Q1. What type of cats do you breed and what is your breeding philosophy? Thai Dee Maew Cattery breeds very rare and high quality Thai cats including the Suphalak, Khao Manee, Original Siamese, Traditional (Old-style) Siamese, Balinese (a.k.a. Longhair Siamese), Tibetans and Siam Longhair (both long and short haired). Our foundation queens mostly come imported from Thailand. Our two sires are both traditional or Thai style Balinese.
We breed for rare colors combined with the semi-long hair of the Balinese, which is well-known for hypoallergenic qualities. We are the only breeders in the world breeding registered solid white Longhair Siamese (a.k.a.Balinese) using imported cats from Thailand. For more information about our breeds, please see our breed page. At this time, we are the only known breeders in America breeding Tibetans and we are the only cattery in the world using a Suphalak from Thailand bred to a Traditional/Thai Style Balinese for this purpose.
Our Thai cats are not related to the new manmade American originated breed now known as 'Thai' with some registries. We do not agree with this term for their cats because it does not accurately represent what a real Thai cat is about in their homeland or even the Wichianmat (a.k.a original Siamese cat) that they supposedly base their breed standard from. Moreover, their color standards are not compatible with those of honest Thai cat breeders in Thailand, the Smud Koi or the Tamra Maew (ancient Cat Book Poems). The breed name 'Thai' is offensive to Thai culture, history and people who do not wish to be associated with an American version of 'Thai' cat. Furthermore, native Thai cats have always come in many different colors and color combinations (some lucky, some not so lucky) as well as lengths and textures. Thai cats are a single race of cat native only to S.E. Asia, which is confirmed by DNA testing.
Unlike the Siamese cat, the native Thai cats' overall body structure has not changed since as long as they have been breeding (over 800 years) in their homeland (formerly known as Siam). Native Thai cats are considered a naturally occurring pure race of cat. This is different from 'purebred,' which indicates that they are permitted to have a mix of different races with many different changing styles and require a small gene pool or inbreeding to achieve these constantly changing breed standards, which are set by breed committees that come and go, are rife with politics, greed and huge egos. Our cats are not subjected to this nonsense.
Most Western breeders who breed these 'Old-style Siamese' don't seem to care about educating themselves very well on the native cats of Thailand. They don't care to preserve the purity and integrity of the native Thai cat, but would rather exploit it. Most have never even been to Thailand or seen a real native Thai cat (bred, born and raised in Thailand) so they have no idea of the value of our cats. Worse, so many of them perpetuate the breeding of impure cats that are a mix of accidental matings between pure Thai cats (e.g. Siamese) and ordinary stray cats (e.g. tabby) with completely unknown history. To top it off, they base their breeding programs and pedigrees off these accidental or irresponsible matings and then continue to inbreed them for the sake of color (e.g. lynx) or popularity without any regard for ethics or genealogical consequences in doing so. Popular or common as these breeders may be in the show ring and among ill informed pet buyers, we reject these hybrid cats that are being masqueraded around as purebred Siamese, Balinese and Thais by catteries and registries such as TICA.
Q2. What are all these 'styles' of Siamese cats? I just remember the kind of grew up with, the 'normal' kind. See here: http://www.life-with-siamese-cats.com/types-of-siamese-cats.html
We breed and promote the traditional style and 'originals' (imported directly from the motherland, Thailand).
Q3.I have allergies and I was reading that the Balinese breed is hypoallergenic. If I get a cat from you and I find that I am allergic, can I return it for a full refund?
The answer is NO! This isn't reasonable. If you have allergies to cats and you're looking for a perfect 100% proven hypoallergenic cat that will never affect anyone's allergies EVER, I'm sorry, but those cats and kittens do no exist. There is no such thing. The closest you'll find is very low-allergen. Our longhaired kittens/cats have proven to be as low-allergen for a cat/kitten as you'll find anywhere. The vast majority of allergy sufferers should not have allergic responses to our low-allergen cats/kitten. If they do, those symptoms might start out mild, but fade over a short time to where there are zero reactions even when the cat sleeps with them on their pillow. The important thing to understand is that there is an adjustment period. When this adjustment period has been made, several of our kitten buyers have found that they can now go over to other peoples' homes that have ordinary cats and they no longer feel allergic to these other ordinary cats when they were never able to tolerate it before! I've been told repeatedly that they feel 'cured' and it's a 'miracle,' but I will never guarantee it for anyone! What seems to be happening is that their bodies are developing a natural tolerance, which is healthy for the immune system! This keeps happening so often with our kitten buyers, that it cannot be just a 'coincidence.'
