Question 1

How many colors do you breed?

Accepted Answer

We currently breed British Shorthair and Longhair cats with shaded coats.

Question 2

What exact eye color the kitten will have?

Accepted Answer

Majority of younger kittens have baby blue eyes. The pigmentation process takes a while until the permanent eye colour is set when cats are fully matured.

Question 3

How large do British Shorthairs grow?

Accepted Answer

Adult males usually weigh between 12 and 18 pounds, while females are a bit smaller. Some cats may be outside this range depending on their family line.

Question 4

What are British Shorthairs' personalities like?

Accepted Answer

Our British Shorthairs and Longhairs come from a long, carefully selected lineage where calm, affectionate, and confident personalities have been passed down from parents and grandparents.

Question 5

Do British Shorthairs shed a lot, and who sheds more: shorthair or longhair cats?

Accepted Answer

All cats with fur shed, as it is part of their natural process of losing dead or damaged hair. The amount of shedding can vary depending on factors like the season.

Question 6

Are your cats blood- and DNA-tested? What about HCM?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All of our breeding cats are DNA tested through Wisdom Panel, the world’s most comprehensive cat DNA test that screens for 50+ inherited health conditions and 29+ genetic traits.

Question 7

Do you offer a health guarantee for your kittens?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every kitten from our cattery comes with a written health guarantee. This includes lifetime coverage against death caused by genetic diseases such as PRA-pd, PKD, and ALPS, plus one year of protection for genetic or congenital conditions that have a serious, lasting effect on quality of life.

Question 8

Do cats cause allergies in humans?

Accepted Answer

No cat breed is truly hypoallergenic. All cats produce the protein Fel d 1, which is the most common cause of cat allergies in people, and British Shorthairs and British Longhairs are no exception.

Question 9

Do female or male British Shorthairs make better pets?

Accepted Answer

Both male and female British Shorthairs make equally wonderful companions. In our experience, personality depends far more on the individual cat, their upbringing, and their lineage than on gender.

Question 10

Do you raise your cats in cages?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not. Our cats are free to move around the house. The only time we restrict their movements is if they are ill or when a female is nursing her kittens for their safety and well-being.

Question 11

How do you socialize your kittens?

Accepted Answer

Starting at around four weeks old, our kittens are regularly held, petted, and played with to ensure they are well-socialized and comfortable with human contact. For the first two months, they stay with their mother, who teaches them essential skills like litter box use and grooming.

Question 12

Are your cats registered?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our cats are registered with TICA (The International Cat Association) and CCA (The Canadian Cat Association) as purebred British Shorthairs and British Longhairs. Each of our cats comes with registration certificates and pedigrees. Our males are also champions recognized by the WCF (World Cat Federation).

Question 13

What makes Golden Charm Cattery different from other Ontario British Shorthair breeders?

Accepted Answer

Golden Charm Cattery is one of the few Ontario catteries registered with TICA, CCA, and WCF together, and we focus specifically on the golden shaded colour family. Every breeding cat is Wisdom Panel DNA tested for over 50 inherited conditions and our studs hold WCF Champion titles.

Question 14

What is your retirement plan for breeding queens and studs?

Accepted Answer

Our breeding queens and studs retire between four and five years of age. Most stay with us as family pets for life.

Question 15

Why does Golden Charm display WCF Champion titles on its studs?

Accepted Answer

A WCF Champion title is awarded by independent judges at World Cat Federation shows after a cat is evaluated against the official British Shorthair breed standard. The title verifies breed type and conformation by people who have no relationship to our cattery.

Question 16

Do you offer your studs for outside breeding service?

Accepted Answer

No. Like other registered British Shorthair catteries, we do not offer our studs for outside breeding service. Our studs are dedicated to our own breeding program.

Question 17

Can I meet the kittens before adopting?

Accepted Answer

We are not open for in-person visits. We operate as a closed cattery, meaning our cats live with us in the same home. We consider them part of our family. Visits are only allowed for picking up your kitten.

Question 18

What is the process for adopting a kitten from your cattery?

Accepted Answer

The adoption process depends on whether we have kittens currently available or whether you are joining the waiting list for a future kitten. Both paths require a $400 non-refundable deposit, which is deducted from your final payment on pick-up day.

Question 19

What is the adoption price for your kittens?

Accepted Answer

Our adoption fee is determined by several factors, including how closely a kitten meets breed standards, coat quality, eye colour, personality, and overall disposition. We classify our kittens as pet quality or show quality depending on how well they align with breed standards.

Question 20

How is the price for an individual kitten decided?

Accepted Answer

We assess each kitten as it develops, usually around six to eight weeks of age, against the TICA and WCF breed standards.

Question 21

How does the payment process work for adopting a kitten?

Accepted Answer

A $400 non-refundable deposit secures your kitten or your waiting list spot, and the remaining balance is paid on pick-up day. All payments are made by Interac e-Transfer to goldencharmcattery@gmail.com.

Question 22

What payment methods does Golden Charm accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept Interac e-Transfer for deposits and final balance payments, sent to goldencharmcattery@gmail.com. Final balance is due on pickup day or before the kitten travels.

