Cattery conditions highly influence your Kittens health and temperament...
The International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS) provides the following information on their web site and it is also part of their "Code of Ethics".
"The 10 Commandments of The Reputable Breeder
1. The Reputable Breeder places cats/kittens by contract. 2. The Reputable Breeder places cats/kittens with a health guarantee. 3. The Reputable Breeder insists and contracts the return of a cat/kitten should the purchaser be unable to keep the cat/kitten. 4. The Reputable Breeder carefully interviews prospective owners and has specific requirements that are to be met i.e: cat/kitten is to be altered if the breeder is not already practicing early altering, cat/kitten is not allowed to roam outdoors, etc. 5. The Reputable Breeder is willing and able to educate the novice. He/she happily answers any/all questions regarding the breed and his/her breeding program. 6. The Reputable Breeder insists on being informed of any health, genetic, or behavioral problems the cat/kitten may develop in it's lifetime. 7. The Reputable Breeder does not have more cats/kittens then he/she is able to keep clean, healthy and well socialized. 8. The Reputable Breeder spends individual time with each of his cats/kittens. 9. The Reputable Breeder is very concerned with excellent temperament in his/her cats/kittens as well as excellent health. 10. The Reputable Breeder makes him/herself available for advice and help to other breeders, and throughout the life of the cats/kittens he/she has placed.
This is not meant to say that these are the only determining factors of a Reputable Breeder."
At Santa Fe Bengal Cattery, we follow TIBCS's Code of Ethics and TICA's Code of Ethics recommendations, as well as adding a few of our own. Our Cattery specialty Habitats are large, clean, and house very happy, healthy Cats!
Cattery Conditions
A Cattery should be highly concerned with the Health and Happiness of their Cats and Kittens, unfortunately, not all are as concerned or as caring as others. Here is a basic list of what a reputable, caring Cattery should look like and what the conditions should be:
• Cats need several things to be happy and healthy. First, they need a safe, warm (not too warm in Summer) preferably high sleeping area with fresh clean bedding - they love 75 to 80 degrees, because their natural body temperature is 100 to 102 degrees. Next, separate areas for their food and water, and another separate area for their litter box to prevent contamination. They also need free access to a safe, clean outdoor habitat for fresh air and to bird watch. Plus, they need entertainment: both ever changing toys to play with and lots of individual human contact and love. This is the basic recipe for happy, healthy Cats.
• Cats also need to be fed high-grade, high protein food and for best health, should NEVER come into contact with low cost clay-based cat litter. There are many options for healthy Cat litter.
• Fresh water needs to be always available in clean bowls (washed every day), and changed once or twice a day, or as often as needed.
• Litters boxes should be scooped of solid waste often, at least twice a day, and the litter should be fresh and without odor. We have found that pellet pine litter with special grid sifting litter boxes works the best for all of our Cats and Kittens. The pellet Pine litter is non-clumping and is safe for Kittens, as well as being a much cleaner litter surface for our Cats' feet due to the sifting lower box.
• A cattery should have clean specialty habitats for their Cats and should NEVER contain them in cages or be kept in a basement, attic, or a garage. There should be very little odor in the habitats.
• By the "Code of Ethics" each Cat requires a space equal to 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 foot (or different measurements that equal the same volume) as a absolute minimum. Larger habitats are much preferred. Santa Fe Bengal Cattery far exceeds the above minimum requirements and conditions. Click HERE for a description of what our Cattery is like.
If your visit to a Cattery shows unclean, high odor conditions with pacing Cats in cages, who appear bored and unhappy, DO NOT be a patron of that Cattery. If Kittens are being sold at low prices, be aware that the Cattery owner may have "cut corners" on their Cats' care and you may be getting an unhealthy, un-socialized Kitten. The price of a Kitten directly reflects the care that they have gotten and the quality of their heritage, which reflects in the quality of their personality and their markings.