So, I found myself wanting another cat around the house. The old girl, Patches, she’d been with me for a good sixteen years, and the place just felt kinda empty after she passed. You know how it is, the silence is too loud when you’re used to a furry shadow following you about, judging your every move.
The Hunt for a New Feline Overlord
I started poking around, looking for catteries. Didn’t want to just grab any kitten from a random ad, been there, done that, got the vet bills to prove it. I was after a place that actually cared, you know? Not just a kitten mill. Someone mentioned “Sunrise Diamond Cattery” to me, said they were supposed to be decent. The name sounded a bit fancy-pants, but I figured, what the heck, worth a look.
Finding solid info wasn’t super easy, not like those flashy websites some places have. It was more word-of-mouth and a pretty basic online presence, which, to be honest, sometimes means they’re more focused on the animals than the marketing. At least, that’s what I hoped.
Making Contact and First Visit Jitters
I gave them a call. Spoke to a lady, let’s call her Carol. She sounded like she knew her stuff, not just reading off a script. Answered my questions straight, no beating around the bush. We set up a time for me to visit. I always think you gotta see these places with your own eyes. Pictures can hide a lot.
When I got there, it wasn’t some huge, impersonal operation. It was more like a well-kept home that just happened to have a lot of cats. And I mean, a lot of meowing, purring, and general cat business going on. Carol met me, and she was just as straightforward in person. Showed me around, no airs and graces.
What I Actually Saw at Sunrise Diamond
The main thing I noticed? It was clean. Not sterile, like a hospital, ’cause cats live there, right? They shed, they make little messes, that’s life. But it was properly clean. The cat areas, their litter boxes, food stations – all tidy. The cats themselves looked healthy. Good coats, bright eyes, active. Some were super friendly, weaving around my ankles, others gave me the classic cat side-eye, sizing me up. That’s normal.
They had things set up pretty well. Kittens were in a separate area, getting plenty of attention. The adult cats had space to roam, climb, and just be cats. It didn’t feel cramped. I’ve seen catteries where they’re practically stacked on top of each other, and this wasn’t like that at all.
A few things really stuck with me:
- Carol and whoever else was helping, they clearly knew each cat. Called them by name, knew their little quirks. These weren’t just numbers to them.
- They asked me a boatload of questions. About my home, my lifestyle, if I’d had cats before. It felt a bit like an interview, but I get it. They want to make sure their cats go to good homes.
- There was zero pressure. No hard sell. Carol even said, “Think about it, don’t rush. It’s a big commitment.” I liked that.
Their Way of Doing Things
Carol talked a bit about how they raise their cats. Mentioned health screening for the parents, vaccinations for the kittens, making sure they’re well-socialized. It wasn’t all technical jargon, just practical stuff that showed they were trying to do things right. She seemed more interested in the health and temperament of the cats than just breeding for specific fancy looks, though the cats were definitely lookers.
She said something like, “We pour a lot into these little guys before they ever leave us.” And watching her interact with a particularly fluffy kitten that was trying to scale her leg, I kinda believed it. It didn’t have that conveyor-belt feel some breeding places can have.
The End Result of My Visit
I spent a good while there, just observing, interacting with a few of the friendlier felines. One little tabby kept batting at my shoelaces, which was pretty endearing. Another regal-looking Maine Coon just stared at me from atop a cat tree, probably deciding if I was worthy of its presence.
Did I walk out with a cat that day? Nope. I took Carol’s advice and went home to mull it over. A cat is a long-term deal, not an impulse purchase. But my impression of Sunrise Diamond Cattery? It was a positive one. Felt like a place run by genuine cat people, not just business people. If you’re in the market and happen to come across them, I’d say they’re worth investigating. Just be ready to talk cats, seriously talk cats, because they definitely do.
