The heart behind our cattery
About River Haze Ragdolls
The Meaning Behind Our Name
The name River Haze reflects two beginnings that shaped our journey: our very first Ragdoll sire, River, and our firstborn daughter, Hazel. River was the foundation of our program and a beloved companion whose memory continues to inspire us. "Haze" is a tribute to Hazel, who was just six months old when we began this chapter.
Together, they represent both legacy and family, the heart of our cattery.
Meet the people behind River Haze
Who We Are
River Haze is a family-run cattery owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Steve and Kaitlin. Kaitlin began raising Ragdolls in 2013, co-running a cattery with her mother in Toronto before moving to the U.S. After our first daughter was born, we rebuilt the program from the ground up as River Haze.
Steve's sister, Karen, is part of our caregiving team. She fell in love with Ragdolls when we first introduced her to the breed, and she wanted to be part of raising some litters herself.
The faces you'll get to know
Meet the Family
Kaitlin
Co-owner & breeder
Kaitlin has been raising Ragdolls since 2013, starting alongside her mother in Toronto before moving to the U.S. She handles the day-to-day running of River Haze, from pairings and kitten care to matching every kitten with the right family.
Karen
Caregiver
Karen fell in love with Ragdolls when we first introduced her to the breed, and she wanted to be part of raising some litters herself. She cares for a few of our queens and their litters at her home in Upper Saddle River, NJ.
One program, two doorsteps
Raised in Two Family Homes
Most of our cats live with us, while Karen raises a few of our queens and their litters at her home in Upper Saddle River, NJ. Everything runs under River Haze: the same care, health testing, socialization, contract and genetic guarantee, whichever home a kitten grows up in. The only difference is where you pick up.
From first days to go-home
How Our Kittens Are Raised
Our kittens are raised in 600 square feet of dedicated cattery space designed just for them in our home. It's decked out with cat furniture and wall climbers, a fireplace for cozy winters, an air purifier to keep everyone healthy, and their own TV for ongoing sound stimulation. Our males have their own area behind glass doors, so they stay separated while still being part of everything.
We spend time with them in their space throughout the day, and they grow up hearing everyday household sounds and the voices of two little girls who can't wait to help with chores. They're handled daily, litter-trained and eating well before they go home, and they leave with at least two rounds of vaccines.
What we promise
Our Commitment
Here's what every River Haze family can count on from us.
Health first
Every breeding cat is DNA-tested through Wisdom Panel, and we share the parents' results with every family. Every kitten goes home with a 72-hour health guarantee and a 2-year genetic health guarantee.
A clean, safe start
We keep our cattery spotless with weekly professional-grade disinfecting, and we never release a kitten before at least two rounds of vaccines.
Thoughtful placements
We place kittens only in homes we believe will offer a lifetime of love: indoor-only, never declawed, and as companion pets. If a River Haze cat ever needs a new home, at any age, they always have a place to come back to.
Retiring with care
When our cats retire from our program, they're spayed or neutered and placed in loving homes where they can simply be pets.
Lifelong relationships
We're grateful to the breeders who trusted us with their lines, and we stay in touch with our families long after go-home day. Many still send us photos years later.
Giving back
We love this breed, and we care about every cat, not just our own. For every kitten we place, River Haze sets aside a donation for cat rescue, given at the end of each year as funds or much-needed supplies to help kittens in need. It's our way of making sure every River Haze adoption helps another kitten find their way, too.
Our Credentials
- TICA registered cattery since 2020 (Riverhaze, #40476) — View Cattery Certificate
- Signed member of the TICA Voluntary Code of Ethics — View TICA Code of Ethics
We commit to placing kittens only in homes we believe will provide a lifelong commitment of love and responsible care, providing a written sales agreement, and never releasing a kitten before it has been vaccinated at least twice.
Genetic Health Testing
Every River Haze breeding cat is DNA-tested through Wisdom Panel, which screens for 40+ genetic health conditions. For Ragdolls, the most important include:
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Ragdoll variant (MYBPC3 R820W) - the most significant inherited heart condition in the breed
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD1)
- Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency
- Genetic blood type (A / B / AB) - used to plan safe pairings
- MDR1 medication sensitivity
- Genetic diversity, to support long-term breed health
The parents' test results are shared with every adopter.
Thank you for considering a River Haze Ragdoll. Every kitten we raise carries a piece of our hearts, and we can't wait to see where their story goes next. - Kaitlin