Kitten
Purchase Brochure
Beth
and Darrell Newkirk
12 Hill Drive
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
618-397-3908
Thank you for your inquiry about possibly purchasing an Abyssinian cat or
kitten. We hope the enclosed information will help you make an informed
decision about bringing one into your home. If you do obtain an Abyssinian, it
will become a part of your family. Abyssinians are among the most intelligent,
active, and people oriented of all the domestic felines. They become tightly
bonded and devoted to their human family. They remain playful and somewhat
kitten-like well into their teen-age years. Those who carry the "parrot
gene" want to spend some time each day riding around on your shoulder.
They will always be interested in what you are doing, and will probably try to
help you make the bed, fix a snack or a meal, or put papers in a file. An Aby will let you know when it is time to stop reading your
book or watching that TV program. Now you are to scratch his chin, gently rub
his tummy or play fetch with the little toy or ball he has brought for you to
throw for him--BUT if he has not selected the time to do these things, he may
give his humans the cold shoulder and refuse to respond to their attentions. In a contest of wills between a human and an Abyssinian, bet on the
Abyssinian to win. They will charm you, con
you, delight you, entertain you and often annoy you, but will ultimately
enchant you, and endear themselves in your heart, even for years after they are
gone. You will find that being owned by an Abyssinian (or several!) will be a
lifetime thing.
COLORS AND PRICE: In the United
States, four colors are recognized. RUDDY,
which is the traditional color, has a sorrel red under coat, with brown or
(preferably) black ticking color as the dominant color in the ticking in the
top coat. Ticking is the word used to describe the 4 alternating bands of color
found in the pattern of every Abyssinian coat. Without the gene for black
ticking, the face markings, mask and top coat ticking is a dark red or
chocolate brown, giving us the second color accepted for Championship
competition in 1963, i.e. RED. The two "dilute colors" have rich rosy
beige undercoat. The face markings, mask and darker
top coat ticking is blue or steel gray, in the color BLUE, which was admitted
to competition in 1984. Markings are dark cocoa beige in the fourth color,
FAWN, which was admitted to competition in 1991.
Those kittens we elect not to show are sold to select homes as pets. The
price for a pet Abyssinian varies somewhat across the country. In our cattery,
the cost for a kitten with a neuter/spay agreement is currently $600.00. Queens
and toms who are being retired from the responsibilities of producing kittens,
may sometimes be available for a reduced reasonable price; or for the cost of
the operation to spay or neuter. You may wish to reserve a kitten. We require a
deposit, in the amount of $100.00, to assure your standing on the waiting list
for a kitten. If we have not been able to produce a kitten of your color choice
or sex choice within a 6 month period, we will refund half of your deposit upon
request. If you elect not to take a kitten when an appropriate one becomes
available, your entire deposit will be forfeited. We do not sell animals to
persons who wish to become involved in breeding for the pet shop market. If you
wish to get your feet wet in the interesting hobby of showing purebred cats, we
are always ready to help newcomers get started and to give you an opportunity
to see if the Cat Fancy is for you. Our suggestion is that you ask us for a
"show quality" kitten to spay or neuter and plan to show in the
premiership classes before you make a firm decision to attempt breeding
Abyssinians. In this way, you can meet many breeders and see the many different
"looks" of the breed and make a more informed selection of your
breeding cats when you are ready to breed your first litter of kittens. You can
avoid the pitfalls and "new breeder" stories that many of us have to
tell. The cat show arena is not for everyone. We are motivated to not
contribute to a national problem by letting our cats enter into the world of
breeding animals for pet stores, research laboratories or other such markets,
where the products of uncontrolled breeding can create a public nuisance.
SHIPPING: It is always preferable to transport a kitten to its new
home personally; either in a car or under the seat in front of you on an airplane.
