ForestWind   

We place most of our kittens into cat allergic and / or asthmatic homes. 2019 is our 15th year in Siberian Cat breeding. During these years we have only needed to rehome three (3) kittens who were placed into allergy or asthma homes.

We believe a large part of our success rate is our careful screening and support of prospective Kitten Families. (To define "Kitten Family:" it can be one person + a ForestWind kitten, or multiple people living together as a family + a ForestWind kitten). ForestWind Siberians is not focused on kitten sales, but rather on making successful kitten placements. By successful, we mean we want to ensure - cat allergy family or not - that there is a proper fit between our kitten and your home.

We want to also be sure there is a comfortable fit between you as the buyer and us as the breeder. Making the decision to purchase your Siberian kitten from a breeder one is not "in synch with" results in not asking for help with any questions or problems that arise. It means that one might make unnecessary expenditures at the Vet's when other advice fits the situation better, or that one is not armed with the knowledge one needs to be comfortable asking a Veterinarian for the proper testing and treatment of your Siberian.

We help our prospective Kitten Families consider the strategies and routines they will want to inplace when bringing their Siberian home. These steps go from the early transition period; to proper nutrition for your Siberian (which even impacts allergy levels and temperament!); to keeping your Siberian emotionally and physically healthy - unstressed cats produce less allergens; to cleaning strategies for the home to ensure the majority of any allergens produced are removed; to our step by step support on allergy friendly bathing and grooming routines for your Siberian.

We have allergy assessment strategies for pre-approval that may involve a fur sample challenge or an in-person allergy challenge. These challenges help one assess the level of reactivity the cat allergic or asthmatic person(s) may experience.

We ask allergy / asthma questions to provide us with information about the home / allergy - asthma situation that allows us to provide targeted, situation specific information on the chances of a successful purchase, as well as steps to take to ensure one’s purchase decision is an informed, effective one.

We do *not* approve every home. In situations where it is clear that a kitten purchase would not be successful for you, we explain why. In some cases, we are able to make alternative suggestions - such as buying a kitten from a cattery that allergy tests its kittens. Fel d 1 tested kittens are normally $2800 – to $3500+, dependent on Fel d 1 level and the length of breeder’s health warranty. In seriously impacted allergy / asthma situations this option is safest and best.

We place each kitten intending the home is permanent (not “try it and see”). To that end, we require a Safe Home. This is a non-asthmatic, non-cat allergic person who co-signs the purchase contract agreeing to provide a forever home for the ForestWind kitten should issues around allergy / asthma arise that necessitate re-homing. We find that this requirement weeds out people who want to use a Siberian kitten purchase as either a magic bullet (no work necessary on their part), or as a "try it and see" situation - either of which is terribly unfair to the kitten, and heartbreaking to family members.

By supporting our Kitten Families with information, advice, and care strategies, we ensure that those families who bring home a ForestWind Siberian kitten are ready to enjoy many years of happiness and comfort with their sweet pet.