Rebecca Ansari

About our cattery:

Please note: I am a hobby breeder - this is NOT a money-making business endeavor. That means kittens are evaluated and go to homes in this order: 1) stay here as future breeding adults, 2) other breeders, 3) pet homes. (That's because we breed to improve the breed, not to create kittens to sell.) Consequently, I am looking for homes for my kittens and adults with people that want to contribute to the Devon Rex breed by staying in touch and keeping the lines of communication open. The information from yearly vet checkups and PICTURES is vital. For me, this point is critical. Will you do this?

I'm currently taking applications. To be considered for a Barashta Devon, I need the following to happen: Please write to me, letting me know 1) how your interest in Devons came about, 2) where you live, 3) if you are interested in kittens, retired adults, straight-furred Devon variants, 4) what your household is like; what other animals live there, how often no one is home, and any questions you have for me. If you think you might like to show or breed at some point in the future, please let me know that as well. I'll do my best to answer your questions.

Please keep in mind that this is a young breed; there many more people that want a Devon Rex than there are Devons. I don't keep a chronological waiting list: I need to know the reasons why you will provide the best home for one of my cats/kittens. If my placement priorities bother you and you feel you should be able to buy a Devon if you wait long enough and pay your money, then likely we wouldn't work well together. Devons do best in a home where there is more than one Devon so I am reluctant to place one in a home where he or she will be alone. A home that wants two proven buddies and a home that already has a Devon will always rise to the top of my list before other homes.

The placement fee I need from you covers vaccination shots (except rabies-ask me),  registration papers and other related expenses. More importantly, the placement fee goes towards the large expenses of a cattery such as acquiring distantly related breeding cats to minimize inbreeding depression factors, airfare in moving breeding cats to and from other catteries, stud fees, lots of food & litter, all the expenses (hotels, travel, etc.) of showing cats and, of course, vet bills that can easily be $500-$1000 in only one visit. (Are you beginning to see why hobby breeders find the perception by some folks that we *make* money doing this to be so funny?) :-D

I started in Devons in 2000 with my first, a neutered show male named Sean Sidhe. He's still with me and king of the cattery. Due to personal issues, in 2005 I had to put my breeding program on hold. I'm once again able to devote time and attention to a cattery. To the breeders I used to speak to through Planet Devon, I'd love any input and advice you might have for me as I get back up to speed and get all the elements back in place.