Frequently Asked Questions
The Questions We Hear Most
Reserving, bringing your kitten home, and life with a Ragdoll.
Start Anywhere
Have a question about reserving, bringing your kitten home, or life with a Ragdoll? Here are the ones we hear most, grouped so you can jump to what you need.
Getting to Know Aurora
How do I know you’re a real, reputable breeder — and not a scam?
It’s a fair question, and one we wish more families felt free to ask out loud. A few honest things to look for in any breeder: real, responsive communication (once you reserve, you’re in a group text with Ashley and Dylan, plus a fresh video of your kitten every Monday); breeding cats screened for 40+ genetic conditions; TICA registration and papers; a written contract you can read before you pay; a health guarantee; and kittens placed spayed or neutered and vet-checked. We do all of that — and we’re a real family raising these kittens in a purpose-built cattery just steps from our home in the Chattanooga area. We even put together an honest list of questions to ask any breeder, whether or not it turns out to be us.
Where do your kittens grow up — in cages?
Never in cages. Our kittens grow up in purpose-built spaces steps from our home — starting in a quiet nursery suite with mom, moving into an enriched kitten suite, and graduating to our sunroom playroom just off the kitchen, in the middle of everyday family life. We use age-specific spaces, the way a good daycare never mixes every age in one room. It’s a big part of why Aurora kittens arrive so calm and confident. More on Our Cattery.
How are your kittens raised and socialized?
With intention, from day one. Our kittens go through a structured socialization program over their weeks with us — daily handling, a rotating variety of toys and textures matched to their stage, and gentle exposure to household sounds, new people, other cats, and our Goldendoodle, Sunny. Many are even comfortable with car rides, baths, and a self-cleaning litter box before they ever go home. The full walk-through is on our Kitten Socialization Program page.
Can I see the parents?
We’re a closed cattery, so in-person visits aren’t something we do — but you can still get to know the parents. When we have an active pairing, both parents’ profiles appear right on the Available Kittens page with the litter. Every parent is chosen for temperament, health, and type, and they’re cherished members of our family first.
Do you raise show cats or companions?
Companions, first and always. We have some show-quality cats and we’re proud of them — but what we pour ourselves into is raising the affectionate, floppy, follow-you-around companion the breed is loved for. Everything we do is built around temperament, health, and the bond you’ll share.
Reserving & Pricing
How do I reserve a kitten?
There are two ways in, and both start with a flat $500 deposit that applies toward your kitten’s price. Most families join Aurora Reserve, which gives you first look at every litter before kittens are ever listed publicly — Reserve families choose in the order their deposits were received, so it’s the surest way to the kitten you want. If a kitten is already listed on our Available Kittens page, you can reserve that specific kitten directly: click the reserve button on the listing and place your $500 deposit to hold your place.
How much is an Aurora kitten?
An Aurora Ragdoll is $3,500*. A flat $500 deposit reserves your kitten (this is your full deposit — nothing hidden, no tiers), and the remaining $3,000 balance is due by the time your kitten is 10 weeks old, or before delivery is finalized, whichever comes first. We’ll email your final invoice. *Tennessee residents add 9.25% sales tax, as required by state law. Out-of-state families are not charged sales tax.
What’s included in the price?
Everything to get your kitten home healthy and ready for family life: they’re spayed or neutered, vet-checked, vaccinated, and dewormed, come TICA-registered with their papers, and go home with a go-home kit (familiar food, a scent blanket, and favorite toys) and our 2-year genetic health guarantee. There are no surprise add-ons — the only things beyond the kitten’s price are optional delivery and, for Tennessee residents, sales tax.
What’s the difference between Aurora Reserve and the free waitlist?
Aurora Reserve is a flat $500 deposit that gives you first look at every litter — Reserve families are first to know when a litter is born, first to see the kittens in a private preview, and first to choose, in order of deposit date. The free waitlist has no cost and no commitment: you’ll hear when litters arrive and can choose from any kittens still available after our Reserve families have selected. Reserve is simply the surest way to bring home the kitten you want. See the Aurora Reserve page for full details.
Is my deposit refundable?
Your $500 Reserve deposit is non-refundable, but it’s transferable, it never expires, and it applies straight toward your kitten’s price. You can also pass on as many litters as you like while you wait for the right one — your place in line is always held.