Question 23

Is the $400 deposit refundable?

Accepted Answer

The $400 deposit is non-refundable. It secures your place on the waiting list or on a specific reserved kitten and is applied directly to the final balance on pickup day.

Question 24

When should I join the waiting list?

Accepted Answer

Our waiting list is ideal for buyers who want to secure a future kitten when we do not have any currently available, or if they are looking for a specific colour. Joining the list gives you priority in choosing a kitten before public reservations open.

Question 25

How do I join the waiting list for a kitten?

Accepted Answer

Joining our waiting list is a simple seven-step process: contact us for current pricing, complete the waiting list form, pay the $400 waiting list fee, receive confirmation, and we match you with a kitten when one becomes available. After matching, you reserve the kitten with an additional deposit and arrange pickup.

Question 26

How can I ensure that my kitten has the sweetest personality?

Accepted Answer

We conduct thorough research into the lineage of each cat and match traits to ensure that our kittens have healthy and beautiful genetics. Our focus is on the well-being of every kitten, both mentally and physically, before they go to their new homes.

Question 27

At what age can kittens go to their new homes?

Accepted Answer

According to The International Cat Association (TICA), the earliest age a kitten can go to their new home is 12 weeks. Most of our kittens go to their new homes on the earlier side of this spectrum, but the optimal age depends on the kitten’s size, maturity, and whether shipping is involved.

Question 28

Is a contract required to purchase a kitten?

Accepted Answer

Yes, signing a purchase agreement is required when buying a kitten. This legal document protects both the buyer and the seller. For kittens sold as pets, the agreement includes a spay or neuter clause.

Question 29

Are you offering personal delivery?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer personal delivery at this time. All families are kindly asked to pick up their kitten in person from our cattery in Oakville. This allows us to meet you, complete the paperwork together, and ensure your kitten is comfortably prepared for the transition to their new home.

Question 30

Are your kittens spayed or neutered before leaving the cattery?

Accepted Answer

No. Our decisions are made in consultation with our experienced veterinarian, who specializes in feline care. While some catteries spay or neuter kittens at a very young age, this can be risky, especially for females, as it is a major surgery, and sadly, some kittens do not survive.

Question 31

Does Golden Charm sell breeding rights?

Accepted Answer

Every Golden Charm kitten sold within Ontario is pet-only under a strict no-breeding contract. TICA registration papers are released only after we receive veterinary proof of spay or neuter by six months of age.

Question 32

What Comes with Our Kittens?

Accepted Answer

Every Golden Charm kitten leaves the cattery with TICA registration, full FVRCP vaccinations, deworming, a lifetime genetic diseases warranty, 30 days of Trupanion pet insurance, a vet-issued health certificate, a contract and health guarantee, a Royal Canin starter kit, and lifetime breeder consulting.

Question 33

Will my kitten know how to use a litter box?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your kitten will already be trained to use a litter box. During their time with their mother, they learn essential skills like eating, cleaning themselves, using the litter box, and scratching on a post.

Question 34

Can I get more photos or videos of the kitten?

Accepted Answer

We schedule professional photoshoots for each litter, and our photographer visits during these sessions. All available photos and videos are uploaded shortly after.

Question 35

Should I adopt two kittens at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Two kittens can be a wonderful choice for families with the time and resources to support both. Kittens raised together usually settle into a new home faster, keep each other company during the day, and play together in ways that help with energy and socialization.

Question 36

What should be expected when a kitten moves into a new home?

Accepted Answer

Most kittens need a few days to a couple of weeks to fully settle into a new home. Expect some shyness and hiding at first, followed by gradual curiosity and exploration as they get used to their new surroundings.

Question 37

What things you might need to purchase?

Accepted Answer

You will need food bowls, a small open litter box, cat litter, a carrier, a stable cat tree and scratching post, washable toys, grooming tools, and a cozy cat bed. Your kitten comes with a starter supply of Royal Canin Kitten food, so do not buy food in advance.

Question 38

What do you feed your kitten daily?

Accepted Answer

When you first bring your kitten home, we recommend continuing with the same food they are used to here at our cattery: Royal Canin Kitten Dry Food and Canned Food. Keeping them on a familiar diet helps reduce stress and prevents stomach upset or diarrhoea during the transition.

Question 39

How do I help my kitten use the litter box in a new home?

Accepted Answer

Cats are naturally clean and usually learn litter habits from their mother, so training at home is often straightforward. Show your kitten where the litter box is and place them in it after meals or when they start sniffing, scratching, or crouching as if they are about to go.

Question 40

Do kittens ever get sick?

Accepted Answer

Yes, kittens have lower immunity compared to adult cats since they are still developing. Over time, as they are exposed to their environment, their immune system becomes stronger.

Question 41

When should I take my kitten to the vet?

Accepted Answer

Your kitten will need a vet visit within two days of arriving home. After that, follow the vet’s advice for routine check-ups, vaccinations, and health monitoring.

Question 42

Can I adopt a Golden Charm kitten if I already have a dog or another cat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. British Shorthairs adapt well to homes with other cats and dogs, especially when introductions are gradual.