This Q&A is designed to provide insights into the experience of being a guardian home for Spellbound, offering a candid look at the journey from various perspectives.
Getting Started
- What made you say yes to being a guardian home for Spellbound? I have been following the Spellbound Siberian cattery since March 2019 and when I finally purchased Precious Marie in July 2023 I had fallen in love with the breed itself, Carole & Clint’s ethical breeding philosophy, and the unique benefit of a breed that opens the door of cat ownership to allergy-suffering cat lovers. When Carole felt a calling to mention what a great Mother Marie would be I felt pulled into the idea and the benefits it could bring to my three daughters to participate in an effort of love raising kittens, especially as my eldest has a deep interest in pursuing a career in Animal Science.
- What were your biggest hesitations or concerns going in—and how have those changed? I was initially hesitant about the risks of being a partner in any handshake deals but as we talked things through, Carole had a very intelligent strategy with thoughtful contracts and a plan for any exit-strategies or issues along with plans on how we would mitigate them. Trust grew every time we spoke and I felt comfortable and supported with a focus on our growing kindred relationship and doing what's best for the beautiful cats we're blessed to care for.
- Was the setup process easier or harder than you expected? I wasn't intimidated by the process but was more eager to see it through, and it always seemed like we knew the next step and had time to complete it. We were working on lock step and communicated well, I was never left shocked or bothered by the process as it developed.
- What kind of support did you receive early on? I've had access to Carole whenever I've needed it and she'll prioritize calls or texts according to their urgency. Sometimes she'll even make things more urgent for her to respond to than necessary. I've never felt like I had a gap in support, and I've been patiently educated along the way on whatever I need to know. It's a luxury to have access to so many years of experience in cat breeding and kitten care.
Day-to-Day Experience
- What’s it like living with a breeding pair? Anything surprising? It's essentially the same as having any other adult cat pair except cats have no concept of privacy so you may witness animal intimacy while in any scenario of your life. You could be having a heart to heart with a family member and then hear the cries of mating near you; though it's really only natural and should be encouraged for healthy behaviors. Then for the birthing and raising kittens, there's nothing you can do to prevent messes. There are plenty of tools to clean up after them but no amount of proofing will prevent the mess, it will only make them easier to clean.
- How has this been different from owning a pet cat? This very much is a business and it's important to set aside time to communicate with Carole and future owners to include documenting their activities and personalities in both writing and photos and videos. It's also important to make adjustments to your plans to make yourself available for the scheduled events (vet visit, kitten pickup or delivery) where the timeline is only decided by the timing of when kittens are born. Also, on a very positive note, you get to love and care and witness so many baby kittens develop! So many more than you would otherwise care for. I've loved 25 kittens so far and it's a true honor. Getting updates from their forever families over time has also become a great joy.
• Has anything been more challenging than expected? More rewarding? It's been more challenging than I expected to coordinate our lives when a Queen is in labor but we already had plans. It's never been a real emergency, just a few canceled social plans… but it always makes me think that you need to make preparations for any possibilities the closer labor nears. Fortunately, labor is mostly natural to cats and I've missed the whole labor twice without incident due to it occurring quickly in the middle of the night. However, it was more successful than it might have been because we'd already prepared a well-arranged nesting area that was warm and had adequate food, water, and bedding covered in absorbent pads.
- How does it feel to be part of raising kittens? There is nothing sweeter to me than being part of the development of kittens, especially a delightful breed like Siberians who come more playful and affectionate than the average cat. Carole has curated an awesome business and runs it well and Guardians get the luxury of focusing on the care of two cats (or three) and their babies. It's honestly a fascinating thing to be involved in, more similar to an enjoyable hobby.
- What does your day look like during the pregnancy and after birth? Pregnant cat's behavior is altered making them sometimes more affectionate and sometimes more withdrawn. For withdrawn Queens it's so important to take their lead while also insisting on still grooming and loving on them when they'll allow it and giving them comfortable private space; this shows respect and not abandonment. For more affectionate Queens, have some strategies to always show them attention as a priority… maybe she can't be near your face while you're eating but she can sit on your feet with a treat or chew toy and you'll brush her or pet her afterwards. Increased feedings, access to high calorie treats and fresh water, lots of belly rubs and never holding them without supporting the back legs and belly. Then nearing birth to watch her select a preferred birth space if possible, or create one and have her visit it often with your company. During birth I settle into the area just as I would a pregnant woman and dedicate myself to being her partner in the birth. Afterwards, there are a few weeks of more focused Mama care, while she exclusively nurses, making sure to change bedding often to help avoid her moving the kittens. Then they begin roaming and you need a kitten space for a few weeks while she introduces potty training and eating solid foods. Eventually, they'll be ready to leave that area and your real work with the kittens begins.
Working with Carole
- How has communication been with Carole throughout the process? It feels like a comfortable partnership and she's very similar in mindset to me so it's been like communicating with a friend I've been close to for years longer than I actually have.
