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Bringing a new pet into your family involves a long-term commitment of time, effort and
money. Buying your Sphynx from a responsible and ethical breeder is the best way to ensure
that things get off to a great start. Most breeders are anxious to discuss their Sphynx cats
and will supply you with information on the Sphynx�s unique characteristics and special
requirements.
How to find a Responsible Sphynx Breeder
*Through The Progressive Sphynx Alliance. All PSA breeders are schooled in the art of
breeding quality Sphynx kittens. PSA breeders have signed a Code of Ethics and adhere
to highly ethical breeding standards. They continually strive to improve their breeding
practices and techniques by networking closely with each other and exchanging ideas and
state-of-the -art techniques in their quarterly publication, The Journal of The Progressive
Sphynx Alliance.
*At a cat show, where you can talk to a number of breeders and look at a variety of Sphynx.
*Through advertising in cat magazines (such as Cat Fancy), as well as
breed club publications, the Internet and newspapers.
But remember: Just because a breeder is listed in one or more of these mediums does not
automatically make him/her a �responsible breeder�. You must screen potential breeders
closely and do your homework when it comes to deciding on where to buy your Sphynx kitten.
If possible, try to find breeders in your area so you can visit their cattery.
Most breeders will be happy to discuss their cats and to explain their method of raising
healthy, outgoing kittens. An on-site visit is the best way to be sure of the quality and
health of the kitten, as well as the ethical standards of the breeder. You will be able
to see the conditions under which the kittens are raised.
Although heredity plays a prominent role, the cattery environment also has a profound
effect on the future health, personality and temperament of the kittens. Be wary if
you note any of the following; overcrowding, kittens raised exclusively in small cages,
poor housekeeping, neglected letterboxes, unclean food and water containers, cats which
appear unkempt. Be wary of any breeder that will not allow you on the cattery premises.
You will want a kitten that is accustomed to being handled everyday, and is raised in
a home-like environment. The frequently used phrase �raised underfoot� means that kittens
and cats are accustomed to being around people from the time they are born. These kittens
will form a close bond with humans since they have lots of exposure to humans during their
developmental period. Learn about the characteristics of the breed, and do not feel
obligated to fall in love with the first kitten you see. Do your homework before you
decide on a specific kitten, and be sure to ask the right questions:
Is the kitten healthy?
Handle the kitten. It should have good muscle tone, be clean, and have bright, clear
eyes. The kitten should not be sniffling or sneezing. Its eyes should be free of
discharge. Its ears should be clean and free of debris, and there should be no signs of
dry, flaky skin or other skin lesions.
Is the kitten well socialized?
Play with the kitten using a non-threatening toy, such as a feather or ribbon. After
a period of normal caution towards strangers, the kitten should relax into a friendly,
frolicking and playful attitude. Many perfectly healthy kittens would rather play than
be held. However, after becoming acquainted with you the kitten should allow you to hold
him for short periods without appearing fearful.
Does the kitten have papers?
When you acquire your kitten you will receive a health and vaccination record and a
written sales agreement and health guarantee. After you have the kitten altered and
the breeder receives a certificate of spaying or neutering, the breeder will send you
the kitten�s registration form. To register your kitten just fill out the form and send
it to the proper cat association with the required fees.
Questions to ask breeders.
By asking the right questions you can learn a lot about the way a breeder runs his/her
cattery. These questions will also help you to determine if the breeder�s ethics and
practices fulfill the requirements of what you are looking for in a breeder. Remember
that the health and personality of your new kitten will be a direct result of how the
breeder cares for and socializes his/her kittens from the time they are born. If the
breeder also asks you a lot of questions, please don�t be offended. That�s a good sign,
it indicates that the breeder cares about what happens to his/her kittens once they go to
their new homes.
Can the breeder provide references?
A responsible breeder will be able and willing to provide you with references upon request.
It is a good idea to get references from other breeders, people who have previously
purchased kittens from the breeder and the breeder�s veterinarian, especially if you are
not within visiting distance of the cattery.
Does the breeder use a contract and health guarantee?
Every PSA breeder should have a contract and health guarantee. Read yours carefully, as
not all breeders use a contract. This is an excellent way of evaluating the
professionalism and ethical standards of the breeder. Typical contracts include a health
guarantee (14 day guarantee for infectious disease is common), a list of vaccinations the kitten has or will
receive prior to placement in your home, and an alteration agreement. Many breeders
include in their contracts a �right of first refusal� clause. This means that if, for
any reason, you cannot keep your cat or kitten, the breeder has the right to have the cat
returned to him/her. PSA breeders never want to see their own or any other Sphynx end up
homeless or in a shelter.
