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Thanks
for your continued interest! Here you'll find answers to some
of the more frequently asked questions we receive. Click the
questions to read each reply. Please, do not hesitate to contact
us if you have further questions, or would like additional
information.
1. What
are some characteristics of the Birman?
The
Birman has an especially sweet and gentle disposition, with
a playful personality. They are very much like kittens their
whole life when it comes to playing. Birmans are highly
social animals, and greatly desire human companionship --they
like to be a part of what is happening, and will almost
always greet a stranger who comes to visit, at the door.
People who are away from home for long periods of time should
consider getting two Birmans. BACK
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2.
Are there any special health problems associated with the
breed?
3.
How long does a Birman usually live?
On
the average, fourteen to fifteen years, with some passing
sooner and a few lasting into their late teens and early
twenties. BACK
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4.
How big does the Birman get?
The
Birman is a medium size breed. Females will can range from
six to nine pounds, and males average eight to eleven pounds.
Occassionally, one is slightly smaller or larger than this.
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5.
Does the Birman get along well with children?
Yes,
but we don't recommend them as pets for people with extremely
young children, unless there is to be a lot of supervision
in the home by the parents. BACK
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6.
Does the Birman get along well with other pets?
7.
How do I get one of your kittens?
The
first step is to send us an e-mail and inquire. Please,
include information about yourself, and others who will
be living with the kitten, along with information about
pets you now own, or have previously owned.
BACK TO TOP
8.
Do you require a deposit to hold a kitten?
Our
two catteries handle this differently. Mary does not require
a deposit to hold one of her kittens, while Greg and Robert
do.
Deposits are only taken for kittens that are already born
and are listed on the "Currently Available" section
of our web site, and we must personally talk with you about
the kitten and placement before a deposit is made. If we
don't place the kitten with you the deposit is fully refundable.
Please, be certain you would like a kitten from us before
asking us to hold one for you and paying a deposit, as the
money is non-refundable if you change your mind and elect
not to take the kitten. Kittens will not be held without
a deposit. BACK
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9.
How much do your kittens cost?
The
price of kittens varies, depending on many things. For example
the final price of a breeding/show cat is often not set until
shortly before moving to its new home, as it depends on the
individual quality of the cat. Even pets have a range where
our price fluctuates: depending on if we have them neutered/spayed
here before leaving, or require you to do that at your expense,
after they move. If interested in price please send us an
e-mail. BACK
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10.
What age do you let your kittens move to their new homes?
11.
Can we visit the kittens in your home?
Yes,
after the kittens are 9 weeks old and have received their
first vaccinations visits are encouraged, by appointment,
for those who have genuine interest in adopting one of our
Birmans. At these visits we ask that you bring everyone one
who is going to be living with the cat. BACK
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12.
Do you ever have adults available?
Yes,
occasionally we have a retired adults available, usually a
younger retired show cat. When we have these cats available
they will be listed on our page CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, and they
are also placed into homes at reduced rates. This is an excellent
way for someone on a budget to adopt a truly lovely Birman,
when we have them available. BACK
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13.
What vaccinations will my kitten come with, and what about
revaccination?
Your
kitten will come vaccinated for panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis
and calicivirus. Additionally, Greg & Robert's kittens
will come vaccinated for rabies. No additional shots will
be needed for the first year of your kittens life. After that,
we recommend the following revaccination schedule:
-
Panleukopenia,
rhinotracheitis and calicivirus: one year from the last
date given, and then every three years thereafter, until
the age of seven, and then no more for the remainder
of the cat’s life. Annual revaccination is not
required, and may result in over vaccination. A possible
exception should be made if you board your cat.
-
Rabies:
one year from the last date given, and then every three
years thereafter, for the life of the cat – in
the state Pennsylvania. If you live outside the state
of Pennsylvania you should check with your local authorities
to determine what the laws are for rabies vaccination.
-
There
are numerous other feline vaccinations available to
be given, but we do not recommend them unless they are
warranted. Finally, we recommend vaccinations never
be given for the following feline diseases: Chlamydia,
Feline Leukemia (FeLV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis
(F.I.P) and Ringworm. (In lieu of vaccination for
Feline Leukemia we recommend not allowing your cat to
roam unrestrained out of doors, and testing any new
cats that come into the environment before they arrive.)
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14.
What is your position on neutering and spaying?
Sadly,
as the result of uncontrolled mating and irresponsible breeding
practices, thousands of helpless animals are born each year
into desperate situations. We believe in the responsible breeding
of pedigree animals for the exclusive purpose of preserving
and protecting established breeds, and feel that the breeding
of animals is best left in the hands of ethical breeders who
are working with a goal towards improving the breed, and out
of the hands of all others. In support of our belief, our
pet quality cats either leave our home already neutered and
spayed, or we require, by our Sales Agreement, they be neutered
and spayed, withholding registration and pedigrees until we
have proof that they are. BACK
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15.
What is your position on declawing?
We
feel declawing puts your cat at risk, should it accidentally
get outside and be unable to climb to get out of harms way,
or defend itself. We also believe it is a painful surgery
for the cat: It's more than just the nail they remove, they
cut back to the first joint. Imagine having your fingers or
toes each individually cut back to the fist joint, and then
being forced to spend the rest of your life walking around
on them --even under the best of circumstances, it would be
less than ideal!
All
of our cats are taught to scratch appropriately before leaving
our home. This is one of the reasons we do keep them until
they are 16 weeks of age. We do not have problems with our
cats scratching in places that are undesirable, as you will
see when you visit our home, and you should not either, if
you follow the instructions we give you when your kitten moves.
We
see declawing as an elective surgery that has no benefit for
the cat, and in fact may be harmful to the cat. We do not
want cats we produce to be declawed, and prohibit the procedure
from being done during the cat's lifetime in our Sales Agreement.
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16.
Is it okay if my cat goes outside?
People
sometimes feel they are doing their cat a favor by allowing
it to go outside, but they are not. Cats that live or go outside
have several increased risks over cats that remain indoors:
They get involved in accidents, fights and the increased exposure
to disease is significant. Not surprising, the life expectancy
for cats that go outside is greatly reduced. We prefer that
cats we produce remain inside, and, to further reduce their
risk of unnecessary exposure to disease, that they not have
contact with other cats that do go out-of-doors. BACK
TO TOP
Copyright (c), 2007 by Gregory
Beach,
text, images and graphics may
not be used without written permission,
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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