If you have allergies to cats, it is good and common sense to consult an allergy specialist before you start looking for a cat. Please pick a cat-friendly doctor who has success with providing allergy treatments for cat owners, veterinarians and veterinary technicians! Unfortunately, there are too many doctors out there who stick to a very old-fashioned out-dated approach, which is to tell people to not get a cat if they are allergic or get rid of their cats. These are the same doctors who do not understand anything about low-allergen breeds of cats! You are strongly advised to AVOID these doctors and seek another opinion. Typically, a person who is allergic to cats is also allergic to many other things and a good doctor can work out a treatment plan to include feline protein along with whatever else you are allergic to. It is your responsibility to completely understand your particular allergies and the symptoms in order know if you are able to live with a cat. Breeders are not doctors who can properly advise you on how to manage your allergies. Nor are we running a warehouse or pet store full of merchandise that can be taken home on a trial basis and returned if not completely satisfied with no questions asked. Our kittens cannot be reproduced on an assembly line or sold to the next customer. Most shelters and rescues will not even consider your application for adoption if you make this type of request; they are inundated with animals that are surrendered (with allergies being a common excuse)! The last thing they want (us too) is to have more cats dumped on overcrowded kill shelters or rehomed due to someone's inability to manage their allergy problems. It is tragic and emotionally distressing to these intelligent and sentient beings! We are dealing with a living breathing animal that has emotions and needs similar to humans. This must be a commitment and one that you can without-a-doubt live with for 20 years (perhaps longer). If you are still interested, please see our links page or this site: http://www.abyssinian-rescue.com/allergies.htm . You might be surprised to know that many cat breeders are allergic to cats and when they go to cat shows, they must be prepared with medication in order to manage their symptoms. You might also be shocked to know that so many veterinarians are highly allergic to cats, but they are able to manage their symptoms even though they come into contact with cats of all sorts on a regular daily basis! If they can do it, so should you, especially with a low-allergen breed!
Q4. Do you ship? If so, what are your fees for shipping?
We are not offering shipping of any kind at this time. Please check with the economy airlines for your flight to the Detroit International Airport. It is usually less costly than shipping. We can meet you at the Detroit Airport in Romulus for a fee of $50 to cover gas and parking fees. We will not hand over our kittens to a third party again, sorry! There have been too many horror stories with this!
Q5. What are your prices?
Please contact us about which kitten you are interested in and let us know what your expectations are using the adoption application found on the main menu. We've been getting too many emails and calls from people (hoping to find a bargain) with very unreasonably low price expectations. There is a very high demand for our Balinese! If you have a low budget (under $500), for a kitten, we are not going to have anything for you. Purebred kittens from reputable breeders come at premium prices and we are no exception! Shop the breeder, not the price is my best advice. If you haven't the money now, it's best to wait until you are ready and prepared than to make an impulsive decision you may regret later on.
Q6. Can we come to see the kittens?
Due to our own safety, the health and welfare of our cats/kittens as well as our privacy and for the fact that many people have abused our offer to come and visit, we cannot do that! This is a private home and not a pet shop or zoo that is open for strangers to drop by to just browse around and pet our cats or kittens because they want to see them and maybe take one home! Nobody ever did us any favors by coming over for curiosity sake or to 'socialize' our kittens like this! That's not what we are looking for.
If you or someone in your home needs to test their allergies, we may offer a hair sample test. Our kittens regularly go to homes where allergies are a problem and almost everyone has been able to manage their allergies with our low-allergen cats. If you're looking for perfection and zero chance of any allergic reaction, you should not own any pet! You need to be very realistic and ready to do what it takes to manage your allergies around a low-allergen cat while your body develops a strong tolerance.
Q7. Why is it not good to declaw...? My vet told me I should and/or it will be okay!
Please see our links page for these reasons. If your vet is trying to push you into declawing your cat, they do not have your cat's best interest in mind or you! Profiteering off this procedure is their main objective. Please seek a more ethical veterinarian who has your cat's best interest at heart. This procedure is cruel and detrimental to your cat! It is so cruel that it's illegal in most countries other than America and Canada. Declawing a cat is the same as finger amputation and it's a procedure that causes all sorts of behavioral problems as well as excruciating PAIN, even phantom pains for the life of the cat! Under no circumstances will we ever let our kittens go to someone who may declaw. It's in our contract!
Q8. When will the kittens be ready to leave?
When they turn 12 weeks old or thereafter.
Q9. Do you spay/neuter before they leave?
Our veterinarian can spay/neuter our kittens once they are twelve weeks old.
Q10. Do you vaccinate them?
Of all the feline vaccines that are out there, only Rabies and Panleukopenia have a high efficacy, which means they are deemed highly effective in mainstream veterinary medicine. However, both diseases are extremely uncommon and we need to weigh the 'risk versus benefits' when making a decision to vaccinate. There is a much higher risk of the cat dying from the vaccines than dying from either of these viruses! The other vaccines are variable (in their efficacy) and some carry such high risks of adverse side effects that they are not commonly recommended. No vaccines for cats are 100% effective and all vaccines carry risks (up to and including death)! This is a serious subject for us and we've had countless hours of discussions with our local vets, veterinarians who work for the manufacturers, our clients' vets as well as homeopathic veterinarians. That being said, we have found that homeopathic nosodes offers the safest and most effective protection against ALL feline viral diseases. We have seen the results and are firmly convinced this is the absolute best method we can take for our kittens to keep their immune systems strong and resistant to viruses. No other mainstream protocol can possibly compare!
