I know a few breeders here in the UK put on their websites that a contract has to be signed before they will allow a kitten to leave their home and a copy of the contract can be found on another page or you can request one by email.
I think declawing is illegal here in the UK thankfully. Perhaps have a link on your site showing exactly what is involved with declawing as to why you have a no declawing policy in your contract.
(01-27-2010 03:43 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]We do not flag our requirements about indoor only and no declaw on the web site. That just flags the "right" answer, although you are right to be doubtful about it being read. We confirm interest enough to consider a deposit by email exchanges, which are geared to the questions of the pet owner, and then talk, where we resolve our issues if they have not yet been mentioned. We do not provide paperwork unless requested, but there is not much in it - health guarantee and requirement to involve us in any rehoming.
Jan, I am torn about whether or not to put that information on the site.
On one hand, I want to be upfront about my expectations are, and why. On the other, I don't want to spoon feed them the "correct" answers.
I do have a link under my "information" tab about declawing.
I do think it's a great suggestion, and helpful for the few folks who DO read the information and want to know why it's not recommended (by not just me.
)
These are great ideas!! Keep 'em coming!!
As part of the paperwork package that goes home with them is an article about declawing - in addition to discussing it then. We discuss clipping claws and show it and let them do it if they are they want. Discuss not going out. Discuss declawing. Kitten proofing.
I do have a kitten questionnaire. I think we have had one for a few years now, that asks basic questions.
Usually, we talk to the person first, and the questionnaire is never needed. However, sometimes the questionnaire is received first, and then a phone conversation follows. I think we get a good idea of who is adopting our babies. I do think we will have some people who are not honest on the questionnairre, but we have turned many down who were honest and told us they would declaw or allow their cat outdoors.
We have a lot of information on our website about various things, and declawing information is on there as well. I want those looking at our site to know where we stand on these issues, and we hope that if they plan to declaw or other things that we do not agree with, that they will find a different breeder.
I do feel talking with the person, is much better than a questionnaire, and I don't think should replace it.
Purrs,
Stormi
My first question is always, 'what made you decide on a Ragdoll?' The conversation then naturally flows on from there and I can bring in all the requirements I have when looking for a home for one of my kittens. Some people have gone away and not come back but they are in the minority and it has always been the people who I have decided I don't want them to have one anyway. So far I have not had to tell anyone they can't have a kitten but I would!
(01-28-2010 11:30 AM)FluffyHuffy Wrote: [ -> ]My first question is always, 'what made you decide on a Ragdoll?' The conversation then naturally flows on from there and I can bring in all the requirements I have when looking for a home for one of my kittens. Some people have gone away and not come back but they are in the minority and it has always been the people who I have decided I don't want them to have one anyway. So far I have not had to tell anyone they can't have a kitten but I would!
I think that's an excellent approach. And Stormi, thanks for sharing your tips too. After mulling it over, I agree with your approach of leaving the information on my website for people to read. Perhaps it does help filter out people who want to declaw, or who think litter boxes are icky.
Thanks again everyone!! These are all great suggestions.
When we were looking for a kitten, I was worried we would be found unsuitable just as if we were adopting a baby human. Of course there wasn't an investigation, as I had anticipated, but I was more impressed by the breeders who were upfront about what was and was not acceptable. I welcomed the declaw information as well as the warnings about Ragdolls being an indoor breed and the reasons why. I don't know if others felt this way, but I wanted a kitten from a breeder who was cautious and particular about the future welfare of that kitten. I
felt a baby from such a breeder would have been shown extra love in the weeks before we took him home.
We are clear about what we expect. We just do not provide the "right" answer in advance of getting the owner's views. You do not need to know what WE expect if you would not declaw or let the cat become an indoor/outdoor cat anyway. And we are sensitive to those who just do not know better and are educable about it. However, we have to be convinced we are getting the real answer from them and not just the expected answer. Good for them, most people are not good at prevarication, particularly in a conversation. ; )