Frequently Asked Questions

Our process is designed to be warm, personal, and transparent. It begins with a conversation — you reach out via WhatsApp, email, or our contact form, and we learn a little about you and your home. From there, we schedule a video call so you can meet the kittens in real time. If there's a mutual fit, a deposit secures your chosen kitten, and we send you regular updates until they're ready to come home at 12–14 weeks. Every step is guided by Ekaterina personally.

Not at all. The majority of our kittens go to families outside of South Florida. We arrange safe, comfortable ground or air transportation depending on the distance. For shorter distances, a trusted pet nanny personally escorts the kitten to your door. For international placements, we work with USDA-accredited veterinarians and certified pet shippers with extensive experience.

Yes — and we warmly welcome visits from serious prospective families. Because our kittens are raised in our home and their health and immune systems are our top priority, we do ask that visits be scheduled in advance. We'll arrange a time when it's comfortable for both the kittens and your family. Please contact us to set this up.

Yes. LuxOrio is a TICA-registered cattery (The International Cat Association). All of our breeding cats and kittens are registered, and every kitten comes with official TICA pedigree papers. We operate under TICA's ethical breeding standards and code of conduct, which means health, transparency, and the welfare of the cats always come first.

After your video call and mutual agreement that it's the right fit, we send you an adoption agreement to review. Once signed, a non-refundable deposit (deducted from the total adoption fee) reserves your kitten. At that point, your kitten is officially yours — we remove them from listings and dedicate all our updates to you.

Absolutely. We recommend joining our waitlist as early as possible — our kittens are often spoken for before they are even born. Waitlist members are contacted first when a new litter is announced, and have priority in choosing from available kittens. There is no fee to join the waitlist.

We understand that life circumstances change. Our deposit is non-refundable, as it covers the time and resources we invest in matching you and holding the kitten. However, if you need to cancel, we will do our best to transfer your deposit toward a future kitten from LuxOrio, subject to a conversation and mutual agreement.

Every LuxOrio kitten leaves us with a comprehensive health package:

• FVRCP vaccination (2 rounds)
• Rabies vaccination
• Microchip (ISO standard)
• FeLV/FIV testing (negative)
• Fecal testing (clear)
• Deworming protocol
• Full veterinary examination with health certificate
• Spay/neuter (for pet kittens, prior to or agreement for post-placement)
• TICA registration papers and pedigree
• Written health guarantee
• Starter pack (food, litter, toys, familiar-scent item)
• Lifetime breeder support from Ekaterina

Yes — all of our breeding cats undergo a comprehensive DNA panel before joining our program. We test for HCM, PK Deficiency, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, blood type, coat color genetics, and more. All results are available upon request and are shared with adopting families as part of our commitment to full transparency.

Yes. All LuxOrio kittens come with a written health guarantee covering genetic conditions. We stand fully behind the health of every kitten we place. The details of the guarantee are outlined in our adoption agreement, which you will receive before finalizing your reservation.

Oriental Shorthairs thrive on a high-protein, species-appropriate diet. We feed our kittens a combination of high-quality wet food (pâté or shredded, grain-free) and raw food as a supplement. We do not recommend dry food as a primary diet, as Oriental Shorthairs are prone to dehydration. Your starter pack will include a supply of the food your kitten is accustomed to, making the transition easier. We're always available to guide you on feeding long-term.

We use two methods depending on distance and preference. Pet nanny transport (our preferred method for domestic placements) involves a trusted, experienced escort who flies with the kitten as cabin luggage and delivers them directly to your door. Checked cargo is used occasionally for longer distances, always with an airline certified for live animal transport. We never use ground shipping services for our kittens.

Yes, we have placed kittens in Canada, Europe, and beyond. International shipments require USDA health certification, specific country import requirements, and work with a certified international pet shipper. We guide you through every document and step. Additional costs apply and are discussed during the adoption process.

Our kittens leave between 12 and 14 weeks of age. This is not negotiable — early separation from their mother and siblings causes measurable stress and developmental issues that we take seriously. By 12 weeks, they are fully socialized, vaccinated, and confident. They leave us prepared, not just permitted.

Your kitten comes with: a TICA registration slip and pedigree (3–5 generations), a veterinary health certificate, complete vaccination records, microchip documentation, a signed health guarantee, and our adoption agreement. For international kittens, we additionally provide USDA-accredited health certificates and country-specific import documentation.

Show-quality kittens are occasionally available from LuxOrio. If you're interested in showing, please let us know from the start — it affects which kitten we recommend and how we structure the agreement. Show kittens are placed with a breeding/show contract rather than a pet spay/neuter agreement. Contact us to discuss your goals.

Oriental Shorthairs are remarkably social and adaptable. They generally do very well with children — especially those who interact gently and give them attention. They can coexist well with other cats and even cat-friendly dogs, particularly when introductions are handled gradually. Our kittens are socialized with people of all ages, sounds, and environments from birth. We'll coach you through introductions when your kitten arrives.

Yes — and this is something we are very transparent about. Oriental Shorthairs are highly social, vocal, and emotionally intelligent cats. They bond deeply with their humans and do not do well when left alone for long periods regularly. If you're away from home frequently, we often recommend adopting two kittens together, as they keep each other company beautifully. This is a breed for people who genuinely want an active, engaged companion — not a decorative pet.

We recommend a gentle transition: begin with one room, allow the kitten to explore at their own pace, keep noise and visitor levels low for the first few days, and use the familiar-scent blanket from our home for comfort. Your starter pack includes all the essentials. We send you a detailed transition guide, and Ekaterina is always available by WhatsApp for any questions in those first days and beyond — for the lifetime of your cat.