Okay, folks, let’s dive into my little adventure of finding a Russian Blue cat breeder in the concrete jungle that is New York City.
So, I’ve always been mesmerized by Russian Blues. Those emerald eyes, that plush, silvery coat… I just had to have one. I started my quest, like most people do these days, with a simple online search. I’m not gonna lie, it was a little overwhelming at first!
I quickly realized that just searching “Russian Blue breeders NYC” wasn’t going to cut it. I was bombarded with a ton of websites, some looked legit, others… not so much. It was like navigating a minefield of cute kitten pictures and questionable promises.
Digging Deeper
I decided I needed a better strategy. I started looking for clues for reputable breeders.
- I focused on websites that seemed well-maintained, with clear contact information, and, ideally, some testimonials or reviews.
- I looked up some of the breeder names in cat fancy communities.
- I saw some were members, with good standing, so I added them to my candidate list.
After a good few hours of sifting and sorting, I narrowed it down to a handful of breeders that seemed promising. Time to get in touch!
Making Contact
I drafted a simple email, introducing myself, expressing my interest in the breed, and asking some basic questions about their cats, their breeding practices, and, of course, availability. The waiting game began.
Some breeders never replied, which, honestly, was a red flag in itself. A few were super responsive and helpful, answering all my questions and even inviting me to visit their catteries (after checking if it was cool with me, of course).
The Visits
This was the fun part! I scheduled visits with two breeders whose communication I really liked. I wanted to see the cats in person, meet the breeders face-to-face, and get a feel for their environment.
The first cattery was lovely – clean, spacious, and the cats were clearly well-cared for and socialized. The breeder was knowledgeable and passionate, and I felt really comfortable there.
I ask about the cat’s health, and if they are healthy, and if they have had any issues.
The second cattery was a little smaller, with a good environment, and I felt really comfortable there,too.
The Decision
After a lot of thinking (and, okay, maybe a little agonizing over adorable kitten photos), I made my decision. I went with the first breeder. Everything just felt right – the cats, the environment, the breeder’s approach… it all clicked.
So, that’s my story of finding a Russian Blue breeder in NYC! It took some time, some research, and a bit of patience, but it was totally worth it. And I got a lovely cat.
