Adoption information
Not quite sure where to start with adopting a Ragdoll kitten? We’re here to help!
Choosing the right cattery
Check for registration
All catteries should be registered with an registry organization like CFA or TICA. Purchasing a Ragdoll from an individual who is not registered is a red flag that they may likely be a backyard breeder or kitten mill.
Screening processes
A quality breeder will not simply adopt out kittens to anyone who asks; instead, they will screen prospective adopters and make sure that a Ragdoll is a good fit for the home. This is a normal and expected practice! A quality breeder will provide a written contract, veterinary records, and health guarantee with each kitten.
Rehoming age
Under CFA/TICA guidelines, kittens should be rehomed no earlier than 12 weeks of age to ensure proper socialization with their mother.
Proof of legitimacy
Don’t be afraid to ask a breeder for a video or photo of their cats, ideally with some form of proof that they are legitimate (such as holding a kitten and piece of paper with your name and that day's date). Many scammers will steal photographs from legitimate cattery websites and pass off non-existent kittens as their own.
Online presence
Don’t forget to review information and reviews on Google and Facebook. Quality breeders will, at the very least, have a social media page, and ideally a website. If their profiles seem poorly-developed or “shady,” this may be an indication that their cats are not healthy or up to standard.
Beware of unrealistic prices
If it seems too good to be true…it is! The cost of managing a quality cattery is astronomical, and depending on geographical region, a ragdoll kitten of sound health and excellent bloodlines may range from $1,200—$4,000. Anything less should be treated with great caution. It is far better to save up for your kitten than to buy one cheaply and end up spending thousands of dollars on veterinary care…or worse, a kitten who does not survive until adulthood.
Our health gaurantee
At our cattery, every kitten is fully vaccinated (rabies depending on what age they’re adopted), microchipped, and spayed/neutered prior to pickup, and the adoptive owner will be provided with all of the kitten's health and vaccine records. In addition, all of our kittens receive a vet exam by a licensed veterinarian (not a low-cost clinic).
At Shades of Sapphire Ragdolls, our cats and kittens are tested negative for FIV (feline AIDS) and FeLV (feline leukemia). All kings and queens are tested for PKD (a disorder characterized by kidney malfunction) and HCM (a congenital disease characterized by heart malfunction), which can otherwise be transmitted through litters. Each kitten comes with a free 30-day insurance through Trupanion.
As an ethical breeder, I am here to support your kitten through every stage of his/her life, and can be reached at any time with health or wellness questions! Please see our contract below for a full explanation of our cat’s health records and warranties.
HCM 5-year guarantee
PKD 3-year guarantee
Fully vaccinated
Microchipped
Spayed/neutered
Travel & delivery 🚗💨
Can’t make it all the way to our cattery? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered!
Delivery
We are always working to connect our kittens with their adoptive parents! To do this, we offer complimentary delivery within a 2-hour radius of Lucas, Ohio. For every hour thereafter, we charge 45¢/mile.
We feel that shipping kittens via cargo is stressful and unfortunately do not offer cargo shipping for this reason.
Airport pickup
The nearest major airport is John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH / KCMH) which is just over an hour from Lucas and within our free delivery radius! If you would like to pick up your kitten at the airport and fly with him or her as a carry-on, we will happily meet you there free of charge (however, a $40.00 pet carrier purchase fee will be added to the cost of your kitten). Please check individual airline policies regarding pet carry-on fees and restrictions, as these are not covered or guaranteed by Shades of Sapphire Ragdolls.
Sample contract
This contract must be signed before bringing you ragdoll kitten home.