We used to vaccinate our kittens at 8 weeks old and then booster again between 11 and 12 weeks old with a distemper combo vaccine. However, we have found that our clients have taken their kittens to their own veterinarian to be vaccinated repeatedly and unnecessarily even after we've suggested against this. Too many vaccines in a young kitten stresses their developing and fragile immune systems! Therefore, we are no longer vaccinating with our typical routine. From now on (beginning December 22, 2015), we are offering a choice of nosodes or nothing at all. Unless you request that the kitten not receive nosodes, we will administer them at no charge and give instructions for future use. If you are interested in our kittens, it's extremely important to me that you click on the links below and DO YOUR RESEARCH about vaccines before making contact with me!!!! If you are STILL adamantly in favor of mainstream vaccines, we are not the right breeder for you; PLEASE go elsewhere as you will be denied buying privileges here! Thai Dee Maew is moving closer and closer to a pure 100% homeopathic route and we expect any new potential kitten buyers who contact us to understand and be in favor of this!
Vets take advantage and prey on unsuspecting pet owns. If they PUSH the shots, you should beware:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/veterinarians-sell-unnecessary-shots-tests-make-extra-money/story?id=20967672_
2013 AAFP Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel Report
http://www.catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/feline-vaccination-guidelines
Vaccination for Cats: Helpful or Harmful?
http://www.holisticat.com/en/caveats-and-cautions/12-vaccination.html
Horrific Results of Unecessary Vaccination of Animals
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/AnimalWellness/PetvacChambreau
What Your Vet Must Tell You about Vaccines (but probably won’t)
http://www.littlebigcat.com/blog/what-your-vet-must-tell-you-about-vaccines/
Vaccines for Cats: We Need to Stop Overvaccinating
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines
New Vaccination Protocols A Review of the Literature
http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/index.htm
http://www.stoptheshots.com/
http://dogdoctor.us/veterinary-services/vaccine-protocol/
healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/03/31/high-cost-of-pet-vaccinations.aspx
Q11. Do you have a health guarantee?
Yes we do! It covers congenital defects for up to one year. Also, we guarantee our cats and kittens to be free from fleas, parasites, fungus (e.g. ringworm), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia when you take them home.
Q12. Do they come with a microchip?
Yes, they do!
Q13. What cat registries are you affiliated with?
Thai Dee Maew is a registered cattery with the American Cat Association and the Cat Fancier's Association
Q14. Do you offer stud service?
Absolutely not! We do not have the room for that and it's too risky for us as well as all our cats.
Q15. Will you consider a trade?
That would be something we would probably be asking you.
Q16. What kind of food do you feed your cats and kittens?
We use a variety of different types of canned food in order to keep their interest as no cat likes to eat the same food day after day. Cats like variety in their diets and they need it for optimal health! Quality canned food is offered 2-4 times per day. Dry grain free-kibble is available at all times and we prefer Orijen Cat and Kitten, Blue Buffalo Kitten, etc. A choice or mixture is always given. Just as important as the food is water! We strictly give filtered reverse osmosis water. Our cats have never had water from the tap, EVER!!! Please use clean filtered water at all times for the kitten! You can find these machines at any Walmart, Meijer or Kroger for just 37-44 cents/gallon.
Q17. What kind of litter do you use? We use pine pellets like Feline Pine because they are economical and safest for our cats; there are no chemicals used in the litter.
Q18. What does variant mean? Why don't you just say, 'Siamese?'
Balinese breeders constantly breed back to top quality Siamese to improve the type, genetic health and eye colour of Balinese. If you mate a Siamese (or Oriental Shorthair) with a Balinese (or Javanese) you will get in the first generation short-haired Balinese (or Javanese), known as Variant cats. Variants have a short, plush coat. Variants are invaluable in a Balinese and Oriental Longhair breeding programme as they carry the recessive long hair gene which they pass on when mated back to a long-haired Balinese or to another Variant. For more information, see here: http://www.hartridgedobesandbalinese.co.uk/aboutbalinese.html
Q19. Are your cats FIP, FeLV and FIV negative?
We test and guarantee our cats negative against FeLV and FIV, but no cattery can guarantee against FIP because there is no reliable test for it. To this date, none of our cats has ever had contact with a cat that has been diagnosed with this disease and we have never had a single case of it at our cattery.
Q20. When are your kittens weaned?
We consider weaned when they are no longer nursing from their mothers. Kittens may nurse from their mothers as long as their mothers will permit it. We let nature take a natural course of things. Solid foods are offered to kittens as soon as their teeth begin to emerge and they seem interested in food. We begin by offering canned wet food.
Q21. How are your cats with dogs and children?
