Alright, so I’ve been meaning to share this for a while. My journey to find a Ragdoll cattery right here in Ohio. It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, let me tell you, but I learned a few things along the way, and figured someone else might find my experience useful.
Getting the Ragdoll Bug
It all started, as these things often do, with me seeing pictures of these absolutely gorgeous cats. Those blue eyes, that super fluffy fur, and their reputation for being chill and friendly – I was pretty much sold. I’d had cats before, good old moggies, but this time I was set on a Ragdoll. My last furry companion had passed a while back, and the house was just too darn quiet. So, I thought, “Okay, let’s do this. Let’s find a Ragdoll kitten.”
The Initial Search: Oh Boy
My first step? Well, like most folks, I hit the internet. Typed in “Ragdoll cattery Ohio” and braced myself. And yeah, a bunch of stuff popped up. Some looked promising, some… not so much. You know how it is. Websites that looked like they hadn’t been updated since the early 2000s, or others that were all flash and no substance. It quickly became clear that just finding a website wasn’t going to be enough. I needed a plan, a way to sort the good from the potentially sketchy.
Digging Deeper in the Buckeye State
So, I started to get a bit more methodical. I decided my first priority was finding breeders who were actually in Ohio, or at least within a reasonable driving distance. I wasn’t keen on shipping a tiny kitten if I could help it. I wanted to meet the people, see the place, you know?
I spent a good amount of time looking at breeders listed on some of the bigger cat fancier association sites. That seemed like a decent starting point, figuring they’d at least have some standards to follow. I made a list of catteries that seemed geographically feasible and started going through them one by one.
This is what I started looking for, my personal checklist, if you will:
- Health Testing: This was a big one for me. Ragdolls can have a few genetic things, like HCM, so I wanted to see proof that the parent cats were tested and clear. Any breeder who was cagey about this, or didn’t mention it at all, got a mental X next to their name.
- Environment: I wanted kittens raised underfoot, not in cages out in a barn somewhere. Socialization is key, especially for a breed known for being companionable. I looked for photos, descriptions of their setup, and asked direct questions if I contacted them.
- Transparency: Could I visit? Could I see the mom cat, maybe even the dad if he was on site? Breeders who were open and welcoming scored big points. Those who made excuses or seemed secretive, well, that just raised red flags.
- Communication: How did they respond to emails or calls? Were they knowledgeable, willing to answer my (many) questions, or did they seem annoyed or just interested in a quick sale? I figured if they weren’t good at communicating before I got a kitten, what would they be like if I had questions or issues after?
My Ohio Cattery Hunt Experience
Let me tell you, it was a mixed bag here in Ohio. I found some folks who were absolutely wonderful. Passionate about their cats, clearly loved them, and were happy to talk my ear off about Ragdolls. They’d send pictures, talk about personalities, and were totally upfront about their health practices. Those were the keepers, the ones I put on my shortlist.
Then there were others… Some were clearly just in it for the money, it felt like. Minimal information, pushy about deposits, and vague answers to important questions. I learned pretty quickly to trust my gut. If something felt off, it probably was. I also found that “Ohio” is a big state! Some catteries were a real trek from my place, so I had to factor that in. I wasn’t about to drive six hours each way unless I was pretty darn sure it was the right place.
I didn’t just rely on websites either. I tried to see if I could find any reviews or mentions of these catteries on broader cat enthusiast forums or groups – not local gossip pages, but places where serious cat people hang out. You have to take online comments with a grain of salt, of course, but sometimes patterns emerge.
The Outcome and What I Learned
After a lot of research, a few phone calls, and a couple of email exchanges that went nowhere, I did narrow it down. I eventually found a cattery that ticked all my boxes. They were in Ohio, not too far, super transparent, and clearly adored their cats. I ended up on a waiting list, which I was actually happy about – it told me they weren’t just churning out kittens constantly.
The whole process took a few months from initial idea to actually feeling confident I’d found the right direction. What I really took away from it all is that patience is key. Don’t rush into getting a kitten from the first place you find. Do your homework. Ask the tough questions. A good breeder will appreciate that you care enough to ask.
So, if you’re looking for a Ragdoll cattery in Ohio, my advice is to be persistent, be thorough, and don’t be afraid to walk away if it doesn’t feel right. There are good folks out there, but you gotta put in the effort to find them. It’s worth it in the end when you find that perfect fluffy companion.
