Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ragdoll the right cat breed for me?
What traits does Hallmark Ragdolls specialize in?
What sets Hallmark Ragdolls apart from competitors?
Why should I buy from a breeder?
Is shipping stressful for the cat?
Why is Hallmark Ragdolls against declawing?
Is there a contract? A health guarantee?
Why doesn't Hallmark Ragdolls routinely alter kittens before sale?
How much do Hallmark Ragdolls cost?

Is the Ragdoll the right cat breed for me? If you want a large, quiet, super-friendly, less active underfoot indoor lap cat (whew!), then the answer is an emphatic YES. If you want a vocal cat, you may not be happy with the quiet Ragdoll. Frequent travelers may find this attention-seeking breed unsuitable as an only pet. Expectant parents have no need to worry about a jealous new feline addition to the family; Ragdolls are easygoing and not given to jealousy over rivals for affection. There are no special health concerns for this breed, so expect to devote a good 15-20 years to this loving companion.

What traits does Hallmark Ragdolls specialize in? Hallmark Ragdolls specializes in breeding for the easygoing affectionate personality that is the hallmark of the breed, appreciated in both our show-quality and pet-quality cats and kittens. I focus equally on breeding for excellent health and the appearance which exemplifies the breed: large size; deep, brilliant blue eyes; broad, full faces; solid bone structure; and perfection in markings. I love all patterns and colors, and I breed many of them. Pet-quality Ragdolls may lack the perfection in markings or eye color that are the hallmark of show-quality cats but still retain that magnificent Ragdoll personality and intelligence.

What sets Hallmark Ragdolls apart from other breeders? Hallmark Ragdolls has over 20 years of experience breeding Ragdolls and produces cats that exemplify the breed without sacrificing the vitality of our breeding stock. We are NOT a kitten mill. Each kitten is raised underfoot with lots of love and attention, and kittens are only allowed to leave their mothers after they have matured sufficiently and learned critical social skills (about 12-14 weeks), such as socializing with others and using litter boxes and scratching posts. Breeding cats are allowed sufficient time between litters to put their best efforts into grooming each litter for adulthood and maintaining their own best health. Cat breeding is not something that those motivated solely by money should attempt. I do it for love of the Ragdoll breed, and spreading the joy of Ragdoll ownership among as many people as wish to be "owned" by one!

Why should I buy from a breeder? As a loving owner, you want your cat to be with you for as many years as possible and free from the trauma of disease and defects. Buying from a breeder ensures that the cat's health history is known and gives you greater security in knowing that your beloved companion will be free from common problems such as Feline Leukemia, Feline AIDS, heart and kidney disease, and parasites. Adopting a cat from a shelter is commendable, but the animal's health history is a mystery. You may find yourself losing that pet early to hidden disease or spending more on vet bills over the cat's lifetime. Buying from a pet shop also has its dangers; many shopping mall pets are bought as impulse buys, and such buyers often haven't given much thought to looking after their new pet's long-term welfare. Additionally, many shopping mall pet shops buy their animals from "kitten mills" who inhumanely exhaust their breeding stock and don't properly socialize their animals for eventual buyers. Such animals are often caged and not raised with the consistent love and attention that a breeder offers their animals. Buying from a breeder is a process, not an impulse. There are often waiting lists for kittens, as demand may exceed supply due to more humane "refreshment" periods between litters. Breeders also often require a contract with the new pet-quality cat owner stating that the owner must remain committed to the cat for its entire life, not declaw the cat, provide adequate medical care, spay/neuter the cat, and even be subject to occasional visits from the breeder to ensure that the contract is being adhered to. In short, buying from a breeder ensures you are paying for a healthy pet whose welfare remains paramount.

Hallmark Ragdolls ships worldwide. Is shipping stressful for the cat? Not as much as one might think. Because of the Ragdoll's friendly, easygoing nature, they suffer less stress than other breeds during shipping and travel in general. Great care is taken to ship humanely and minimize any stress the cat may feel. Your cat may arrive slightly anxious but ready to attach itself to your heels per true Ragdoll nature!

Why is Hallmark Ragdolls against declawing cats? Hallmark Ragdolls believes that declawing is unnecessary and inhumane. Many countries worldwide have banned it for exactly those reasons. Declawing is not like clipping a cat's nails; it is the amputation of the entire last joint of the cat's toe. You are essentially cutting off half the cat's toes and destroying the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves there. These take many months to heal. Cats walk on their toes and need their whole toes for balance. Declawed cats suffer terrible pain during healing and can become extremely sensitive about their paws even long after healing. Some may exhibit undesirable behavior, like refusing to use the litter box, because their damaged toes never feel right again digging in the litter. All the same goes for cats who undergo a newer procedure called tendectomy, where the joint is left intact but the tendon is cut. Most cats can be quite easily trained with positive reinforcement to use scratching posts, and clipping nails is likewise easy. For more stubborn cats, there are other humane alternatives, such as Soft Paws®. Learn more about declawing in general here, and don't be afraid to ask your breeder about alternatives when purchasing.

Is there a contract I must agree to? Is there a health guarantee? Yes and yes. You may view the text of the Hallmark Ragdolls Pet Purchase Guarantee and Agreement here. At time of shipment, pickup, or delivery, your new cat or kitten is guaranteed to be free from FIP, FELV, FIV, parasites, and genetic or congenital defect. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your cat or kitten, you may exchange for one of similar quality. Note that because their immune systems are often not yet fully mature, some kittens do get sniffles or watery eyes once exposed to their new homes. That will pass as their immune systems mature and adjust. If you need reassurance, by all means call us.

Some breeders alter (spay/neuter) their kittens before selling. Why doesn't Hallmark Ragdolls do this? Many customers want their kitten as soon as it's ready to go to its new home (beween 12-14 weeks of age), and we believe that is simply too young to stress the animal with altering. Ideally a male can be neutered at 4 months, while we prefer to wait longer to spay females. If a customer is willing to wait until we deem the kitten ready for altering, we will do it at an additional cost. Please note that Hallmark Ragdolls reserves the right per its contract to require proof of altering of a pet or show quality kitten from the customer within 6-9 months after purchase or the customer may be liable for the difference in price between those and a breeding cat.

How much do Hallmark Ragdolls cost? It depends on the quality.

Our prices are competitive with other Ragdoll breeders. We sell males for the same price as females. Cats with rarer colors and patterns will cost more. Your new Ragdoll cat or kitten comes with the above-mentioned health guarantee.

Buyers do bear shipping costs if applicable, which vary. We ship worldwide. Be sure to ask us about them.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, personal checks (within the United States), and cash. You may use your credit card to pay online using PayPal; see our Pay Online page.

Last but not least, keep in mind that Hallmark Ragdolls cares intensely about the future welfare of our cats and does not sell a cat to just anyone who can pay. Be prepared to answer questions about your past pet ownership as well as your future plans for your pets and their family. And of course it's a two-way street. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, so do feel free to contact us.