"Eldorado Sport Coupe" (Ellie) is a Female, seal tortishell lynx point mitted with blaze.

Craig and Linda Nelson are owners and operators of Catillac Cats in Salem, Oregon.
Their phone is 503-851-5994 Linda, and 503-551-9147 Craig (Please see their website for phone hours)
Their website is http://catillaccats.com/

Craig and Linda Nelson are members in Ragdolls Of America Group Club and Ragdoll Breed Club and CFA Northwest Region 2 and CFA Mentors & CFA Mentoring
 
How long have you been breeding Ragdolls?

Registered our cattery name in 2001. Our first litter was born in 2003.
 
How did you pick Ragdolls to breed?

Three years of researching the breed, and communications with Ragdoll cattery owners regarding the Standard for the breed, health, pedigrees, genetics, and by photos.  We studied cattery management, the Ragdoll standard for show and registration in TICA, CFA, ACFA registry associations, and how to properly breed the Ragdoll genetic, for three years before we even received our first foundation breeders.  
 
Do you show? Why or why not?

Catillac Cats Ragdoll

Yes, as we can, and as we feel we could have Ragdolls nearest the Standard who could fare well with Judges.  We show because it’s a fun thing for us to take part in, and because we want to know how judges feel about those we bring, and because it helps us feel like we’re part of the Cat Fancy in general and part of the world of breeding and showing cats.  It also gives us a chance to talk to other people who are showing, and to take part in the excitement and fun of showing, and to talk with people visiting the show and hopefully be of some help to people no matter what capacity of cat ownership, or interest in showing they may have.  
 
What congenital defects are in Ragdolls?

Catillac Cats Ragdoll Kittens

The Ragdoll breed is not known to be prone to congenital defects.  Congenital means: abnormalities of the body present at the time of birth.  
 
How are you breeding to avoid those defects?

Regarding any defects, the only helpful tools available for many years came from communication shared, studying pedigrees, ultrasound of organs, and/or culling to eliminate problems.  We and others can test every potential Ragdoll considered for breeding, prior to mating it.  This is an integral part of CatillacCats health protocol.  A DNA Genetic Test became available for the Ragdoll Breed in 2007 and became part of our health protocol.  We Certify DNA Test by blood draw sample, and we have a certified cardiologist ultrasound their heart, liver and kidneys for abnormalities, and we blood test for FeLV/FIV, all before mating them.  
 
How large is your breeding operation?

Small.  We’ve not used more than two males at any time in our program.  We’ve not used more than three females at any time in our program.  We generally produce 1-3 litters a year.  
 
Where do your cats spend most of their time?

Linda Nelson of Catillac Cats

With us in our home on free roam.  Catillac Cats is a small totally inhome program.  We have no children living at home and so our entire home is dedicated to us and our Ragdolls.  
 
Do you breed full time? In other words, do you have another job?

Yes, along with husband Craig has a career.  
 
What sort of health guarantees do you offer?

A contracted health guarantee for five busines days from date of possession along with a replacement guarantee to the 2nd year birthday against life threatening Congenital (meaning acquired during uterine development), Hereditary (meaning passed from parent to offspring), Genetic (meaning to the particular Ragdoll individual) defect, when conditions and terms of the contract agreement are upheld by the buyer.
 
What happens if the kitten gets sick?

Catillac Cats Sadie

If it is living in our home, we naturally take it to our vet and then continue any regimen from our vet and take it back for recheck.  We’re also prepared for isolation from the others here if ever necessary.
 
Do you have any fun adoption stories to share?

Yes.  We hope you will enjoy input and photos from some of our owners, located on the last page of our web site “Previous Models” at http://catillaccats.com/ All adoptions are special to us because we feel every one of them is our precious baby, and new owners become part of our extended family if they choose to stay in touch with us.  The Ragdoll is, in our personal opinions, truly a magical precious breed of cat.  
 
What makes this kitten or cat “pet quality” or “show quality”?

