"When Mother Nature saw fit to remove the tail of the Manx, she left, in place of the tail, more cat."  --Mary Stewart

Finding The Right Manx For You

While locating a Manx is not always easy, it is well worth the effort -- they are very special cats.  Besides purchasing a kitten, there are other ways to find the Manx of your dreams.  Breeders also sell adult cats that are retired from showing or breeding.  These cats are usually lovely examples of the breed, with predictable traits and good house manners.  They are often sold for the cost of the vet bill to have them spayed or neutered, their teeth cleaned and shots updated.

Breeders who raise a breed of cat for showing and to improve and preserve the breed seldom raise more than a few litters of kittens each year.  Raising exceptional kittens requires a great deal of time and effort - they don't just "happen".  When a litter is born, show quality kittens are usually not offered as pets.  This is also true of any kittens that are needed for the breeding program or for another cattery.  There is a link at the bottom of this page for available cats and kittens.

Vagary Coquette

A responsible breeder will only offer you a choice of cats or kittens that will suit and be suitable in your home situation.  This is only one of the advantages to acquiring your Manx from a breeder.  Some of the others are:

	Support with information ranging from what to feed to how to deal with problems that may arise.
	A guarantee of soundness, temperament and health.
	Knowing that, in the event you're no longer able to keep your  Manx due to some cataclysmic life circumstance, he/she will be  welcome back at the breeder's home.

In return, a breeder will have a sales contract that you must sign as a condition of being owned (by a Manx).  In most cases it will outline general conditions and probations, such as:

	No roaming outside (it's an unsafe world out there)
	No declawing (if you don't want claws, get a snake...)
	Notification of the breeder in the event you can no longer  provide a home for the cat.
	Spaying or neutering if it hasn't already been done.

Many breeders have a waiting list to get cats/kittens.  My list is kept in my computer.  When cats or kittens become available, I send out an e-mail about them to everyone on my list.  Prospective adopters who keep in close touch (through e-mail or phone) will have information beforehand.

At this time, kittens are $650 plus shipping if it applies, and neutering or spaying costs if it's done before you pick up your kitten.  Adult cats range from $50 on up to $450 depending on how old they are and how easy they are to place in a suitable home.

There are also "rescue" cats that I hear about on occasion - these cats need homes and I'll pass the word along to anyone who is interested in finding one.   As a breeder, people will contact me to help them find a new home for a Manx or tailless type cat that has been displaced.  An email to me with a request to be put on my list will get you notification of any available cats or kittens.

Pet ownership is a long term commitment yours and theirs...  Please remember that the average life span of a cat is about 15 years and can be into the 20's - and plan accordingly.  I can't help but wonder what lesson children learn about responsibility and accountability when they see the family pet dropped off at the pound because he/she doesn't match the decor in the new house.

 

Vagary Kozmo

Available Cats and Kittens

Other Breeders

www.manx--cats.com Your directory for Manx cats, Manx kittens and Manx links.
Copyright August 2001 E-mail to: Gale Thomas-Goodman