When this is not possible we will ship a kitten or cat by air. St. Louis is a
hub for American Airlines, and in most situations we will ship by American Air
Cargo. We prefer to use only non-stop flights, and there are some climatic
restrictions the airlines have advisedly placed on live animal shipments. If
ground temperatures are too cold or too hot at either end of a proposed flight,
the shipment cannot take place. This avoids long periods when the cat carrier
sits on an airport tarmac, subject to extremes of temperature. At present,
shipping costs are around $125.00 or higher if a Delta Dash or other like
counter to counter service is required. A carrier will cost about $30.00, and a
Health Certificate is about $20.00. Most states require incoming cats to be
immunized against rabies, and this will be an additional cost, when required.
OUR EXPECTATIONS: If you decide to buy a kitten or cat from us, you
will be required to sign a contract. The contract is fairly standard but can be
modified if agreeable to each of us. You will be required to have your kitten
spayed or neutered before it becomes sexually mature, either at about 8 months
or age, or at a time recommended by your Veterinarian. Only when we receive
written verification that this has been done will we sign over the official
Registration documents to you. We will aggressively pursue and retake
possession on any cat that is allowed any breeding activity. You will also
agree to keep your cat as an indoor animal, allowing it to be outdoors only
under your supervision with a leash and harness. We will recommend and request
that you feed a high quality cat food (such as Iams,
Max Cat or Science Diet) and that you will keep him/her up to date on required
and Veterinarian recommended immunizations. You will agree to let us know if
for some reason you cannot keep the cat. You must agree not to place your cat
in any humane shelter, pet store, research laboratory or any similar facility.
We will help you relocate your Abyssinian if a situation arises in which you
cannot keep your cat after the guarantee period. However, we will not refund
any portion of the purchase price if this happens.
HEALTH GUARANTEES: Our kittens are guaranteed to arrive healthy, free
of parasites, and of suitable temperament to join a family of humans. Your
kitten's parents have been tested negative for Feline Leukemia, a major disease
of cats. Your kitten will be current in his/her schedule of vaccinations for Panleukopenia, Calici Virus, and
Feline Rhinotracheitis. Some will be vaccinated
against Chlamydia. We will expect you to take your new cat to your Veterinarian
with 72 hours. This is to verify good health, for a baseline weight, and to set
up appointments for any needed continuing immunization requirements. Moving to
new home is a high stress experience. If this stress provokes or uncovers a
minor health problem, we will pay for the cost of any medications. In the
unlikely event that the kitten should die from this move related illness, we
will refund the kitten's purchase price or replace your kitten. We will always
be available to discuss any problems or concerns you may have about your
Abyssinian, both before and after the sale.
HEALTH PROBLEMS: Abyssinians, as with all breeds of pure-bred cats,
have some genetically based health problems. Conscientious breeders are trying
to reduce the incidence of these problems by selective breeding, and by a
careful study of pedigrees. We try not to use those ancestors with a known
tendency to transmit some of the undesirable genes that cause or predispose to
these problems. Among these problems is a less robust immune system than some
other breeds. The most common manifestation of this is an inflammation of the
gums. This may become unresponsive to treatment, chronic and require long term
medication. Keeping your cat on solid kibble type foods, rather than canned
meats or semi-moist foods, tends to massage the gums, and keeps down the build
up of plaque that may start or aggravate the problem. Certain lines of
Abyssinians may experience spontaneous dislocation of the knee cap, (luxating patella). Some Abyssinians have deposition of amyloid in their kidneys leading to early kidney failure.
To date, none of the cats leaving our catteries have had their life shortened
by this condition. In general, Abyssinians live into their teens and a few into
their twenties. This breed is somewhat more sensitive to pre-anesthetic
medications and to general anesthetics that most other breeds. It does not hurt
to mention this to your Veterinary Surgeon at the time of spaying or neutering
your cat, or at any other time your cat may need surgery.
DECLAWING: Some Abyssinian breeders consider this mutilation and a
crippling procedure. It is true that it partially disables the cat. Further,
DECLAWING disqualifies a cat at a cat show. We are also considerably opposed;
and believe that behavior modification is the best solution. It may take a
couple of tries to find a scratching post, or a doorknob-hung scratching board
of a consistency that your cat likes to use rather than your furniture. If
necessary, your Vet can temporarily blunt the claws by bonding a dab of plastic
to cover the claw tips, or perform a surgery called a tendonectomy,
which will disable the claw from retracting, but not mutilate the paw. In any
case it will be necessary to periodically clip your cat's claws. We will show
you, or your Veterinarian can show you, how to safely and easily clip claws.
