A Tailored Approach
How to Adopt A Ragdoll Kitten
“How does the adoption process work?”
Each ragdoll breeder will have their own process for rehoming ragdoll kittens. There is no standard “how-to” for individual catteries. No single governing body tells us how to breed or how to offer kittens for sale to the public.
One breeder might rehome kittens without “altering” and some of us insist on spay/neuter procedure before adoption. One breeder will allow visitors and others might meet you in a parking lot. Vaccine theory and practices will vary, too. Even more confusingly, the price of a ragdoll kitten can depend on quality but some breeders set a fixed price for their kittens.
All of this can be overwhelming. Intimidating. And I sympathize because I’ve been through it, too. I encourage pet seekers to study a website, conduct a phone interview, and create a list of basic adoption questions that concern you most.
Communication is golden.
Masterpiece Ragdolls anticipates your curiosity. We’ve put together blogs to help you prepare for your new family member. We continue to update the blogs to answer questions which comes with adopting a purebred, pedigreed ragdoll kitten.
We update our website with DNA results, upcoming breeding plans, queens & studs, and available kittens and cats. We know how frustrating it is to visit a web page and see outdated info with little useful information.
Below is our step-by-step adoption process, for your convenience.
How it works
Complete our brief application. This is where you will tell us a little about yourself. When we’ve had a chance to review applications, we will reach out to schedule a “Cat Chat.”
Apply
Schedule and participate in a short interview. You are best served by having a list of questions. We want to hear about your needs and concerns about the adoption process. We also will have a few questions for you about your environment, daily living, family members, other pets. Our goal during this time is to determine if we feel we will work well together towards goal of ensuring a happy, healthy life for our Masterpieces.
After our chat, I will leave you to consider all that you’ve learned. We will never bug you or try “to sell” you on a kitten.
You will need to express formal interest in adoption via email.
The onus is on you. In writing you tell us what you want and when you want it. We want to know what is important to you so that we can connect you to the Masterpiece Ragdoll who will blend with your family—your kiddos, your other cats and dogs, and your laps!
Terms & Conditions apply to all agreements. We prefer to hammer out as many details as we can before we enter an agreement.
When I receive your email, I will confirm whether I think we can help you in the time frame you specified. If I can’t, I’ll advise you to look elsewhere or consider revising your expectations.
If we have mutually agreed that Masterpiece Ragdolls can meet your expectations, you’ll receive link to a page listing some ethical considerations, expectations of both parties, a copy of the contract, and our standard health guarantee. Please read these details carefully. If these terms are agreeable to you, you will be able to leave a deposit.
Note: we will never be an “Add-to-Cart” breeder. No one who fails to complete the above steps will be permitted to leave a deposit or reserve a kitten. These terms are absolutely necessary before any reservation can be made.
You will receive a password in order to see your name/preferences added to the published waitlist. I operate from that page. It is really the only form of accountability and it provides you the means of understanding your placement. This page is dynamic so you’ll see your name rise to the top as kittens have been reserved.
Receive notifications of litters born and/or available as they pertain to you. Let me know of any changes in your timeline. We expect a level of information-sharing which conveys we are partnering in what will be a major life event for you and your family.
The best way to reach me for logistics and coordination is via email – elizabeth@masterpieceragdolls.com. For photo updates & quick questions, waitlist members are welcome to text me at my Georgia cell number 912-508-9739 (yes, I’m a GA peach!).
Time is of the essence. Please make and keep the appointment to select a kitten at 8 – 9 weeks. I will typically give presumptive families 2 weeks’ notice of an upcoming selection period. This can happen in person (on weekdays only) or via video chat. I will guide you given everything you have told me about your expectations. I’ll share everything I know about the litter’s health and the kitten’s behavior in order to confirm your choice. Ultimately, the choice needs to be yours.
Anticipate an email from me for pick-up dates, times, and preparation tips!
Make first vet visit appointment. Decide on the style of diet. Shop for water fountains and toys! Clear your schedule for some time at home with your new fur-baby. During this period of anticipating, you can expect to receive photo updates from me, and you can feel free to ping me for them if you’re having a bad day and need something uplifting. There is nothing quite like a cutie patootie video or photo on a dreary afternoon!
Come to our home and adopt the kitten in person. Sign your contract and pay the final balance. You’ll come away with a bag of goodies, a folder containing TICA registration documents, health record, microchip information, and treats! If you’re flying with your kitten, you can expect an airline-approved carrier.
Alternatively, if your kitten is going home via flight nanny, be sure to coordinate as time is of the essence. We fly, in person as directly as possible and we must purchase tickets ahead of time. You will be expected to coordinate payment ahead of flight arrangements. All tickets purchased will be refundable or carry travel insurance.
Keep us updated. We want to hear how your ragdoll kitten is adjusting and how you’re feeling about them. Years down the road, I’m still excited to get a photo at the holidays or hear how you all celebrated her birthday!