Jeannie
Younger kittens have a better chance of adjusting!
If I order from Purebred Kitties again, I would definitely order a much younger kitten. Mine was 6 months when I ordered and 8 months when she arrived. She was totally traumatized by moving to the other side of the world! We are trying to get to know each other but we have a language barrier plus different customs. She doesn’t understand English, so NO is meaningless to her. One day in frustration I shouted NYET, and she stopped immediately! Shucks - now I need to take Russian language lessons. My poor kitty was really depressed! Her eyes were dull and lifeless. Too many changes! For the first 8 months her life was safe and predictable, and then everything went to hell overnight. She already had her life planned out and those plans definitely didn’t include me. Since most of the kittens they sell are half her age, relocating isn’t as difficult for them. After 6 weeks in the USA, if I left my kitty alone with my phone and credit card, I know she would order a plane ticket back home to Ukraine. Would I order from Purebred Kitties again? Not after what happened next!!! I tried for 2 months, treating this cat with kindness even though we never bonded. My vet said the cat was a product of inbreeding - with carpal valgus (joint malformation) ... and extremely low intelligence! A mentally disabled cat would never be safe in the home of a woodworker with saw blades and power tools everywhere. She needed to go! But Purebred Kitties customer service said they want to control where I send the cat. Ten minutes later Maria (the owner) called and told me I was a horrible human being and should never be allowed to have another cat. She was shockingly rude - said the most terrible things!!! Maria didn’t care where the cat went - said that was my problem. The whole conversation was totally inappropriate and I lost all respect for Purebred Kitties. She berated me for 16 minutes, then said she was blacklisting me. Fine - I would never get another cat without meeting it first!!!
Response from Purebred KittiesNov 20, 2025
Hi Jeannie, Thank you for taking the time to share such an honest, thoughtful, and detailed account of your experience. We truly appreciate how much care, patience, and effort you’ve already given your new kitty — it’s clear you want the very best for her, and we’re grateful she ended up with someone so committed to helping her adjust. We understand how challenging it can be for an older kitten to relocate internationally. While most families choose much younger kittens — which naturally adapt more quickly — the transition for an 8-month-old can be significantly harder, especially after leaving a familiar environment, routine, and language. Your frustration is completely valid, and we’re sorry that the adjustment has been so emotional for both of you. Regarding her origin, we do work with licensed international breeders, including those in Ukraine, and every kitten travels with the required documents and passport. We never want any family to feel surprised by this information, and we sincerely apologize if this wasn’t communicated clearly from the beginning. Transparency is incredibly important, and your feedback helps us continue improving how we explain the process. We’re encouraged to hear that with time — and even some creative problem solving — she’s already showing brighter eyes, more engagement, and glimmers of trust. These early signs are meaningful, and it’s very common for older kittens to take several weeks or even months to fully settle into a new home and bond with their family. We’re here to support you however we can. If you’d like guidance on bonding, behavior, or easing the transition further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You’ve already done so much right, and we’re confident that with patience and consistency, she’ll continue opening up more each day. Thank you again for your thoughtful review and for giving her a safe, loving home during such a massive life change. Warmest regards, Purebred Kitties Team