We do not have dogs. So the question is returned with, 'how is your dog with cats?' Our kittens are ready to leave us at 12 weeks old and this is plenty young enough for a kitten to learn to adjust to any mild-mannered, well-behaved dog living in the home. The same goes for children. We have learned that our kittens take to children very well. Kittens and cats find people and other animals to bond with rather than the other way around. Parents may find that the kitten they adopted for themselves will bond with their children or spouse more than they ever thought possible.
Q22. How much is the deposit and is it refundable if we change our mind?
Firstly, the kitten you want has to be born before we will accept a deposit. It varies depending on the purchase price and it is not refundable. We accept deposits to confirm your decision and hold the cat until he/she is ready to leave. At that point, the kitten is taken off the market because you've agreed to follow through with the adoption process and pay the remainder of the balance when you are ready to take your kitten/s home or arrange for shipping. Deposits for kittens are not designed for people to use so they can think about it and change their mind. By asking this question, we become uncomfortable and worry that you may not follow through with your original promise! If you have indicated that you are no longer interested in following though, we reserve the right to put the kitten back on the market. Please contact us immediately if you ever change your mind so that this kitten may find another adopter and we can move on! We hope that this never happens! If we have accepted your deposit, it is because we feel confident that you are the best person for this kitten and we want you to take him/her home. The last thing we want to do is explain to people that we have this kitten left over from someone who backed out. It's shameful and difficult on breeders when this happens. It can be tragic for the kitten as well considering that they may be harder to place under these circumstances.
Q23. Do you sell your kittens with breeding rights.
We have had bad experiences with this, so we will never consider doing it again with someone we do not have a strong relationship with spanning at least two solid years of confident friendship and proven trustworthiness. You don't get to buy our cats with breeding rights (or not), compete against us and do whatever you want with the breeding lines of our cats! We have strong philosophies with regards to their husbandry (or how cats and kittens should be raised) and the terms under which they are sold! It's important that we are on the same page with regards to those philosophies.
Q24. I'm not ready to get a cat now, but I will be more ready in the fall or early winter. Do you think you'll have any kittens at that time?
We may have some at that time. If you want to be considered, it's important that you ask to be put on the waiting list and keep in touch. There is no fee for this. Once the kittens are born and their colors/sexes and coats lengths are evident, you may put down a nonrefundable deposit to hold your kitten until it is ready to leave (at 12 weeks old). Please bear in mind that the fall and winter months (December and November especially) are peak times when people are looking for kittens while there are very few kittens available. Kitten season happens during the summer months (June-September) when there are more kittens than homes available, so this is the best time to find your kitten. If we have the ever so popular Traditional Longhair Siamese/Balinese kittens available in December and November, our adoptions fees will be considerably higher than at any other times of the year.
Q25. Have you ever had a case of FIP at your cattery or in your home?
This is an excellent question. The answer is no! And our breeding cats have never been exposed to any cat that has been diagnosed with this disease.
Q26. Do you breed Korats or know any Korat breeders in Thailand?
We don't breed Korats, but we know several good breeders in Thailand . We had a neutered Si-Sawat (a.k.a. Korat) that originated directly from Korat, Thailand. He was rescued in February of 2013 and shown in July of 2013 where he won his award at a CFA show. This was a remarkable turnaround in such a short time and quite an achievement considering the hundreds of entries that he had to compete against to win! As a foreigner showing a Thai cat against so many wonderful CFA registered champions (mostly Maincoons, Persians, ASH and Scottish Folds) all owned by Thai people, it was a surreal experience and amazing.
We showed True Dee at the CFA cat show in Taylor, Michigan on July 26, 2014. He placed Best in Show in six out of six rings with some tough competition! CFA all breed judge and Secretary Rachel Anger fell in love with him there and we later placed him with her for adoption in 2018.
Q27. Do you accept PayPal? Yes, but for deposits only.
We breed for rare colors combined with the semi-long hair of the Balinese, which is well-known for hypoallergenic qualities. We are the only breeders in the world breeding registered solid white Longhair Siamese (a.k.a.Balinese) using imported cats from Thailand. For more information about our breeds, please see our breed page. At this time, we are the only known breeders in America breeding Tibetans and we are the only cattery in the world using a Suphalak from Thailand bred to a Traditional/Thai Style Balinese for this purpose.
Our Thai cats are not related to the new manmade American originated breed now known as 'Thai' with some registries. We do not agree with this term for their cats because it does not accurately represent what a real Thai cat is about in their homeland or even the Wichianmat (a.k.a original Siamese cat) that they supposedly base their breed standard from. Moreover, their color standards are not compatible with those of honest Thai cat breeders in Thailand, the Smud Koi or the Tamra Maew (ancient Cat Book Poems). The breed name 'Thai' is offensive to Thai culture, history and people who do not wish to be associated with an American version of 'Thai' cat. Furthermore, native Thai cats have always come in many different colors and color combinations (some lucky, some not so lucky) as well as lengths and textures. Thai cats are a single race of cat native only to S.E. Asia, which is confirmed by DNA testing.
