Velvet Thunder Cattery-Contract Terms and Conditions

Contract Terms and Conditions

~ Contract Terms and Conditions ~

For Purchase of a Bengal Cat/Kitten From

Velvet Thunder Cattery

This contract applies only to the Buyer and Seller

The transaction represented by this contract is between Debra J. Johnson, owner of Velvet Thunder Cattery of Valparaiso, Indiana, as seller, and the designated purchaser/buyer. The terms, conditions, and responsibilities of any and all parties cannot be transferred to any other party. The contract is executed in Indiana and is subject to the laws of the State of Indiana where any and all enforcement actions of this agreement shall be executed.

Isolate the kitten from other pets/animals for a period not less than 14 days

Your new kitten must be isolated from other pets, especially other cats, for no less than fourteen (14) days. One reason for this is to be sure that any infectious disease has time to manifest itself in the new kitten, or other pets, before they are introduced. Another reason is that it allows a period of time in which you and your kitten may bond. The kitten will then be more secure when introduced to the larger household. Please note that failure to do this will render all guarantees null and void.

Have the kitten examined by a certified veterinarian within 72 hours* of the kitten arriving at Buyers home

Our kittens are guaranteed to be of sound health, at the time of sale, and for a period of 72 hours. You must have the kitten examined by a certified veterinarian within 72 hours of the kitten arriving at Buyers home. Please note that failure to do this will render all guarantees null and void. If the kitten is found to be ill during the first 72 hours of ownership, it must be reported immediately, with confirmation from a certified veterinarian. If the condition is treatable, Velvet Thunder Cattery will reimburse for reasonable and customary veterinary medical charges. If the kitten is found to be medically deficient with an untreatable or life-threatening condition, steps will be taken to provide for the return of the kitten. Upon the return/demise of the ill kitten, a replacement kitten of equal value will be provided as soon as nature permits, hopefully within 6 months. This 72 hour time period excludes holidays and weekends, and is only to be within three business days of your veterinarian.

Our kittens are guaranteed against any congenital defects for one year.

Should the kitten die or become ill during that time, as a result of a congenital defect, the kitten will be replaced with another of equal value as soon as nature permits, hopefully within 6 months. Replacement is dependent upon the return or demise of the kitten. This will be done only with a certified veterinarian's certificate of necropsy and cause of death, in the event of death, or certification of specific congenital illness or defect.

Provide proper vaccinations for the kitten on a schedule determined to be proper by a certified veterinarian

It is essential that your kitten be vaccinated and checked for parasites (internal and external) on a schedule prescribed by a certified veterinarian. You will be provided a medical record for the kitten along with other paperwork. Be sure to review the medical record with your veterinarian and get a recommendation for follow-up.

Maintain the kitten as an indoor-only pet

Do not allow the kitten outside unless on a leash or contained within a secure, fenced area designed and constructed to ensure the kitten's safety and health, and that prevents escape and prevents entry from other animals. There are very few breeders who will sell to a household that lets the cat run outside, even for just a little bit. There is the risk of cars, dogs, wild animals, and even cruel humans. The major cause of death for cats is the automobile, specifically getting hit by a car or by consuming anti-freeze.

A safe alternative is to give your kitten access to the outdoors but in a controlled environment. Create an enclosed outdoor area for your cat to play in once each day, or teach him to walk on a leash and harness. Either option will allow him access to the outdoors in a controlled, safe manner. You have invested a great deal of time, emotion, and money in your new kitten, and it has invested its trust in you – no living creature should ever be exposed to the risks of any serious disease or injury. This provision will be strictly enforced.

Provide a safe and healthy environment for this kitten

This provision should go without saying. The major problem is that well-meaning pet owners often do not realize potential dangers in the home. As a responsible pet owner, you can take a few simple steps that will go a long way toward keeping your pet healthy and happy. Cat-proofing your home can lower the risk of a serious pet accident occurring. A pet owner needs to be aware of several potential dangers. Poisons in the home that can kill or seriously injure your pet include some kinds of house plants, pesticides, and medications. Low electrical cords are extremely hazardous when chewed. Keep harmful objects out of your kitten's reach. A little prevention may be just enough to avoid a tragedy from happening in your home.

Keep the kitten clean, well-fed with nutritious food; clean, fresh water; and provide the kitten with plenty of attention

Owning any animal means being responsible for providing appropriate and humane care. Of course you are expected to provide the kitten with adequate food, water, and access to a hazard-free area for play and never cage except for travel, health, showing or similar reasons. If the cat/kitten is to be transported, it shall be done so following the FAA and ASPCA guidelines of animal transportation; providing for adequate food and water supply for the trip, plus adequate cage/kennel space.

