Bellahima Snowshoes - Snowshoe Cat Breeder NSW

Snowshoe Cat Breeder - NSW

Bellahima Snowshoes is the first Cattery in New South Wales to breed the Snowshoe Cat. Bellahima is based in the beautiful Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Our kittens are available to be rehomed anywhere in Australia. Overseas enquiries are most welcome.

The Snowshoe is a truly delightful breed. A feline of great beauty, outgoing and social personality, with a love for company. The Snowshoe Cat (originally known as "Silver Laces") was developed in Philadelphia, USA, in the 1960s. The Snowshoe is still quite a rare breed worldwide and we only have four active breeders here in Australia.
They are blue-eyed beauties and their markings are a combination of the stunning colourpoint from the Siamese with touches of white. They can range from straight Colourpoint (resembling old style Siamese) through to "High White" (more than 2/3 of their body being white). The most commonly known markings for the Snowshoe is the highly coverted "Classic Pattern". With the even body shading graduating to the darker colourpoints, with "snowshoes" and the inverted "V" adorning the face, it is easy to see why it's so popular. The classic pattern is extremely difficult to predict and produce due to the nature of the genes involved in this unique combination. Snowshoe kittens are born creamy white and do not begin to show their colour and markings until around 10-14 days of age, sometimes it can take even longer. It's always exciting to watch them develop as no two Snowshoes are the same.
Their personality is friendly, affectionate and outgoing. They love company and are not suited to being left alone and do require other family members, whether they be human, feline or canine. Consequently, they are compatible with children and other pets. They are generally quite chatty but their voice isn't as loud as that of the Siamese. They are very intelligent and can be trained to use a harness and do basic tricks. They have a reputation for being fond of water and I've shared a shower occasionally. They are active and curious and like to be where the action is. Although they are extremely interactive with family members they can be a little timid with strangers but usually warm up quickly to visitors. They are naturally inclined to stick within a close home territory which makes them ideal as indoor only cats. However, they do enjoy the benefits of a window box or enclosed outdoor run.

Our kittens are raised in a family environment and enjoy the benefits of a busy household. They are wormed, flea treated, vaccinated (2x F3), microchipped and desexed prior to leaving Bellahima. They come with bedding and an assortment of toys. Our kittens also come with a complementary 6 weeks pet health insurance plan from Petplan

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Get in touch

0435 123 125

Location: NSW

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Registrations & memberships

Registration: NSWCFA;

Prefix: Bellahima

Clubs & Assoc: New South Wales Cat Fanciers Association (NSWCFA) Registration number: 126244

Our standards & practices

Health testing & screening

Q. Do you health test in accordance with the current standards and recommended guidelines for your breed? Can you demonstrate your knowledge of any required DNA or other health related test results concerning your breed (if applicable).

A. Yes.I regularly have my breeding cats and kittens vet checked and do all testing recommended by the vet.

Preparation & socialisation

Q. Do you ensure that your kittens are appropriately socialised? Please provide details about how you raise your kittens to ensure that their environmental and social needs are met, that they are suitable as pets. And, do you ensure that the new family understands and is equipped to continue this socialisation?

A. Yes.Kittens are born in my bedroom and are handled daily from birth. Kittens are then socialised with other cats and family members as they grow.

Placement & matching

Q. Is ensuring that your kittens go to the right home a high priority? How do you ensure that the kitten will be a good fit, and be well cared for in its new home? Do you have a verbal or personal interview?

A. Yes.I screen potential families and ask a series of questions regarding their experience and knowledge of cats and specifically the breed. I speak with them on the phone multiple times and meet them face to face where possible.

Q. What written information about the conditions of sale, warranty, and information concerning the care and maintenance of the breed do you provide?

A. Yes.Health guarantee, replacement warranty, kittens are desexed prior to rehoming, I interview all potential families looking to adopt my kittens, guarantee to take kittens/cats back if the family is unable to properly care for them or their circumstances change that prevents them from keeping the kittens/cats.

Ongoing support

Q. Do you offer ongoing support? For example: Help with introducing a kitten to other animals; help with any health or behavioural problems that might occur.

A. Yes.I take kittens/cats back if the family is unable to properly care for them or their circumstances change that prevents them from keeping the kittens/cats. I provide written material on caring for new kittens and support in the transitional period. I provide a 12 month health guarantee. I invite families to join my online social forums.

Q. In the long term, do you assist with re-homing a kitten or cat if for some reason the new family are unable to care for it?

A. Yes.If the are unable to rehome the kittens/cats themselves then I find a new home on their behalf.

Clubs & Associations

Q. Are you a current member of any breed clubs and/or associations?

A. Yes.Branxton Wine Country Cat Club

See Snowshoe breed info, photos, more Snowshoe breeders