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Tia VanKirk and Rinda Harvey with Velvetmuffins.com sold me a female Ragamuffin kitten named "Valentina" born from dam: Bijoux Rags Dipped in Chocolate, aka Naomi without promised health screening documentation of the mother from Optical Selection Feline in written contract of $2500.00 on 3/14/2020. I have repeatedly requested for this documentation and have been lied to by Tia VanKirk. She stated to me that Naomi was screened by Optimal Selection Feline for over 40 genetic diseases, etc. But after I paid Tia the non-refundable deposit, she told me that she couldnt find the documents and that her brother had them but she couldnt get in contact with him because he was busy looking for a job... But I knew that was a lie bc I was receiving texts with her brother where he told me that he was on the way to meet Tia in Indiana at that same time! Her brother lives in Florida! Later when I asked for the documents again, Tia told me that "Naomi's line was clear, so she doesnt need to be screened..." So I requested written proof of that. She provided none. Instead, she became nasty and has insulted me in writing over and over again and blocked me from texting and email. This after I have given her the entire $2500.00 and $100.00 Tip! She did deliver me the kitten, but without any health or veterinary documentation of any kind and no health screening on the mother. She remains defiant and is in breech of her written contract.
1 1/2 weeks after receiving this and another kitten from Rinda Harvey and Tia VanKirk, both of my 14 year old Persian cats developed upper respiratory disease. Our 2 veterinary offices are unable to determine the etiology of the disease but all signs point to the 2 new kittens provided by Tia VanKirk.
Tia VanKirk has several complaints from Bengel cats she bred through a site called Grace on High. One of which is regarding upper respiratory disease problems with her cattery. Another is concerning FIP disease killing the cat, and still another was concerning HCM that killed the kitten which was from her cattery - which would have been screened through Optimal selection had she had it done but chose not to even though she charges over $2000 a kitten.
Velvetmuffins is a Ragamuffin breeder that is supposed to be run by Rinda Harvey according to all web site and contract information. FALSE! Only TIA will contact you. She will deny you opportunity to speak with Rinda Harvey. After 3 months of communication through email, phone calls and texting, I have never been able to speak with Rinda Harvey.
Tia also bred Bengals thru "Grace on High Bengals" many HEALTH complaints! Bad reviews everywhere, so now she hides behind her mother's website and cattery, not to mention her "ministry" as many others have seen, she drops her "kindness" routine as soon as she gets your money - and demands either cash or Zelle so you have NO RECOURSE! BEWARE and STAY AWAY!
Velvetmuffins.com should be called VelvetmuffinSCAMS.COM. Tia VanKirk and Rinda Harvey with Velvetmuffins.com sold me a male Ragamuffin kitten that I pre-named named "Cioccolatte" which I later named "Louie Boy" (born 2/24/2020) BECAUSE HIS COLOR WASN'T CHOCOLATE AS PROMISED! He is actually a grey or ash color as you can see in 1st pic provided here. I was promised that this kitten which was tan at birth would grow to be a "milk chocolate" color. Tia called him a "Sepia". I had no idea what color Sepia was, so I asked her if she could text me a photo of an adult Sepia so that I could see what his colors would develop as and decide if I wanted this kitten. She did but instead of providing me with a photo of one her previous adult cats, she found a photo off of Pinterest of a Natural Mink Ragdoll! You can see that in the 2nd pic I provided. Not the color at all and Not even the same breed of cat! The Natural Mink is a beautiful chocolate color. This Sepia is NOT! He is grey to ash color.
After requesting health information that was promised, Tia BLOCKED ALL COMMUNICATION! Tia VanKirk is VERY DECEPTIVE IN HER BUSINESS PRACTICES! She is a SCAM ARTIST!
So believing Tia's lies about the color of this kitten, I paid a non refundable deposit through Zelle which she requested. BIG MISTAKE!
For months she continued to deceive me with photos of the kitten using her "professional photography" enhancements. I was always asking for pictures but she made every excuse to delay... Apparently she won't just use her phone and take a quick pic. No no, she wants to enhance the photos professionally to deceive the buyer so it takes her an extra 2 weeks for a pic! After several weeks went by, Tia decided that "Cioccolatte" was a Sepia Smoke! A new color! Tia has no idea what she is doing. Her mother, Rinda Harvey must not be able to teach Tia much. But as a Ragamuffin breeder in the club she belongs to, you are supposed to have 2 years apprenticeship. Tia obviously has not completed that successfully.
By now, I have had this "Ragamuffin" for 5 weeks and I can tell you that he acts VERY Fiesty and does not act at all like the Ragamuffins personality as described and advertised. Tia described a Persian as a CAT, and a Ragamuffin acts like a "Lap Dog". He has a rare moment here and there, but he is extremely energetic, he jumps up and around like a wild cat! Tia used to breed Bengal cats until her customer's complained that they died of various diseases from her cattery. I wonder if she mixed a Bengal in his line?
