WHAT IS YOUR FARM LIKE?

We are located in Fallbrook which is a rural community in San Diego County.  Our home is situated on 4 acres on top of a hill overlooking the Santa Margarita River.  The environment is very quiet and we enjoy growing all sorts of plants, flowers and vegetables.  We have a beautiful large facility to house my horse, our adult Abyssinians and our Collies at night.  The dogs enjoy a 1 acre yard with beautiful grassy hill to play on and many trees.  The kitties all have access to indoor and outdoor rooms so they can enjoy fresh air and sunshine during the majority of the year.  Babies are all cared for in our home in a nursery room we have set up there. 

WHAT IS THE TYPICAL DAY LIKE ON THE FARM?

Both of us work full time jobs so balancing everything can be a challenge!  The typical weekday starts with 2 hours spent caring for the babies in the nursery and then cleaning up after and feeding the horse, adult cats and Collies.  After that, we are at work during business hours and sometimes beyond, depending on whether or not work appointments took us out of town for the day.  Evening chores are next on the list and we generally get in around 8 or 9pm for dinner.  Any outstanding email inquiries from the day are answered after dinner and before bed.  Weekends involve the usual chores coupled with preparing for and attending shows as well as catching up on the gardening. 

CAN WE VISIT THE FARM TO SEE THE ANIMALS?

We get this request often as there are many people who would like to spend recreation time with our furry children in beautiful Fallbrook.  Unfortunately, our schedule does not permit casual visits and our home is not open to the public. 

Most Abys are very good with kind children and readily accept gentle dogs.   There are always exceptions to the rule but in general this is a characteristic we have seen in our kittens.

CAN ABYS LEARN TRICKS AND TO WALK ON A LEASH?

Yes!  We have had many families share stories about their talented kittens and many do accept a leash without problem.

WHAT HEALTH ISSUES DO WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF?

 Beyond the normal things cats can run into (ie viral diseases, bacterial infections, etc) Abys can have 2 genetic blood disorders.  Pyruvate Kinase deficiency (PK) can cause a form of anemia.  Not all affected cats will show symptoms and carriers of PK do not exhibit the disease but should not be bred to other carriers.  Fortunately this disease can be detected through a DNA test so we can clear our breeding cats before adding them to a breeding program.  Osmootic Fragility is another anemia type of disease for which there is currently no test.  More commonly, Abys tend to have trouble with gum and tooth disease.  You will need to plan to provide regular dental care to insure against serious gum disease and tooth loss.  Like many purebred cats, some Abys can have sensitive digestive systems.  While many Abys have normal stools no matter what they eat, some Abys will have loose stools due to stress or intolerance for certain foods. 

WHAT FOOD DO YOU FEED?

We currently feed only premium whole ingredient foods with a focus on dry foods.  The best brands we have used are:  Innova, Wellness, Chicken Soup for Kitten Lovers, Natures Variety, Premium Edge and Natural Balance. 

DO YOU PROVIDE A HEALTH GUARANTEE?

Yes, this is an important part of what is included when you purchase a kitten from us.  We guarantee that your kitten is healthy when you pick it up from us and we will replace the kitten if a congenital or genetic disease presents itself during the kitten’s first year.  Fortunately this type of situation is rare, but despite all efforts to breed and raise only healthy cats and kittens genetic and congenital issues can still occur.  This is why a guarantee is provided. 

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A POTENTIAL HOME FOR AN ABY?

We look for families that are interested in an active, intelligent cat and can provide attention and a healthy indoor and/or secure outdoor environment.   A sense of humor and tolerance for interference in your daily activities helps!  On a personal note, since our kitty adopting families become part of our extended family, we prefer to work with folks who have an appreciation for what we do and are pleasant to work with.  This is a labor of love for us and the motivating factor is the happiness we are able to bring to other families through our precious little kittens.  Everything we do is intended to provide our adopting families with healthy, well socialized kittens that will bring joy into your home.  If we feel that we can not meet your needs or that there is any issue that will make a working relationship difficult, we have no problem referring you to someone who may better meet your needs. 

WHAT PRACTICES DO YOU USE TO PREVENT DISEASE IN YOUR CATTERY?

We take a very aggressive approach to managing disease prevention.  Our facilities are disinfected weekly with bleach and a hospital grade antibacterial/antiviral/antifungal agent.  Kittens are kept separate from adult cats and all cats are vaccinated annually.  Show cats are sent out to a separate facility for one week prior and one week after the show and are given a ringworm preventative.  New cats are added to the cattery only after a 3 week isolation period at a separate facility with ringworm preventative.  No outside cats are accepted for breeding.  No visitors are allowed into the nursery and kittens can not be handled by anyone other then ourselves until they have had at least one vaccination. 

WHAT ARE YOUR PARAMETERS FOR VISITS TO THE CATTERY?

Visitors are accepted on a very limited basis for many reasons including:

• Available time – full time jobs and animal care take up most of our time.  Time for visits is generally dedicated to accommodate pick up of kittens by families who have reserved them with a deposit.  On occasion we have non reserved older kittens available for viewing by families with a serious interest.  Appointments are generally set for weekday evenings, weekends are generally not feasible. 
• Disease prevention – since many diseases can be brought in on the shoes and clothing of humans, allowing visitors includes an element of risk.  Limiting this risk is a part of our disease prevention practice. 
• Security – our cattery is a part of our home.  Unfortunately there are people who use a visit as a means to scope out homes for theft, vandalism and animal activism /terrorism.  Our home is not open to the public and it is important for us to be discriminating about who we allow into our home. 