When can kittens safely come home?
PSA breeders typically do not allow their kittens to their homes until they are 12 to 16
weeks of age. This is a good time to make the transition to a new home as the kittens are
weaned, litter trained, mature enough to leave their mother and have been vaccinated at
least twice. Keeping the kittens until this age assures proper personality development
and socialization, and gives the kitten�s immune system time to mature.
How much does a Sphynx cost?
The price of a Sphynx may vary from breeder to breeder. Kittens usually range anywhere
from $800 to $1500, depending on the quality of the kitten and the degree of hairlessness.
Kittens being purchased for show or breeding purposes range from $2500 to $3000.
Occasionally breeders also have adult cats available. These adult cats are usually
retired breeding animals who are no longer a part of a breeding program as breeders
continue to develop their bloodlines. Usually adult Sphynx are also beloved pets which
the breeder is willing to release at an affordable price to someone who can provide a
comfortable and loving home for the rest of the cat�s life.
Do not be offended by the questions that a breeder may ask you. The breeder is not trying
to intimidate you, but rather trying to determine if their kitten will meet your
requirements as a pet, and if you will be able to provide the type of home their kitten
will require to live a healthy and happy life.
Some of the things a breeder may ask about include: your living arrangements, number and
age of family members, work schedule and daily routine, other pets in the home including
their age and health. The answer to these questions will help the breeder determine the
suitability of a particular cat to your life style. PSA breeders will ask what you are
specifically looking for in a Sphynx companion, and will explain the individual needs of
your kitten and the Sphynx breed in general.
While no one can guarantee that your kitten will never have a medical problem, a PSA
breeder�s commitment to ethical and responsible breeding greatly increases your chances
of acquiring a healthy, well adjusted kitten.
Is it safe to ship a kitten?
Shipping kittens to their new homes by air is safe and widely used by breeders. Because
shipping is an added stress on a kitten, most responsible breeders will not ship their
kittens until they are at least 16 weeks of age and have had a full series of vaccinations.
The average cost of shipping in the USA is $100 to $130, depending on the airline. A cat
carrier and bedding can be an extra expense. Before the kitten is allowed to board a
plane it will need to have a current Certificate of Health from the breeder�s
veterinarian. Your breeder can fill you in on the details if you find that it is
necessary to have your kitten shipped to you.
If you have any other questions regarding your search for a Sphynx kitten or cat, please
do not hesitate to contact a PSA breeder. Each breeder is dedicated to helping you find
the Sphynx companion that is just right for you!
Types of Breeders:
Before you make a decision to purchase a Sphynx, know the type of
breeder you are dealing with.
Kitten mills are mass production catteries, where breeding stock is kept for one purpose
only - supplying young kittens that can be sold to anyone, including pet shops. Great
effort is made by these breeders to spend as little as possible to maximize the profit
margin. Most kittens coming from mills are in very poor health, resulting in huge
heartache and financial loss to their new owners.
Commercial breeders are those who bred for profit, exercising economies of sale. Usually
they try, within their fiscal limits, to breed healthy stock. They may be concerned with
breeding a sound animal, but not so much with breeding one which is a good example of the
Sphynx breed. Kittens from these types of catteries often lack proper socialization
because there are just too many animals and too little time.
Backyard breeders are not knowledgeable and do not understand the importance of practicing
good genetics or learning from the successes and mistakes of others. Some of these
breeders just breed an occasional litter to make some extra money or to offset the
original cost of their cats. Others think that they will eventually be able to make
serious money by breeding.
Hobby breeders are usually responsible breeders who produce the healthiest, most sociable
kittens. These breeders tend to ask potential kitten buyers many questions and are very
concerned with their kitten�s future well-being. Hobby breeders have made a substantial
investment in their Sphynx kittens (emotionally, time-wise and financially) by the time
their kittens are ready for adoption. Hobby breeders continue to provide information and
support to the kitten�s new family even after the sale.
Why buy from a PSA breeder?
PSA breeders are hobby breeders who have a true interest in protecting and improving the
Sphynx breed through education, awareness, and sound breeding practices. PSA breeders
sign a strict Code of Ethics, validating this commitment. Remember, to a PSA breeder, a
Sphynx cat is more than a commodity, but an individual to be loved and cared for.
PSA breeders strive to find the best possible home for each and every kitten.