Reserving a Russian Blue kitten in Australia almost always involves a deposit. How that deposit works – what it secures, when it is refundable, and what happens if your plans change – is where most of the friction between buyers and breeders occurs. Getting it clear in writing up front avoids almost all of it.
Quick answer: Reserve a russian blue kitten — here’s the short version. Our Russian Blue kittens are $2,500 with a $250 deposit — see kittens for sale now or read the buying steps below.
How our deposit works
- $250 deposit against a $2,500 kitten
- The deposit reserves a specific kitten once one is chosen, or a place on the waitlist if no kittens are currently available
- The balance is due before collection day
- Deposit terms are set out in writing before any money changes hands
We do not take payment before you have spoken to us, seen photos or video of the kitten, and had your questions answered. If a breeder pressures you to transfer money within the hour, that pressure is itself the warning sign – our scam guide explains why.
What a deposit actually buys you
A deposit is not a part-payment in the ordinary commercial sense. It does two things:
- It takes the kitten off the market, so the breeder stops fielding enquiries about that animal.
- It commits you, so the breeder can plan the litter and does not raise a kitten that then goes nowhere.
Because the breeder’s costs are largely incurred before collection day – vet work, desexing, registration, twelve weeks of food and care – deposits are commonly non-refundable if you simply change your mind. They are more often refundable or transferable if the breeder cancels, if the kitten becomes unwell, or if a health issue emerges.
Refundable or not: the questions that settle it
Ask these before you pay, and ask for the answers in writing:
- If I withdraw, is the deposit refundable, transferable to a future litter, or forfeit?
- If the kitten becomes ill or fails a vet check, what happens to my deposit?
- If you cancel the litter, is my deposit refunded in full and how quickly?
- If the kitten develops a hereditary condition later, what does the health guarantee cover?
- Does the deposit hold a specific kitten, or a place in the litter to choose from?
Kitten deposits and waitlists explained covers the general Australian norms, and health guarantees explained covers the last question in detail.
Do breeders offer payment plans?
Some do, most do not. The common Australian patterns are:
| Arrangement | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit + balance on collection | By far the most common | $250 – $500 deposit, remainder before the kitten travels |
| Deposit + staged payments | Balance split across the weeks before collection | Confirm the kitten is not released until fully paid |
| Waitlist deposit | Small amount to hold a place before kittens are born | Confirm it converts to the kitten price and what happens if you do not take a kitten |
| Buy-now-pay-later / card | Rare, and usually attracts a surcharge | Card surcharges of 1.5 – 3% are common; read the terms |
Be cautious about any arrangement where you take the kitten home before full payment. Reputable breeders rarely allow it, because it leaves them with no recourse.
How to reserve, step by step
- Enquire. Tell us about your household – other pets, children, whether the cat will be indoors, and your timing. See contact us.
- Ask your questions. Use our 15 questions as a checklist.
- See the kitten. Photos, video, or a visit. We share updates as kittens grow.
- Get the terms in writing. Deposit, refund conditions, collection date, what is included.
- Pay the deposit. Your kitten or waitlist place is then confirmed.
- Prepare your home. What to buy before collection day and room-by-room preparation.
- Collect or arrange delivery. Collection day checklist and delivery options.
Protecting your money
- Pay by bank transfer to a named account matching the breeder, not to a third party or an untraceable method
- Never pay a deposit for a kitten you have not seen in photo or video
- Keep every message – the written record is your protection if anything is disputed
- Be wary of urgency, of prices well below market, and of breeders who cannot video call
Buying a kitten online safely walks through the full process, and online listing red flags covers what the photos and wording tell you.
Our commitment
No money before conversation. Written terms before deposit. Photos and video of your kitten as it grows. And a phone number that gets answered after you take the kitten home.
Quick answers
How much is a typical Russian Blue deposit in Australia?
Between $100 and $500, most commonly $250 to $300 against a $2,000 to $2,500 kitten.
Is my deposit refundable if I change my mind?
Usually not, because the breeder’s costs are already incurred. Always confirm in writing – terms vary considerably.
Can I reserve a kitten before it is born?
Yes, via a waitlist deposit. Confirm that it converts to the purchase price and ask what happens if the litter size or sexes differ from what you wanted.
Related reading
Reserve a Russian Blue Kitten: FAQs
How much does it cost to act on this?
When readers ask about reserve a russian blue kitten, the budget question comes first: our Russian Blue kittens are $2,500 with a $250 deposit, vet-checked and fully documented — see current Russian Blue kittens for sale.
Can I buy from another state?
Absolutely — reserve a russian blue kitten works interstate with safe pet transport. Read buying a kitten interstate for costs, rules and timelines.
What should I do next about reserve a russian blue kitten?
Read our 99 kitten-buying FAQs, then enquire — we reply within 24 hours and will happily talk through reserve a russian blue kitten for your situation.
Independent guidance: The RSPCA’s guide to choosing a pet responsibly before you commit to any kitten.
Ready to meet your kitten?
Our Russian Blue kittens are raised in our family home, vet-checked, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and socialised before they travel. We reserve with a $250 deposit and deliver Australia-wide.