CO-EXISTING WITH CURRENT PETS: If you already have a pet in your home, be
prepared for your new Abyssinian to mount a coup attempt. Abyssinians are self-assured confident ALPHA
cats and they will take charge if possible. After some hissing and squabbling,
a reasonably permanent pecking order of some kind will be established with
other cats already present, and harmony will be reestablished in a week or two.
The Abyssinian will establish some agreeable arrangement with any dogs that may
be present as long as the dog is not trying to harm them. Some times they even
take the dog under their protective custody, clean his ears and polish off the
little pieces of dog food that are stuck in the dog's muzzle hairs. Birds,
tropical fish, hamsters, pet mice, and even rabbits, or snakes are another
matter. You must be ready to creatively guard them from these highly
intelligent, inquisitive little felines.
CHOOSING YOUR KITTEN: Ideally, you should visit the
cattery and pick out your kitten. If the candidates for sale are between
6 and 9 weeks of age, they are still litter oriented and are too busy to bother
with pesky things like human beings. Slightly older kittens, even with their
short attention spans, should be alert, friendly and outgoing. They may show
some rectitude and might indicate that they don't want to be handled much. You
should note any kitten that hisses at you, tries to escape capture, or runs
frantically to get away from you. This type of behavior may be very temporary
shyness, or it may indicate a more fundamental emotional problem. Such a one
should be discussed with the breeder to see if the kitten can be returned or exchanged
if the behavior does not improve in your home. We have not had a problem, but
we would certainly take back any kitten with such a personality disorder.
Should this be necessary we would require that you pay for a Feline Leukemia
test before we brought that kitten back into our home. We would require you to
pay the shipping costs to send this kitten back.
BRINGING YOUR KITTEN HOME: Reputable breeders do
not let kittens leave home until age 12 to 14 weeks, and until their initial
vaccinations are complete. Your kitten should be litterbox
trained and should be able to eat several types of food without having an upset
tummy. You should have on hand the same type of litter box and the same type of
litter the kitten is used to using. Then he will have no major adjustment to
make about where to go to relieve himself . You should
have some of the same type and brand food the kitten is currently eating. His
food and water bowls should not be easy to tip over, and they should be ceramic
or stainless steel. Plastic dishes by their texture and because they can trap
bacteria on the surface may cause your new kitten to develop little blackheads
on his chin. You should purchase a medium sized airline approved carrier. It
will come in handy for trips with you, or to the Vet, and with a soft folded
towel inside your kitten will eventually understand the arrangement and settle
down whenever he is in it. It will become his eagerly sought refuge at the
Veterinarian's office. It is essential for travel in an automobile. He will
never be under the brake pedal when a panic stop is required, and he will not
quietly slip out the door into a frightening world when someone exits the
vehicle for some reason. If he gets out of the car by himself, you may never
get him back safe and alive. Other purchases to consider are scratching posts,
climbing trees with perches at multiple levels, etc. You may want to buy him a cute
little bed, but chances are he will sleep next to you in your bed if you
permit. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND A PERIOD OF QUARANTINE TO ONE ROOM BY HIMSELF FOR
AT LEAST ONE WEEK. In this way, he learns where his litterbox
is, and where he is fed and watered. If there are other cats in the home they
can become partially acquainted under the door. Also, it is in this period of
high stress that both the new kitten and your older cats might experience some
sort of illness, when they first encounter the other one's normal
"well" bacteria, incapable of causing significant illness, except in
periods of high stress. It is also important to check through the house for any
plants that may be toxic to cats. Most are harmless, but there are a few that
can be fatal to your curious new baby.
