FAQs

Have your Kings and Queens been health tested?

Yes, all Kings and Queens have been tested for health-related viruses and and genetic risks including HCM and PKD. When a new cat joins our Sunshine Snow family, our veterinarian completes extensive health and viral testing, and we also use Optimal Selection which is a breeder focused genetic screening analysis for 270+ health related risks.

What vaccinations will my kitten have when he/she arrives? Will he/she be microchipped?

Your kitten will be seen by a veterinarian and will receive their first vaccines. We deworm all of our kittens as a preventative, test all litters for FeLV and FIV, and provide flea and tick during summer months if your kitten has access to our catio.

Your kitten will be microchipped, and you will be provided with their number and instructions on how to register your kitten’s microchip.

Do you provide a health guarantee?

We provide a two-year health guarantee against fatal genetic and hereditary disorders. Your kitten will receive a comprehensive veterinary examination to ensure they are in excellent health before pick-up, and you will receive those records. We also require you to schedule a wellness visit with your veterinarian after delivery for continuity of care.

When can I take my kitten home?

You can pick up your kitten at our home in Raleigh, NC, or we can recommend a trusted transportation service (ground or flight nanny) at approximately 12+ weeks of age. We keep kittens until 12 weeks as their mom is busy nurturing them, and we are socializing them. This also gives us time to ensure your kittens receive the proper vaccinations and veterinarian health check.

Many of our customers fly into the local airport, Raleigh-Durham International (RDU). We live 10 minutes from the airport and can meet you there.

I have heard that Siberians are hypoallergenic, is that true?

While no cat is completely hypoallergenic, Siberians generally have a much lower level of Fel d 1, the typical protein in a cat’s saliva which can cause an allergic reaction. We regularly place Siberians with families concerned with allergies and we have extensive experience with managing our own cat allergies. We can provide a fur test, help you understand allergies, and can advise on research-backed methods for managing cat allergies with your cat and within your home.

How will my kitten be raised, and how do you match kittens to families?

You kitten will be raised in our home environment. We spend our time holding and desensitizing kittens when they are new babies. As they grow, we engage them in activities, carry them around, expose them to different experiences and family members, and help them to grow and develop their curiosity and problem-solving skills. Today there are many excellent kitten foods available - we have chosen one of the highest rated brands and provide nutritional supplements to give our kittens the healthiest start in life. We also cook for our kittens and cats every other night but don’t worry, your new kitten will not expect home-cooked meals unless you want to provide them!

‍We help match kittens to families. We observe our kittens’ behavior and personalities from the beginning. We can tell if they are outgoing and curious, or a bit shy and reserved. In addition, we know the temperament of our breeder cats and the Siberian in general. They are super adaptable to busy families and other pets, or more serene environments where you want and need a companion for therapeutic purposes. We get to know you, your family and the attributes you are looking for - and we go from there!

What is in your contract?

We require all customers to sign a contract that covers multiple areas. Following is a summary:

Our contract covers our two-year health guarantee against fatal hereditary and congenital defects.
We typically do not sell kittens or cats with breeding rights, your kitten is sold to you as a pet only, and you agree to spay/neuter your kitten no later than 8 months of age.
You agree your kitten will be an indoor cat or will be supervised while outdoors. Many of our customers have enclosed catios and participate in many outdoor activities with their cats - this is encouraged.
You will not declaw your kitten/cat. Declawing a kitten or cat can be detrimental to their physical and mental health.

How much are your kittens?

Our kittens are generally priced at $2,800 USD as of September 1, 2026 which includes microchipping, first vaccines, FIV and FeLV testing, and deworming as a preventative. This does not include delivery transportation if needed. We do not spay/neuter as we believe Siberians should be spayed/neutered at an appropriate age and weight. Customers are required to spay/neuter per our contract by 8 months of age.

Can I visit your cattery?

While we know you will be excited to pick out your kitten and see them grow up, we can accomplish all of this through Facetime, photos, and videos of the litter.

We do not allow in-person visits as we may have unvaccinated kittens in our cattery, and unfortunately, viruses/bacteria, etc., can unknowingly be brought in. Please understand that the health and welfare of our kittens is our number one priority.