Unlike the Siamese cat, the native Thai cats' overall body structure has not changed since as long as they have been breeding (over 800 years) in their homeland (formerly known as Siam). Native Thai cats are considered a naturally occurring pure race of cat. This is different from 'purebred,' which indicates that they are permitted to have a mix of different races with many different changing styles and require a small gene pool or inbreeding to achieve these constantly changing breed standards, which are set by breed committees that come and go, are rife with politics, greed and huge egos. Our cats are not subjected to this nonsense.
Most Western breeders who breed these 'Old-style Siamese' don't seem to care about educating themselves very well on the native cats of Thailand. They don't care to preserve the purity and integrity of the native Thai cat, but would rather exploit it. Most have never even been to Thailand or seen a real native Thai cat (bred, born and raised in Thailand) so they have no idea of the value of our cats. Worse, so many of them perpetuate the breeding of impure cats that are a mix of accidental matings between pure Thai cats (e.g. Siamese) and ordinary stray cats (e.g. tabby) with completely unknown history. To top it off, they base their breeding programs and pedigrees off these accidental or irresponsible matings and then continue to inbreed them for the sake of color (e.g. lynx) or popularity without any regard for ethics or genealogical consequences in doing so. Popular or common as these breeders may be in the show ring and among ill informed pet buyers, we reject these hybrid cats that are being masqueraded around as purebred Siamese, Balinese and Thais by catteries and registries such as TICA.
Q2. What are all these 'styles' of Siamese cats? I just remember the kind of grew up with, the 'normal' kind. See here: http://www.life-with-siamese-cats.com/types-of-siamese-cats.html
We breed and promote the traditional style and 'originals' (imported directly from the motherland, Thailand).
Q3.I have allergies and I was reading that the Balinese breed is hypoallergenic. If I get a cat from you and I find that I am allergic, can I return it for a full refund?
The answer is NO! This isn't reasonable. If you have allergies to cats and you're looking for a perfect 100% proven hypoallergenic cat that will never affect anyone's allergies EVER, I'm sorry, but those cats and kittens do no exist. There is no such thing. The closest you'll find is very low-allergen. Our longhaired kittens/cats have proven to be as low-allergen for a cat/kitten as you'll find anywhere. The vast majority of allergy sufferers should not have allergic responses to our low-allergen cats/kitten. If they do, those symptoms might start out mild, but fade over a short time to where there are zero reactions even when the cat sleeps with them on their pillow. The important thing to understand is that there is an adjustment period. When this adjustment period has been made, several of our kitten buyers have found that they can now go over to other peoples' homes that have ordinary cats and they no longer feel allergic to these other ordinary cats when they were never able to tolerate it before! I've been told repeatedly that they feel 'cured' and it's a 'miracle,' but I will never guarantee it for anyone! What seems to be happening is that their bodies are developing a natural tolerance, which is healthy for the immune system! This keeps happening so often with our kitten buyers, that it cannot be just a 'coincidence.'
If you have allergies to cats, it is good and common sense to consult an allergy specialist before you start looking for a cat. Please pick a cat-friendly doctor who has success with providing allergy treatments for cat owners, veterinarians and veterinary technicians! Unfortunately, there are too many doctors out there who stick to a very old-fashioned out-dated approach, which is to tell people to not get a cat if they are allergic or get rid of their cats. These are the same doctors who do not understand anything about low-allergen breeds of cats! You are strongly advised to AVOID these doctors and seek another opinion. Typically, a person who is allergic to cats is also allergic to many other things and a good doctor can work out a treatment plan to include feline protein along with whatever else you are allergic to. It is your responsibility to completely understand your particular allergies and the symptoms in order know if you are able to live with a cat. Breeders are not doctors who can properly advise you on how to manage your allergies. Nor are we running a warehouse or pet store full of merchandise that can be taken home on a trial basis and returned if not completely satisfied with no questions asked. Our kittens cannot be reproduced on an assembly line or sold to the next customer. Most shelters and rescues will not even consider your application for adoption if you make this type of request; they are inundated with animals that are surrendered (with allergies being a common excuse)! The last thing they want (us too) is to have more cats dumped on overcrowded kill shelters or rehomed due to someone's inability to manage their allergy problems. It is tragic and emotionally distressing to these intelligent and sentient beings! We are dealing with a living breathing animal that has emotions and needs similar to humans. This must be a commitment and one that you can without-a-doubt live with for 20 years (perhaps longer). If you are still interested, please see our links page or this site: http://www.abyssinian-rescue.com/allergies.htm . You might be surprised to know that many cat breeders are allergic to cats and when they go to cat shows, they must be prepared with medication in order to manage their symptoms. You might also be shocked to know that so many veterinarians are highly allergic to cats, but they are able to manage their symptoms even though they come into contact with cats of all sorts on a regular daily basis! If they can do it, so should you, especially with a low-allergen breed!