- Do you feel like you have a say in decisions or are more hands-off? It feels very collaborative, while also not feeling micromanaged. On big choices I'm confident in presenting ideas and getting approval on them or another approach requested. It's very respectful two-way communication. We also worked together to develop tools that made our partnership easier. It's a real success story. The thing that works best is that from the start I proactively provided regular updates including any details I'd want someone to tell me if they were holding my business and loved ones in their care.
• • What kind of guidance or help have you received when questions come up? I've had no shame in asking questions and having very detailed conversations about all things from poo to animal sex to cat behaviors and training methods. Nothing has been taboo or uncomfortable and Carole will always explain how she got to the approaches she has about what's important to her so I always know why she's guiding me one or another way on a topic. She's always quick but also patient knowing that this is just a part of our lives and never puts undue pressure on me when I've got my focus on other important things in life. We check in regularly throughout the week but should I have any need we can talk regularly throughout the day or even the night. She kept me company from afar on the entire first birth and would be by my side in any emergency if I needed it.
The Emotional Side
• What’s been your favorite moment so far? It's really, really hard to choose but two memories come to mind that are really at the heart of why I love doing this:
unlocking the barrier of allergens for cat lovers, and witnessing people meeting the little love(s) of their life. I once watched a grandmother elated that her allergies were not triggered by the kittens meaning her grandkids’ new kittens would not cause her any stress. I witnessed time and time again the meet-cute of new love, but one of the SHYEST kittens I had so far became SO overwhelmed by immediate love at first sight for her owner that she rested her paw on her shirt outreached for her face and sat staring at her calmly until she fell asleep.
• What has surprised you most emotionally? Cats, especially this breed are so intuitive and so aware of what's going on at a fundamental level, I knew it would be hard to say goodbye but I didn't realize it would also be easy in a way because it seems that when kittens are going to the same family, they bond closer, and their personalities seem to be so in sync with their owners lives, it's like they knew one another before they were even born. It's something special to see develop.
- Has the experience changed the way you relate to cats or animals in general? I definitely have always loved cats but seeing their development stages and doing so much research into their psychology has enlightened me so much and I'm really grateful. Also, I've learned more about dogs having my dog witness this life.
- What would you tell someone who’s on the fence about becoming a guardian home? Only you can know if this is the right fit for you and your family, but I hope you don't let any of the barriers be uncertainty about being in the business with Carole or the Siberian breed. This is hands down a unicorn of a partnership opportunity in a space where this breed has growing exposure for its powers and benefits. It extends past the benefits of owning pedigree cats, you simply cannot find natural reduced allergens in many breeds and especially not in the commercial kitten market or rescue opportunities. This breed deserves a growing presence in the world.
The Practical Bits
- How has this impacted your household, budget, or schedule? We were in the fortunate situation to be able to afford additional expenses up front and be reimbursed for them. The payments for each kitten have boosted our savings for my eldest daughter's car without her having to hold a job outside the house and be transported around to work. Thankfully I work from home so this has fit into our lifestyle well and with a teenager at home fully capable of caring for them, I'm free to be on day trips or away for short work trips without seeking out care for the animals at home.
- What kinds of responsibilities are expected of you? What’s handled by Spellbound? Carole handles all sides of the business and loops me into conversations for owners or potential owners to ask questions. I schedule the vet visits and submit invoices or receipts for any reimbursement. Carole has most everything needed delivered and maintains a spreadsheet so we can keep a common inventory together. I take photos and videos of each litter, uploading them to a shared folder. Feeding, grooming, and caring for the animals is the main workload. Usually the queen is very good at training her kittens but sometimes some help is needed to divert them from the floor to the litter box. Cleaning faces when they're still learning how to properly groom and sometimes booties is a daily chore. Trimming nails and giving a little one a bath is sometimes a weekly chore, adult bathing and trimming is rare. We trim long hair around buttholes and down the pants to keep them out of dirty litter mess. Feeding wet food and cleaning the dishes four times a day (twice a day when the Queen isn't pregnant and there are no kittens). With a gravity feeder for water and hard food, we clean that a few times a week and refill it. Back to litter, that's scooped three to four times a day in the kitten litter pans and once or twice a day in the adult litter pans that aren't automatic. We deep clean the automatic pans twice a week.
- Did you need to make any major changes to your home? No modifications were required, I had plenty of options for private birthing spaces and nests. I honestly wish I'd removed carpets and installed a wood-look tile floor before taking on so many cats. I fully intend on doing so because keeping our carpet clean is a part time job. I did also purchase a few premium automated pet-safe scent diffusers throughout the home because the odors of intact male and females are strong! There are plenty of solutions to the smells that I've also purchased in Gallon Concentrate to keep regularly on-hand to reduce or eliminate sources of odors.