Catillac Cats Sampson

“Show Quality” are ones we personally feel have the best potential to come nearest the Standard for the breed and/or who have the best potential to mature to nearest the Standard, and who could have the possibility of doing well in show halls, receiving Ragdoll Breed wins, and/or All Breed wins (competiting against other breeds being shown), and be awarded titles (Champion, Grand Champion, Regional, National).  They are also ones we would consider for breeding.   “Pet Quality” are those we feel might not be close enough to the Standard for breed type, or who might not mature to close enough.  They are also ones we would not consider for breeding.  Quality is the opinion of the cattery owner and naturally may differ from one person to another.  All our pets are spay/neutered prior to release and the cost is included in price.
 
Do you keep some of your cats for your own?

We have kept some spayed/neutered pets at different times.  We will adopt them out however, if we feel they would be happier living away from our breeding program.  It’s never easy for us to place those we hoped to keep and love forever.  However, we know we must always keep the best interest of each Ragdoll as our number one priority.  Every Ragdoll in our home is our precious magical baby, whether it was born here, or brought in from another program to be a foundation for our program.  We remember and miss every one of them, and we’ve been successful in placing every one of them with wonderful owners and great environments.
 
How old is your oldest cat?

Catillac Cats Shasta

Our first pair of foundation breeders were born in 2001 and 2002, are still alive at this writing.
 
What is your favorite Ragdoll look?

Love that baby-faced/baby doll face look!  
 
Do you raise your cats underfoot?

Yes, Catillac Cats is a 100% totally inhome program and our Ragdolls do not live a caged life! 
 
Do you send photos of the parents before you adopt a kitten?

Catillac Cats Tippy Deville

Our web site page called “Show Room” is where parents to our kittens are featured with photos.  We will always email more if requested.
 
Do you send the kitten’s pedigree when you adopt a kitten?

Yes, copy of our  “certified registry pedigree”.
 
Will it be a problem if one requests, and wants to pay for, the CatGenes DNA testing before one accepts a kitten?

No not at all.
 
Can people interested in purchasing one of your cats visit your cattery?

Yes, always. We schedule people to visit when kittens have received at least their first FVRCP vaccine in the series of three.
 
If a possible adoptee cannot visit your cattery, are you willing to talk to your adoptee on the phone?

Yes, and by email.
 
How do you honor your health guarantee? There is no legal binding issue there, so that’s why I’m asking.

When a buyer upholds the requirements in the contract, we naturally honor our guarantee.  The contract “is” a legal contract that can be upheld in court.  We know this by reports from cattery owners who’ve unfortunately been forced into court.  We personally choose to do what we can to please a buyer and if that’s not possible, then we choose to use a third party mediation process.  We’ve been successful in pleasing every buyer and we work very hard to keep it this way.  We remain available to owners with suggestions and recommendations, emotional support, and will research to find answers whenever possible.  We rely on owners of our Ragdolls to keep us informed of concerns, as it could be important help to our program and the breed as a whole.  We are very dedicated to the Ragdoll breed and cat ownership in general, and constantly research any area, and share helpful info on the pages of our web site and personally to people.
 
What if a kitten gets adopted and the customer is unhappy with a kitten, what do you do?

We remain available to owners with suggestions and recommendations, emotional support, and will research to find resolutions to problems if necessary too.  We also help with rehoming if that ever becomes necessary for an owner.  We’ve been successful in helping rehome, and to this writing, have had three only.
 
How are your kittens registered?

We personally register every litter, every breeder, every individual kitten in CFA.  All are registerable in all the Cat Fancy Registry Associations.
 
What vaccination brand do you use? And what vaccinations are given, when?

Our Veterinarian vaccinates all of our Ragdolls for FVRCP using a modified-live type injection vaccine.  Kittens generally receive 2 of the 3 kitten series prior to being released.  A yearly booster aginst FVRCP is given for life.  Rabies is a killed type injection vaccine given once to a kitten 12 weeks or older in age, and then boostered a year later, and then boostered every three years after that for life.
 
