THE OTHER SIDE OF BREEDING"You have such a wonderful job. I would love to spend my days playing with kittens."We have often been told that and there certainly are wonderful moments. This past month brought us the part of breeding that people rarely see.Mia, a first-time mother gave birth to six kittens - all very small and weak. From the beginning, we knew there was not a lot of hope but one always has to try. We started hand feeding and antibiotics, then moved to tube feeding. We placed one kitten with another mother, hoping that would help the little one and leave the new mother with one less kitten to care for.The feeds were every three hours, around the clock. Day and night, we returned to those tiny kittens, hoping each time to see signs that they were gaining strength. Mia also struggled to settle into her new role, showing little interest in caring for them. Encouraging her to stay settled with her babies became another part of our efforts to help them.Despite our best efforts, we lost five of the six kittens. That was a difficult sentence to write. Each little life has been cared for, worried over and given every chance we could offer. Losing them one after the other was exhausting and heartbreaking.Interestingly enough, the one kitten that survived is the one that was put with the foster mother. To date, we are still not sure about this kitten and how she will turn out. We have certainly not offered her for sale at this point.We will not breed Mia again. She is obviously not cut out for motherhood but she has a wonderful, loving personality. Mia has been spayed and has already found a forever home. Her new family is waiting excitedly to welcome her into their family. I know she will make them a fantastic pet. Motherhood is not for everyone.This is not how things usually go at Mindeelyn, but it is part of our story, too. We share it because breeding involves far more than the lovely photographs and playful kittens people see. It means being there when things are difficult, getting up for the next feed and continuing to care even when the outcome is doubtful.We love what we do. Sometimes, though, loving what we do is precisely what makes it so hard.LOOKING AHEAD TO OCTOBERAs October begins, we are looking ahead to cooler days and the familiar routines of autumn. For families with cats, the season also brings a few things to think about.Unwanted Autumn VisitorsFleas, Ticks, Spiders & MiceUninvited guests often start moving indoors as the weather cools. Fleas and ticks can hitch a ride inside on your dog or even on you. Spiders are looking for ways to come inside where it is warm and mice find their way in through small openings. When using insecticides or rodenticides, in or around your home, keep pets safely away from treated areas before, during and after application as directed by the product label. Use only flea and tick products approved for your pet's species - cat products for cats and dog products for dogs.Halloween HazardsLights, webs, glow sticks and small decorative pieces can become choking or blockage hazards. Dried flowers and corn husks can puncture the throat. Candles and open flames can cause serious burns or start a fire. Strings, wigs, paints, ribbons can all cause choking or be toxic. Costumes on cats are unsafe for them. They can get entangled or they can be too restrictive and cause stress. Opening the door repeatedly for Trick-or-"Treaters also creates an escape risk. Keep your pets safe by setting up a quiet room with their food, water and litter box.Candy & Foods - Be Mindful Where They' Are PlacedChocolate is toxic to cats, sugar-free sweeteners in candy and gun cause liver damage and can be fatal, while wrappers can cause choking or pose a blockage risk. Grapes and raisins cause kidney failure.Cooler Weather Chemicals - Winterizing Your Car & HomeAntifreeze is highly toxic and small amounts can cause death to your cat. Clean up spills immediately. Cats may eat mice poisoned with rodenticides or find the bait themselves and consume it. Insecticides too are dangerous if ingested. Be mindful of how and where you use them. Always read and follow all directions and warning labels.Outdoor DangersRagweed and molds are at high levels in October, and yes, cats have allergies.With a little planning, preparation and awareness, you and your Siberian cat can enjoy a happy and safe October!

