Health Guarantee

Our Promise to You

At Licia Kitties Home, we place the health and long term wellbeing of every kitten first. This Health Guarantee explains what we cover, what we require from you as the new owner, and how any concerns will be handled after your kitten goes home. It is written for customers in South Africa and is intended to be clear, practical, and fair to both you and the kitten.

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1) Definitions

Kitten means the specific kitten identified on your invoice or purchase agreement.
Purchase Date means the date you take physical possession of the kitten or the date the kitten is delivered to you, whichever comes first.
Veterinarian means a registered veterinarian in South Africa.
Congenital / hereditary condition means a condition present at birth or inherited, even if discovered later.

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2) What We Do Before Your Kitten Goes Home

We aim to send every kitten to a new home in good condition and with a strong foundation for healthy growth. Before placement, we generally ensure:

• A routine wellness assessment of each kitten and observation for normal appetite, stool, hydration, and energy.
• Age appropriate deworming and parasite prevention based on our veterinarian guidance and local risk.
• Age appropriate vaccinations as scheduled, when the kitten is old enough and medically fit.
• Litter training and early socialisation routines to support a stable transition.

Your kitten will go home with available health records and care guidance (feeding, litter, transition tips).

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3) Immediate Wellness Guarantee (First 72 Hours)

Coverage

We guarantee that your kitten will be in generally healthy condition at the time of placement, as determined by a veterinary examination conducted within 72 hours of Purchase Date.

Owner Requirements

To activate this guarantee, you must:

• Have the kitten examined by a registered veterinarian in South Africa within 72 hours of pickup or delivery.
• Provide us with the veterinarian’s written findings if there is a concern.
• Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for basic supportive care.

What Happens If a Serious Health Issue Is Found

If your veterinarian diagnoses a serious, contagious illness or a life threatening condition that reasonably appears to have been present at the time of placement, we will work with you on one of the following remedies (our choice, unless South African consumer law requires otherwise):

• Replacement kitten of similar value when available, or
• Refund of the purchase price after the kitten is returned to us, or
• Credit toward another kitten if you prefer.

Important: For the health and safety of the kitten and other animals, we do not accept returns of kittens that have been exposed to contagious disease environments unless directed by a veterinarian and handled safely.

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4) Congenital and Hereditary Health Guarantee (Up to 12 Months)

Coverage Period

We provide a 12 month congenital and hereditary health guarantee from the Purchase Date.

Covered Conditions

This guarantee covers congenital or hereditary conditions that:

• Are diagnosed by a registered veterinarian, and
• Materially affect the kitten’s quality of life or normal function, and
• Were not caused by accident, neglect, or unsafe environment.

Examples may include severe structural abnormalities, significant organ defects, or confirmed inherited disease that is clinically relevant.

Conditions That May Require Specialist Confirmation

Certain findings may require confirmation by a specialist (for example, a cardiologist for suspected heart disease). We may request:

• Diagnostic imaging reports (such as ultrasound, X rays, echocardiogram).
• Lab reports.
• A second opinion at our cost cap (see below) if the diagnosis is uncertain.

Remedies

If a covered congenital or hereditary condition is confirmed within the guarantee period, we will offer one of the following (our choice unless South African consumer law requires otherwise):

• Replacement kitten of similar value when available, or
• Partial refund or credit toward another kitten depending on severity and documentation, or
• Refund of the purchase price if the kitten is returned to us (where appropriate and safe).

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5) What Is Not Covered

To keep the guarantee fair, the following are not covered:

• Normal, minor, or self limiting issues (for example, mild stress diarrhoea from relocation, minor upper respiratory symptoms that resolve quickly with routine vet care).
• Conditions caused by the owner environment, including exposure to unvaccinated animals, poor hygiene, unsafe introductions, toxic plants, or preventable injuries.
• Parasites if introduced after placement (for example, exposure to fleas or worms from other pets or environments).
• Vaccine reactions (rare) or issues resulting from delayed vaccination schedules.
• Cosmetic issues that do not impact health (for example, minor coat differences, small cosmetic traits).
• Behavioural preferences (for example, energy level, vocalisation, clinginess) that are normal for the breed.
• Cost of routine care, including vaccines, deworming, microchipping, grooming, or routine checkups.

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6) Owner Responsibilities (Required for Coverage)

Your kitten’s health depends heavily on early care. To keep this guarantee valid, you agree to:

Veterinary Care

• Schedule the 72 hour wellness exam.
• Maintain routine veterinary care, including vaccinations and parasite prevention.

Safe Transition and Hygiene

• Keep your kitten indoors only unless supervised and safe.
• Quarantine the kitten from other pets for a reasonable introductory period if you have other animals.
• Maintain a clean litter area, fresh water, and appropriate nutrition.

Nutrition

• Feed a high quality kitten appropriate diet.
• Avoid sudden food changes during the first 7 to 14 days.

No Breeding Without Written Agreement

Unless you have a written breeding agreement with us, the kitten is sold as a companion. If you breed the kitten without written permission, the congenital and hereditary guarantee may be voided because we cannot manage genetic stewardship or health outcomes responsibly.

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7) Travel, Delivery, and Stress Related Illness

Moving is stressful for kittens. Even when a kitten is healthy at placement, stress can temporarily reduce appetite or cause mild digestive upset. To reduce risk:

• Set up a quiet room for the first 24 to 72 hours.
• Keep handling gentle and limit visitors.
• Keep food consistent and offer small meals.

If you notice persistent vomiting, refusal to eat, severe diarrhoea, laboured breathing, or extreme lethargy, contact your veterinarian immediately.

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8) How to Make a Claim

If you need to make a claim, please do the following:

1. Contact us promptly as soon as you suspect an issue.
2. Provide the kitten’s full name, Purchase Date, and your veterinarian’s details.
3. Send written documentation from your veterinarian, including diagnosis and supporting test results.
4. Allow us reasonable time to review the information and, if needed, request additional confirmation.

We aim to respond quickly, clearly, and respectfully.

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9) Limits of Liability

This Health Guarantee is limited to the remedies described above. We are not responsible for:

• Indirect costs such as travel, time off work, or emotional distress.
• Routine veterinary care.
• Treatment costs beyond what is explicitly agreed in writing.

Where South African consumer protection laws apply, we will comply with those legal requirements.

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10) South African Consumer Protection Notice

This Health Guarantee is intended to support and clarify your rights and our responsibilities. It does not limit any rights you may have under applicable South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act where relevant. If there is a conflict between this policy and mandatory legal requirements, the legal requirements will apply.

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11) Contact

For health questions or claims, contact us with:

• Your full name and contact number
• Kitten name and breed
• Purchase Date
• Veterinarian name and clinic
• A summary of symptoms and documentation