- What happens when your queen is between litters? We get to love a gorgeous, affectionate Queen and a sweet, affectionate Sire as if they were our own cats knowing that if we want, we can be their forever home after the program ends. It seems as if they are all a little more kitten-like having kittens in the home regularly than a non-breeding, intact cat.
The Cats Themselves
- Can you tell us a little about your cats—their personalities, quirks, and how they’ve changed since coming to live with you? When the new Queen & Sire joined our home with my Queen, fixed male cat, and my fixed male dog, they were incredibly anxious. With the first pregnancy and birth the Queen bonded with me and I secured her full trust supporting her through birth. She seeks love and attention from all people in the house, especially me. The Sire took time to gain trust but we participated in his favorite things as often as he allowed it until we broke through all of his barriers. He's comfortable in all areas of the home now and fast friends and peacekeeper with all pets and people. He loves his kittens and Queens.
- What’s it like watching your queen go through pregnancy and birth? There's something magical like a unique sisterhood supporting your Queen through something that comes natural to her instinctually but each time she has anxieties and some pain. It really bonds her to you having your support countering her pain with light massaging and tons of scratching and petting. She'll respond to your soft, calm voice and praise. Seeing a kitten take their first breath and then witnessing their whole world develop from needing their Mom 100% to happily going home in the arms of their new owners is a treasure.
- How do the kittens impact the vibe in your house? We are endlessly entertained at each stage in the development process of the kittens and they bring so much joy to our lives. We're often found gathering around kittens instead of TV and our arms are often full of some sweet, fluffy baby cat. It's a beautiful responsibility my kids take seriously and earn allowance for spending and saving but also have worlds of fun in the process. This was a decision my whole family made together and continues to commit to.
Legacy + Magic
- Do you feel like you’re part of something bigger through this role? I feel like the more word of mouth travels about this incredible breed, the more opportunity they have to be a household common name like Persian or Ragdoll. There are many breeders but in my research Carole's approach and passion for what she does is more rare. Spellbound Siberians are carefully selected from well-researched bloodlines and raised intentionally to produce the best out of the breed. It feels really great to be a part of expanding that footprint and hand-raising cage-free and top-tier companions for deserving owners.
- How would you describe the energy of Spellbound kittens compared to others you’ve met? You can tell that every choice from nutrition and supplements to when they go home has produced a better-adjusted animal with a great foundation than any others I've interacted with. I say that the breed is a cat running with dog-like software but not every breeder is producing the best kittens because of choices to let the kittens leave earlier than 12 weeks or to cage them and provide cheap food or exclusively feed dry food. The feedback from one owner's vet made me the most proud to be a part of the Spellbound Siberian network - “You can tell you had an excellent breeder, these are the most well socialized kittens I've met."
- What do you think makes the Spellbound approach different? The focus is not on maximizing profits but balancing the expenses of cat breeding with the responsibility to produce the best experience for every human and animal involved. I've watched the path with the right choice being taken at every turn and have felt good about every interaction.
If You Could Go Back…
- Is there anything you wish you had known before you started? Carole and life experience set me up well for having known everything I should have known early on and continually along the way. I do wish I'd considered the timing that I'd taken a vacation week with my family before bringing the Queen and Sire because once they were home I didn't feel comfortable leaving for any amount of time for a while.
- Would you do it again? I would do this again and I hope to be doing it on my own one day as well with some continual kind of ongoing collaboration with Carole.
- What advice would you give a potential guardian family? Be prepared to professionally explain (and maybe even defend) what you're doing and why to anyone that wants to chime in with various opinions. Be aware that your behavior is also a reflection on Carole. Not everyone agrees with breeding and feels that all breeders are contributing to animal abandonment and other sad circumstances in the world. It's important to avoid drama but try to educate people as well on the benefits of pedigree breeding, especially for hypoallergenic breeds.
Anything else that you would like to add?
- I should also ask: is there anything you’d like to have changed in the way we are doing things now? I feel like every time we have some small adjustment we've made it together along the way. For the major things I wouldn't change a thing. I think it's been working out magically.
- My grandparents and Great Aunt bred show dogs. They had other careers alongside it and other sources of full-time income. I've had the element of breeding in my life growing up however, I'm more of a cat person. It's worth pointing out that this is not a career for profit and wealth or passive income. It is very much more of a hobby lifestyle where you are always pouring your efforts in for very little material rewards. After a lot of work some are able to make it their full-time job and earn enough to provide a modest life for themselves. However, there are no circumstances where money should be the focus in this business. The motivation for starting this work should always be for the good of the breed or another non-monetary reason. One of the best benefits of this partnership with Carole is at the end you could own two beautiful pedigree cats without having paid the price for them in money up front, but in the labor of love along the way.
Want to see more of life inside a Spellbound guardian home?
Click here to view the full photo album on Google Photos.
If this sounds like something you might be interested in, you can fill out our Guardian Home application here.