What are the kittens fed?

We feed high quality/premium canned only, and rotate foods generally every three months.  We’ve been feeding canned only, since eliminating all dry kibble after extensive research.  Felines are exclusive carnivores and must have meat every day, whether canned, raw, or a combination of those, and/or combined with a little dry kibble even, but their system requires they eat meat every day.  We’ve been only very successful and pleased with results of feeding canned.

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Post tags: Catillac Cats, ragdoll breeder, Ragdoll breeder Oregon

Little Apple Sweet Pippin

You all might have read about the fact that my mom and I were traveling to Manhattan, KS to visit a Ragdoll breeder there.  I had contact Andra through the Internet, asking if my mom and I could come and vist.  Manhattan, KS is about 2.5 hours from where I live in the Kansas City area.

You might remember reading Andra’s breeder interview that was posted last week.  I wanted to have that background for the readers before I posted about our visit.

First and foremost, the fact that Andra and her mom were so willing to allow my mom and me into their homes for such a visit was a treat and an honor.  I think the fact that Andra was so willing was a good sign too.  Of course, some breeders have been burned by people visiting them, so a lot of breeders don’t allow a visit unless you have a deposit on a kitten and even then, you might be limited to certain areas of the house. 

Of course, the intentions of my visit were different, so all that didn’t matter.

We started at Andra’s home and met Bailey’s kittens that were just about to leave to go to their forever homes.  They were awesome and running all over the house – talk about being raised underfoot!

Bailey's Kitten

Sweet Pippin – pictured above – was also at Andra’s – and although not the father to those kittens was very comfortable with them and wanted to play.

Unfortunately, I have this personality trait where I tend to pick favorites very quickly and well, Pippin won out for me as cat of the day.  I was really impressed with him – his size, his head, his personality – he was truly awesome.

All Little Apple Ragdolls are named after apples.  “Little Apple” of course refers to Manhattan, KS – since the Big Apple is Manhattan, NY.  I guess there are over 7500 varieties of apples worldwide, so the name selections are endless.

Bailey's Kitten

Oh, did I mention that Andra’s house was spotless – very, very clean.  And I could tell it wasn’t a cleaning just for my mom’s and my visit – it was really clean.

We spent our time at Andra’s playing with the kittens and also I asked her questions about her kittens – what she fed them, the litter she used, toys she liked, etc.  All of that can be read on Andra’s breeder interview.

Here are a few photos I snapped of the kitten room at Andra’s house – the kittens spend a small amount of time in this room as they are being weaned from their mom and as they get litter box trained and then they end up having full access to the entire house!

Kitten Room Litter Boxes

Kitten Room Play Area

Here’s a video I captured of my mom playing with Bailey’s kittens:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

After spending a lot of time at Andra’s we headed over to her mom’s house to meet the remainder of the crew.

Upon arrival at Andra’s mom’s house, we met a pregnant Pearl and a prego Gala.  Along with Dakota, who happened to be the father of Bailey’s current litter that we saw at Andra’s house.

After those three, we met Emma’s kittens.  Turns out Emma is related to my Rags through Ragnarok’s Thor.  Emma had a darling personality and looked like a mom!  She was totally fine with us touching and picking up her kittens and wanted us to play with her too!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Just before we were getting ready to leave, Emma plopped down and allowed her kittens to nurse!  It was such a treat because I had my video camera rolling when she did it.

Emma's Kittens Nursing

Click here to view the embedded video.

Emma's Kittens Nursing

Little Apple Ragdolls Sweet Pippin

Thank you so much to Little Apple Ragdolls for such an awesome visit and a great experience!!

Are you a Ragdoll breeder in the midwest?  Up for a visit?  Let me know if you’d be interested and I’ll come with my camera!