Q4. Do you ship? If so, what are your fees for shipping?
We are not offering shipping of any kind at this time. Please check with the economy airlines for your flight to the Detroit International Airport. It is usually less costly than shipping. We can meet you at the Detroit Airport in Romulus for a fee of $50 to cover gas and parking fees. We will not hand over our kittens to a third party again, sorry! There have been too many horror stories with this!
Q5. What are your prices?
Please contact us about which kitten you are interested in and let us know what your expectations are using the adoption application found on the main menu. We've been getting too many emails and calls from people (hoping to find a bargain) with very unreasonably low price expectations. There is a very high demand for our Balinese! If you have a low budget (under $500), for a kitten, we are not going to have anything for you. Purebred kittens from reputable breeders come at premium prices and we are no exception! Shop the breeder, not the price is my best advice. If you haven't the money now, it's best to wait until you are ready and prepared than to make an impulsive decision you may regret later on.
Q6. Can we come to see the kittens?
Due to our own safety, the health and welfare of our cats/kittens as well as our privacy and for the fact that many people have abused our offer to come and visit, we cannot do that! This is a private home and not a pet shop or zoo that is open for strangers to drop by to just browse around and pet our cats or kittens because they want to see them and maybe take one home! Nobody ever did us any favors by coming over for curiosity sake or to 'socialize' our kittens like this! That's not what we are looking for.
If you or someone in your home needs to test their allergies, we may offer a hair sample test. Our kittens regularly go to homes where allergies are a problem and almost everyone has been able to manage their allergies with our low-allergen cats. If you're looking for perfection and zero chance of any allergic reaction, you should not own any pet! You need to be very realistic and ready to do what it takes to manage your allergies around a low-allergen cat while your body develops a strong tolerance.
Q7. Why is it not good to declaw...? My vet told me I should and/or it will be okay!
Please see our links page for these reasons. If your vet is trying to push you into declawing your cat, they do not have your cat's best interest in mind or you! Profiteering off this procedure is their main objective. Please seek a more ethical veterinarian who has your cat's best interest at heart. This procedure is cruel and detrimental to your cat! It is so cruel that it's illegal in most countries other than America and Canada. Declawing a cat is the same as finger amputation and it's a procedure that causes all sorts of behavioral problems as well as excruciating PAIN, even phantom pains for the life of the cat! Under no circumstances will we ever let our kittens go to someone who may declaw. It's in our contract!
Q8. When will the kittens be ready to leave?
When they turn 12 weeks old or thereafter.
Q9. Do you spay/neuter before they leave?
Our veterinarian can spay/neuter our kittens once they are twelve weeks old.
Q10. Do you vaccinate them?
Of all the feline vaccines that are out there, only Rabies and Panleukopenia have a high efficacy, which means they are deemed highly effective in mainstream veterinary medicine. However, both diseases are extremely uncommon and we need to weigh the 'risk versus benefits' when making a decision to vaccinate. There is a much higher risk of the cat dying from the vaccines than dying from either of these viruses! The other vaccines are variable (in their efficacy) and some carry such high risks of adverse side effects that they are not commonly recommended. No vaccines for cats are 100% effective and all vaccines carry risks (up to and including death)! This is a serious subject for us and we've had countless hours of discussions with our local vets, veterinarians who work for the manufacturers, our clients' vets as well as homeopathic veterinarians. That being said, we have found that homeopathic nosodes offers the safest and most effective protection against ALL feline viral diseases. We have seen the results and are firmly convinced this is the absolute best method we can take for our kittens to keep their immune systems strong and resistant to viruses. No other mainstream protocol can possibly compare!
We used to vaccinate our kittens at 8 weeks old and then booster again between 11 and 12 weeks old with a distemper combo vaccine. However, we have found that our clients have taken their kittens to their own veterinarian to be vaccinated repeatedly and unnecessarily even after we've suggested against this. Too many vaccines in a young kitten stresses their developing and fragile immune systems! Therefore, we are no longer vaccinating with our typical routine. From now on (beginning December 22, 2015), we are offering a choice of nosodes or nothing at all. Unless you request that the kitten not receive nosodes, we will administer them at no charge and give instructions for future use. If you are interested in our kittens, it's extremely important to me that you click on the links below and DO YOUR RESEARCH about vaccines before making contact with me!!!! If you are STILL adamantly in favor of mainstream vaccines, we are not the right breeder for you; PLEASE go elsewhere as you will be denied buying privileges here! Thai Dee Maew is moving closer and closer to a pure 100% homeopathic route and we expect any new potential kitten buyers who contact us to understand and be in favor of this!