September is usually the month when our fall kittens are born. This year, however, the kittens apparently had their own schedule and arrived during August. That made August considerably busier than expected, but it has also given us something real to share this month. One litter in particular required far more help than usual, while five tiny flies managed to turn the entire cattery into a feline hunting ground. THREE WEEKS OF TUBE-FEEDING One of our females gave birth to five truly outstanding-looking kittens. In the past, this mother always required a bit of help raising her kittens. If her kittens were not consistently so lovely, we probably would have retired her from our breeding program long ago.We knew that five kittens would be more than she could adequately nurse, and we were right. That began three weeks of tube-feeding the kittens at leastg four times every day. Tube-feeding can be lifesaving, but after three weeks it becomes a demanding and very tiring routine. At approximately three weeks of age, kittens can begin being introduced to solid food. Normally, this allows us to start reducing the supplemental feedings. This particular litter, however, apparently did not receive that information. As a group, they had very little interest in kitten pâté. They were equally unimpressed by manufactured kitten formula because, having been tube-fed, they never became accustomed to its taste. For a while, we reached something of a stalemate. They did not want the formula, they definitely did not want the pâté and tube-feeding was no longer safe once their teeth began coming in. A kitten could bite through the tube and potentially swallow part of it. All we could do was continue introducing food patiently while looking for the combination that would finally earn their approval. Beautiful kittens is the part everyone sees, but behind the scene are many long days, interrupted nights and problems that must be solved as they grow. Breeding kittens is rewarding—but it is not always quite as glamorous as it may appear.FIVE FLIES AND FAR TOO MUCH EXCITEMENT Five small flies somehow found their way into the house at the same time. To us, they were five unwanted intruders. To the cats, they were five pieces of airborne excitement and entertainment. The flies were small, quick and remarkably difficult to catch. The cats, meanwhile, were delighted. They raced from room to room, leapt at anything that moved and turned the entire house into one very enthusiastic hunting ground. There is, however, a less amusing side to a cat catching and eating a fly. Flies land and feed on garbage, decaying matter, feces and food. As they travel, they can carry disease-causing organisms and parasites both on their bodies and inside them. It does not mean that a cat catching a single fly will necessarily become ill. Nevertheless, with young kittens in the house, it is not a risk we are willing to ignore. The cats may consider flies wonderful entertainment, but we prefer to end the hunt before anyone manages to swallow the prize—which is where my electric flyswatter comes in.THE FLYSWATTER I WISH I HAD BOUGHT YEARS AGOFor several years, a friend kept advising me to buy an electronic flyswatter. Last year, I finally listened—and I wish I had listened sooner.It makes catching flies much easier and considerably cleaner. Instead of leaving an unpleasant mark on a freshly cleaned wall, the fly usually falls to the floor or remains caught on the swatter.I must also admit to experiencing an immense sense of satisfaction when I hear that unmistakable crackle and occasionally see the sparks fly. One more crispy critter has been stopped before becoming a cat’s afternoon snack.

At the Cattery July brings the warmest days of the Canadian summer. While Siberians are well equipped for our cold winters, they generally appreciate cooler temperatures. Our home is air conditioned to maintain a comfortable environment for both the cats and ourselves, while allowing the cats to choose the resting spots they enjoy most. You'll often find them stretched out on cool tile floors, relaxing in shady corners, or perched up high where they can quietly watch the world go by. What We Often See This Month Our early spring kittens are becoming increasingly confident. Every day brings new adventures as they climb, explore, wrestle, and investigate every corner of their world. Their curiosity seems to know no limits. Our expectant queens continue their gentle routines, balancing quiet periods of rest with relaxed strolls around the cattery. They instinctively choose their favourite resting places during the warmest part of the day. The adult cats may spend a little more time napping through the afternoon, but don't let that fool you. Without warning, a burst of energy can send them racing through the house before they settle down once again. A Small Care Note Hydration becomes especially important during the warmer months. Fresh, clean water is always available, and our air-conditioned home provides a comfortable environment throughout the hottest days. Regular grooming also continues throughout July, helping to remove loose undercoat and allowing air to circulate more easily through their beautiful Siberian coats. Preparing the Cattery Summer brings a few seasonal chores around the cattery. While the air conditioning keeps everyone comfortable, we still check cooling mats and shaded resting areas to make sure every cat has a choice of comfortable places to relax. Climbing trees, scratching posts, and favourite toys also receive a careful inspection after months of enthusiastic kitten play. The Mindeelyn Observation Warm weather may slow a Siberian down a little, but it never dulls their remarkable intelligence or curiosity. Even on the quietest summer afternoon, there is always something fascinating to watch—a kitten discovering a new game, a queen quietly observing her surroundings, or an adult cat keeping a watchful eye from a favourite perch. After more than two decades of living with and raising Siberians, we've learned that no two cats are ever quite the same. Each has its own personality, routines, and favourite places to spend the day. Yet one thing remains constant: even the calmest July afternoon is filled with quiet moments that remind us why we fell in love with this remarkable breed. Mindeelyn Tip of the Month If your Siberian spends more time sleeping during a hot spell, don't worry. Cats naturally conserve energy in warm weather and often become more active again as the evening temperatures cool. It is perfectly normal summer behaviour. Notes from Mindeelyn Siberians Canada's Oldest Siberian Cattery · Est. 2002

What We Often See this Month Queens continue to rest and conserve their energy, while growing kittens become more adventurous and independent.  Coordination improves rapidly and play sessions become increasingly energetic.  Adult cats remain affectionate and social, often seeking out sunny spots for an afternoon nap. ​ A Small Care Note As summer coats settle in, regular combing helps remove loose fur and keeps coats looking their best.  Fresh water and cool resting places become increasingly important as temperatures rise.  A few new toys or change in climbing areas also help keep curious minds occupied. Preparing the Cattery June is a good time to inspect bedding, toys, scratching posts and climbing shelves.  Worn items are repaired or replaced, helping ensure that both kittens and adults have a safe and comfortable environment throughout the summer months.