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Post tags: Andra Schroeder, Little Apple Ragdolls, Ragdoll Cat

In the Fall of 2007, I finally lived in a house where I could have pets and so
I started looking for a cat. I always had short haired cats growing up and so
now I wanted a long haired cat. After examining the different breeds I decided I
would get either a Maine Coon or a Ragdoll, whichever I encountered first.
Looking through the ads for pets on a local classified website I saw an ad for
Ragdolls for sale from a breeder who was getting out of the business. Along with
the ad I saw this picture:

The picture wasn’t that clear but I was struck by how sweet the two cats looked.
I made an appointment and went to visit them. The woman who had the cats was
selling them for her father and only a female cat named Rose and her male kitten
were left. As soon as I saw them I knew I wouldn’t be leaving without having
struck a deal for both of them. We made a deal and arranged for me to pick them
up in a few weeks.

Rose and Dallas as a Kitten

Rose and Dallas Playing

When I brought them home they were quite skittish but settled in within a few
weeks. I named the kitten, Dallas, because I have always loved that name.

He was born in September of 2007.  No one knew when Rose was born but she seemed rather young when I first met her, I would estimate she was born in 2005.

Dallas and Rose

In the 2 years that I have had them Rose and Dallas continue to find more ways
to endear me to them. Dallas likes to be mischievous as all boys do, Rose enjoys
being ladylike and well behaved. Rose doesn’t like to play rough but sometimes
she doesn’t have a choice.

Rose and Dallas Playing

Rose and Dallas are atypical in a couple of ways. Neither likes wet food very much, they strongly prefer dry. Dallas loves kitty treats, Rose completely ignores them. I have bought them a couple of pet beds which they ignore.

Rose

Rose loves sleeping and hanging out in cardboard boxes so there are always a couple
of them in the house.

Her Catchannel buddy Oliver does too.

Rose's Cat Channel Buddy, Oliver

She also likes my old suitcase.

Rose in Suitcase

Dallas likes exploring containers and tight spaces.

Dallas in a Pot

He prefers to lay down on chairs and tables, even when he is too big for them.

Dallas on a Chair

Rose and Dallas have truly made my life more joyous and complete. I thank God
everyday for bringing them to me and hope they live long, happy lives.

Rose and Dallas

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Post tags: Ragdoll Cat, Ragdolls Of The Week, rose and dallas

Megailee Ragdolls Kitten

On February 26th, Floppycats.com interviewed Gail Stone of Megailee Ragdolls.  Gail can be reached via e-mail at megaileeragdolls@yahoo.com.  By phone at 919-562-1153 and online at: http://megaileeragdolls.tripod.com/. 

1. How long have you been breeding Ragdolls?

I have been breeding for over 4 years and only breed Ragdolls.

2. How did you pick Ragdolls to breed?

I picked the Ragdoll to breed because I love the personality and the physical appearance.  This is the perfect pet as they love people, pets, & kids.  They are so docile and beautiful in every way.

3. Do you show? Why or why not?

I do show in TICA and CFA when possible.  It is good to know how your cats are judged relative to the standard.  I also like to meet other breeders and people and talk about Ragdolls.   I wish I had the time and money to show more.

Megailee Ragdolls Janessa

4. What congenital defects are in Ragdolls?

The congenital defects in Ragdolls is the same as in any other purebred cat.  There is the possibility of HCM and FIP to a small degree.

5. How are you breeding to avoid those defects?

We do take precautions to maximize the health of our cats by doing DNA HCM testing.

6. How large is your breeding operation?

My breeding program is small.  Only 1 breeding male and 3 females to date.  I think being small enables me to spend quality time with all cats and is a healthier environment.

7. Where do your cats spend most of their time?

Our girls have free rein of the household and our boy stays in the 2nd living-room.  Fortunately he does not spray.  Kittens have their own nursery/bedroom.  All pets are well socialized and used to household noises.

8. Do you breed full time? In other words, do you have another job?

I am home and work from home so the cats/kittens get all of my attention all day and night.

9. What sort of health guarantees do you offer?

My health guarantee covers genetic and congenital defects and I also will cover FIP.  Both are for a stated time period as per the contract.

