Why we do not allow visits to the cattery

At Mon Chat Mouton, the health of our little Rex kittens is an absolute priority.

In-person visits represent a major health risk, as it is impossible to guarantee that visitors have not been in contact with:

• Animals that may be carriers (even if asymptomatic)

• Other catteries, shelters, or farms

• Fungal contaminants, some of which humans can carry unknowingly

• Pathogens indirectly transmitted via clothing, shoes, bags, or hair

Main sources of contamination:

• 🦠 Giardia lamblia (intestinal parasite)

  🦠 Tritrichomonas foetus (protozoan causing chronic diarrhea)

  🦠 Feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus, often triggered by stress)

  🦠 Various coccidia

  🦠 Various feline bacteria

  🦠 Fungi and fungal spores (e.g., dermatophytes responsible for ringworm)

  In a cattery environment—especially with a dense, woolly-coated breed like the Selkirk Rex—these agents spread quickly, are lengthy and costly to eliminate, and cause significant stress for the animals.

  Videos instead of visits

  To protect our cats while still allowing you to discover our litters, we provide short, regular videos of the kittens in their natural environment. These videos showcase:

  🐾 The physical and behavioral development of each kitten

  🐾 Their interactions with siblings and familiar humans

  🐾 Their clean, safe, and enriching environment

  Why a “first meeting” does not reveal a kitten’s true temperament

  Unlike puppies, kittens never display their true personality around strangers. The presence of an unfamiliar person often triggers withdrawal, caution, or unusual curiosity that does not reflect their everyday behavior. Choosing a kitten based on a first in-person meeting is therefore misleading.

  The most reliable indicator of a kitten’s temperament is daily observation by the breeder in a familiar, stress-free environment. We are committed to guiding you in choosing your future companion, taking into account:

  🐾 Energy level

  🐾 Sociability

  🐾 Adaptability to handling and everyday noises

  🐾 Individual affinities and preferences

  Conclusion

  Limiting outside physical contact is a deliberate and responsible decision aimed at protecting our Selkirk Rex and Devon Rex from disease, parasites, and fungal contamination. Thanks to our videos and personalized guidance, you can make an informed choice while fully preserving the health and well-being of the kittens.

  There is no point in debating this policy: we are firm. With many years of experience, we know exactly what the consequences of contamination can be—for our animals and for our work. Over the years, we have invested tens of thousands of dollars in equipment to prevent any outbreak of disease or contamination, including electrostatic sprayers, specialized laboratory-grade lighting, and costly decontamination products. In our view, any breeder who allows on-site visits is taking enormous risks—and sooner or later, it is the animals, and sometimes even the adopters themselves, who pay the price, occasionally only after adoption.