The Breeding Journal

A transparent record of every litter.

Whelping journals, growth charts, veterinary visits, and show-ring days — documented honestly, week by week. This is what an ethical Russian Blue breeding program actually looks like behind the scenes.

Russian Blue queen nursing newborn kittens in a clean whelping box

Current Litter · Spring 2026

Anastasia × Volga

Whelped April 14, 2026 · 5 kittens

Our spring 2026 litter is our 47th in eighteen years. Anastasia delivered five healthy kittens — three queens and two toms — at 4:12 a.m. Sarah was present for every delivery, as she has been for every birth in this cattery's history.

Gestation: 64 days
Birth weights: 108–124 g
Vet attended: On call
Survival: 5/5

Kitten Growth Log

Week-by-week documentation

Every kitten is weighed daily during the first six weeks, then twice weekly until homecoming. Families receive the complete growth chart for their kitten.

Week 1

110–140 g

Eyes closed. Round-the-clock nursing. Daily weight check by Sarah.

Week 2

180–230 g

Eyes begin to open. First gentle handling for socialization imprint.

Week 4

380–460 g

First wobbly steps. Litter box introduced. Solid food sampled.

Week 6

640–780 g

First veterinary wellness exam. FVRCP vaccination #1.

Week 8

900 g–1.1 kg

Cardiology screening. Microchipping. Personality assessments begin.

Week 12

1.4–1.7 kg

FVRCP booster. Final pediatric check. Homecoming preparation.

Week 14

1.7–2.0 kg

Homecoming day. Full records, samples, and lifetime support transferred.

Open breeding journal notebook documenting Russian Blue litter

Breeding Timeline

Anastasia's 2026 program, month by month

January

Pre-breeding panel for queen Anastasia — UC Davis VGL feline genetic screen, full bloodwork, HCM echocardiogram cleared.

February

Pairing finalized: Anastasia × IC Volga (imported FIN line). Both pedigrees verified TICA & FIFé.

March

Confirmed pregnancy by ultrasound — 5 kittens. Whelping box prepared in the quiet upstairs nursery.

April 14

Whelping day. 5 healthy kittens delivered (3 ♀, 2 ♂). Birth weights logged. Mother and litter thriving.

April 14 – June

Daily weight logs, two-hour socialization rotations, classical music exposure protocol.

June

Week 8 cardiology + microchip + vaccination clinic with Dr. Helen Park.

July

Reservation matching begins. Families flown in or video-called for final introductions.

August

Homecomings begin at 14 weeks. Each family receives a 40-page kitten dossier.

Behind the Scenes

A day inside Azurine

Short documentary clips from our cattery — the nursery, feeding, socialization rotations, and quiet moments most breeders never share.

2:14

Morning Nursery Rounds

3:42

Socialization Protocol — Week 5

5:08

Sarah's Weekly Vet Walkthrough

Russian Blue kitten examined by veterinarian

Veterinary Visits

Every litter is examined a minimum of three times before homecoming: week 6 wellness, week 8 cardiology + microchipping, and week 12 final pediatric clearance — all conducted by board-certified feline specialists at Lone Star Cat Hospital and Texas Veterinary Cardiology.

Russian Blue cat at TICA cat show with award ribbons

Show Participation

Sarah shows breeding cats at four to six TICA and CFA events per year. Show evaluation is how a serious breeder validates type, temperament, and coat against independent international judges — not just personal opinion.

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Follow the journey in real time.

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