breeder questions

A-Kerr's Bengal cats established 1989

QUESTIONS TO ASK BREEDERS

What is the goal of your breeding program?

Do you show?

Who gives your shots? Guarantees your cats/kittens health?

Do you guarantee against FeLV? If a cat contacts FIP, do you replace the kitten?

Do you have written guarantees for health?

Are both parents at your cattery?

Where are the kittens raised?

Will you send pictures? Video?

Are references available?

Can I visit your cattery?

How long have you been breeding?

What is your main interest in the Bengal?

How many cats are in your breeding program?

What is your Responsible Breeding rating from The International Cat Association (TICA)? With American Cat Fanciers Association?

Are you a member of The International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS)?

Have you signed the Code of Ethics of TIBCS and TICA?

Are you a Breeder of Distinction from TIBCS?

SINCE I AM SUGGESTING THESE QUESTIONS, I FEEL I SHOULD ALSO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU, THIS GIVES YOU A FRAME OF REFERENCE.

MY ANSWERS TO: QUESTIONS TO ASK BREEDERS

1. What is the goal of your breeding program?

My goal is to create healthy, well socialized, beautiful cats that become integral parts of peoples' lives. To me, cats that are loved, raised and bred in the proper environment, and selected for health as well as beauty, offer one of the very rare things in the world… unconditional love. I love people, and love creating an animal that returns and welcomes love from the owner. It is my gift to the client.

2. Do you show?

I have shown since 1991. I am active with the different breed committees, as well as being the current Chair for ACFA. It is important to develop an eye for the breed, and be able to compare the direction of the bred to your own. I am currently not showing as much as I have in the past, but do stay involved in the shows.

3. Who gives your shots? Guarantees your cats/kittens health?

My veterinarian then sees the kittens at 8 weeks for their first check up and vaccines, at eleven weeks for the second check up, and often, another time before the kitten leaves. The kittens have received at least two FPL-CVR vaccines and have been checked for cataracts, heart murmurs, leg and hip problems… etc.. I guarantee the health of my kittens and your veterinarian is given complete access to health records through my veterinarian on your kitten. I insist that your veterinarian call mine with any questions and allow the veterinarians complete access.

4. Do you pull blood to check for Corona virus?

Yes. I have checked for Corona virus titers on every kitten for the last three years. I have recently decided to continue checking the adults, but to stop testing kittens unless specifically asked. The reason is the controversy over the efficacy of the testing. The presence or absence of a Corona titer is not reliable as an indicator of Feline Infectious Peritonitis, which is a deadly virus among cats. It is estimated that as many as 80% of cats have an exposure and carry a titer, however, only 1-5% of those with titers actually succumb to FIP. Since testing is expensive and non-conclusive, I now test my adults annually and my vet will randomly select kittens to test.

FeLV vaccines are kept current on all my cats. My vet and I are now testing a new protocol.

	Eight weeks. CVR intranasal vaccine. Thorough examination of eyes, heart, lungs, and joints.
	Eleven weeks. FPL-CVR vaccine. Litter tested for Felv, FIV, and corona.
	Twelve to fourteen weeks. Spay/neuter. FeLV vaccine.
	Fourteen weeks. FPL-CVR and second FeLV.
	Sixteen weeks. Rabies

If a cat contacts FIP, do you replace the kitten?

Yes. FIP has occurred at Akerr's and it is devastating to everyone. I replace the kitten with the first kitten available, and though I recognize the loss of a loved pet and companion cannot be replaced, I also know that life is uncertain. The most responsible thing I can do as a breeder is assure you that I do all that can be done to minimize the risk, and to stand by my contract on replacement.

The virus is similar to SARS... a corona virus. The confusion many breeders and individuals have on corona virus is how much is controlled through cattery management and how much is possibly genetic? As there is no simple answer to this question at this time, I find it best to work on a twofold process of eliminating the issue.

1. I use the latest information on cattery management.

early weaning

keep kittens' litter box separate and non usable by mother and visa versa.

clean, clean, clean!

keep litters of kittens separate from other adults and kittens.

test to know the status of adults as closely as feasible and litter test litters.

2. I select for lines of cats that do not have FIP mutations in them. Though this is not 100% predictable, it is a useful tool!

See www.orionfoundation.com for more information.

Do you test for FeLV?

Yes, even though my cattery is FeLV negative, and parents are kept up to date and tested for FeLV, I still test the litters and have begun the vaccination process.

5. Do you have written guarantees for health?

Yes, my contract guarantee kitten health and congenital health. The basic health guarantee suggests you have the kitten checked by your vet within the first seven days that you have the kitten. Since not all can be known when a kitten leaves here, or when it arrives at your home, I further guarantee the kitten against congenital defect for a year. I have a limited five year congenital health guarantee to allow for development. see contract: www.akerrsbengals.com/contract.htm

6. Are both parents at your cattery?

Most of the time, both parents are at my cattery… as well as aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, etc.. You will see all the cats and kittens at my cattery when you visit.

7. Where are the kittens raised?

Kittens are raised in my home. I have a nursery for the first 8 weeks of their life until they learn to use the litter box very well, then they come into the home where they are interacted with on a daily basis with family activity.

8. Will you send pictures? Video?

I photograph kittens every three weeks so that you can see the health, the vigor, and see the kitten develop in personality (through the video) and appearance.

9. Are references available?

Yes. In fact I have started a pet gallery with comments from owners that you can access on your computer. Find it hard to keep it updated

9. Can I visit your cattery?

Yes. You are encouraged to do so.

10. How long have you been breeding?

Since 1989.

11. What is your main interest in the Bengal?

Temperament is what first brought me to the Bengal… I was intrigued at the idea of breeding for temperament and seeing the genetic link. It has revealed to me how much of what we are as individuals is part of our nature… and nurturing helps or hinders the full development of that potential.

12. How many cats are in your breeding program?

I currently have two adult males and six adult females. I am slowly decreasing the number of cats that I have so that I can spend more time with education and writing. This is a full time job and interest that was meant to be a hobby! Also, my husband has recently "retired" and is strongly suggesting I do the same. So, I will be reducing my cattery even more.

13. What is your Responsible Breeding rating from The International Cat Association (TICA)?

Outstanding. I score 100% on the veterinarian evaluations. I was the first Bengal breeder to have a certificate and am annually checked. I have been a Responsible Breeder and Outstanding Cattery longer than any other cattery of any breed.

I also have the certification from the American Cat Fanciers Association as a Cattery of Excellence! new in 2002

14. Are you a member of The International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS)?

Yes. I am active on committees and am the incorporating President.

15. Have you signed the Code of Ethics of TIBCS and TICA?

I was instrumental in developing the TIBCS Code of Ethics (would still like for a stronger one to be written) and was the first Bengal breeder to sign the TICA one.