Ranel is not Warne's first familiar, and Warne has long experience with wizards who regard their familiars as nothing more than non-sentient slaves who are to be used and abused. He also knows about the black market slave trade in familiars and their offspring. So yeah, very protective and determined the same won't happen to his babies (or any of Ranel's brothers/nephews).

But he also knows that one day the kittens will go off on their own whether he lets them or not (just try and keep Buttercup at home!), so he's working out ways to protect them even when he's not around.

I get the feeling and and Bazaar are conniving and plotting behind the scenes on this one.