Adopting a Blueridge Kitten


All Blueridge kittens are registered with the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) and or TICA (The International Cat Association).
All Blueridge kittens leave with:
  • 5 Line Pedigree Certificate
  • Vet health check twice
  • Vaccinated
  • Wormed and Flea Treatment
  • Diet & Personal Care Sheet
  • 4 Weeks Free Pet plan Insurance
  • Kitten Settling in pack
  • Lifetime of support from Blueridge
Our Kittens are normally ready to leave us at about 13 weeks old after they have had their second vaccination and vet check. However 13 weeks is just a guideline and sometimes a kitten may need a little longer with us. We never rush our kittens, so the date you are given to collect your baby, is only a guide and could possibly change. Of course we will always let you know and keep you updated on their progress.

Non-Active Register

When you adopt a Blueridge kitten they are registered on the Non-Active list. This means that you   CANNOT breed with them. We offer an early neutering service which means that we will arrange with our vet for your baby to be neutered and we will take care of them until their stitches are removed and they have been vet checked to ensure they are ready to go to their new home. The benefit of this is that your kitten will not need a routine vet visit for a year! Although we do not charge for looking after your baby whilst they recover from their little ordeal, you will have the cost of the neutering to pay for. Of course we are more than happy for you to arrange the neutering with your own vet.

Interested in adopting a Blueridge kitten?

If you are interested in adopting one of our babies, or would like to go on our waiting list for a particular kitten, please contact us via our contact page. Please remember to include your landline telephone number as we do not phone mobile phone numbers.

We reply to all of our enquiries within 2 days. I am sure you can appreciate that our feline family have to come first. When we contact you, please be prepared to answer some questions. We obviously have to make sure that you are right for the kitten and the kitten is right for you. Of course in return you may ask as many questions as you wish. If you wish to go ahead and adopt a Blueridge kitten you will be asked to sign a contract with regards to the care of the kitten as well as signing the commitment form.

Reserving a Kitten

You are welcome to make an appointment to view our kittens once they are ready to receive visitors. If you decide that you wish to offer a kitten a home a non-refundable deposit of £100 is required. Remember this is a non-refundable deposit. So make sure you are ready for the commitment. The balance is due on collection in cash or by cheque ten days before the collection date.

Commitment

To us this is the most important part of adopting a Blueridge Kitten. I cannot emphasise enough how you must make sure you are ready for the commitment.

Don’t Act on Impulse!!!!!

Kittens are beautiful, cute, cuddly, playful bundles of fun, that will keep you entertained for hours and are easy to fall in love with, BUT they grow up and if you are extremely lucky can live until they are 20 plus years. During their life, they will depend on you to keep them safe and warm. They will rely on you for their food, water, love, affection, entertainment, veterinary treatment, and day-to-day care. When you go on holiday, you will have to make arrangements for someone to take care of them. In return, you will have a loyal, loving companion.

Are you prepared and willing to undertake this commitment?

What will the new Kitten need?

It’s time to go shopping!!! Everyone pets and humans alike need certain essential supplies to be happy and comfortable. Although you will certainly add to this list over time, it is a good starting point.

Cat Carrier

An essential piece of equipment. You will not be allowed to take your kitten home unless you have a suitable cat carrier. A carrier provides a safe secure environment for your pet. Shop around they vary in price, style, shape and colour. As long as your kitten can stand up and turn around without touching the sides of the carrier, they will be fine. It is a good idea to put either shredded paper inside or a towel for comfort.

Litter Box/Tray

Make sure it is suitable for your kitten. Remember they have to get in and out of it easily or they will not use it.

Litter

We will make sure you go home with some of the same litter that your kitten has been used to. Blueridge uses Worlds Best Cat Litter. If you decide to change the litter, do it gradually.

Litter Scoop

This little tool is used for scooping out the litter box and keeping it clean. There are many shapes and sizes on the market, choose what is best for you.

Cat Food

We will send your kitten home with some of the same food that they have been used to. We will have informed you in advance of the food, so that you can prepare for when your baby comes home. If you decide to change the diet of your kitten, remember to do it gradually so they don’t get upset tummies.