MAY - WINDOWS, BIRDS AND SAFE CURIOSITY AT MINDEELYN SIBERIANS By May, things have really picked up around the cattery. The days are longer, the sun is stronger, and the cats definitely notice. They spend more time by the windows now, stretched out in the sun or sitting and just watching what's going on outside. The birds are back, and that alone keeps them busy for hours. It's pretty common to see a cat settled at the window, completely focused, chattering away with its tail flicking as it tracks every little movement. Even the quieter ones get into it. Inside, there's more energy too. Toys that were ignored a few weeks ago suddenly become interesting again. A simple wand toy or ball can turn into a full chase across the room, with jumping, climbing and the occasional crash landing. WHAT WE OFTEN SEE THIS MONTH By May, the queens who cycled earlier in the spring are now pregnant. You can start to see small changes in how they behave. They look for quieter spots more often and spend more time resting, but they still have their playful moments. Kittens from our first two litters of 2026 are growing fast and getting more confident every day. This stage is always fun to watch. Personalities really start to show - some are bold and into everything, while others hang back and take it all in first. ' Their coordination starts improving fast. You'll see a kitten watch a toy - or even a bird outside - pause for a second, and then go for it. Sometime they land it, sometimes they don't. Either way, they're learning and it's always entertaining to watch. A SMALL CARE NOTE With so much attention on what's outside, May is a good time to double-check window safety. Screens need to be secure, and anything like balconies or open upper areas stay of-limits. Curiosity is one of their best traits, but it also means we have to be carful. Grooming is still important as the last of the winter coat sheds out. Regular brushing helps keep thing under control and keeps their coats in good shape. We also keep thing interesting indoors. Rotating toys, adding scratching posts, or even just changing thing around a bit helps keep them engaged. PREPARING THE CATTERY May is a bit of a prep month for us. We go through the nesting areas, clean them up, make sure they're ready and comfortable. Bedding get refreshed, and we make sure we've got everything we need close at hand - towels, feeding supplies, etc. We also take a look at the space itself. Climbing areas get checked over, anything worn gets fixed or replaced, and we make sure everything is solid and safe - especially with kittens getting more active. It's not exciting work, but it makes a big difference when thing get busy. Notes from Mindeelyn Siberians Canada's Oldest Siberian Cattery - Est. 2002

Kittens born in March are slowly becoming aware of the world around them. At this stage, they can manage short, wobbly walks and are beginning to sit upright, often holding their heads slightly to one side as they build strength and coordination. These early efforts may seem simple, but they mark important developmental milestones. The focus during this period is not on play, but on growth, warmth, and security. Kittens spend the majority of their time sleeping and nursing, conserving energy as their bodies develop. At Mindeelyn, strive hard during this period to see that their environment remains calm and controlled, with minimal disruption. Kittens only give off a growth hormone when they sleep.  We usually hold back from offering our kittens until they are a few weeks old, just to be sure they are thriving. April is typically when we begin introducing the first litter to our waiting list, and this year we’ve had an extraordinary number of requests for males over females. In other years, it’s often more balanced—or even tilted toward females. We’ve never quite figured out why; we simply have to go with the flow. As we watch and wait for our kittens to be born,, we sometimes jokingly remind the mothers of our waiting list wishes—we could use a few with white paws this time around, perhaps some torties, maybe a couple of creams, and of course, whichever sex happens to be most in demand—but no matter how politely we ask, Mother Nature will always deliver exactly what she intends. Queens are highly attentive during April. They remain close to their kittens, often leaving only briefly before returning to check, clean, and settle them. This constant presence provides stability and reassurance, which is essential during these early weeks. It is especially interesting to observe the interactions among the adult females in the cattery at this time. Whether they have kittens of their own or not, all show a remarkable attentiveness to every litter. They move between nests, quietly checking on the little ones—much like neighbours looking in on each other’s children. If a mother happens to step away, it is not unusual for another adult to settle into the nesting box. At this age, kittens readily accept the presence of any adult cat, whether she is nursing or not.   April is not a month of high activity, but rather one of quiet beginnings. It is a time of close observation, patience, and respect for the way Mother Nature sets the pace. It is the lull before the storm—a gentle pause that allows both kittens and caregivers to prepare for the lively, demanding weeks that are just around the corner.