Cat is a male and not a female! What can I do?

Question

I bought my Himalayan from a breeder, I specifically waited for a female to be born. I have papers that say she is a female and just found out, now that she is older, she is starting to developed and is a male! My vet never caught on, cause I told the vet she was a female. Now I find out she is a male and I have had horrible experiences with males in the past, even when having them neutered, they always peed in the house. My question is, what can I do about this, it's seems unfair I paid so much money for a cat that isn't what I asked for and can the breeder get away with it? I have had Gracie since she was 6 weeks of age, August 4th is the day I brought her home. What are my rights! I DO NOT want a male!

She wont give me my money back and I can't afford a lawyer right now.

I very much love my kitten, she is my world.... but I know what will happen once he is an adult.... I have that exp. 3 times.

Answer 1

Hi Michelle Lynn:
The breeder is obligated to either refund your money or give you a female. Almost all reputable breeders will go out of their way to make things right if there is a problem.
Go to your vet and get a copy of anything that says the information about the cat so you have this to take to the breeder.
Basically you have a warranty that you paid for a female so you shouldn't have any problems.
If you do have problems, just tell her that you will have to see legal advice and all cost pertaining to the lawyer and the care and up keep of the cat will be her responsibility.
If you have any more questions, send me an email at:
[e-mail]

Answer 2

Bring the cat back to the breeders, and DEMAND that they give you a female. You paid for a female not a male. And if the breeder wants to be a prick about it, scare the **** outta them, and just SAY that you are getting lawyers, and that you have the papers they gave you "stating" it was a female, and that you are going to RUIN they're business and that you'll make sure nobody gets a cat from them again, since there are such irresponsible and horrible breeders!!! I'm kind in the same situation, just not as hardcore as you... I have a kitten that I thought was female, and just found out the day before yesterday that it's a male. except I didn't pay for him, he was free, and I don't care about the sex, I still love the little guy anyway. You should give this cat a chance... maybe he'll turn around your hate for male cats!!!! ;o) Good luck!

Answer 3

Ok, 2 problems to address: Your breeder committed fraud. If you can't get them to replace the cat with a female, you can take them to small claims court w/out a lawyer, or better yet, hit the newspaper with the story. A personal interest story of that sort should sound real good to a features editor...you'll probably embarrass your breeder into making good. Or try the police, fraud is illegal. They may take the attitude that it's not much of a crime, but you can insist.

2nd problem: your vet DIDN'T NOTICE? you need another vet. Seriously. I've never had a competent vet that didn't look! You can tell at a very young age by the configuration under the tail. Even before they 'develop' - 2 holes = girl cat. 1 = boy cat.

And change poor Gracie's name, it's not good for a boy cat to be named a girls name! (Remember A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash?)

A question for you: did you love Gracie? Did you love him because you thought he was a girl, or did you love him because he was him? His personality is his, and surely that's what you loved? He deserves to be loved, so if you can't love a boy cat, please find him another home. By the way, I've had several girl cats who whizzed all over my house, and neither of my boys has, so I don't think it's entirely a sex thing, either.

Good luck, either way.

Answer 4

If you signed a contract when you got the kitten, she violated it and should rectify this. However, since you have already said she won't give you your money and she sent the kitten home at 6 weeks (at least 2 weeks too early), I am guessing you don't have a contract as she does not sound responsible. If there is no contract, I don't know if there is much that can be done. People are not generally bound by law to tell you the truth. You might check with the local prosecutor's office or contact legal aid for advice. Unfortunately, it sounds like you may have learned the hard way that not all breeders are ethical and that researching a breeder is vital before buying a pet.

Answer 5

I would contact the breeder immediately. You requested a female and were guaranteed a female. The breeder should be better at sexing the kittens than that. I used to have kittens when I was a child (mostly from Angora mothers) and I could tell the sexes apart. I would ask that the breeder take this cat back and find it a home and give you a female kitten in its place as your breeder agreement stated you should have. The breeder has the responsibility to make their error right.

Answer 6

Did you want a female strictly to breed and sell the kittens? Have you formed any type of attachment to the cat? I know that I got my kitten about that time, and I bonded with her immediately. She's a total psycho kitty, but she's mine.
I've had cats my entire life, over half being males - I have 3 males now, and they don't have litterbox issues unless they have bladder problems like UTI's or they have crystals in their urine. Getting that cleared up solved the problem. A good enzyme cleaner, and cleaning the carpet, padding and flooring if necessary will eliminate the attraction of the old stain.
If you have him neutered, and have eliminated any trace of old cat urine in your home, keep the box (or boxes - one on each level of your house) clean you shouldn't have a problem.
It sounds like you only want a female - if you have a contract that states it was a female kitten, you could go back to the breeder and demand a female, they violated the terms of the contract. - you'd have to give back the cat you've had for two months, no doubt. But again, that doesn't sound like it would be a problem for you.
If you could give the kitten back after having him for two months, I think it's probably best for the kitten. It doesn't sound like you have bonded with a companion, and he deserves that from his owner. He can't help it that things got messed up at the breeders - he's the innocent victim here. He deserves to be loved for being him.

Answer 7

You need to sue the breeder, or at least force them to give you your money back even if you have to threaten them. You can spread the word about them being unreliable breeders. If you are not agressive they will probably just blow you off. I would become a huge pain, and keep on demanding that they do something about the situation. You should still consider keeping the cat, not sure why you have had such problems with males in the past, I have owned nothing but male cats in the past and NEVER had any of them pee in my house! Even if you decide to keep him I think you should still get your money back, or if you do not want to keep him, they need to take him back and give you a female cat.

Answer 8

I suggest you contact the breeder and ask for a replacement or a refund. Most reputable breeders will take the animal back if it does not meet your expectations. They would rather see their animals in a happy home where the animal is wanted. You may have to wait till the next litter is born for a replacement.

If the breeder brushes you off or tells you that it is not their problem, contact a lawyer and if the animal is registered contact the registry as well.

Answer 9

first of all...get a refund from the breeder. It sounds like you live your cat, I've always had at least one male cat, but they were early neutered, so they don't develop the hormones that make them want to spray...go to healthypetnet.com, they have a thing called Bio-Deodoriser. It uses natural enzymes to eat up any cat accident odors, to where the cats can't smell it. Its not the poor cats fault, its the breeders. So hopefully you will get a refund, but unless you have a receipt...you won't be able to win in civil court. If i were you, I'd keep the kitten. He is already attached to you and being separated from you could break his Lil' heart, but if you feel the need to get rid of him, find someone who loves cats, don't turn him into a shelter. MSG me if you have questions about male cats, not all are bad...i should know since I've had them all my life. I actually prefer male cats, since they stay more cuddly, and don't have some of the cutest personalities.

Answer 10

if she won't give you your money back and you don't have money for a lawer, I think your options are to give the kitten away or learn to love him. maybe he will teach you that all males are not bad. get him neutered at 5 or 6 months and if he pees in your house take him to the vet it could be a urinary tract infection he is trying to tell you he has.

I'm not sure if there is somewhere where you can report this breeder as not standing behind what she sells and making a mistake on the sex and accepting a return because of her screw up.