Do you charge more for rare colors or patterns?
No — every Aurora kitten is the same $3,500*, no matter its color or pattern. The rarest coat we produce costs exactly the same as the most classic one. We never want a price tag to make one kitten seem “worth more” than another, or to steer which one a family falls for — the color is simply the beautiful bonus.
How does choosing my kitten work?
Once a litter is old enough, Reserve families get a private preview around 7 weeks, about a week before any public listing. You’ll rank the kittens you’d genuinely welcome, in order of preference, and kittens are matched in order of deposit date — so if your first pick is chosen by someone ahead of you, we simply move down your list. You’ll have a three-day window to make your picks. It’s simple and fair, and you’ll never be handed a kitten you didn’t choose.
Should we get one kitten or two?
Most families are right to get one. We’d raise the question in three situations: you have an older cat or dog who won’t want to play with a kitten, nobody’s home during the day, or you have a big family where one cat would be in constant demand.
Two kittens is $7,000 — we don’t discount pairs — plus double the food, litter, and vet care for their whole lives. If that math is a stretch, one is the better decision.
Want to see one? See what a litter preview looks like →
How long will I have to wait for a kitten?
It depends on your timing and what you’re hoping for. We raise litters throughout the year, but most kittens are spoken for before they’re ever listed — so joining Aurora Reserve is the surest way to get in line. From there it’s largely up to you: you can pass on as many litters as you like until the right kitten comes along, and your deposit never expires.
Can I see where I am in line?
Yes — Reserve families get access to a private, password-protected members’ page that shows your exact spot in line, always kept up to date. No wondering, no guessing.
What comes in the go-home kit?
Every kitten goes home with a kit of familiar comforts to make the transition gentle: about six days of their food (dry and wet pouches) to bridge the change, a scent blanket that smells like mom and littermates, a full set of the toys they already know and love, a paperwork envelope with TICA registration and vaccination records for your vet, and a couple of fridge cards with feeding and first-week guidance.
How do payments work?
We send secure payment links, and you can pay by credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Cash is welcome for local pickup. Your final invoice is emailed to you. Tennessee residents pay 9.25% sales tax.
Do you offer delivery, and do you ship kittens?
We do offer delivery, and we never ship kittens as cargo — your kitten is always accompanied by a person, every mile of the way. We deliver within the U.S. only. Here are the ways your kitten can come home:
- Local pickup — free. We meet you just north of Chattanooga.
- City meet-up — $150 or $250. We regularly drive toward major cities and meet families at easy stops along the route; the price depends on the meeting point.
- Door-to-door delivery — $350 flat for families within about a three-hour radius of Chattanooga.
- Flight nanny — $650–$850. Your kitten flies in the cabin with a caring escort; the family books the nanny.
- Ashley hand-delivers — $1,000. Ashley personally flies your kitten to you, with a guaranteed date and a familiar face the whole way.
Can I visit the cattery?
We’re a closed cattery, which means we don’t have families visit in person. In these early weeks, keeping our kittens’ world small and clean is one of the most important ways we protect their health. Once you’ve reserved, we keep you close in other ways: photos, videos, and a fresh update video of your kitten every Monday. You won’t miss a moment of your kitten’s babyhood.
When can my kitten come home?
Aurora kittens go home between 13 and 14 weeks of age. We hold them a little longer on purpose — those extra weeks let a kitten finish key development, complete their vet care and spay/neuter, and grow into the confident, well-socialized companion you’re hoping for.
Health & Care
Are your cats and kittens health tested?
Yes. Our breeding cats are screened for 40+ genetic conditions, including HCM, PKD, and PRA. Every kitten is examined by our veterinarian, vaccinated, dewormed, and sent home with a complete health record. Aurora kittens are covered by a 2-year genetic health guarantee.
What health guarantee comes with my kitten?
Every Aurora kitten comes with a 2-year genetic health guarantee, plus a 72-hour general health guarantee for peace of mind right after go-home. Your kitten also goes home fully vet-checked with complete records, so you and your own vet start out with the full picture. You can read the full Kitten Contract before you ever place a deposit.
What vaccinations and deworming will my kitten have had?