By the time I received the kitten in late April 2020, I was already attached to him and I just wanted to keep believing her lies. Later I learned the truth. But what a SCAMMER TIA VANKIRK is!
So I paid the written contract price of $2200.00 on 3/27/2020 and received the kitten 4/28/2020.
1 1/2 weeks after receiving this and another kitten from Rinda Harvey and Tia VanKirk, both of my 14 year old Persian cats developed upper respiratory disease. Our 2 veterinary offices are unable to determine the etiology of the disease but all signs point to the 2 new kittens provided by Tia VanKirk.
Tia VanKirk has several complaints from Bengel cats she bred through a site called Grace on High. One of which is regarding upper respiratory disease problems with her cattery. Another is concerning FIP disease killing the cat, and still another was concerning HCM that killed the kitten which was from her cattery - which would have been screened through Optimal selection had she had it done but chose not to even though she charges over $2000 a kitten.
Velvetmuffins is a Ragamuffin breeder that is supposed to be run by Rinda Harvey according to all web site and contract information. FALSE! Only TIA will contact you. She will deny you opportunity to speak with Rinda Harvey. After 3 months of communication through email, phone calls and texting, I have never been able to speak with Rinda Harvey.
Tia also bred Bengals thru "Grace on High Bengals" many HEALTH complaints! Bad reviews everywhere, so now she hides behind her mother's website and cattery, not to mention her "ministry" as many others have seen, she drops her "kindness" routine as soon as she gets your money - and demands either cash or Zelle so you have NO RECOURSE! BEWARE and STAY AWAY!
This is Kevin Grace regarding my previous post and I have been trying to remove that post shortly after I posted it over 2 years ago but Complaints Board here will not allow removal of any posts without a court order. So I am reposting regarding that exact post in 2020 about Tia and Velvetmuffins Ragamuffins. First I must say that other post after my post regarding a Red Tabby cannot be true because there were no Red Tabbies in that litter. If there were, we would have also bought him because we were looking for a red color also. We did purchase two and one was a Sable and the other was a Silver Patched Tabby and I was concerned about the color in the Sable but Tia worked that out easily, but I was concerned also about the specific DNA reports and I did receive ALL the health reports from Wisdom Panel where they perform DNA results from over 40 different genetic predisposing disorders that a kitten may be susceptible to. I wanted this to be sure I was getting a healthy kitten AND I DID! I am certain that our kitten was and is clear of ALL predisposing health disorders that are possible for the breed. I did receive these results shortly after my complaint but I am unable to remove the post. Tia made everything clear to me and proved herself over and over again. I was able to contact Wisdom Panel and verify everything. It is now July 2022 and our Ragamuffin is in PERFECT health and has been all her life so far. She is a very loving and BEAUTIFUL and Silver Patched Tabby. She is a one of a kind cat and everyone that sees her asks me where I got her from. In fact, last year I bought another male Ragamuffin also from Tia and is a little DARLING! Tia and Velvetmuffins are the very BEST! I WISH I COULD GIVE TIA 1000 STARS!
The third review by Kevin Grace appears to be fake as well as the review by Rebus Pucker, like it was written by someone using someone else’s screen name. The chronology of events doesn’t make sense. How would this Kevin Grace know that there were no red tabbies? People don’t tend to remember other cats in a litter they bought from. The subsequent reviews praising the breeder are over the top trying to cover up the initial problems. I will believe the initial reviews and not trust this breeder.
I checked her website. She gives no indication as to where the cattery is located or the cost of adoption. I had to look up the area code of the phone number on the website. This is going to be a hard pass for me. I really wanted one of those kittens. I will deal with a more reputable breeder.
Agreed 100%. My red tabby came from the same litter and has been sickly since was a kitten. Now, at 2 years old, we have confirmed a HCM and he is close to full blow heart failure. I was fed the same nonsense about not being able to carry out the genetic tests due to COVID and that her line is so healthy it doesn’t matter. Fast forward two years, I am doing the same genetic screening test she claims to use, along with confirming through DNA his lineage. It’s too little too late but I refuse to watch my poor 2 years old cat (who she loves so much as to put on her website) without trying to “Rinda” et al accountable. They are lucky to live in a state who cares nothing about having consumer projection laws.
This post CANNOT be true since there were NO red tabbies from the litter I bought my Silver Patched Tabby from. Also she was NEVER sick not even one day ever! She is a healthy as can be. In fact, we also have Persians and Tia's Ragamuffins are even healthier than they are. If the ever get sick from something contagious, se of our other persians also get a little sick but never the Ragamuffin! Little Luscious Valentina had never been sick a day in her 2 1/2 years. Born on Valentines Day 2020 she is and always has been a sweetheart and I wish I could rove my original post but cannot because of Complaint Board rules
The breeder has been extremely helpful in addressing the health concerns with my cat. She immediately reached out after reading this post and I am fully satisfied with the resolution.