HELPFUL INFORMATION
Kitten Personalities & Socialization
Novinka and Dianna look pretty happy!
My children, friends and I all raise the kittens together. I make an effort to expose them to lots of people, dogs, noises, activities, and lots of love and affection at an early age. I’m shooting for ‘as confident as a movie star’.
It is true that Siberians are very dog-like. Our first one, Novinka, fetches naturally. I remember the first time I realized this was when my hairband fell off of the nightstand and he jumped off the bed and put it back on the nightstand. Some of the kittens will retrieve a ball or toy 15 – 20 times to you without hesitation. My kittens usually will kiss you on the nose, run to the door when you come home and lie on your neck when you sit on the couch.
It is true that Siberians are very dog-like. Our first one, Novinka, fetches naturally. I remember the first time I realized this was when my hairband fell off of the nightstand and he jumped off the bed and put it back on the nightstand. Some of the kittens will retrieve a ball or toy 15 – 20 times to you without hesitation. My kittens usually will kiss you on the nose, run to the door when you come home and lie on your neck when you sit on the couch.
Health, Vaccines & Prevention
My cats are all FIV/FeLV negative. Several of the cats also have had echocardiograms done at Oregon State University and all get regular check ups at the clinic where I work. Fvrccp vaccines are done at about 9-11 weeks. Deworming is done twice by the time they leave.
One thing that Tom Lundberg was doing in Siberian Research (http://siberianresearch.com/ ) was tracking all known cases of HypertrophicCardioMyopathy and sudden deaths and educating breeders and pet owners of risks associated with specific lines so that these cats were pulled from breeding programs. Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy or HCM, urinary problems, gum disease, and hereditary cancer can be a problem if breeders are unaware of what they are producing or don’t care. These problems are accelerated by the practice of line-breeding which I feel is very unhealthy. I make an effort to outcross my cats from the Starpoint lines (original American Siberians) with known-to-be healthy Russian lines. I want my cats to be healthy in mind and body.
One thing that Tom Lundberg was doing in Siberian Research (http://siberianresearch.com/ ) was tracking all known cases of HypertrophicCardioMyopathy and sudden deaths and educating breeders and pet owners of risks associated with specific lines so that these cats were pulled from breeding programs. Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy or HCM, urinary problems, gum disease, and hereditary cancer can be a problem if breeders are unaware of what they are producing or don’t care. These problems are accelerated by the practice of line-breeding which I feel is very unhealthy. I make an effort to outcross my cats from the Starpoint lines (original American Siberians) with known-to-be healthy Russian lines. I want my cats to be healthy in mind and body.
Going Home
The kittens can go home at 12 weeks of age . If the kittens are staying longer I can happily neuter if requested. If the new owner sends in proof of spay or neuter from their vet I will send a TICA (The International Cat Association) limited registration form or “blue slip” so they can register the kitten in their name if they wish. I would like all of the kittens to be spayed or neutered by seven months of age.
Once the kittens are in your home I offer a 1 week trial with a full refund, less shipping. I also offer after-sale phone or email support to help the transition from new kitten to adored family member.
Once the kittens are in your home I offer a 1 week trial with a full refund, less shipping. I also offer after-sale phone or email support to help the transition from new kitten to adored family member.
Allergen Information
We have asthma and cat allergies in the family, particularly in my daughter. So I am able to say confidently – from watching my daughter – that many Siberians do not cause an allergic reaction in people. I encourage allergy testing in my home before putting down a deposit if at all possible. This consists of hanging out with the cats for an hour. I charge $60 for the visit, ask you to bring any medications and rescue inhaler and sign a release form. This money can go toward the price of your kitten.