Wait List (Paid): Most kittens are placed directly with our wait list. Wait list applicants interview for a future kitten. Approved applicants pay a down payment to secure their spot in line. Down payments apply toward adoption fees and are non-refundable except if breeder cannot produce a kitten or cancels adoption. Generally, we offer a kitten within 12 months and we allow adopters to “pass” once. Those who pass repeatedly will be removed from the list so that others can join. Apply Here.
Contact List (Free): We send our contact list (infrequent) group email updates regarding litters, awards etc. There is no adoption obligation for either party. Email us right away if you wish to interview for an announced, available kitten, they tend to go quickly.
Adoption Location: Adoptions occur on our Central Virginia front porch or at a safe, mutually agreeable location within reasonable driving distance of Central Virginia. Occasionally we can coordinate a hand-off at an out-of-town cat show.
Qualifications: Adopters must demonstrate their ability to afford ownership, to provide a suitable home, and embrace bengal antics. Bengals do best with regular interaction and on a balanced, no-carb meat diet.
Fees: Kittens are priced individually. 2021 pet kittens average 1700-2000, show alter kittens average 2500. Please see this article on bengal pricing.
Fee explanation: Our re-homing fees yield ZERO profit and help offset hobby expenses. These include breeding cats (thousands/each), cat food and care ($1,500+ per cat per year), exhibition and club fees ($2,000+/year), cardiology screenings ($300-$700/cat/year), flea preventative ($300/cat/year), cat litter ($200/cat/year) and additional periodic expenses such as wormers, prescriptions, vet exams, rescues/ foster supplies, and donations. We also consider variable kitten costs such as kitten food, shots, exams, neuters, etc. We aim to keep fees affordable for working families. That said, bengals are quite expensive to raise, even at zero profit.
Shipping: We do not ship. All adoptions are face to face.
Cattery Visits: For human and animal safety reasons, we do not accept casual visitors. Our cattery is not a pet store; it is our home. We are happy to provide references, virtual visits, or to greet interested persons in a public space (cat show, etc.) Approved adopters may visit with their specific kitten by appointment.
Allergy Visits: We do not offer allergy visits because we have found them to be unproductive. We have multiple cats of different colors and coat textures; anyone with cat allergies will experience symptoms in our homes. Also, kittens have still-developing coats and tend not to be fastidious groomers. As they grow up, they are more likely to distribute allergy-inducing dander and saliva. For mild allergy sufferers, we suggest glittered brown bengals. Avoid snows and non-glittered bengals because they shed more. Mild allergies can be mitigated with medication, raw diets, regular baths, and the selection of a brown glittered bengal.
All cat breeds, including hairless breeds, can cause allergy symptoms. Please do not adopt a cat if you have severe cat allergies; this decision is not fair to you or for the cat.
Breeding Rights: Please contact us if you seek a breeding or show animal. Our website content applies only to pet adoptions. All litters are TICA registered. Some cats are also CFA registered.
Adoption Payment: We accept cash and personal checks if fully cleared 2+ weeks prior to adoption.
Ongoing support: We are happy to field occasional questions from adopters. However, we have full time jobs and we cannot provide extensive support throughout an animal’s life. Adopters are expected to purchase pet insurance and to seek out veterinary or behavioral help for their pets as required. Adopters desiring extensive support are encouraged to identify a stay-at-home or professional breeder.
Questions? Email us at brilliant bengal at gmail dot com. We prioritize emails from people who we believe are serious and who have reviewed our website. Prefer a phone call? Email to schedule an appointment.