I purchased a beautiful kitten a few years ago from a reputable breeder in Maine. Shortly after aquiring Bentley, I decided I had to get another Maincoon. I completed the transaction with the same breeder because I love this cat and really felt I had found the best breeder. I prepaid in full for the kitten and then decided to wait and put a little space between my cats. My relationship has not been the same with the breeder since. I still want the kitten, and can't imagine finding another breeder that I trust will send me exactely what I'm looking for in a kitten. Friends became concerned about my $650.00 being tied up and that I might lose it, so I requested it back until the time in which I was ready to actually take the kitten. She has not responded to my request. I don't want to take any legal action and I still believe she is a reputable breeder. I believe that she may have been put off by my indicision and possibly inquiries of other breeders which was research I was doing regarding the TRADITIONAL Maincoon and keeping the showrings and popularity from changing them as the Siamese and Persian etc. Already there are tremendous differences in the East and West coast. I'm hoping there will be some suggestion as to how to reach this breeder without any kind of action. I want the kitten and I'd like to think I will recieve the same care I originally had.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 1999

Answers

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm very certain that if you had an oral or a written contract for the 2nd kitten, you're in a legally binding contract. You are the one who wants to break the contract that was mutually agreed upon. As long as the breeder acts in good faith and provides you a kitten when you are ready for one, that person has not broken the contract.

This is not to say that I think the breeder is right by ignoring your requests for a dialog. I would document every attempt at communicating with the breeder (keeping a xerox copy of each letter), cc'ing yourself to any emails you send to them, and write down the time/day you call him/her. If they continue to ignore you, you should contact www.mcbfa.org and other cattery organizations and bring it up with them.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 1999