Kittens Are Family — And Family Begins with Careful Adoption
In our cattery, and many others like it, you'll notice we often refer to bringing home a kitten as an "adoption." Some may wonder — why use this term when money is exchanged? Why not just say "purchase" or "buying a kitten"?
The answer lies in how we view our kittens — not as products, but as lives. Every kitten born at Winter Forest Cats is raised with immense care, intention, and tenderness. They are not commodities; they are little beings who deserve a future that honours the start they were given.
Much like human adoption, feline adoption involves more than a transaction. It’s a process built on compatibility, readiness, and a deep sense of responsibility. Just as adopting a child involves legal, emotional, and financial commitments — so too does adopting a kitten from a reputable cattery.
It’s worth noting that human adoptions also involve significant costs. These aren’t payments for the child themselves, but for the care, screening, legal support, and lifelong responsibilities undertaken by agencies and guardians. In a similar way, our adoption fee reflects the time, medical care, socialisation, and dedication that go into raising a healthy, emotionally balanced kitten — along with our commitment to supporting that life for years to come.
We also respect the idea of boundaries — which is why we offer both "open" and "closed" adoption styles. Some families stay in close contact, sending updates and sharing milestones. Others prefer a quieter, more private connection. Both are honoured equally. We are here when needed, but never intrusive.
Every kitten adoption at Winter Forest also comes with a simple Guardianship Agreement. This document outlines the shared responsibilities between us as breeders and you as the kitten’s new guardian. It covers basic expectations for care, communication, and support — always written with the kitten’s wellbeing in mind. You can read the full agreement anytime on our website.
In choosing the word "adoption," we hope to remind ourselves and our future kitten guardians that this is more than a moment — it's a relationship. One that deserves the same care, compassion, and reverence we’d give to any life entrusted into our hands.
And because of that, we understand when families wait — sometimes months or even years — for the right match. Good things take time. Precious things always do.