We often get asked WHY we refuse to let our babies go to their forever homes until after 14 weeks. No this is not negotiable. No we don't care if you can get "another" kitten somewhere else at a younger age - it wont be from us ! No we don't care if you offer us ... whatever you may try to bargain with us for the early release of one of our precious babies.
What we DO care about is the health of our babies. The proper socialization of our babies. And the proper development. As a mother myself - think of it this way. A kitten at only 8 weeks of age - the minimum age required under Federal law - is in the emotional and developmental age of a 3 year old. Now take that 3 year old child- spay or neuter them, and send them to a new home. A home with other adults, new rules, and say here you go - figure it out. Oh and eat what everyone else is eating and behave as if you fit in with no mother and no siblings. Hmmmmmmmmmm , no one in their right mind would accept this NOR expect a 3 year old child to do this. Well folks that is exactly what you are doing to that 8 week old kitten !
Even at 4 months of age - a kitten is only the emotional equivalent of an 8 year old child. Now that child should have some life experience in basic manners, right , wrong, potty habits and eating - but lets face it - even 8 year olds need to be reminded and corrected, and so does your kitten. But the basics are now in place.
chart copied from http://icatcare.org/advice/how-guides/how-tell-your-cat%E2%80%99s-age-human-years
Below is a super detailed article about development, and the young kitten. I would encourage everyone to read through it.
http://www.breedlist.com/faq/young.html
What we DO care about is the health of our babies. The proper socialization of our babies. And the proper development. As a mother myself - think of it this way. A kitten at only 8 weeks of age - the minimum age required under Federal law - is in the emotional and developmental age of a 3 year old. Now take that 3 year old child- spay or neuter them, and send them to a new home. A home with other adults, new rules, and say here you go - figure it out. Oh and eat what everyone else is eating and behave as if you fit in with no mother and no siblings. Hmmmmmmmmmm , no one in their right mind would accept this NOR expect a 3 year old child to do this. Well folks that is exactly what you are doing to that 8 week old kitten !
Even at 4 months of age - a kitten is only the emotional equivalent of an 8 year old child. Now that child should have some life experience in basic manners, right , wrong, potty habits and eating - but lets face it - even 8 year olds need to be reminded and corrected, and so does your kitten. But the basics are now in place.
Below is a super detailed article about development, and the young kitten. I would encourage everyone to read through it.
http://www.breedlist.com/faq/young.html
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