|
INFORMATION
(click links below for articles)
Health
Research
Please see
http://www.sphynxbc.org
for more information
(click health research to see the two areas of Sphynx
research
Affairs of the Heart and The Naked Truth).
WORKING TO HELP PUT AN END TO HYPERTROPHIC
CARDIOMYOPATHY IN
THE
SPHYNX CAT
http://www.sphynxbc.org/
Code of Ethics
A Code of Ethics is a declaration of the
intention, suggestion, or requirement to follow certain beliefs, principles,
or rules to promote integrity, civility, decency, and the pursuit of
excellence. As codes are used, applied, publicized, and advocated, they
reinforce, legitimize, and strengthen the conduct and behavior outlined in
them.
Skinzin Code of Ethics
As a breeder who
uses the services of the worlds largest registry of pedigreed cats,
I understand I
have certain responsibilities to pedigreed cats and to the Cat Fanciers
Association (CFA).
I am aware that I
am representative of CFA breeders in my community.
I will breed my
cats with the intent of improving the breed and to produce healthy, happy
kittens.
I will deal
honestly with the purchasers of my kittens and cats.
To the best of my
knowledge and ability I will not, without prior disclosure, sell any
kitten/cat that is sick or has been exposed to an infectious disease.
I will not sell
or place kittens prior to their attaining a proper level of immunity against
common infectious diseases.
I will place cats
directly to the new pet owner or in a manner that will enable contact with
the ultimate owner to provide on-going education and advice.
I will strive to
house my cats in a manner exceeding the CFA Minimum Cattery Standard.
I will ensure my
cats are kept in a healthy environment and I will ensure they receive the
proper veterinary care as needed.
I will maintain
appropriate cattery records and will correctly register litters and cats.
I will work
honestly with my fellow breeders and provide timely and correct litter
registration information to those who use my cats for breeding.
I will mentor new
breeders to ensure they have a solid information foundation.
(note: This Code
of Ethics was adopted by Skinzin, and was drafted by Peg Johnson in the 2005 CFA
Board Meeting.)
|
|
Grooming
Skinzin Sphynx:
For bath time, I use Johnson
& Johnson Baby
Wash.
Any good hypoallergenic shampoo is all right, or
veterinary prescriptive shampoos. I do advise against using
baby shampoo,
as I have found it harsh to the skin. Kittens generally need a bath about once
a week. It is an easy process (they dry very quickly)! They are okay with a
bath (theyve already been bathed and groomed many times, so they are well
acclimated to the process), if you follow a few simple guidelines -- gently hold
the front legs together or they reach out with their arms as you place them in
the tub. I hold them by their front legs and support the back legs with the
other hand/arm. That way I don't get scratched and they feel really secure. I
usually use my tub to bathe it doesnt require that much water, but they have
plenty of room to get their feet wet.
Intermittently, I use
hypoallergenic baby wipes for ears, butt, and feet routinely, and just a wet
washcloth for face, if necessary. Oil accumulates around the nose, toenails and
inside the ears. You should clean the ears with ear cleaning solutions (from
your vet), and use baby oil and cosmetic cotton pads or a washcloth around the
inside of the ear. Be careful not to go deeply, cleaning only what you see.
You can take your finger with a washcloth and run it around the ear after the
baby oil. Instead of baby oil, eye makeup removal pads works very well.
Toenails should be extended and wiped off with a warm washcloth. Be gentle and
patient -- listening to your kitten's mood is important and it is best not to
frustrate your kitty with fussing too much over getting him or her clean. So be
patient and again, let your kitty tell you when enough is enough, give a treat,
then go back to cleaning later. This generally works
and gets them trained to your style of cleaning very well!!!
I use clay clumping litter,
but any litter will due. Just make sure that there is low dust in the litter
you buy. I never have trouble with kittens going in the box, but you need to
keep it picked daily. If your kitty develops a rash, first look at the type of
litter and the additives which may be in it before you panic. Many times when
trying out different things, I have found the additives to prevent smells in
litter can be harsh to the Sphynx skin. Remember,
theyre just like you they dont have the protective hair coating that other
cats do.
HOW TO EVALUATE A BREEDER
Fortunate is the
novice buyer who purchases her first cat from a reputable breeder!
The reputable
breeder is like the head of a family. She feels responsibility
toward the breed itself, toward the cats she breeds, the cats she
hopes to breed, and additionally, to all the people who have cats of
her breeding. She spends astounding amounts of his time and money on
matters she thinks are in the best interests of her breed.
It is this
awareness of responsibility with an eye toward the CFA standard for
the breed, combined with the practice of good ethics that marks the
difference between the reputable breeder and mere backyard
breeder. The reputable breeder is an artist, motivated by a drive
to create perfection, both in health and in type, or
conformation. The backyard breeders and cat dealers are motivated
by the desire to make money. They are truly in the cat business,
selling kittens and cats like over-the-counter commodities to anyone
who can pay the price. The heart of The Cat Fanciers Association
is made up of breeders. They may not all agree as to what
constitutes perfection, but by belonging to a national organization,
they are able to arrive at a consensus, which is the CFA Standard of
that breed.
The true breeder is
the link between the past and the future. Since she is well aware
that the buyer of today may be the breeder of tomorrow, she does her
best to educate people who purchase her cats in grooming, diet, and
general care, and to instill in them the ideals and values on which
she has built her reputation. Even when the cat or kitten is sold,
the breeder's help and advice does not end, but continues throughout
the cat's life, a responsibility cheerfully accepted by her without
expectation of compensation. Though the efforts involved of properly
caring for kittens may cause her sleepless nights and untold
worries, she will never let a single kitten or older cat leave for a
home that is not as good as or better than the one she is
providing. While often not fully appreciated until AFTER the kitten
or cat is brought home, this screening by the breeder is the
greatest protection a cat purchaser can have.
Beware of the
backyard breeders, as they rarely ask questions. Their main concern
is to sell kittens as quickly as possible in order to avoid
additional expense and work. Their interest ends when the sale is
completed, and they rarely guarantee the kittens general health for
feline immunity-related and inheritable diseases.
|
