Important Information Regarding the Purchase of an Abyssinian
If you’ve never heard of the Abyssinian, you’ve at least seen one. These are the large cats with the big ears that you used to see when you were studying ancient Egyptian culture when you were in school. These cats are notoriously recognizable, and they’re like that because they are one of the oldest breed of cat in the world. They’re very elegant and muscular and they have large eyes that resemble a bat. They look very much like the type of cat commonly found in the jungle, but that’s not surprising considering that’s the lineage of these animals.
One of the most fascinating characteristics of this cat is the fact that the Abyssinian is one of the most intelligent cats in the world, if not the most intelligent cat in the world. They’ve been described as cats that love people. Not to cuddle with them or love on them, but simply to keep their company. These cats have also been described as the kind of animal that’s very good at training their people to do exactly what they want; and that’s just one example of how intelligent an Abyssinian really is.
Purchasing one of these cats is virtually the only way to obtain one, as they are very difficult to find in an animal shelter or foster system. They’re very expensive, and they’re non-refundable. If you’re in the market for an Abyssinian, you want to be very careful that you do thorough research before purchasing a cat from a breeder or cattery. Not doing your research could potentially be a very expensive mistake.
Finding the Right Breeder
While the most common way to find a business you want is to get on the internet and perform a quick search, you should really be a bit choosier when choosing your cat breeder. The Cat Breeder Referral Service is offered by the CFA (Cat Fancier’s Association) and it’s one of the most reputable resources for finding a quality breeder for any type of cat you might want.
The CBRS provides you with a comprehensive list of breeders all over the country, which is something you must absolutely keep in mind when looking for a cat this rare. You might not be able to find a breeder near you. They’re not everywhere; if they were, these cats would not cost so much money to purchase. You might have to choose a cat from elsewhere and either drive to get it or even have it flown home to you. It’s quite the process to purchase a cat this amazing, and you have to be willing to do the work to make it happen.
Now that you’ve found a breeder, you will want to visit the breeder in person – even if they’re located out of state. This is imperative. The CFA offers a disclaimer to all people that they cannot guarantee that any breeder listed on their site is as they say they are, but they can only go by what the breeder says and the reviews that have been provided on behalf of those who have used the breeder.
When you get to the breeder, you’ll want to look for a few things. You’ll want to ensure that the cats are housed inside, that they’re being socialized, that they seem curious and interested and that they don’t seem skittish. You’ll want to ensure they have clean food and water, the area where they’re kept is clean and that nothing looks ‘wrong.’ Wrong could be anything that your gut tells you is off, such as other cats that are not part of the breed wandering around, a home that doesn’t look disgusting or questionable or anything else that seems a little off. Trust your gut; it’s rarely ever incorrect.
Checking Prices
Here’s a bit of information most people don’t bother to share about the purchase of an Abyssinian. They’re expensive, yes, but the price varies greatly from cat to cat. The typical inexperienced buyer will not understand why there is such a significant difference in the price of one cat to another, and it’s because each cat is bred for a different purpose
A cat bred to show is going to be far costlier than one bred for the purpose of being someone’s pet. These animals are very lovely, and it takes a special animal to show. These are priced far higher. Additionally, each cat is going to see a difference in price based on their parentage, their parents show quality or pet quality and many other factors.
Of course, you’ll want to see the health records of both parents and the kitten you’re looking to purchase prior to making a purchase. This can show you whether or not you’re choosing a cat that could have potential health issues thanks to genetics. Additionally, it will show you whether or not the parents of this cat are both the same breed or if this could potential be a kitten that was poorly and/or improperly bred – something that could affect the health of the cat, the longevity of the cat’s life and many other factors.
Now that you know what makes the price of an Abyssinian vary so much, you should know what you can expect as far as price goes. The average price is anywhere from $500 to $1000. Of course, some breeders might ask more and some might ask a little less, and it all depends on the breeder, their success with showing cats, for example, and their location. A cat that shows well and is bred to be a show cat is going to cost more, which means you can at least breathe a small sigh of relief at the fact that a pet only for enjoyment purposes is going to cost a lot less.
How to find a breeder, what to look for and how to determine a fair price are some of the most important things you need to know before you begin the search for an animal of this nature. Once you have this information, it makes the process of buying a purebred cat a bit less daunting.
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