Adoption Process Rules
Please be aware that by following through with placing a deposit for the waiting list you acknowledge that you have read,
understood and agreed to this process as outlined below, particularly, - that all deposits are non-refundable.
Please CAREFULLY read until the end and follow the link to the next page
Q: What is the process for adoption of your kittens?
A: We sell kittens to the clients on our Waiting List only. The new WL starts soon after the previous litter goes home or/and definite plans for next mating have been made. All clients that were left from the current litter automatically move to the new one unless they select to withdraw their application.
Please NOTE: Due to time constraints and potential of infections, we do NOT allow free visits to our cattery. Visits at appropriate time will be arranged only:
When kittens are born, the information is promptly posted on the website on their dedicated page. And when they get more independent and the queen allows access to them, pictures and videos are posted regularly (at least once weekly), so you are always aware of how they grow and develop.
The selection list of prospective clients whose turn for adoption has arrived, is posted at least 2 weeks prior to reservations and a group or individual email/s requesting confirmation is send to each person on that list. Clients are then requested to confirm their interest in a kitten/s from this available litter within a reasonable time (usually, 48 hours). If you do not reply and confirm either way, you may be removed from this list and your turn goes to the next person on the list.
A tentative schedule of visits is announced and arranged at least a week or two before the expected time by a group email to the clients scheduled for selection and the times of visits are negotiated with each person on their priority and availability basis. When confirmed, the list and the schedule is posted on the website on the kittens' dedicated Selection page for each litter. This allows you to know exactly what is happening from 2-3 weeks prior to birth until the kittens go home through each individual milestone.
Please keep in mind that it is your responsibility to follow the updates and respond to personal emails in appropriate and timely fashion, otherwise you may miss your chance. You are encouraged to get familiar with the practical aspects of this adoption process by reviewing the information posted ahead of time on the litter's Kittens Diary page. This also applies to all available information posted on the website and learning about us and our practices BEFORE making an informed decision about such important event as an adoption of a future family member that will be with you for many years.
Q: Why do I need to get on the WL?
A: As stated in the paragraph above, we work with and keep information related only to the clients on the waiting list. All other applications are discarded if not being followed up by you. Although we try to answer all inquiries and all possible questions you may have as soon as possible, our time is limited and dedicated to the needs of cats and kittens, and already committed clients, as well as continuous support for existing clients with our cats. We diligently work with our clients to identify their needs, preferences and testing for potential allergies, if required. We hope you understand that it takes a lot of time and dedication.
Q: How long is your WL?
A: We try to tailor our breeding plans towards the needs of our clients but it is not always possible because of multiple reasons:
If we accept your application, we guarantee that you will get a kitten you desire but we cannot guarantee specific time frames.
Q: Do you assign your kittens to the clients or allow them to select a kitten?
A: We do not assign kittens to clients and allow free selection based on your preferences and position in the list. This is why it is so important to get on the WL as early as possible. I.e., the higher your position is, the wider are the selection options. The waiting list is always based on the priorities outlined below.
Q: What if I want a kitten of a specific color and sex?
A: If you are very particular about specific color, sex or other attributes of your future kitten, the situation may become tricky. Although you can decide which breeding pair, sex or color you prefer when you get on the WL, such a choice cannot always be guaranteed as it depends on your position in the waiting list and the number of kittens with such attributes. Obviously, we cannot predict the number, sex or particular colors of kittens in each litter but, in most cases, we can expect particular color choices and direct you to the desired litter.
If we do not have a kitten that satisfies your fancy or the family situation changes, we allow you to defer to the next litter for a maximum of 2 additional deferrals (i.e. a total of 3 subsequent litters of available kittens with the attributes you have specified in the Waiting List Agreement). After such time, your name will be removed from the waiting list. The deposit then becomes the property of the breeder as a compensation for keeping you updated and other work we do to maintain a busy cattery (unless a special agreement has been made in advance and in writing). However, please keep in mind, that the announced price at the time of the application may not be guaranteed (based on the current state of the economy that would be reassessed every 6 months).
Q: How do I get on the WL?
A: When you make a decision about purchasing a kitten from our cattery you need to place a deposit made by e-Transfer from your online banking account to our contact email ( Alternative methods of payment have to be discussed with the breeder in person).
Please keep in mind, that all deposits are NON-refundable and constitute a payment for the breeder's time whether you proceed with the adoption or not.
The rest of the payments schedule is outlined in the waiting list agreement.