Vets take advantage and prey on unsuspecting pet owns. If they PUSH the shots, you should beware:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/veterinarians-sell-unnecessary-shots-tests-make-extra-money/story?id=20967672_
2013 AAFP Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel Report
http://www.catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/feline-vaccination-guidelines
Vaccination for Cats: Helpful or Harmful?
http://www.holisticat.com/en/caveats-and-cautions/12-vaccination.html
Horrific Results of Unecessary Vaccination of Animals
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/AnimalWellness/PetvacChambreau
What Your Vet Must Tell You about Vaccines (but probably won’t)
http://www.littlebigcat.com/blog/what-your-vet-must-tell-you-about-vaccines/
Vaccines for Cats: We Need to Stop Overvaccinating
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines
New Vaccination Protocols A Review of the Literature
http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/index.htm
http://www.stoptheshots.com/
http://dogdoctor.us/veterinary-services/vaccine-protocol/
healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/03/31/high-cost-of-pet-vaccinations.aspx
Q11. Do you have a health guarantee?
Yes we do! It covers congenital defects for up to one year. Also, we guarantee our cats and kittens to be free from fleas, parasites, fungus (e.g. ringworm), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia when you take them home.
Q12. Do they come with a microchip?
Yes, they do!
Q13. What cat registries are you affiliated with?
Thai Dee Maew is a registered cattery with the American Cat Association and the Cat Fancier's Association
Q14. Do you offer stud service?
Absolutely not! We do not have the room for that and it's too risky for us as well as all our cats.
Q15. Will you consider a trade?
That would be something we would probably be asking you.
Q16. What kind of food do you feed your cats and kittens?
We use a variety of different types of canned food in order to keep their interest as no cat likes to eat the same food day after day. Cats like variety in their diets and they need it for optimal health! Quality canned food is offered 2-4 times per day. Dry grain free-kibble is available at all times and we prefer Orijen Cat and Kitten, Blue Buffalo Kitten, etc. A choice or mixture is always given. Just as important as the food is water! We strictly give filtered reverse osmosis water. Our cats have never had water from the tap, EVER!!! Please use clean filtered water at all times for the kitten! You can find these machines at any Walmart, Meijer or Kroger for just 37-44 cents/gallon.
Q17. What kind of litter do you use? We use pine pellets like Feline Pine because they are economical and safest for our cats; there are no chemicals used in the litter.
Q18. What does variant mean? Why don't you just say, 'Siamese?'
Balinese breeders constantly breed back to top quality Siamese to improve the type, genetic health and eye colour of Balinese. If you mate a Siamese (or Oriental Shorthair) with a Balinese (or Javanese) you will get in the first generation short-haired Balinese (or Javanese), known as Variant cats. Variants have a short, plush coat. Variants are invaluable in a Balinese and Oriental Longhair breeding programme as they carry the recessive long hair gene which they pass on when mated back to a long-haired Balinese or to another Variant. For more information, see here: http://www.hartridgedobesandbalinese.co.uk/aboutbalinese.html
Q19. Are your cats FIP, FeLV and FIV negative?
We test and guarantee our cats negative against FeLV and FIV, but no cattery can guarantee against FIP because there is no reliable test for it. To this date, none of our cats has ever had contact with a cat that has been diagnosed with this disease and we have never had a single case of it at our cattery.
Q20. When are your kittens weaned?
We consider weaned when they are no longer nursing from their mothers. Kittens may nurse from their mothers as long as their mothers will permit it. We let nature take a natural course of things. Solid foods are offered to kittens as soon as their teeth begin to emerge and they seem interested in food. We begin by offering canned wet food.
Q21. How are your cats with dogs and children?
We do not have dogs. So the question is returned with, 'how is your dog with cats?' Our kittens are ready to leave us at 12 weeks old and this is plenty young enough for a kitten to learn to adjust to any mild-mannered, well-behaved dog living in the home. The same goes for children. We have learned that our kittens take to children very well. Kittens and cats find people and other animals to bond with rather than the other way around. Parents may find that the kitten they adopted for themselves will bond with their children or spouse more than they ever thought possible.
Q22. How much is the deposit and is it refundable if we change our mind?
Firstly, the kitten you want has to be born before we will accept a deposit. It varies depending on the purchase price and it is not refundable. We accept deposits to confirm your decision and hold the cat until he/she is ready to leave. At that point, the kitten is taken off the market because you've agreed to follow through with the adoption process and pay the remainder of the balance when you are ready to take your kitten/s home or arrange for shipping. Deposits for kittens are not designed for people to use so they can think about it and change their mind. By asking this question, we become uncomfortable and worry that you may not follow through with your original promise! If you have indicated that you are no longer interested in following though, we reserve the right to put the kitten back on the market. Please contact us immediately if you ever change your mind so that this kitten may find another adopter and we can move on! We hope that this never happens! If we have accepted your deposit, it is because we feel confident that you are the best person for this kitten and we want you to take him/her home. The last thing we want to do is explain to people that we have this kitten left over from someone who backed out. It's shameful and difficult on breeders when this happens. It can be tragic for the kitten as well considering that they may be harder to place under these circumstances.