If you are considering the Siberian breed because you suffer from cat allergies, we can mail you a fur test. Spending time with an unspayed or in-tact Siberian is not the best way to gauge an allergic reaction. We can; however, help you understand what to expect with your specific allergies if you buy a Siberian, and how to mitigate allergies with your cat and within your home.

How will my kitten be raised, and how do you match kittens to families?

I live out of town, how do I know if your cattery is a scam?

Sunshine Snow Siberians is not a scam, and we are not a backyard breeder. We are TICA-registered and committed to ethical breeding practices. But you are right to ask questions and should read our FAQ below on “How can I spot a scam cattery on the internet?” Our kittens are raised in our home and socialized lovingly, by our family members. To increase trust with our new customers, we prefer to Facetime so that you can get to know us. We are happy to show you around our home, introduce you to our cats, and show you our available kittens. We are also happy to provide references and you may text us at any time with questions. Please feel free to check our TICA registration, and you can also find Beth on the “About Us” page of our local TNVR organization, Operation Catnip, Raleigh. Please continue reading below.

How can I spot a scam cattery on the internet?

Unfortunately, some catteries are a scam. These catteries are set up to look like real catteries, and it is heart-breaking. We have customers who have lost a lot money who eventually found us, and we know their stories, so we have provided this information in our Q&A. These catteries have a script, they know exactly what to say to customers, and their websites look very nice and very legitimate. They use AI to provide all the answers that will make you comfortable. It is so easy to be taken advantage of a scam cattery because they have thought of all the questions you will ask, and they have perfected the art of getting money out of people. If you are the victim of a scam, don’t feel bad. It can happen to anyone!

Some signs that a cattery is a scam are the following:

Pricing is too good to be true. The price of a quality Siberian kitten from a reputable breeder is typically between $2,000 and $4,000 USD. If a cattery is asking for $500, $1500, or even $1800, it could be a scam. Another reason could be that they don’t health test (a guarantee is NOT a replacement for health testing), kittens are raised in a sub-standard environment, or they are being imported. You could see retired breeders or rescued Siberians for this price, but if the price is low, you need to understand why.
You are not able to Facetime your breeder. Minimally, you should be able to Facetime the breeder and see their kittens and cats. You should be able to see the cat/kitten you are buying! With regards to visits, some catteries are closed and won’t schedule visits for the safety of their kittens, but a breeder should be able to Facetime or schedule a video chat with you. The scam catteries are GOOD, and they may say “the kittens are raised in our home so we cannot Facetime you to protect our privacy”. Our kittens are raised in our home and we do Facetime customers all the time - so if you are worried, push for this!
They report things about their kittens that are too good to be true. Recently, one of our customers gave us the url for a scam cattery. Their kittens were around $1800 and they reported out HCM/PKD results, and the allergen test levels for their kittens. Legitimate catteries provide HCM/PKD results for the parents of kittens - but we don’t do genetic testing on our kittens because 2 clear parents produce clear kittens. Some catteries - those that specialize in low allergen levels - do allergen level testing on their kittens - but this is definitely the exception vs. the rule, and if they do, their kittens will cost between $5,000 - $6,000. A proper allergen test for a kitten is a saliva test and they cost $750. We are floored when we see a kitten advertised that supposedly has genetic and allergen testing for the price of $1800.
Do a reverse image search on Google. Scam catteries are put up on the internet, eventually reported, and then taken down. But they have a hard time erasing their digital footprint. Take one of the images on their site, and do a reverse image search. If the image is associated with many sites, check those sites. If they have been taken down, the cattery is most likely a scam. There are some catteries that partner together and may both share images of kittens/cats - but if they have a partner, that should be stated on their website.
You should be able to find their social media site(s). Catteries today know that they need a social media presence - and one that was not created yesterday. For whatever reason, we cannot get all of our social media links to work on our site - but we are on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook under sunshinesnowsiberians. If you are vetting a cattery, look for their social media presence. Scams can hide behind a beautiful website, but it is harder to provide a legitimate and expansive social media presence for any length of time.
Breeders should be registered. One of the most popular registering organizations is TICA through which our cattery is registered. There are others such as CFA. Make sure to go to the registering organization published by the breeder and search for the breeder’s name to make sure they are a member in good standing.
Ask for references from other customers. We are not sure if scam catteries provide references, but they probably do. So ask for more than one if you are worried.