New Owners Information 

Liz Monument

Roselea, Tempertons Lane

Owston Ferry, North Lincolnshire

DN9 1RF

Tel (01427) 728 329

(07976) 249911

liz@roselea.net

www.korats.co.uk

The Pink Registration Slip

A pink slip with your kitten’s pedigree name and breeder’s details proves that your kitten has been registered with the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy). Your kitten is currently registered as belonging to Liz Monument. Your kitten now needs to be registered under your ownership. To do this, fill in the reverse of the pink slip, and send to GCCF, 4-6 Penel Orlieu, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3PG with the correct fee (£9.00 in 2005).

What happens if I don’t fill in the pink slip?

Absolutely nothing. Although the GCCF records will still have the breeder on record as the owner, this won’t make a lot of difference unless you are intending to enter cat shows.

What happens if I want to enter cat shows (or if I have special agreement to breed from my female kitten)?

Then it is important that you fill in the pink slip as directed above.

Innoculations

Please see your vaccination card for the date you need to visit the vet for boosters. Take this card to your vet to ensure you get the correct innox for your kitten. This will be once a year. Even if you are intending to keep your kitten as a house animal, if you go on holiday, most catteries won’t let you book in an un-vaccinated cat. Many feline diseases are serious and can cost a small fortune to treat. It’s smarter to pay a small amount every year for an innoculation to avoid this eventuality. It’s also better for puss!

Neutering and Spaying

Persephonies kittens are sold fully innoculated and insured for six weeks, but not spayed or neutered. Our kittens are registered on the non-active register (unless you have a special arrangement with us), meaning that you cannot breed with them and therefore can’t register any kittens with the GCCF. It is important to neuter all pet kittens between 4 and 6 months of age. Speak to your vet as soon as you get your kitten home, about when this should be done. Both male and female cats will begin to spray urine (as a scent marker) when they reach maturity – neutering will prevent this!

Basic Safety  

Kittens are inquisitive. You should be extremely careful of turning your back whilst loading a washing machine or tumble dryer, leaving a loo seat up with bleach inside, leaving open a window, using rat bait or ant killer, or leaving open hatches and doors which give access to hazards. Kittens and cats can climb ladders too – ours love to follow us into the loft!

The safest cat is an indoor cat. Please read this if you are considering allowing your cat outside. 

Lilies and Crysanthemums can be fatal to cats and kittens, who often try to nibble them or can become covered in poisonous pollen.

In 2006, a three year old adult Persphonies Korat died after jumping into a tumble dryer unnoticed. This illustrates how adult cats, not only kittens, are at risk. Please don’t ever turn your back on an open dishwasher, washer or dryer – and check your laundry load before setting the cycle, or indeed an open binliner before tying off and disposing. Although kittens are smaller and more easily ‘lost’ in laundry etc, this tragic tale indicates that adult cats can get into mischief too, often with terrible consequences.

Scratching and other problems

Excessive furniture/carpet scratching can be curtailed by providing your new kitten with a scratching post. Some vets/pet shops supply a nail cover called ‘Soft Paws’. These are individual tips that can be applied to each claw with special cat nail glue, and replaced every few weeks. However, if your cat is to venture outside at all, DO NOT use Soft Paws. Remember that a cat’s claws are its only form of defence against possible dog, fox or other cat attack. If you cover the claws, your cat is defenceless.

If you experience any problems you are unsure how to deal with, please contact Liz Monument your breeder. There are often simple solutions to ‘cat problems’ and I am always here to advise.

How do I introduce my new kitten to our other cat/s?

It is quite normal for newly-introduced cats to hiss at each other. Cats socialise in a different way to people. Hostilities hopefully won’t go on for too long, but if you are in doubt contact Liz for advice. Introduce your new kitten slowly and with supervision. Don’t be offended if your existing cat/s sulks at the arrival of a new kitten. Be prepared to fuss your old cat as well as your new kitten to help prevent jealousy. Again, if there are any serious problems, contact your breeder for advice.

Fleas and Worms

Indoor cats still need occasional flea treatment. Fleas are very mobile; it is possible for a human to bring home a flea that will then infect the cat! Round worms look like grains of yellow rice. Tape worms are longer and white. Please visit your vet for advice on decent spot-on wormers, flea drops, and de-parasiting. Don’t be tempted to buy over-the-counter flea and worm treatments since even the most reputable brands do not work – get them from your Vet. (Believe us, we have tried everything!)

Bad habits and Discipline

Your kitten is still learning not to shimmy up human legs for a cuddle, still learning not to try to help herself to your dinner plate, and still learning not to drink out of your glass! Remember that kittens are babies. They should NOT be smacked or punished, since their minds don’t work like human minds, and they will not understand your intentions. Instead, remove the kitten from whatever mischief she is creating and say firmly ‘No’. She will eventually learn!

Problems with your kitten

As part of the contract you signed, you have agreed that, should any problems arise in keeping your Persephonies Korat, you will immediately contact Liz Monument, your breeder. It is quite usual for a breeder to guarantee for the lifetime of the cat to take back that cat at any age if there are ANY problems. Problems could include unexpected allergy, the need to relocate or emigrate, new additions to a growing family, a new partner who does not like cats, illness, and so on. Persephonies Korats won’t even ask for a reason if you are unwilling or unable to give one. If you lose the contact number or address for your breeder, use the internet to trace the website, which has an email contact facility (www.korats.co.uk).

Finally, enjoy your new kitten… and stay in touch to let me know how he or she is doing!

Liz