A placement on the WL guarantees you a kitten from our cattery that can be selected from one of the three subsequent litters of available kittens. You can also request a kitten from particular parent or a couple upfront (i.e., you are very particular about the color or/and sex of the kitten or prefer a certain couple of parents). But please be aware that it can extend your waiting time. You can also request to be placed on a WL farther ahead in time (i.e., a litter born in 6-12 months from the day of application or after a specific time). Clients are always encouraged to get on the waiting list sooner rather than later.
Q: What is the Selection Priority?
A: We process all requests on the "first deposit" basis (i.e. it does not matter when you sent your application or inquiry but when you have actually committed to our cattery by placing a deposit). However, there are certain additional priority criteria that outlined below - please make sure you understand them. The initial deposit allows you to get on the WL but the selection priority is based in the following order:
Q: How is the kitten selected and when does it go home?
A: The kittens are selected usually around week 8-9 (few days after they have received their first set of vaccinations). That's when we first allow visitors to the nursery. But we try to post photos and videos as soon as they are born and as often as possible - usually on a daily to weekly basis, so the waiting clients are always aware of their behavior and development.
The selection can be made either in person or – for long distance clients - by pictures and videos. In most cases, by that time clients already well know who their favorite or pick of the litter is by watching videos we post weekly. This is where the position on the list is crucial as you may fall in love with the same kitten that have been already selected by the person ahead of you.
The kittens are released to their new homes usually at 12 weeks of age (unless there are special circumstances).
Q: What comes with the kitten?
A: The kittens go home equipped with the following:
Q: How does the selection process work?
A: When a particular litter has been examined, found fit and healthy, and received their first vaccination shots (at 8-9 weeks), I send a message announcing that we are ready to proceed with selection. All prospective clients make their arrangements to visit the cattery in person and select a kitten. From that point the reservation payment is due within 24 hours after confirmed selection. This ensures that you reserving a kitten from this particular litter according to the order of selection posted prior to that date. If the reservation deposit is not made within 24 h-s, the next person on the list will get the opportunity to select a kitten and you may loose your turn for selection and will have to wait for the next available litter.
If, for some reason, you are not happy with the selection available to you at that point, as stated previously, you have the right to defer your selection to the next litter. You may also select to withdraw from waiting for my kitten completely but the initial non-refundable WL deposit will be forfeited.
The final payment has to be made no later than 24 h-s prior to pick-up or 7-10 days before shipping. We ship with Canadian airlines (most often WestJet from Abbotsford airport) according to their shipping rates (usually around $300-350 for one and $350-400 for 2 kittens in the same kennel) and do not charge any extras. But a personal pick-up is always encouraged, especially during the winter months. In some cases we can help organize a private courier to bring a kitten in a cabin but it is usually much more expensive.
If the kitten is not picked up at the age of 12 weeks and prior arrangements have not been made to allow for a later pick up or delivery, a payment of $50 per kitten per week for each additional week will be added to the cost of the kitten for its feeding and maintenance as well as the cost of additional vaccinations IF applicable. Beyond two weeks past the regular release date the kitten may be sold to the next person in the waiting list and the WL + reservation deposits will both be forfeited to compensate the breeder.
Q: What if we have cat allergy?
A: Clients with known cat allergy (please read more about cat allergies on the "Allergy Facts" page) are required to pass the allergy test prior to selection of a kitten. It can be done using a mail-in testing kit (for long-distance clients only) but the preferred method is to test in person in our cattery as anything else can be much less reliable. Remember, that you are accepting a long-term responsibility over a life of another sentient being with deep and strong feelings of attachment and our goal is to make its life - as well as your own - happy and healthy for a long time. Rehoming should be considered ONLY as the last-resort option and ONLY with the agreement of the breeder, so a "trial adoption" is NOT an option.
All local clients (within 3 h-s of driving distance) with known cat allergies are required to arrange for a test in person. The cost of a personal allergy test (a minimum of an hour with the mother and the litter) is included in the total price of a kitten. If during the test you do react to our cats/kittens you have 2 options: get off the list and get your deposit minus the cost of the test (i.e., $100/hour) back or stay on it and continue checking with the next breeding pair/litter (at no cost for subsequent tests). Remember that the cat allergy is not an easy process to assess and may require much more than one test to perform (as you may be sensitive to all or only some particular cats)!
Q: When should the allergy testing be performed?
A: Because each cat has an individual level of allergens, it makes a little sense to test with "just" a cat: you may be reactive to one mother and her kittens and not to another. So all testing is performed during the Selection process when your turn for that litter has arrived. Sometimes - especially for the clients in remote areas - if we have clients in that locale, we can try and arrange for a "pre-testing" with one of our cats. This will not relieve you from the responsibility to test again with your intended litter but can provide a bit more of reassurance about your reaction. If you did not react to another Siberian, chances are you may not be reactive with your intended kittens. But it is definitely not a guarantee so the test in person is still required unless you are 100% certain that there are no allergy issues and the kitten will not be subsequently rehomed.
