I still try and keep only a limited number of cats. I have a hubby who is allergic, and although I bathe all (babies included) the kitties regularly, he would never be able to handle a large number of cats. Besides, my cats are first and foremost my babies; part of the family and you just can't do that with large numbers. I breed only fold to straight and try to only have 2 litters at a time. This gives me more time to play with and socialize the kittens. I have a kitten room, where they are born and stay, until they've had several vaccines, away from the cats that are going to shows and may bring home something nasty. Kittens are caged until they’ve had their first set of vaccines and have learned how to use the litterpan a bit, then they have the entire room to play in. They are handled daily, from the time they are born. By the time people come to see them, I can usually tell you all about their purrsonalities. Kittens are bathed bi-monthly. I do not allow declawing of my kittens. The kitten rooms have plenty of scratching posts, to play on and to develop good scratching behavior and they get their nails done weekly, from the time their 6 weeks, so that they are used to all that by the time they go to their new homes. Once they get a bit bigger, they are allowed to be out and about...learning some manners, how to mooch for food (believe me, they learn that one REALLY WELL!) about dogs and visitors.

Kittens are kept until they are 15-16 weeks. There are several reasons for this...the best one being that it's important to their health and social development! Folds are slow to mature. My kittens nurse until they are 12-13 weeks (although I've seen a few 4 month olds try to tackle mom and snag a free meal). During the ages of 8 - 12 weeks kittens are learning important social skills, helping to make them a better pet and establishing good litterpan habits. Just as important, a majority of my babies go into homes that already have other cats, and I want to make sure that they have the best immunity possible. A kitten's body can not maintain immunity until they reach 4 months, so I hold onto them until I know that they've had all their vaccines and are as protected as possible. I also make sure that they are altered before leaving home as it is less traumatic on the kittens and they heal faster. I do not sell breeding cats, except to established breeders, someone who comes highly recommended or someone who’s showing and I’m willing to mentor. Being a Breeder takes a lot of dedication, patience and love as well as heartache and isn’t for everyone.

All adults are FeLv, FIV and PKD negative. I also have started to do cardioscanning and all adults have scanned negative at last check (This does not guarantee against HCM...as this isn't possible to guarantee, but does hopefully, cut back on the occurrence of any problems). Kittens are guaranteed free of parasites, worms and fungus. Although we, as breeders, try and do our best to ensure a healthy kitty, we are not gods, and things can and sometimes do happen. Because of this, I offer a health guarantee in my contract, against congenital problems and encourage new pet owners to take their kittens in for a health inspection when they get them. This establishes the good health of the kitten and gives the vet a chance to see the baby from the start, get it’s medical records and contact me if there are any questions or concerns.

Along with breeding and showing Scottish Folds, I am actively involved with their promotion and preservation as a breed. I was Regional Director for the International Scottish Fold Association for 5 1/2 years and am currently Vice President for the same organization. I also am involved with the Scottish Fold rescue programs. Yes, as difficult as it is to believe, occasionally there are folds that can no longer be kept, are taken to shelters or abandoned. I recently coordinated the rehoming of 12 Scottish Fold adults when their owner and breeder, in TN. was unable to keep them due to poor health and loss of her home. If getting a kitten isn't important to you, I suggest that you may want to try and contact one of the Scottish Fold Rescue sites.

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