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Our APPROACH
Health Tested
Health is our primary concern. Our ChubbyBuddies are meticulously genetically tested and their day to day health is religiously monitored. We also blood group all of our ChubbyBuddies to avoid feline neonatal isoerythrolysis (FNI) resulting from incompatible blood groups. Don’t just take our word for it, we have the results to prove it!
We have a deep understanding of the ideal type for a British Shorthair cat and the workings of feline genetics. In order to achieve the best temperament and type that we can, we carefully consider the lineage of each of our ChubbyBuddies.
immaculately clean conditions
Our ChubbyBuddies are kept in immaculately clean conditions. All of our ChubbyBuddies have their own litter trays and food and water bowls. Bowls are replaced twice daily at the minimum, and trays are cleaned out and disinfected with a veterinary grade anti-viral every day.
Very young ChubbyBuddies only have contact with us and their own mother, and their litter trays and bowls are cleaned and disinfected twice a day.
raising well-adjusted kittens
Kittens may be impossibly adorable, but they’re also energetic and rambunctious, dangerously curious, and can be rather destructive if you’re not paying attention — yes, even pedigree kittens! It’s in a kitten’s nature to explore their new world through stalking, pouncing, and gnawing. Left to their own devices, a kitten will grow up to be unruly — remember that a behaviour at 16 weeks that is cute will not necessarily be cute at 6 months old!
We strive to raise ChubbyBuddies that are prepared for the real world, and put in a lot of hard work to achieve this. ChubbyBuddies are handled daily to ensure they are well socialised, and exposed to a variety of appropriate scratching surfaces (such as carpeting and sisal rope) so that they grow to be more amenable to the new scratching toys in their new homes. Spotify is constantly playing in the background — mostly quiet music, as they seem to prefer it, but also some rock and roll to get them used to background noise. ChubbyBuddies are also exposed to regular grooming once they are old enough to do so, and most of our ChubbyBuddies don’t have an issue with bathing and regular hairdrying. We challenge the notion that felines simply didn’t inherit behaviours associated with water and our goal is to raise confident ChubbyBuddies that accept all manners of handling.
fully and formally registered
Our cattery is officially registered with the Cat Fanciers Association as well as The International Cat Association. All our kittens come with papers eligible for pedigree registration. We only have pedigree kittens available and we will explain why this matters.
These associations function as genetic registries for pedigree cats. They lay down certain rules and standards about how kittens should be bred, and offer additional protection to anyone buying a registered kitten. For example:
They monitor and regulate how in-bred each kitten can be, and will not permit matings from cats that are too closely related, as this can produce very unhealthy kittens. They also ensure that certain cats that do not meet the requirements for health or type cannot be bred from by preventing them from being properly registered.
They provide certified pedigrees, so that we know the genetic lineage of every cat and can make sure we avoid dangerous matings.
They have the power to penalise breeders whose conduct falls below a certain standard, which includes selling sick or neglected kittens. They are able to impose hefty fines on errant breeders. They can also suspend and ban breeders, meaning that the breeder will never be able to sell registered kittens again.
We are registered with these associations because we want to do things right. We want to own beautiful British Shorthair cats, without cutting corners and putting their health at risk. We are happy to answer questions about what we do because we love what we do and we take great pride in it. If you find a cattery who doesn't want to answer your questions, or can't, then something is not right.