Q: Do kittens come spayed/neutered already?
A: NO, NO & NO!!!
The primary goal of our cattery is to provide you with a healthy, well socialized and beautiful kitten - in this order of priorities while EACH goal is our highest concern as our history proves it!
Spaying/Neutering of pets, although a very common practice in North America, is also a very controversial issue, particularly at an early age (also known as ESN – early spay/neuter, i.e. before 6 months of age). Although there has not been enough research on health effects of early sterilization of cats, there have been very recent publications of quite substantial research results of this procedure on both structural (such as proven hip dysplasia) in dogs and long-term physical health effects as compared to the intact animals and those sterilized later in life. Our personal experience of 50 years breeding healthy dogs and cats confirms this assertion.
We do NOT perform this procedure requiring general anesthesia on a hardly weaned baby and do NOT support such surgery before a kitten is AT LEAST 6 months old to allow for its proper development.
A: We sell kittens to the clients on our Waiting List only. The new WL starts soon after the previous litter goes home or/and definite plans for next mating have been made. All clients that were left from the current litter automatically move to the new one unless they select to withdraw their application.
Please NOTE: Due to time constraints and potential of infections, we do NOT allow free visits to our cattery. Visits at appropriate time will be arranged only:
- With our committed clients from the waiting list - when it is appropriate for the mom and the kittens (usually around 8 weeks after their first set of vaccinations)
- For allergic reaction testing and kitten selection. Visitors are usually not allowed access to the nursery until kittens are fully vaccinated and available for adoption.
When kittens are born, the information is promptly posted on the website on their dedicated page. And when they get more independent and the queen allows access to them, pictures and videos are posted regularly (at least once weekly), so you are always aware of how they grow and develop.
The selection list of prospective clients whose turn for adoption has arrived, is posted at least 2 weeks prior to reservations and a group or individual email/s requesting confirmation is send to each person on that list. Clients are then requested to confirm their interest in a kitten/s from this available litter within a reasonable time (usually, 48 hours). If you do not reply and confirm either way, you may be removed from this list and your turn goes to the next person on the list.
A tentative schedule of visits is announced and arranged at least a week or two before the expected time by a group email to the clients scheduled for selection and the times of visits are negotiated with each person on their priority and availability basis. When confirmed, the list and the schedule is posted on the website on the kittens' dedicated Selection page for each litter. This allows you to know exactly what is happening from 2-3 weeks prior to birth until the kittens go home through each individual milestone.
Please keep in mind that it is your responsibility to follow the updates and respond to personal emails in appropriate and timely fashion, otherwise you may miss your chance. You are encouraged to get familiar with the practical aspects of this adoption process by reviewing the information posted ahead of time on the litter's Kittens Diary page. This also applies to all available information posted on the website and learning about us and our practices BEFORE making an informed decision about such important event as an adoption of a future family member that will be with you for many years.
Q: Why do I need to get on the WL?
A: As stated in the paragraph above, we work with and keep information related only to the clients on the waiting list. All other applications are discarded if not being followed up by you. Although we try to answer all inquiries and all possible questions you may have as soon as possible, our time is limited and dedicated to the needs of cats and kittens, and already committed clients, as well as continuous support for existing clients with our cats. We diligently work with our clients to identify their needs, preferences and testing for potential allergies, if required. We hope you understand that it takes a lot of time and dedication.
Q: How long is your WL?
A: We try to tailor our breeding plans towards the needs of our clients but it is not always possible because of multiple reasons:
- For the sake of their health, our queens are usually bred only once a year;
- Nature (i.e. their heat cycles) does not always agree with breeder's plans and desires, so these plans have to be continuously adjusted based on their readiness and other parameters;
- There is absolutely no way to predict ahead of time how many kittens with the desired attributes (such as color and gender, for instance) will be born;
- It is also a big unknown what will be the state of readiness of the clients on the waiting list to adopt these kittens. It is not uncommon that a family situation of somebody ahead of you due to unforeseeable circumstances such as illness, vacation, move, renovation, etc. Some clients prefer to wait for the right litter or personal circumstances for many months while others get a kitten almost immediately.
- Some people prove to be allergic even to a Siberian and do not pass allergy test, so they get off the waiting list and free their space for the next person in line.