TREATS: Abyssinians are totally unrepentant food thieves. They will
be thrilled to attempt to stalk and kill an unguarded roast, steak or loaf of
bread. You must creatively guard the pantry. It is best if you close your Aby off in a separate room during preparation of meals. It
is best if you are never tempted to give your kitten a "treat". If
you just cannot resist, be sure to maintain your common sense and feed him only
very tiny amounts of things like cooked chicken, beef or turkey, cooked
vegetables, rice or bread, or peeled fruit such as cantaloupe or apple.
Semi-moist types of cat food are not good for him. Also, there are many types
of food that are toxic to cats. Do not shorten his life by feeding him
chocolate, milk products like ice cream and cheese, excess sugars, or salty
snack items.
ABYS AND CHILDREN: Many breeders are reluctant to let one of their
kittens go to a home with small children. Cats do not accept rough handling and
may bite or scratch a child who tries to capture and restrain him or mistakes
the rules of cat/human interaction. This particular breed of cat prefers an
interactive toy, where the human is manipulating one end of the toy and the cat
is trying to catch or "kill" the other end. Children cannot know this
unless they are taught to properly respect the cat and his place in your
family. Also, children cannot really appreciate how fast and how sneaky a cat
can be. An Aby can tell when you are about to go
through a closed door, and they will try to get there before you do. If a child
is going outside, and is not perfectly aware of where the cat is, you may have
lost your cat forever. You must seriously decide if your child is ready to
protect the cat from its own mistakes. Also, we recommend that the kitten not
be introduced to the child on a present receiving day. The Christmas present or
Birthday present should be a picture of the new kitten that he or she can
unwrap. The actual kitten should be introduced to the child on a less hectic
day.
CONCLUSION: An Abyssinian cat has been likened to a perpetual
toddler. You may wish to Aby-proof your home before
the kitten arrives. Abys are not deliberately
destructive, but they do have a daily agenda. In completing their daily rounds
they may accidentally dislodge a priceless heirloom urn or piece of crystal. If
a small object is valuable or irreplaceable, put it behind glass or put it
away. Anything on a table top that is easily movable or will roll becomes a toy
and will eventually roll off the edge with a little help from your new friend.
By the time your kitten is 6 months old, there will be very few places that
will be inaccessible to him. Abyssinians are fond of heights, and can often be
found perched on top of refrigerators, tall wardrobes, room dividers, transoms over
doors or the mantel. If they possess the "parrot gene" they may leap
down unexpectedly from these dizzying heights onto the shoulders of
unsuspecting humans, whether they be family or just a
visitor. This can be quite a shock, even when it's not the first time. We do
offer one set of specific precautions. Not a few cats are lost each year
because of their innate curiosity. THE CLOTHES DRYER, THE REFRIGERATOR, AND THE
FREEZER are often opened. These places are a source of great entertainment and
mystery to your kitten. He will be unable to control the urge to check it out.
ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOUR CAT IS BEFORE YOU CLOSE THE DOOR ON ONE OF THESE CAT
KILLING APPLIANCES!!
We are sure that once you have lived with one of these fascinating
pets you will be hooked for life--one can never be owned by too many
Abyssinians
PURSSYNIAN
CATTERY
We are Beth and Darrell Newkirk, and we have bred Abyssinians in all four
colors since 1985. We have produced more than 30 CFA Grand Champions, and have
also granded 12 Abyssinians who have been in our
breeding program but were born in other catteries. Our grands
are represented in all four Abyssinian colors, but we have concentrated on the
blues and fawns. Of the fewer than 150 blue or fawn grands
in the United States, 17 are from Purssynian cattery.
Our cats reside in show homes across the USA, and in Germany and Japan. Darrell
is currently a judge for CFA. Beth is in charge of planning breedings,
scheduling shows and daily maintenance of the cats. To support our cat
"habit", Darrell is an anesthetist, and Beth, who has been a
registered nurse in surgery for over 20 years, still occasionally shows up for
a day in the OR. At various times over the last seventeen years, we have
experimented with breeding Scottish Folds, Maine Coons, Cornish Rex, Somali, Birmans and Persians, but have found the most fun and
satisfaction in the Abyssinian breed which we firmly believe have the most
engaging personalities in the world of purebred cats.
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