Question 1

What should I be looking for in a good/ethical/reputable/ preservation breeder?

Accepted Answer

We encourage you to find a reputable breeder and we can connect you with trusted ones. Here are key factors to consider: Registration: Ensure kittens are registered with associations like CFA or TICA. Unregistered kittens may not be purebred. Cat Shows: Ethical breeders participate in cat shows to validate their breeding program. Breed Clubs: Membership in breed clubs ensures breeders follow ethical codes.Transparency: A good breeder invests in health testing, genetics, and care. Beware of 'too-good-to-be-true' prices. Health Testing: Make sure breeding stock is tested for breed-specific issues like PKD, HCM, and CMS. Cleanliness & Grooming: Kittens should be clean, with clear eyes and ears. Breed Knowledge: A good breeder can explain the breed’s characteristics and health issues. Kitten Age: Kittens should be at least 14–16 weeks old at adoption. Spaying/Neutering: Most ethical breeders spay/neuter kittens before adoption. Litter Frequency: Breeders with too many litters at once or over the course of a year may prioritize quantity over quality. Relationship: Trust your breeder, but prioritize breeding ethics and health over niceness.Be sure to choose a breeder who prioritizes health, ethics, and transparency to ensure a healthy, well-socialized kitten.

Question 2

Do you charge a fee to apply for a kitten?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not charge fees for applying or joining our waitlist, and here’s why: We cannot predict how many kittens each litter will produce, nor can we guarantee which will be show quality or pet quality. Accepting deposits on kittens before they are born or even after birth is something we don’t support. Neonatal kittens (under 4 weeks) are fragile and susceptible to health issues, and committing to a kitten too early can lead to heartbreak if things don’t develop as expected. Kittens' personalities only begin to emerge at 4-5 weeks, so waiting allows us to make informed decisions about which kitten suits which home. We prioritize the kittens' health and well-being over early reservations. We only accept deposits after thorough evaluations, vet exams, vaccinations (typically at 8 weeks), and when the kitten has met potential new owners.

Question 3

Do you have any kittens for sale?

Accepted Answer

No, generally speaking we do not have kittens readily available for sale. This is because we typically have a wait list of people who have applied for a kitten and been approved in advance. However, please see our -kittens- page (located under -our cats- in the menu) for more information on what litter(s) may be planned in the near future.

Question 4

What is the cost of a PureX kitten?

Accepted Answer

Please see the -what to expect- page. It goes over price of kittens and what is included, in detail.

Question 5

My friend/coworker/family member is telling me it's terrible to buy from a breeder and I should rescue a kitten instead. What should I say?

Accepted Answer

Well that depends on your relationship with them and how willing they are to have an actual conversation about the pros and cons. Adopting from a shelter or purchasing from a breeder are both viable options, but it’s important to understand where shelter pets come from. Many animals end up in shelters due to unaltered pets, free-roaming animals, backyard breeders, and those surrendered by owners. The issue of pet overpopulation largely stems from irresponsible ownership and unethical breeding, not responsible breeders. Reputable breeders play a key role in reducing this problem. They ensure their pets are well-cared for, health-tested, and not contributing to the overpopulation issue. They also provide a lifetime commitment to their animals, including microchipping, contracts to return pets, and support if the pet ever needs to be rehomed. While adopting is a great option, it’s crucial to also recognize the value of ethical breeders. They help maintain breed standards, prevent genetic issues, and prioritize animal welfare. The higher cost of purchasing from a responsible breeder reflects their commitment to the pet’s health and the long-term support they provide. Both responsible breeders and rescues are vital in addressing overpopulation. It’s about making an informed choice that ensures the well-being of both the pet and the community. TLDR: it’s in every pets best interest to support both Responsible breeders AND Responsible rescues

Question 6

Are Devon Rexes hypoallergenic?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no such thing as a fully hypoallergenic cat in the most widely used meaning of the word. Despite what you may have read. All cats create the proteins that cause allergies in humans. Technically, being hypoallergenic just means less allergenic, not no allergens. But most people associate it with being an allergy safe option. But they are not. However, there are a few breeds that can be -easier- on allergies than others. Devons do fit into that category. For people with mild to moderate cat allergies, Devons may provide some relief, as they tend to have minimal shedding, therefor less ways to leave their proteins in their environment.

Question 7

Are Devon Rex considered non-shedding?

Accepted Answer

No. Again, no animal with fur is truly non shedding. Not dogs or cats. But there are varying degrees, and most Devons shed very little-often far less than your average cats. Additionally you may find people that raise Devons to look very much like Sphynx. With very little fur at all. This is not the breed standard, and as we actively show, we do aim to breed to the standard. There will be some variation even in the same litter, but do not expect your kitten to be bald. You will also typically see that most Devon kittens go through some degree of molting(losing their coat) around 8 weeks of age and coming back around 5 or 6 months though it can take up to a year to get their full coat back in. However, a good indicator of whether a kitten will have coat(and to what degree) when they get older  are if both parents and all grandparents have coat and how well coated those adults are.

Question 8

Do you ship your kittens or cats?

Accepted Answer

No. For felines in particular it is not a good or safe way to travel. Exposure to significant stress(the biggest predictor of illness in cats), smells, and even contagious airborne illnesses, it is not something we are willing to subject our cats to. You are required to come in person to collected your new family member, or you are able to hire, at your cost, a courier to bring your kitten to you and travel in cabin with your new kitten/cat(this ranges from 400-600 US for most places in Canada or the US). Alternatively, we can make arrangements to travel up to 4 hours from Winnipeg to meet people. For instance, we have many times met USA based kitten homes in Fargo, North Dakota.

Question 9

How are your cats/kittens socialized?

Accepted Answer

Our kittens and cats are socialized from birth with constant handling, are strictly raised in our home, and as they progress and are properly vaccinated, they are introduced to other cats and dogs. We also get them used to weekly bathing in order to help acclimatize them to the feeling and sound of water so that homes have the ability to bathe them if they feel the need. Rest assured, very very few cats really love baths, but this helps to get them used to it. In order to have a cat that stays ok with this it is important to maintain it, it does not have to be a full bath every week but every 3 or 4 to keep them from being terribly afraid or dangerous during bath time(if you find baths necessary).

Question 10

Do you have any longhaired Devons for sale?

Accepted Answer

No. Some Canadian catteries breed longhaired Devons, but this is not recognized by North American associations like CFA, TICA, ACFA, or CCA and results in disqualification. Longhaired Devon kittens are readily identified by their longer fur, particularly on the tail and furnishings. While it’s more rare today, with the advent of DNA panel testing, longhaired kittens may occasionally appear if both parents carry the longhair gene, though this is a risk for breeders who aim to adhere to breed standards, as it will naturally lessen the pool they have to work with. However, deliberately breeding longhaired Devons to create more longhaired devons is generally considered unethical, similar to the practice of breeding 'Fluffy Frenchies' in dogs. Some breeders justify this by citing early Devon history, but the breed has had a clear standard for decades now that specifies shorthair. Ignoring this standard undermines the breed's integrity, just like disregarding any other defining characteristic, such as the coat curl. If you prefer longhaired curly cats, consider breeds like Selkirk Rex, Tennessee Rex, or LaPerm instead.

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