10. What happens if the kitten gets sick?

The kitten sees a vet prior to leaving and also is altered prior to leaving here to go to forever home.  If being shipped there is also a health certificate that I give you.

11. Do you have any fun adoption stories to share?

Funny adoption story:  A lady came here to pick up her kitten but then couldn’t make up her mind and wanted the whole litter.  She spent about 3 hours here and finally went home with the kitten she originally choose.  Good thing as the others were spoken for.

12. What makes this kitten or cat “pet quality” or “show quality”?

Pet vs Show quality is in the markings and physical qualities like head set, boning, ear size and set,  eye shape, size, etc.  Personality is the utmost to me.

13. Do you keep some of your cats for your own?

I have kept back some of my cats from my own breeding.  Megailee Janessa is our CFA champion and we are very proud of her.  I cant keep too many as I want to remain small.

14. How old is your oldest cat that you’ve bred?

My oldest cat is 4 years of age.  I retire cats and will not keep breeding them too long. I continually try to enhance the lines.

15. What is your favorite Ragdoll look?

I like the traditional colors of blue and seals.  I like all patterns including lynx.

16. Can a potential adopter talk to previous adopters?

I give references upon request.

Megailee Ragdolls Kitten at 7 weeks

17. Do you raise your cats underfoot?

I do raise kittens underfoot and you always have to be careful where you walk This way they are well socialized and used to household sounds.

18. Can you send photos of the parents before one adopts a kitten? Or do you post the parents on the website?

Photos of adults and kittens are on my website.  I also send weekly updated photos of kittens to clients.

19. Do you send the kitten’s pedigree when you adopt a kitten?

I provide the “blue slip” from TICA to the buyer.  The litters are registered with TICA.  I can also provide a pedigree.

20. Will it be a problem if I request, and want to pay for, the CatGenes DNA testing before I accept a kitten?

There is no problem but I prefer to use UCDavis testing as I have found them faster and more responsive to customer service.

21. Can one visit your cattery?

I do allow prospective clients to visit my home.

22. If a possible adoptee cannot visit your cattery, are you willing to talk to your adoptee on the phone?

Phone and email questions are welcome and responded to on a prompt basis.

23. How do you honor your health guarantee?

If death should occur with the stated health guarantee period and a necropsy is provided which demonstrates it was due to a congenital or hereditary factor the kitten will be replaced as soon as is possible with like quality.

24. What if a kitten gets adopted and the customer is unhappy with a kitten, what do you do?

I would take back the kitten and try to find a suitable home.  The important thing is the health and happiness of the kitten.

25. How are your kittens registered?

The litter is registered with TICA.

26. Are you capable of including the kittens maturing pattern since birth?

Yes we can.

27. What vaccination brand do you use? And what vaccinations are given, when?

For vaccinations we use Schering- Plough Eclipse 3 vaccine.  This is for feline rhinotracheitis-calci-panleukuopenia.

28. What are the kittens fed?

The kittens are fed Royal Canin BabyCat dry food and Iams kitten food.

My goal is happy healthy beautiful well socialized kittens and happy owners

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Post tags: Interview With Gail Stone Of Megailee Ragdolls, ragdoll breeder, ragdoll breeder NC, ragdoll breeder north carolina, Ragdoll Cat

by Carol Van of Tristate Ragdolls
(Monague, NJ)

beautiful blue lynx and baby

Carol and John Van
Montague NJ
Specialize in health, temperament, size and beauty
www.carolspecialragdolls.com

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Post tags: ragdoll breeder, ragdoll cats, Tristate Ragdoll

by Denise Brackenbury
(Auckland, New Zealand)

Our New Boy Jed!

We are Alan and Denise Brackenbury and we are breeders of the beautiful Ragdoll Cats – we fell in love with the breed 3 years ago after buying a brother and sister, we love the easy going laidback yet sometimes demanding personalities so a year later bought another beautiful blue point boy!

