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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 TO TOP
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 TO TOP
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. BACK TO TOP
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 TO TOP
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?
Yes. 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 TO TOP
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 TO TOP
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 TO TOP
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 TO TOP
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.) BACK TO TOP
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 TO TOP
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. BACK TO TOP
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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