If we accept your application, we guarantee that you will get a kitten you desire but we cannot guarantee specific time frames.
Q: Do you assign your kittens to the clients or allow them to select a kitten?
A: We do not assign kittens to clients and allow free selection based on your preferences and position in the list. This is why it is so important to get on the WL as early as possible. I.e., the higher your position is, the wider are the selection options. The waiting list is always based on the priorities outlined below.
Q: What if I want a kitten of a specific color and sex?
A: If you are very particular about specific color, sex or other attributes of your future kitten, the situation may become tricky. Although you can decide which breeding pair, sex or color you prefer when you get on the WL, such a choice cannot always be guaranteed as it depends on your position in the waiting list and the number of kittens with such attributes. Obviously, we cannot predict the number, sex or particular colors of kittens in each litter but, in most cases, we can expect particular color choices and direct you to the desired litter.
If we do not have a kitten that satisfies your fancy or the family situation changes, we allow you to defer to the next litter for a maximum of 2 additional deferrals (i.e. a total of 3 subsequent litters of available kittens with the attributes you have specified in the Waiting List Agreement). After such time, your name will be removed from the waiting list. The deposit then becomes the property of the breeder as a compensation for keeping you updated and other work we do to maintain a busy cattery (unless a special agreement has been made in advance and in writing). However, please keep in mind, that the announced price at the time of the application may not be guaranteed (based on the current state of the economy that would be reassessed every 6 months).
Q: How do I get on the WL?
A: When you make a decision about purchasing a kitten from our cattery you need to place a deposit made by e-Transfer from your online banking account to our contact email ( Alternative methods of payment have to be discussed with the breeder in person).
Please keep in mind, that all deposits are NON-refundable and constitute a payment for the breeder's time whether you proceed with the adoption or not.
The rest of the payments schedule is outlined in the waiting list agreement.
A placement on the WL guarantees you a kitten from our cattery that can be selected from one of the three subsequent litters of available kittens. You can also request a kitten from particular parent or a couple upfront (i.e., you are very particular about the color or/and sex of the kitten or prefer a certain couple of parents). But please be aware that it can extend your waiting time. You can also request to be placed on a WL farther ahead in time (i.e., a litter born in 6-12 months from the day of application or after a specific time). Clients are always encouraged to get on the waiting list sooner rather than later.
Q: What is the Selection Priority?
A: We process all requests on the "first deposit" basis (i.e. it does not matter when you sent your application or inquiry but when you have actually committed to our cattery by placing a deposit). However, there are certain additional priority criteria that outlined below - please make sure you understand them. The initial deposit allows you to get on the WL but the selection priority is based in the following order:
- Breeders always have the first priority (but such choices are quite rare as we sell kittens into breeding ONLY to the select list of breeders)
- Retiring mothers with their kitten - when available. For their comfort, we try to retire our queens together with one of their kitten whenever possible.
- POL (Pick Of the Litter), Special Requests & show quality kittens (if requested by clients) - usually, no more than one or two kittens per litter. Such kittens are more expensive. In addition, some kittens or/and litters of specific parents may require additional/special prices. Currently, such parents include Flora, Sylvie, Polly and colorpoint kittens (Neva Masquerade) but the list can be changed or amended based on demand.
- Pairs of kittens - clients that acquire 2 or more (yes, we have such families that love our cats so much, they have more than 2!) or our existing clients that buy an additional kitten
- The rest of the waiting list clients - in the order of deposits (based on the timestamp)
Q: How is the kitten selected and when does it go home?
A: The kittens are selected usually around week 8-9 (few days after they have received their first set of vaccinations). That's when we first allow visitors to the nursery. But we try to post photos and videos as soon as they are born and as often as possible - usually on a daily to weekly basis, so the waiting clients are always aware of their behavior and development.
The selection can be made either in person or – for long distance clients - by pictures and videos. In most cases, by that time clients already well know who their favorite or pick of the litter is by watching videos we post weekly. This is where the position on the list is crucial as you may fall in love with the same kitten that have been already selected by the person ahead of you.
The kittens are released to their new homes usually at 12 weeks of age (unless there are special circumstances).
Q: What comes with the kitten?
A: The kittens go home equipped with the following:
- Genetic health guarantee
- Veterinary passport with vaccination and health check record
- A complimentary vet insurance with Trupanion for the first 4 weeks. It ensures the best level of care without worrying about extra expenses and does not have a waiting period IF activated as soon as you get your kitten home.
- CFA or TICA registration for purebred Siberian cats - upon providing a proof of cat's sterilization as per sales contract.
