation

In the past I've rejected things in the way they are described or the conditions they are in. I mean if you are selling kittens don't put up photos of grubby surroundings

I must admit I do have the 'don't buy' thing tinkling in my ear but I was very pleased at some kittens I saw recently that came from an immaculate place, I was very happy with their surroundings

And they have an Insta page St I you can see them everyday

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