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Written By Kathryn Brady You've decided that you want to buy a kitten and you start looking for breeders (see Finding a Breeder for information on selecting a breeder). You find a breeder you like; they have kittens available and you inquiry on the price of kittens. How much, you ask? You are shocked. You should be aware of how much work and money goes into raising a litter of kittens. First of all there is the care and maintenance of the sire and dam; vet checks, vaccines and routine tests, food, litter, etc. If these cats are titled, then they were shown and there were show expenditures involved such as entry fees, hotels, costly traveling expenses and cat sitters. There might also be a stud fee involved. Then there's the kittens themselves; litter registration fees, 3 sets of shots, vet checks, food, litter, etc. There’s hours of training and handling and cleaning up after young kittens. Things don't always go as planned; there are aborted litters, stuck kittens and c-sections. Medications, ultrasounds or x-rays may be needed. Some mothers don't recover quickly after giving birth and might need fluids, medications or special diets after a difficult birth. Kittens may need supplements or medications. The kittens you buy from a breed are well socialized, they've been taught to use a litter box and a scratching post. They are affectionate and loving. And most breeders guarantee the health of their kittens. Before you decide what a fair price for a kitten is, stop and think how much went into the kitten you are buying. You get what you pay for. If you still think the price is too high, then a rescue cat might be a better choice for you. Check out the The Rescue Links to find a cat in need. 
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