Your kitten goes home dewormed and having had their first FVRCP vaccine at 11–12 weeks, with complete records to hand your own vet. The second dose is due around 14–16 weeks, so booking that visit for about 14–15 weeks keeps them right on schedule. We take a gentle, thoughtful approach to vaccines and are always happy to walk your vet through exactly what your kitten has had.
Does my kitten come with a rabies vaccine?
Not while they’re little — we prefer to let our kittens grow a bit first. We recommend having your vet give the rabies vaccine around six months of age, timed with your local laws (rabies is legally required for cats in most places once they’re over about six months). Your kitten does go home dewormed and having had their first FVRCP, with complete records for your vet.
Is my kitten microchipped?
Our kittens are not microchipped, so the choice is yours. Many families add one later — it’s a simple thing your vet can do, and a nice backup, especially if you’ll ever travel with your cat.
Can my Ragdoll ever go outside?
Ragdolls are placed as indoor-only cats — it’s part of our contract — because they’re simply too trusting to be safe roaming outdoors. But if you’d love to give yours some fresh air, supervised options are wonderful: a secure catio, harness-and-leash training, or a cat stroller all let a Ragdoll enjoy the outdoors safely.
Are your kittens litter trained?
Yes — our kittens are using the litter box confidently well before go-home. In a new home, just keep the litter boxes easy to find during the first few days and they’ll settle right in.
Can I breed my kitten?
No — Aurora kittens are placed as loved companions only, with no breeding rights. Every kitten is spayed or neutered before go-home, so they arrive ready for family life.
Do I sign a contract?
Yes — a simple, straightforward agreement that protects your kitten. It confirms that your kitten is a spayed or neutered companion, kept safely indoors, with no breeding rights, and it spells out our health guarantee. Nothing surprising — and you can read the whole thing on our Kitten Contract page before you reserve.
How do you feel about declawing?
We’re firmly against it. Declawing isn’t a nail trim — it’s the amputation of part of each toe — and our kittens go to homes that agree. Indoors, regular nail trims and good scratching surfaces are all a Ragdoll needs to keep their claws healthy and your furniture safe.
Do Ragdolls have health problems?
Ragdolls are generally a healthy, hardy breed. Like any purebred, they can carry a few breed-related conditions, which is exactly why responsible genetic testing matters so much. Our breeding cats are screened and thoughtfully selected, so we can place kittens with confidence.
What do you feed your kittens?
We feed Life’s Abundance, and we’ll send your kitten home on it along with our feeding guidance, so you can keep their diet consistent through the transition. You’ll find it and everything else we use on Aurora Favorites.
Are your kittens registered?
Yes — Aurora is TICA registered, and your kitten comes home with their paperwork.
Living With a Ragdoll
Are Ragdolls good with children and other pets?
Wonderfully so. Ragdolls are known for being gentle, affectionate, and relaxed, which makes them a lovely fit for households with children and other pets. As with any new pet, calm, gradual introductions set everyone up for success.
Are Ragdolls indoor cats?
Yes. Ragdolls are trusting and people-oriented, and they’re happiest and safest living indoors with their family.
Do Ragdolls shed a lot?
Less than you might expect for such a fluffy cat. Their coat is silky with little undercoat, so they shed less than many longhaired breeds. A quick brush once or twice a week keeps their coat healthy and beautiful.
Are Ragdolls hypoallergenic?
No cat is truly hypoallergenic, and Ragdolls aren’t the exception — but many allergy-sensitive families do find them easier to live with, thanks to that low-undercoat, lower-shedding coat. Everyone’s allergies are different, though, so if allergies are a real concern, we always recommend spending time around Ragdolls before you commit. For the full honest answer — what Fel d 1 is, where Ragdolls really land, and what genuinely helps — read Are Ragdolls Hypoallergenic?.
How much grooming do they need?
Not much — a brushing once or twice a week and an occasional nail trim is all it takes. We introduce grooming early, so your kitten arrives already comfortable being handled.
How big do Ragdolls get?
Ragdolls are one of the largest domestic breeds. Males typically reach 15–20+ pounds and females 10–15 pounds. They’re slow to mature, filling out fully around three to four years old.
When do Ragdolls calm down?