HOW DOES YOUR KITTEN RESERVATION PROCESS WORK?

Since we have a fairly active waiting list for our kittens, most of our babies are reserved well before they are ready to go to new homes.  Although we occasionally have an unreserved older kitten available, this has been the exception.  For folks who would like to be assured of a kitten of the color and gender they prefer, we accept deposits on specific kittens after they are born.  Deposits are $200 and are applied to the purchase price of the kitten.  Since we turn away other inquiring families to honor our reservations, deposits are non refundable UNLESS we are unable to provide a healthy kitten of the color and gender reserved.  The balance of the purchase price is due when kittens are picked up or before shipped.  If a deposited customer chooses not to accept a reserved kitten, the deposit may be applied to a future litter. 

Yes!  Collies are fabulous dogs for children and are gentle with other pets, including cats. 

ARE COLLIES EASY TO TRAIN?

Yes!  Because of the Collie’s intelligence and desire to please, they are very easy to train.  Gentle and positive training methods are a must.

WHAT HEALTH ISSUES DO WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF?

 Beyond the normal things dogs can run into (ie viral diseases, bacterial infections, etc) Collies can have a genetic intolerance to certain drugs.  Fortunately this gene can be detected through a DNA test so we can clear our breeding dogs before adding them to a breeding program.  All of our dogs have been tested clear of this gene.  Collies can also have 2 different eye issues.  The most commonly found issue is known as “Collie Eye” and involves a thinning of the retinal membrane.  The condition does not worsen with age and the majority of Collies are not affected visually by this condition, however all puppies should be checked.  Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is another eye issue that can be found in Collies, though it is rare.  Our Collies are free of this disease.  Collies are generally not subject to elbow and hip dysplasia, however we have all our adult dogs screened.

WHAT FOOD DO YOU FEED?

Our adult dogs are fed Innova Evo Red Meat formula with 95% beef canned food mixed in twicel a day.  We also use extra supplements for coat and skin – specifically the Missing Link, Derm Caps and Flax Seed Oil added to the food once a day.  Puppies are fed Innova Large breed puppy and should have no supplements except for coat and skin. 

DO YOU PROVIDE A HEALTH GUARANTEE?

Yes, this is an important part of what is included when you purchase a puppy from us.  We guarantee that your puppy is healthy when you pick it up from us and we will replace the puppy if a congenital or genetic disease presents itself during the puppy’s first two years.  Fortunately this type of situation is rare, but despite all efforts to breed and raise only healthy dogs and puppies, genetic and congenital issues can still occur.  This is why a guarantee is provided. 

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A POTENTIAL HOME FOR A COLLIE?

We look for families that are interested in a sensitive, intelligent and family oriented dog and can provide attention, grooming and a healthy indoor and secure outdoor environment.   A sense of humor and fun is also appreciated!  On a personal note, since our puppy adopting families become part of our extended family, we prefer to work with folks who have an appreciation for what we do and are pleasant to work with.  This is a labor of love for us and the motivating factor is the happiness we are able to bring to other families through our precious Collies.  Everything we do is intended to provide our adopting families with healthy, well socialized puppies that will bring joy into your home.  If we feel that we can not meet your needs or that there is any issue that will make a working relationship difficult, we have no problem referring you to someone who may better meet your needs. 

WHAT PRACTICES DO YOU USE TO PREVENT DISEASE?

We take a very aggressive approach to managing disease prevention.  Our facilities are disinfected weekly with bleach and a hospital grade antibacterial/antiviral/antifungal agent.  No outside dogs are permitted within our property, and we do not stand our stud dogs to other breeders.  All dogs are vaccinated annually.   

WHAT ARE YOUR PARAMETERS FOR VISITS WITH THE DOGS?

Visitors are accepted on a very limited basis for many reasons including:

• Available time – full time jobs and animal care take up most of our time.  Time for visits is generally dedicated to accommodate families with a serious interest.  Appointments are generally set for weekday evenings, weekends are generally not feasible. 
• Disease prevention – since many diseases can be brought in on the shoes and clothing of humans, allowing visitors includes an element of risk.  Limiting this risk is a part of our disease prevention practice. 
• Security – our dogs are a part of our home.  Unfortunately there are people who use a visit as a means to scope out homes for theft, vandalism and animal activism /terrorism.  Our home is not open to the public and it is important for us to be discriminating about who we allow into our home. 

HOW DOES YOUR PUPPY RESERVATION PROCESS WORK?

For folks who want to be assured of a puppy, we accept deposits before the puppies are ready to go.  Most of our babies are reserved well before they are ready to go to new homes – however we do occasionally have an unreserved puppy available.  For folks who would like to be assured of a puppy from a particular litter, we accept deposits on a limited number of puppies after they are born and are about a week in age.  Deposits are $100 and are applied to the purchase price of the puppy.  Since we turn away other inquiring families to honor our reservations, deposits are non refundable UNLESS we are unable to provide a healthy puppy that will fit well into your family environment.    The balance of the purchase price is due when puppies are picked up or before shipped.  If a deposited customer chooses not to select a puppy from the current litter, the deposit may be applied to a future litter.  If no litter is planned or produced within one year from the deposit, a refund is provided.