This part is dedicated to everyone that needs to know what is has to be as a cat breeder or what a cat breeder should be. A trully responsible and ethical cat breeder.
I took the privilege to do some intensive research on codes of ethics that some potential cat/kitten buyers should know when they have decided to get a cat/kitten from a breeder. Here are some of the info extracted from some reputable cat organisations in the world. More updates will be available from time to time.
This is part of an article entitled “Adopting Or Acquiring A Cat Or Kitten” found at The International Cat Association (TICA) website.
What can I expect from a responsible breeder? When you buy a kitten from a responsible breeder, you can expect the breeder to:
• Guarantee that your kitten is in good health and free from Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
• Strongly urge you to have your own veterinarian examine your kitten within a few days of purchase to confirm its good health.
• Require that you have your kitten neutered or spayed at the appropriate age.
• Provide a written sales agreement that describes all terms of the sale, including the breeder’s health guarantee and the neuter/spay agreement.
• Be intensely interested in the welfare of every kitten they produce, and encourage you to call whenever you have questions or concerns about your kitten.
For more info, please click here
Here is an article entitled “General Code of Ethics for Breeders & Owners” extracted from The Gorvening Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) which based in UK.
* Cats that are bought as pets, not for breeding, should be neutered or spayed at the age recommended by your veterinary surgeon. If cats are registered on the Non-Active register, this means that under no circumstances should the cats be bred from; no progeny from these cats will be registered by the GCCF.
* Breeders agree only to sell cats where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life. An offer should be made at the time of sale to help with the rehoming if at any time circumstances require the cat to be found a new home.
* Owners should not sell any cat to commercial cat wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow cats to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind.
For the entire article, please click here
In the statutes of the Feline Internationale of Feline (FIFe), Breeding and Registration Rules (dated 01.01.2006), Article 3 (Husbandry and Environment) - 3.3 Re-homing of cats
3.3.1 Agreements
Any agreements or limitations with purchasers of kittens or users of stud cats must be in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
3.3.2 Pet shops or research facilities forbidden
It is not allowed to sell or hand over cats with FIFe pedigrees to pet shops or similar organisations nor for any experimental research or testing.
It is also not allowed for members of FIFe clubs to offer/trade cats or services, such as stud services, by auction or similar actions be it on electronic or actual events.
3.3.3 Kittens
Kittens must not go to a new owner (home) before they are 12 weeks old and have been fully vaccinated against Panleucopaenia and ‘cat flu’, unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian.
For the entire statutes, please click here.
Although there are many irresponsible breeders out there that goes solely on profit than the welfare of cats, credits need to be given to those responsible, sensible and caring breeders who breed in the name love and protecting the quality of a cat breed and not breed in quantity. This had been highlighted in an article at The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) entitled “Let’s give responsible breeders the credit they deserve.” Read here for this interesting article.
CFA Breeder Code of Ethics
Passed, by resolution, at the Cat Fanciers’ Association Annual Meeting,
June 2000; ratified by the CFA Board of Directors, October 7, 2000.
As a breeder who uses the services of the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats, I understand I have certain responsibilities to pedigreed cats and to the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).
I am aware that I am representative of CFA breeders in my community. I will breed my cats with the intent of improving the breed and to produce healthy, happy kittens. I will deal honestly with the purchasers of my kittens and cats. To the best of my knowledge and ability I will not, without prior disclosure, sell any kitten/cat that is sick or has been exposed to an infectious disease. I will not sell or place kittens prior to their attaining a proper level of immunity against common infectious diseases.
I will strive to house my cats in a manner exceeding the CFA Minimum Cattery Standard. I will ensure my cats are kept in a healthy environment and I will ensure they receive the proper veterinary care as needed.
I will maintain appropriate cattery records and will correctly register litters and cats.
I will work honestly with my fellow breeders and provide timely and correct litter registration information to those who use my cats for breeding.
I will mentor new breeders to ensure they have a solid information foundation.
I will place cats directly with the new pet owner or in a manner that will enable contact with the ultimate owner to provide on-going education and advice.
