I hate to use the term "replacement"....
My Meeko died at 10 months old very suddenly. A necropsy wasn't performed but my vet and my breeder's vet agree based on what we told them that it was most likely heart-related.
The breeder very kindly offered me a "replacement" kitten when I was ready. I didn't ask or bring it up at all - she offered. At first I wasn't sure but I've since decided to take her up on the offer. My new kitten is picked out and reserved for me. She's already calling him by his new name.
My question is - when the time comes for him to come home should I be offering to compensate her for the cost of his neuter / vaccines? She hasn't said anything like that but I'm not sure if that would (or should) be expected.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
I would not expect to receive any money on a replacement kitten. The only exception would be for shipping. In my contract it states that buyer is responsible for shipping. It also states that the kitten would be replaced at no cost.
I concur with Calirags
Thank you both. We only live around 3 hours away so there won't be any shipping. I looked at the contract and it does say a necropsy is required - but she understands I wasn't thinking in terms of a kitten warranty and was very kind to offer the new kitten anyway without one having been done. Looking back, I really wish I had. I just wasn't thinking at all. It took me an hour to go in and pick him up - I was a wreck.
It's nice to have a new baby to look forward to.
Cello was a kitty offered to me by the breeder for a broken heart as I lost his brother and he was such a blessing to have.
I cant call him a replacement that just sounds so wrong to me but I no what you mean I'm just sensitive about it.
There was no money exchanged and I don't think the breeder expected it.
(06-09-2010 07:05 PM)halebop Wrote: [ -> ]My question is - when the time comes for him to come home should I be offering to compensate her for the cost of his neuter / vaccines?
If something is expected, the breeder will bring it up.
I have no experience dealing with breeders except the one time when we bought Sunny. So, when it comes to monetary expectations, I will defer to those in the know on what the breeders 'expectations' might be.
But. While you may not be 'required' to compensate her, a gift of some sort would only be a show of gracious kindness and thanks. It doesn't HAVE to be money. It could be a lovely piece of art (Raggie related?), flowers, a rose bush she can plant in memory of your Meeko, a gift certificate to an animal store like PetCo, or something along those lines.
I guess my thought is this: She's showing you much kindness in NOT holding you to the absolute letter of your contractual obligation with her. She's showing compassion and grace and THAT is deserving of some sort of thanks. IMHO, of course.
Hmm, I've been wondering about this topic since I am in the same boat. Our first kitten, Jasper, died from wet FIP before he was even 7 months old. I spoke with the breeder once he was diagnosed, and then again after he died. She immediately offered me a replacement kitten, although we were not yet ready for it, and asked just for some documentation from the vet. The contract states that a necropsy must be done, but she told me that it wasn't necessary. I sent her all the paperwork I had, and we will be picking him up in less than 2 weeks (yay!). I believe she wants us to pay for the FeLv/FIV test, and an additional test that I requested (FCoV, feline coronavirus). I wasn't sure how I felt about paying for the tests, but now that Echo mentioned that she was being flexible in not requiring a necropsy, I feel better about the whole situation.
It may be difficult based on your experience, but do not overreact to a positive CV titer result. Between three quarters and close to all cats have positive CV titers. "Only" a few percent of CV exposed cats will ever develop FIP. CV exposure is not very meaningful except in excluding the possibility of FIP in a sick cat in whom it is suspected.
(07-09-2010 12:17 PM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]It may be difficult based on your experience, but do not overreact to a positive CV titer result. Between three quarters and close to all cats have positive CV titers. "Only" a few percent of CV exposed cats will ever develop FIP. CV exposure is not very meaningful except in excluding the possibility of FIP in a sick cat in whom it is suspected.
Thanks----I appreciate hearing that. I posted on the FIP Yahoo listserv about it too, because I knew about the 90% likelihood of him testing positive for CV, but that some other individuals in the same position had used LTCI to lower the actual incidence of CV in cats who tested relatively low on the titre scale. I am trying to prepare myself to expect that he will test positive, and that it is not a death-sentence, but like you said, it is a bit hard based on my experience.