 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are your Ragdolls raised in your house and underfoot? Are they handled daily?
A: Most definitely...kittens are born in my bedroom with me helping the whole time. Kittens stay in there until they start to climb out of their box and then they are moved to a playpen. At about 7 weeks old, the kittens are then moved to the living room/kitchen area to get used to noises and "normal" household life. Once litter box habits have been mastered, they then have full and complete run of the house..I guess I should say take over the whole house :-) Each and every kitten is raised the same and handled daily by not only me, but my husband and my 3 children (and don't forget the dog!!)...they are kissed, cuddled, and cradled from the moment they are born.
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Q: Why is it important that you show and why is that important when I am only looking for a pet?
A: The main reason why it is important is that there is more to a Ragdoll then the name that shows on a registration paper. The Cat Associations have a written standard as to what is "The Ragdoll". When breeders pay to show their cats (which is very expensive and can cost upwards of $500.00 per show) we are asking the Judges for their opinion on how our cats meet the Ragdoll standard. When you purchase a kitten from a show home, you are buying a kitten from a breeder who is trying to make that "perfect Ragdoll"..which is the one you read about in all the books! Furthermore, it is important to know, that not all cats like the show hall. That does not mean they are not wonderful cats at home and can produce sweet babies, but when you purchase your kitten from titled parents you know that your kitten is a baby from parents that impressed the Judges with not only confirmation, but temperament as well. Basically, you are purchasing a Radgoll because of what you have read about them..one of the only ways to assure yourself you are getting that is to buy from someone who spends the time, effort, and money to make sure they are breeding the best cats they can.
Q: I saw a Ragdoll in a Pet Store, why is that not a good kitten to buy?
A: It is VERY SIMPLE. Any person who would place their kittens into a pet store does not care about their babies. If they do not care who has their kittens, then just imagine how the kittens were raised. Breeders place their kittens into pet stores because they can make a quick sale, spend less money on the kitten, and not have to worry about guarantees if something should happen to the baby. On top of all this, pet stores normally charge more than one of your local breeders because they are acting as a broker and need to make money as well. In the long run, most kittens purchased in this manner end up with behavior problems from leaving their mothers too young, health problems from the conditions they were raised in, and socialization problems from lack of love when they were tiny.
Q: Can you tell me all about the Ragdoll and why I should pick this breed?
A: I can not and will not convince you that the Ragdoll is the cat for you. That is a decision that you and your family need to decide prior to contacting a breeder. The best way to do this is through education and research. www.ragdollinternational.org and www.rfci.org are just two sites that are Ragdoll specific and will give you information to help you make a decision.
Q: Can you recommend a breeder in my area?
A: If you look at my Links Page, you will find the breeders that I recommend. I am unable to personally recommend anybody else. When I put a breeders name on my page, it is because I personally know them and/or have cats from them and I attest to their standards. Other than that, I do not recommend people that I do not know.
Q: Why do you have a waiting list and why can't I just come over and pick out my kitten?
A: I work full time and this is my hobby. Due to this, we only have a few and select litters a year so that each and every baby is properly socialized. We just don't think we would be able to raise multi- litters year round and give them all the attention they deserve and need. Because of this, the high demand for Ragdolls lately, the wonderful families that adopt a second baby from us, and the personal recommendations of our extended Ragdoll families, our babies are normally spoken for before they are even born. Kitten placement is picked from my waiting list. We not only match kittens to their new families by specific request as regards to color, sex, and pattern, but also individual kitten personalities and the environment of the potential new home. Since I do not work from a First Come/First Serve system, giving an approximate placement on my waiting list is impossible.
Q: I have never seen a Ragdoll in person, can I come to your home and meet yours?
A: While I understand why people ask this, the answer is "No". My cats are raised in my home and with my family and I do not give tours of my home. Once we have decided that there is a kitten for you and you have placed a deposit on the kitten, you are then welcome to visit your kitten at my home on the weekends. If you would like to see Radgolls, please email me for the location and date of the next closest cat show and I would be more than happy to send you that information. Not only will you meet me, but also other Ragdoll and cat breeders. This will give you a wonderful chance to compare the Ragdoll to the other breeds and find exactly what you are looking for.
NOTE: Please do not be offended if breeders will not let you come over to their homes. Some may live alone and not feel comfortable allowing people they do not know into their home, others may have small kittens and for the safety of those, not allow visitors. It does not mean that breeder is attempting to hide anything from you, but may solely have safety for all those involved in mind.
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