Q23. Do you sell your kittens with breeding rights.
We have had bad experiences with this, so we will never consider doing it again with someone we do not have a strong relationship with spanning at least two solid years of confident friendship and proven trustworthiness. You don't get to buy our cats with breeding rights (or not), compete against us and do whatever you want with the breeding lines of our cats! We have strong philosophies with regards to their husbandry (or how cats and kittens should be raised) and the terms under which they are sold! It's important that we are on the same page with regards to those philosophies.
Q24. I'm not ready to get a cat now, but I will be more ready in the fall or early winter. Do you think you'll have any kittens at that time?
We may have some at that time. If you want to be considered, it's important that you ask to be put on the waiting list and keep in touch. There is no fee for this. Once the kittens are born and their colors/sexes and coats lengths are evident, you may put down a nonrefundable deposit to hold your kitten until it is ready to leave (at 12 weeks old). Please bear in mind that the fall and winter months (December and November especially) are peak times when people are looking for kittens while there are very few kittens available. Kitten season happens during the summer months (June-September) when there are more kittens than homes available, so this is the best time to find your kitten. If we have the ever so popular Traditional Longhair Siamese/Balinese kittens available in December and November, our adoptions fees will be considerably higher than at any other times of the year.
Q25. Have you ever had a case of FIP at your cattery or in your home?
This is an excellent question. The answer is no! And our breeding cats have never been exposed to any cat that has been diagnosed with this disease.
Q26. Do you breed Korats or know any Korat breeders in Thailand?
We don't breed Korats, but we know several good breeders in Thailand . We had a neutered Si-Sawat (a.k.a. Korat) that originated directly from Korat, Thailand. He was rescued in February of 2013 and shown in July of 2013 where he won his award at a CFA show. This was a remarkable turnaround in such a short time and quite an achievement considering the hundreds of entries that he had to compete against to win! As a foreigner showing a Thai cat against so many wonderful CFA registered champions (mostly Maincoons, Persians, ASH and Scottish Folds) all owned by Thai people, it was a surreal experience and amazing.
We showed True Dee at the CFA cat show in Taylor, Michigan on July 26, 2014. He placed Best in Show in six out of six rings with some tough competition! CFA all breed judge and Secretary Rachel Anger fell in love with him there and we later placed him with her for adoption in 2018.
Q27. Do you accept PayPal? Yes, but for deposits only.
Q28. Isn't registration with CFA and TICA the best to insure that I'm getting the best purebred?
Absolutely not! See here: http://www.cfainc.org/CatCare/Hoarding.aspx
While we have participated at CFA shows, we also recognize that there are other excellent registries (i.e. ACA) that work cooperatively with them and share registrations back and forth. For example, the American Cat Association is the oldest cat fancy registry in America with their beginnings dating back to the 1800s. The CFA split with the ACA over a hundred years ago over acceptance of the blue point Siamese cat. Then there was a split with the CFA that formed the ACFA over the chocolate point Siamese cat. All of these registries have their own rules and standards, but they are all legitimate and highly respected worldwide. To one extent or another, we work with all of these registries. TICA is another matter! We feel that this organization has proven to be far too unprofessional and loose with regards to standards of perfection. Many of their descriptions of purebred cats and their history are inaccurate. We will never support an organization that misrepresents the history of Thai cats!
Buying a cat based primarily for a CFA or TICA pedigree is a mistake! There are bad breeders with no integrity in every registry and within every breed. Registries are not authorities who can monitor the business transactions of their members, nor guarantee them. Always insist on references or check to make sure that the cattery or breeder is in good standing. Buyer beware! Never assume that a CFA or TICA registration card (or promise of one) is all you need to guarantee you a quality healthy kitten/cat.
Absolutely not! See here: http://www.cfainc.org/CatCare/Hoarding.aspx
While we have participated at CFA shows, we also recognize that there are other excellent registries (i.e. ACA) that work cooperatively with them and share registrations back and forth. For example, the American Cat Association is the oldest cat fancy registry in America with their beginnings dating back to the 1800s. The CFA split with the ACA over a hundred years ago over acceptance of the blue point Siamese cat. Then there was a split with the CFA that formed the ACFA over the chocolate point Siamese cat. All of these registries have their own rules and standards, but they are all legitimate and highly respected worldwide. To one extent or another, we work with all of these registries. TICA is another matter! We feel that this organization has proven to be far too unprofessional and loose with regards to standards of perfection. Many of their descriptions of purebred cats and their history are inaccurate. We will never support an organization that misrepresents the history of Thai cats!
Buying a cat based primarily for a CFA or TICA pedigree is a mistake! There are bad breeders with no integrity in every registry and within every breed. Registries are not authorities who can monitor the business transactions of their members, nor guarantee them. Always insist on references or check to make sure that the cattery or breeder is in good standing. Buyer beware! Never assume that a CFA or TICA registration card (or promise of one) is all you need to guarantee you a quality healthy kitten/cat.