In 2009 we decided we wanted to help this breed and bought our first 2 breeding cats – Obi-Wan and Princess Amidala, we have recently added to that with Kasey Starlight and Jed.
Our website is www.brackscats.co.nz, please feel free to check it out!

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Post tags: Alan and Denise Brackenbury, Bracks Cats - Ragglebury Ragdolls, ragdoll breeder, Ragdoll Cat

by Helen Leaney
(Adelaide, South Australia, Australia )

Roxyrags Lil Miss Divine

Roxyrags Ragdolls – Proud registered breeder of quality Ragdoll cats. Breeding beautiful Ragdoll kittens for pets, showing and breeding.

Roxyrags is a small cattery based in the Northern Suburbs of Adelaide. We are registered with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy South Australia.

We breed Ragdolls as a hobby and our aim is to breed healthy, quality kittens of excellent type with the sweet, gentle temperament for which the Ragdoll is renown. We have a small number of happy, healthy cats. Our Ragdolls are pets first and breeding cats second.

All kittens are born and raised indoors as part of the family, so ensuring well socialised kittens who are used to all the usual household noises and will happily adjust to their new family homes.

Our gorgeous kittens are available to go to their new homes from 12 weeks of age. They will be vet checked, desexed, vaccinated twice, litter box trained, wormed and registered with GCCFSA. Pedigree papers will be mailed to you from GCCFSA. Our kittens will come with 6 weeks accident and illness insurance cover from petplan. They also come with a kitten pack containing food samples (Kitten packs will only be given to kittens collected from our home). Our kittens will ONLY be sold to kind, loving indoor homes.

We feed our kittens Royal Canin Baby Cat 34 dry food plus a variety of human grade meats including chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, kangaroo and also the following wet foods – Advance kitten super premium food for kitten growth, Iams kitten chicken in gravy, Hills Science Diet kitten tender chunks in gravy in beef and chicken, Royal Canin kitten Instinctive and Fancy Feast Kitten. As the kittens get a bit older we also introduce them to Royal Canin kitten 36, Hills Science Diet, Iams and Advance kitten dry foods. Our kittens are also introduced to chicken necks and chicken wings which are good for their teeth. We use Oz-pet wood pellet cat litter, this litter when used with the oz-pet litter sieve tray is the most effective litter at odour control and the best value for money.

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Post tags: Australia, ragdoll breeder, Ragdoll Cat, ROXYRAGS

(Hawkesbury, Sydney, Australia)

Willowbrae is located on the foothills of the Blue Mountains within an hour drive from the Sydney CBD. We started off with one Ragdoll for our family home and developed a passion for the Ragdoll breed. Willowbrae Ragdolls is registered with Waratah National Cat Alliance (WNCA) Inc.

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Post tags: Australia, ragdoll breeder, Ragdoll Cat, Willowbrae Ragdolls

by Semper Fidelis Cattery
(France)

Our Ragdoll cattery is located in France, near Luxemburg and Germany. We breed ragdoll in traditional colors.

Our website: http://www.ragdollsemperfidelis.com

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Post tags: radgoll cat, ragdoll breeder, Semper Fidelis Ragdolls

by sandy
(LEWISTON. S. A.)

SHOW-ME RAGDOLLS IS A SMALL CLOSED CATTERY. I breed for temperament, healthy, well socialized, and big boning. I have just taken over the cattery a few month’s ago from a friend who I had been helping for about 2 years now. It is in process of changing prefix and is now called MIKIDZ.STILL BREEDING LOVELY, TEMPERAMENT TO-DIE -FOR.Breeding for PET, SHOW, BREEDER. I AM REGISTERED WITH f.a.s.a. ready to send interstate or overseas. Kitten’s available through out the year also some lovely RETIREE’S available. THESE come from SHOW WINNING STOCK. WINNER OF THE 2009 NATIONAL AND WINNER OF THE ROYAL 2008-2009. IN entire, neuter and kitten. For information or just a Ragdoll chat phone me on 85-242184.

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Post tags: ragdoll breeder, Ragdoll Cat, SHOW-ME RAGDOLLS