If you are looking for a gentle, affectionate, and beautiful cat breed, you might want to consider the Birman. This long-haired, color-pointed cat has a silky coat, deep blue eyes, and white “gloves” on each paw. The Birman is also known as the Sacred Cat of Burma and has a mysterious and fascinating history.
In this article, we will introduce you to five Birman cat breeders in Michigan, where you can find your perfect feline companion. We will also give you some tips on how to choose a reputable and responsible breeder, and what to expect from the Birman breed.
Birman Cat Breeders in Michigan: An Overview
Before we dive into our list of Birman cat breeders in Michigan, let’s take a moment to understand the Birman breed and the benefits of purchasing from a reputable breeder.
Understanding the Birman Breed
The Birman is a medium-sized breed with a heavy bone structure. Most Birmans weigh between 7 to 14 pounds, with males slightly larger than females. The Birman has a long, silky coat that does not mat easily, and requires minimal grooming. The coat is light-colored, with darker points on the face, ears, legs, and tail. The points come in various colors, such as seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, red, and tortie. The most distinctive feature of the Birman is the white “gloves” on each paw, which contrast with the point color. The Birman also has stunning blue eyes that are medium to large and fairly round.
The Birman is a sweet and gentle cat that gets along with almost everyone, including other cats and dogs. The Birman is social and loyal and loves spending time with its family. The Birman is also playful and curious, but not overly active or demanding. The Birman is a quiet and soft-spoken cat, with a far softer voice than its close cousin, the Siamese. The Birman is an ideal cat for those who want a loving and easy-going companion.
Benefits of Purchasing from a Reputable Breeder
Purchasing a Birman kitten from a reputable breeder has many advantages. A reputable breeder is someone who is knowledgeable and passionate about the breed, and who cares for the health and welfare of their cats and kittens. A reputable breeder will:
- Provide you with a healthy and well-socialized kitten that has been vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped.
- Provide you with a written contract and a health guarantee that covers genetic and congenital defects.
- Provide you with the pedigree and registration papers of the kitten, as well as the health records of the parents.
- Provide you with ongoing support and advice on how to care for your kitten and cat.
- Follow the ethical standards and code of conduct of the breed associations and clubs.
Purchasing a Birman kitten from a reputable breeder will ensure that you get a quality kitten that meets the breed standard and has a good temperament. It will also help you avoid the risks of buying from a backyard breeder, a pet store, or a kitten mill, where the cats and kittens are often neglected, abused, or sick.
Birman Cat Breeders in Michigan: Our Top Picks
Now that you have a better understanding of the Birman breed and the benefits of purchasing from a reputable breeder, let’s take a look at our top picks of Birman cat breeders in Michigan. These breeders are registered with the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and/or The International Cat Association (TICA), and have a good reputation for producing healthy and beautiful Birman kittens.
1. Birmans Online
Birmans Online is a small cattery located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The owner, Ann Hoehn, has been breeding Birmans since 1996 and is a member of the Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers and the Great Lakes Birman Fanciers. Birmans Online specializes in seal and blue point Birmans and occasionally has other colors available. Birmans Online kittens are raised in a loving home environment and are well-socialized with children and dogs. Birmans Online kittens come with a health guarantee, a contract, and a spay/neuter agreement. You can contact Birmans Online through their website or their Facebook page.
2. ForHim Birmans
ForHim Birmans is a small cattery located in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The owner, Karen Collette, has been breeding Birmans since 2008 and is a member of the Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers and the Great Lakes Birman Fanciers. ForHim Birmans breeds all colors of Birmans and strives to produce kittens that are healthy, happy, and well-adjusted. ForHim Birmans kittens are raised underfoot and are exposed to various sounds and stimuli. ForHim Birmans kittens come with a health guarantee, a contract, and a spay/neuter agreement. You can contact ForHim Birmans through their website or their Facebook page.
3. Kalliste Birmans
Kalliste Birmans is a small cattery located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The owner, Lisa Bressler, has been breeding Birmans since 2009 and is a member of the Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers and the Great Lakes Birman Fanciers. Kalliste Birmans breeds seal, blue, lilac, and chocolate point Birmans, and focuses on health, temperament, and type. Kalliste Birmans kittens are raised in a home environment and are socialized with children and other pets. Kalliste Birmans kittens come with a health guarantee, a contract, and a spay/neuter agreement. You can contact Kalliste Birmans through their website or their Facebook page.
4. Party Paws Birmans
Party Paws Birmans is a small cattery located in Lansing, Michigan. The owner, Jennifer Sable, has been breeding Birmans since 2010 and is a member of the Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers and the Great Lakes Birman Fanciers. Party Paws Birmans breeds seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, red, and tortie point Birmans, and aims to produce kittens that are healthy, friendly, and beautiful. Party Paws Birmans kittens are raised in a family setting and are socialized with children and other animals. Party Paws Birmans kittens come with a health guarantee, a contract, and a spay/neuter agreement. You can contact Party Paws Birmans through their website or their Facebook page.
5. Luvnmittens Birmans
Luvnmittens Birmans is a small cattery located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The owner, Michele Andrade, has been breeding Birmans since 2011 and is a member of the Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers and the Great Lakes Birman Fanciers. Luvnmittens Birmans breeds seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, red, and tortie point Birmans, and strives to produce kittens that are healthy, loving, and gorgeous. Luvnmittens Birmans kittens are raised in a home environment and are socialized with children and dogs. Luvnmittens Birmans kittens come with a health guarantee, a contract, and a spay/neuter agreement. You can contact Luvnmittens Birmans through their website or their Facebook page.
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Birman Breeder
Before you decide to purchase a Birman kitten from one of the breeders we have listed, there are some things you should consider and ask the breeder. These include:
Health and Genetic Screenings
A reputable breeder will test their breeding cats for common health issues and genetic diseases that affect the Birman breed, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). A reputable breeder will also provide you with the health certificates and test results of the parents and the kitten and will disclose any health problems or concerns they have encountered.
Socialization of Kittens
A reputable breeder will raise their kittens in a home environment and will expose them to various people, animals, and situations. A well-socialized kitten will be more confident, outgoing, and adaptable, and will have fewer behavioral problems in the future. A reputable breeder will also allow you to visit their cattery and meet the kittens and the parents and will provide you with updates and photos of the kitten’s development.
Contract and Warranty Policies
A reputable breeder will provide you with a written contract and a health guarantee that covers the kitten for a certain period of time. The contract will specify the terms and conditions of the sale, such as the price, the deposit, the spay/neuter agreement, the registration papers, and the return policy. The health guarantee will specify the health status of the kitten, the vaccinations and deworming it has received, and the warranty period and coverage. A reputable breeder will also offer you ongoing support and advice and will be willing to take back the kitten if you are unable to keep it for any reason.
