There is no substitute for the experience of meeting the whole family of your future Devon Rex offspring. You may go with all the best intentions (based on pre-conceived ideas) – “I want a black-smoke girl” – and leave, having booked the “adorable silver-tabby boy” who sat on your shoulder! Meet them all and then choose – or rather let your Devon choose you!

 

Of course, you may want to show your Devon (read and inwardly digest your breed standard!). But first and foremost your Devon is going to be your lifelong companion. Anything else is just icing on the cake. And like choosing your life long partner – whilst the “Brad Pitt” or “Britney Spears” lookalike might seem wonderful at first sight – they may not necessarily be the one you would want to spend the rest of your life with!

Enjoy showing for the opportunity it provides to add another dimension to your hobby; to share with like minded individuals your enthusiasm for and love of Devons – and to make some great friends. But win or lose on the show bench, every day at home with your Devon is a “red card day”.

We at Nidoran are solely Devon breeders and have only the best interests of the breed at heart. All our cats are family pets first and foremost. Our queens are only bred from once a year –so litters are few and far between. This allows us to give our undivided attention to rearing the most wonderful (and entertaining) offspring possible. It is a time consuming, but rewarding, challenge. The kittens are presented at our veterinary practice at 9 weeks of age for their initial inoculations (for Feline Enteritis and Cat Flu) and check up and once again at 12 weeks. If all is well they are then considered ready to go to their new homes at approximately 14 weeks of age.

We stress to all new owners of Nidoran kittens that if at any time a problem arises that causes concern, we are always available to give help or advice. We are only a telephone call away.

 

Nidoran Kittens start the weaning process with baby rice (given, at first, by spoon) and move onto proprietary kitten food, Hills Science Plan kitten food and kitten milk. They will need to maintain the kitten diet (rich in body building proteins) until twelve months of age to ensure growth potential is reached. Fresh foods such as cooked and boned fish or fresh cooked chicken will also be well received, but a varied and well balanced diet is key. Fresh water should always be available. Never leave fresh or moist food down uneaten.

We take great care at Nidoran to ensure that our kittens are healthy, happy, house- trained and ready to leave the litter. Likewise, we will expect you, as a prospective owner, to answer lots of questions to confirm to us that our Devon baby is going to a permanent, caring and well-prepared home.

You will be invited to see the kittens. Please ensure that you do not visit any other breeder on the day, so as to avoid cross infection. Prepare a list of questions. It is easy to forget in the excitement of meeting your first litter of Devons something you desperately wish to know. You can also see how the cats behave and interact for yourself. Don’t agree to buy a kitten if your not absolutely sure that it is what you want or can cope with. Go away and talk to the family about it before making a commitment that either you or, more importantly, your cat, may regret.

Once the decision has been made you will be given clear guidance on the last stage- taking your kitten home - for which you must prepare thoroughly. A good, strong cat carrier is a good investment. It will enable you not only to take your baby home safely but also to make your annual trips to the vet with your Devon for booster inoculations and if appropriate and agreed by prior arrangement, for neutering. Ideally you should take your kitten home at the weekend or holiday when you will be able to give him/her lots of time to help them settle in. If you have other pets, first remove them from the room and give the kitten time to get used to his new surroundings and their scents. Then after an hour or so, reverse the process. Lift the kitten out of the way (perhaps safe in the cat carrier) and let your other pet(s) take on board his/her scents before the introductions take place. Let your new kitten get used to the new surroundings and yourself, give them just a little bit of space and time to adjust.

New owners are given a pedigree certificate, inoculation card and a G.C.C.F transfer certificate, together with feeding instructions. We ask that new owners of kittens keep in touch and let us know how the kitten is progressing. A photograph is very much appreciated. This gives us piece of mind and confirms to us that the kitten has settled and is happy and loved in his/her new home.