Never have any of the kitten's paws de-clawed

Scratching is a natural behavior of cats and they may be defenseless without full use of their claws if they, either intentionally or unintentionally, go outdoors. Because scratching is a normal behavior, and one which cats are highly motivated to display, it is unrealistic for owners to try to prevent their cats from scratching. Unfortunately, many cat owners simply choose to de-claw their cat(s) instead of resolving the scratching problems by redirecting the behavior onto acceptable objects. Consider the following: De-clawing is an elective and irreversible surgical procedure that is without benefit to the cat, performed by a veterinarian while the cat is under general anesthesia. Hospitalization for 1-2 days may be required. As the back feet are rarely used for scratching, the front feet are usually the only ones de-clawed. A cat's toe has three bones; the claw grows from the end of the last bone. In de-clawing, the veterinarian amputates the end section of the last bone, along with the claw. This removes the claw and prevents it from growing back. The toe is then sewn shut with absorbable sutures or closed with surgical skin glue, and each paw is bandaged snugly to control bleeding. No cat lover should want to put their animal through this unnecessary procedure. See Frequently Asked Questions about Scratching Behavior and Clipping Claws for additional information. This provision will be strictly enforced.

Provide immediate medical care if the cat/kitten shows signs of illness or distress

Taking care of your new cat is a year-round duty. You should keep a detailed medical file on each pet to remind you when vaccines are due and when the last fecal sample was checked. Your kitten can't tell you how it's feeling so you must familiarize yourself with its normal behavior. That way you will know when they are sick.

The annual physical is probably the most overlooked health need for cats. It is not enough to take your cat to a veterinarian when a health problem already exists. Preventive vaccinations and early detection of diseases are the keys to successfully treating your pet. See Frequently Asked Questions about Cat/Kitten Health & Safety for additional information.

Notify Velvet Thunder Cattery if, for any reason, you can no longer keep this kitten in your home

If, within the first 30 days, the kitten needs to be returned for any reason other than health problems (as stated above), including but not restricted to any human allergies or pet conflicts, a fifty percent (50%) refund of the purchase price (but not shipping costs) will be returned to you after the kitten is returned to Velvet Thunder Cattery at your expense and the kitten is determined to be in good health.

After 30 days, if the kitten needs to be re-homed, it is required that you contact Velvet Thunder Cattery for assistance in, and approval of, the relocation. No relocation may occur without the expressed, written consent of Velvet Thunder. Please note the following restrictions.

Never sell, lease, lend, give, or abandon the kitten to a shelter, pound, pet store, animal humane organization, veterinarian, researcher organization, or any similar organization, institution, or person

Velvet Thunder Cattery kittens are placed in what, at the time, is believed to be a responsible, cat-loving, home. However, sometime events occur that make it impossible for the cat to remain in the home. It is required that you contact Velvet Thunder Cattery for assistance in the relocation of the cat to another responsible, cat-loving home. Please note that failure to do this will be considered a breach of the terms and conditions of this contract and trigger the remedies specified. This provision will be strictly enforced.

Never neglect or abuse this kitten physically or psychologically

It is regrettable that this condition must be included. However, experience has shown that some people do not understand their responsibilities as a cat owner, and so we include it for the sole protection of the cat. Neglect shall include, but is not limited to: being left alone without human companionship for periods in excess of 72 hours, lack of proper sanitary facilities, poor diet, poor health, and otherwise poor condition. Mistreatment shall include, but is not limited to: lack of proper food, lack of water and physical abuse.

Make provision for the care of the kitten in the case that you should die or otherwise become unable to care for the kitten

Pets usually have shorter lives than humans so it is natural that we give little thought to what would happen to our kitten should something happen to us. But what if you are the one who becomes ill or incapacitated, or who dies first? You should give this very careful thought and then talk with the person(s) that you wish to assume responsibility for the cat(s) should you no longer be able to care for them. Upon their agreement you should then inform other members of your family and friends and put it in writing.

Abide by the return privileges as stated herein

The kitten cannot be returned after the first 72 hours if it has been exposed to other animals that have not been currently vaccinated for Fe LV and FIV. Please refer to the Health Guarantee for more information.

Abide by the breach of contract terms as stated herein . This provision will be strictly enforced.

If at any time you are determined to be in breach of any of the terms and conditions stated herein, the Seller reserves the legal right to remove the animal from the premises and the buyer will surrender the cat/kitten alive, any and all progeny alive together with appropriate papers to the Seller unconditionally and without compensation or refund and pay the seller a non-punitive sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) to defray costs of material, time, and talent involved in the recovery.

**/***Have the kitten altered (spayed/neutered) by a qualified veterinarian before the kitten reaches the age of 7 months. Seller must receive proof of alteration from the veterinarian that performs the service on or before ____________________ or buyer will be in breach of contract.

***This kitten was sold for the sole purpose of being a pet/companion for the buyer. This cat must NEVER be allowed to produce offspring. Some of the benefits of altering your cat include: females are less likely to develop mammary cancer and uterine infections, males will fight less and remain healthier, cats are generally more affectionate, undesirable "hormone induced" behaviors are less likely, and it decreases the amount of unwanted and orphaned cats.

DECLARATION: I, __________________________________ have read these Terms & Conditions and discussed them with Debra J. Johnson, owner of Velvet Thunder Cattery. I understand these terms and conditions and agree that they are reasonable and customary and it is my intention to abide by them in both word and spirit.

Signed (Buyer): ________________________________________________

Signed (Seller):________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________

*Excluding weekends and the following holidays: New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

**If cat/kitten is older than 7 months on date of purchase, alteration must be performed within 4 weeks of official purchase.

***Unless stated in the adoption contract that kitten is being purchased for show or breeding.

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