Food Dishes

You will need two dishes. One for food and one for water. Both bowels should be easy for the kitten to use (not too high so the kitten can not reach into them comfortably). They should be made out of suitable materials that are easy to clean and do not rust.

Scratching Posts

All Blueridge kittens have been trained to use a scratching post. In fact cats need to scratch every day as part of their daily routine. Scratching helps them shed the outer sheath of their claws, stretch their spine and mark their territory. Buying a scratching post will save your furniture, carpets and curtains. There are many different types on the market that range in size, colour, material and price. Buy one that is suitable for the space that you wish to position it in.

Basket, Bed or Cushion?

The choice is yours and to be honest I have never known any cat or kitten to sleep exactly where you want them to or in what you want them to. An old fleecy blanket can be handy to throw over a chair/sofa to prevent hair transfer.

Toys

Toys are not optional but essential. Every cat needs things to play with to keep their mind occupied and their bodies exercised.

Grooming Equipment

Most kittens/cats do a great job of taking care of themselves, but now and again they need a little help from you. A soft short slicker brush and comb will prevent hair balls and keep your baby looking in tip top condition.

Preparing your Home

If this is your first kitten you will need to go through your home from top to bottom to ensure where possible you create a safe trouble free environment.

Windows and Doors. If you regularly leave a door or window open to the outside, now is a good time to change that habit. It takes a cat several weeks to figure out where it lives and if your kitten goes out they may never find their way back to you, also they are not world wise and they could get killed by a car, dog or be adopted by another cat lover.

Power Cords and Outlets. Try to minimise or hide power cords and wires to prevent your kitten from chewing them and being electrocuted. You can wipe them over with bitter apple or vinegar and water solution so it is bitter tasting.

Common Household Toxins. Your home is full of chemicals that can kill or harm your kitten. They will not know what is harmful to them and will rely on you to keep them safe. The first step to preventing your pet from being poisoned is to know what common household substance can harm them. These include:
Acetaminophen
  Acids of any type
Alcohol
Anti-freeze
Paint Thinners
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Fertilizer 
Petrol 
Chlorine Bleach
Drain Cleaner 
Disinfectant  
Insecticides
Paint 
Motor Oil
Prescription drugs
Solvents 
Aspirin 
Diesel 
Rust Remover
This is not an exhaustive list and you can find out further information by looking on the internet or speaking with your vet. Just Be Careful.

Deadly Plants

This list is by no means complete. Ask your veterinarian or check with the plant nursery before you bring any plants home. These include:
   Azalea
Bean Plants
Cactus
Crocus
Daffodil
Dieffenbachia
Hemlock
Hydrangea
Ivy 
  Lily 
Mistletoe
Mushroom
Narcissus
Nightshade
Tobacco
Yew
Poinsettia
Tomato Leaves
Walnuts
Potato Leaves

Arriving Home With Your New Kitten

When you finally collect your kitten, make sure it is on a day where you have nothing going on and you can devote all your time to helping the kitten settle in. You may be excited, but remember your little baby will be anxious and possibly a little upset. Up to this point in their young life they have had their litter mates to play, eat and sleep with, now they are on their own in a strange place. So a little understanding on how they are feeling will go a long way. We strongly advise you to allocate at least 2 days dedicated to the settling in period. If you are unable to do this it would be a good idea to arrange for a responsible adult to be with the kitten as up to this point they have never been left alone. You will be surprised that following these guidelines how quickly your new family member will settle in and life will seem as if they have always been there.

The First Few Hours

Bring the kitten into a quiet part of your home and open the carrier door, allow it to come out on his own. Do not physically remove your kitten and don’t worry if it takes a little time for them to come out.
A good way to make your kitten at ease is to offer it a treat or two. This will make a good first impression. Just imagine moving into a new house and you have a delicious meal waiting for you. As well as leaving food and water out, maybe a few toys would be a good idea as well.
Once your kitten has come out of the carrier and has settled a little bit, it is a good idea to show them “the must see spots” I would start with the litter box. You may be lucky and find that they actually use it. Next would be the feeding spot, followed by the scratching spot. Let them wonder around the house sniffing and becoming familiar with their new surroundings and then when they are tired and want to curl into a ball, allow them to do this as well, they have had a very intense day and another one will begin tomorrow