- Kitten handling instructions (prepare to spend at least 30 min to an hour during the pick-up for instructions and demonstration about feeding, health care, handling and grooming a kitten).
Q: How does the selection process work?
A: When a particular litter has been examined, found fit and healthy, and received their first vaccination shots (at 8-9 weeks), I send a message announcing that we are ready to proceed with selection. All prospective clients make their arrangements to visit the cattery in person and select a kitten. From that point the reservation payment is due within 24 hours after confirmed selection. This ensures that you reserving a kitten from this particular litter according to the order of selection posted prior to that date. If the reservation deposit is not made within 24 h-s, the next person on the list will get the opportunity to select a kitten and you may loose your turn for selection and will have to wait for the next available litter.
If, for some reason, you are not happy with the selection available to you at that point, as stated previously, you have the right to defer your selection to the next litter. You may also select to withdraw from waiting for my kitten completely but the initial non-refundable WL deposit will be forfeited.
The final payment has to be made no later than 24 h-s prior to pick-up or 7-10 days before shipping. We ship with Canadian airlines (most often WestJet from Abbotsford airport) according to their shipping rates (usually around $300-350 for one and $350-400 for 2 kittens in the same kennel) and do not charge any extras. But a personal pick-up is always encouraged, especially during the winter months. In some cases we can help organize a private courier to bring a kitten in a cabin but it is usually much more expensive.
If the kitten is not picked up at the age of 12 weeks and prior arrangements have not been made to allow for a later pick up or delivery, a payment of $50 per kitten per week for each additional week will be added to the cost of the kitten for its feeding and maintenance as well as the cost of additional vaccinations IF applicable. Beyond two weeks past the regular release date the kitten may be sold to the next person in the waiting list and the WL + reservation deposits will both be forfeited to compensate the breeder.
Q: What if we have cat allergy?
A: Clients with known cat allergy (please read more about cat allergies on the "Allergy Facts" page) are required to pass the allergy test prior to selection of a kitten. It can be done using a mail-in testing kit (for long-distance clients only) but the preferred method is to test in person in our cattery as anything else can be much less reliable. Remember, that you are accepting a long-term responsibility over a life of another sentient being with deep and strong feelings of attachment and our goal is to make its life - as well as your own - happy and healthy for a long time. Rehoming should be considered ONLY as the last-resort option and ONLY with the agreement of the breeder, so a "trial adoption" is NOT an option.
All local clients (within 3 h-s of driving distance) with known cat allergies are required to arrange for a test in person. The cost of a personal allergy test (a minimum of an hour with the mother and the litter) is included in the total price of a kitten. If during the test you do react to our cats/kittens you have 2 options: get off the list and get your deposit minus the cost of the test (i.e., $100/hour) back or stay on it and continue checking with the next breeding pair/litter (at no cost for subsequent tests). Remember that the cat allergy is not an easy process to assess and may require much more than one test to perform (as you may be sensitive to all or only some particular cats)!
Q: When should the allergy testing be performed?
A: Because each cat has an individual level of allergens, it makes a little sense to test with "just" a cat: you may be reactive to one mother and her kittens and not to another. So all testing is performed during the Selection process when your turn for that litter has arrived. Sometimes - especially for the clients in remote areas - if we have clients in that locale, we can try and arrange for a "pre-testing" with one of our cats. This will not relieve you from the responsibility to test again with your intended litter but can provide a bit more of reassurance about your reaction. If you did not react to another Siberian, chances are you may not be reactive with your intended kittens. But it is definitely not a guarantee so the test in person is still required unless you are 100% certain that there are no allergy issues and the kitten will not be subsequently rehomed.
Q: Do kittens come spayed/neutered already?
A: NO, NO & NO!!!
The primary goal of our cattery is to provide you with a healthy, well socialized and beautiful kitten - in this order of priorities while EACH goal is our highest concern as our history proves it!
Spaying/Neutering of pets, although a very common practice in North America, is also a very controversial issue, particularly at an early age (also known as ESN – early spay/neuter, i.e. before 6 months of age). Although there has not been enough research on health effects of early sterilization of cats, there have been very recent publications of quite substantial research results of this procedure on both structural (such as proven hip dysplasia) in dogs and long-term physical health effects as compared to the intact animals and those sterilized later in life. Our personal experience of 50 years breeding healthy dogs and cats confirms this assertion.
We do NOT perform this procedure requiring general anesthesia on a hardly weaned baby and do NOT support such surgery before a kitten is AT LEAST 6 months old to allow for its proper development.
For the current price, deposit amount and the WL structure on the Waiting List page