SEE EXCITING CARDIO NEWS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

  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. By the time people come to see them, I can usually tell you all about their personalities.

         All my babies 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 for 3 year and encourage new pet owners to take their kittens in for a health inspection when they get them.  New owners have 72 hours to see a vet and kittens may be returned for a refund (minus the deposit) or replacement if the vet has found something and it is accompanied by a written report of the findings.  Seeing the vet in the first few days also 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.   All kittens leave altered and vaccinated and have been seen by a vet within a month of leaving home.  My adults are FeLv, FIV and PKD negative.  Kittens are also guaranteed against these diseases.  Due to studies done at Cornell University where it was concluded that the FeLv and FIP vaccinations can potentate actual FIP, I do not vaccinate for these and DO NOT guarantee health of kittens if they are vaccinated for these after going to their new homes.  My contract states that my kittens will not be allowed  to go outside without supervision.  This keeps them safe from the dangers of the road, ferals, wild animals, parasites, etc.  It also is one of the best ways to help ensure your kitten does not contract FeLv, assuming any other cats you already have have been tested.  As for FIP, there is not a conclusive test to tell if your cat has FIP. According to the AAFP (American Association for Feline Practitioners) your vet cannot diagnose FIP by a titer test alone, and it is considered veterinary malpractice to do so. Other things such as fever, jaundice, anorexia, anemia, high gamma globulin, low serum albumin and clear yellow protein rich fluid in the abdomen in conjunction with the test are more reliable. The only definitive test for FIP is microscopic analysis of the cat's tissues (usually postmortem) preferably with analysis for the presence of the virus.

 I also do cardio scanning and adults are scanned periodically and only negative cats are then bred (This does not guarantee against HCM...as this isn't possible to guarantee, but does hopefully, cut back on the occurrence of any problems). 

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 RECENTLY THERE'S BEEN SOME GOOD NEWS ON THE CARDIO FRONT.  THE GENE THAT CAUSES IT HAS BEEN ISOLATED FOR BOTH MAINE COONS & RAGDOLLS... MEANING THAT YOU CAN DO A DNA TEST & KNOW IF YOUR CAT WILL HAVE IT & START TREATMENT (SEEMINGLY PRETTY EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING PROGRESSION OF THIS DISEASE).  MY CARDIOLOGIST RECENTLY CALLED TO SEE IF I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH HER & UC DAVIS IN SEEING IF A SIMILAR GENE COULD BE ISOLATED IN THE SCOTTISH FOLD.  SOOOOOO,  I LOADED UP ALL THE CATS & WENT IN FOR SCANNING, BLOOD DRAWS, CHEEK SWABS...ETC. 

THE FIRST GOOD NEWS IS ONLY ONE CAT IN THE HOUSE SCANNED POSITIVE FOR CARDIO & SINCE OFFSPRING SCANNED NEGATIVE IT LOOKS LIKE SHE MAY BE A SINGLE GENE CARRIER.  THIS DISEASE APPEARS TO BE A RECESSIVE ONE... SO A CAT WITH A SINGLE GENE MAY NEVER ACTUALLY DEVELOPE ISSUES OR IF THEY DO, MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL BE AT A MUCH OLDER AGE & BE LESS SEVERE THAN A CAT WHICH IS HOMOZYGOUS (WITH A DOUBLE GENE) FOR THIS.  WE ARE NOW WAITING FOR UC DAVIS TO DO THEIR TESTING BUT SOON, I & THE OWHL FURKIDS MAY BE ABLE TO PROUDLY SAY WE ARE A DNA NEG CARDIO CATTERY! 

 My contract also covers things like declawing, yearly updates and rehoming should it become necessary. 

I firmly believe that if you are going to breed you should also be involved in not only the promotion and preservation of the breed, but in educating the general public on the breed, shows, rescuing and animal welfare -vs.- animal rights.   I have been showing cats for 25 plus years now.  I started showing in CFA and several years ago also started showing in TICA. Both organizations have some wonderful attributes and I suggest if you are interested in showing that you give them both a try and see what style better suits you. Along with breeding and showing Scottish Folds, I am a member of several cat clubs, holding office in at least one of them and  I am working to promote TICA  and CFA in my area by managing and working on local shows.   I am usually out showing  in one of the organizations 2-3 weekends a month.   I am on the Breed Chair and I was Regional Director for the International Scottish Fold Association (ISFA is a CFA Breed club) for 5 1/2 years and 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. If getting a kitten isn't important to you, I suggest that you may want to try and contact the Scottish Fold Rescue.