It’s the question we hear most. Ragdolls are slow to mature. Kittenhood, up to about a year, is full of wild energy; the teenager stage, around one to two years, is when many families wonder if the calm will ever come. Energy usually starts settling around 18–24 months, and they reach full maturity around three to four years old — mellowing into the serene, devoted lap cat the breed is famous for. More on every stage: Ragdoll Life Stages.
How long do Ragdolls live?
With good care, Ragdolls typically live 12 to 17 years, and many reach their late teens. It’s a wonderful, long commitment — one of the reasons we care so much about health, and about matching kittens with families ready for the whole journey.
What colors and patterns do your kittens come in?
A wide range. Our kittens come in the classic seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac, in colorpoint, mitted, and bicolor patterns — plus beautiful variations like lynx (tabby), tortie, and mink. And every color is the same price. See them all on our Colors & Patterns page.
Are Ragdoll kittens born white?
Traditional pointed kittens are — they’re born almost pure white, and their color comes in slowly, developing over the first weeks and continuing to deepen and define for a year or two. Mink kittens are the exception: they arrive already showing colour, and keep deepening from there. Either way, the silky adult coat fills in by about 12–18 months.
Should I get a boy or a girl?
Both make wonderfully affectionate companions — sex predicts far less than how a kitten is raised. In general, males tend to grow larger and can be extra goofy and doglike, while females run a little smaller and can be a touch more independent. Every cat is an individual, so our honest advice is to choose the one you connect with. More: Male vs Female Ragdolls.
Do Ragdolls like to be held?
Many live up to the name and go delightfully limp when you pick them up. They tend to be affectionate, relaxed, and people-oriented — often following you from room to room just to be near you.
Are Ragdolls vocal?
Ragdolls are generally soft-spoken. Many chat with sweet little chirps and trills to greet you or ask for attention, but they’re not a loud or demanding breed — their voices are as gentle as their personalities.
Can a Ragdoll be left home alone, or do they need a companion?
Ragdolls are people-oriented and love company, so they’re happiest in homes where they’re not alone for long stretches every day. Many do beautifully as an only cat with an engaged family; others love having a feline or canine buddy. A predictable routine, enrichment to keep them busy, and time with you are what matter most.
Will a Ragdoll get along with my other cat?
Typically, yes. Ragdolls are easygoing and social. With proper, unrushed introductions, they usually settle in beautifully alongside other cats.
How do I introduce my kitten to my current cat or dog?
Slow and steady wins. Start with scent-swapping and letting them sniff under a door, then move to short, calm, supervised meetings, and make sure everyone has their own food, water, and litter. Our kittens are already used to living alongside other cats and a dog, which gives introductions a head start. Full step-by-step: Introducing Your Kitten to Your Pets.
Should I get one kitten or two?
Either can be wonderful. Ragdolls are social and love company, so some families find a pair keeps each other happily busy — especially if the humans are away during the day. One kitten with an engaged, present family thrives just as well. It really comes down to your household and lifestyle.
What does “mismarked” mean — is a mismarked kitten less healthy or worth less?
Not at all. Mismarked simply means a marking that falls outside the show-ring ideal — a little white where the standard wouldn’t have it, for example. It’s purely cosmetic, with zero effect on health, genetics, or temperament, and it doesn’t change the price. Some of the most uniquely beautiful kittens are the mismarked ones.
What will the first few days at home be like?
Expect a gentle adjustment. It’s completely normal for a new kitten to hide, sleep a lot, eat a little less, cry the first night or two, and have mildly soft stool as they settle in. Keep things calm and let them come to you, and they’ll blossom. We walk you through all of it in Your Kitten’s First Days at Home.
Will you help me after my kitten comes home?
You’re joining the Aurora family, and that group text with Ashley and Dylan stays open — always. That’s what family is for. Every kitten also goes home with thorough care guides, and our Resource Library covers the whole first year and beyond.
Where are you located?
We’re a family-run cattery in Chattanooga, TN, run by Ashley and Dylan. Our kittens are raised with daily enrichment, thoughtful socialization, and attentive, hands-on care.
Still Wondering About Something?
Most of what families ask is answered above, and our Resource Library covers the rest in depth.
See Available Kittens