Breeding, Selling, and Buying Cats - Frequently Asked Questions

​​​​Breeding Cats FAQs

What is the difference between a registered breeder and a person with a Cat Breeding Permit?

A registered breeder is a person who is a member of an Approved Cat Organisation​. A Cat Breeding Permit​ may be provided by the Agency Secretary or a coun​​cil General Manager to someone who is not a member of a cat organisation. The Permit​ will be conditional, time-limited, and is issued per cat, not per person.

I only want to breed one litter. Do I need to become a registered breeder?

After 1 March 2022, you will either need to become a Registered Breeder or have a Cat Breeding Permit​ to breed a cat in Tasmania.

I want to breed my cat, which is not a pedigree, and I can’t join a cat organisation. What do I have to do?

An application should be made to the Agency Secretary or your council General Manager for a Cat Breeding Permit​. If iss​​ued, a Permit will be conditional depending on the circumstances, and may be valid between 6 months and 2 years.
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What is meant by a ‘Conditional Breeding Permit’?

The amendments will allow for the Secretary of NRE Tas or the General Manager of a municipal council to apply conditions as they see fit to Cat Breeding Permits they issue. These will depend on the circumstances relating to the application, and will require, for example: details relating to the owner of the cat; details relating to the cat; details regarding the purposes of breeding; and details of how the cats are to be housed. The permit will allow for an authorised person to inspect the premises the cats are kept at as required and can allow for conditions associated with ensuring cats do not roam or become a cause of nuisance.

How long before I wish to breed my cat should I apply for a Cat Breeding Permit?

As soon as you decide that you would like to start breeding cats, either become a member of a cat organisation​ or submit your application for a Cat Breeding Permit​. You will need to be a registered breeder or hold a Cat Breeding Permit to be exempt from having the cat desexed or to buy an 'entire' (non-desexed) cat.​

Is it only the owner of the female cat that needs to be registered as a cat breeder?

No, under the Cat Management Act 2009 you are considered a cat breeder if the person allows:
  • the cat to be impregnated; or
  • the cat to impregnate another cat.

Selling Cats FAQs

A person holding a permit to breed a cat is advertising 9-week old kittens for sale, which are not microchipped or desexed. Are they in breach of the Act?

The seller must not sell a cat that is not microchipped or desexed​.​ Exceptions to desexing includes the purchaser being a registered breeder, or a vet has certified that desexing or microchipping the cat could affect the health of the cat. The minimum age that a kitten may be sold is 8 weeks.

Is it okay to advertise kittens to give away on social media or the internet (e.g. Facebook or Gumtree)?

A person can advertise a cat to give away. However, a cat will have to be at least 8 weeks of age, desexed, microchipped, and have met the *prescribed health checks before ownership can be transferred to another person (*for details see section 20 of the Cat Mana​gement Regulations 2022​).
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Buying Cats FAQs

Who are the best people/groups to buy/adopt a cat or kitten from?

When buying a cat or kitten, you want to find the cat that best suits your lifestyle. Regardless of where you get your next feline family member from, make sure the cat/kitten is desexed, microchipped, over 8 weeks of age, and has passed a health check by a veterinary surgeon. Make sure you get all the paperwork associated with the cat.

If a cat/kitten you are looking at appears to be unwell in anyway, do not buy/take the cat.
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My neighbour has some kittens she is giving away. Should I take one?

From 1 March 2022, it is law that all cats/kittens sold must be no less than 8 weeks of age, desexed, microchipped, and have passed a health assessment. Ensure this is complied with before buying/taking a cat.

Should I buy a cat/kitten that is not microchipped?

From 1 March 2022, it is against the law to sell or give away a cat that is not microchipped, unless there is a letter from a veterinary surgeon stating that microchipping will impact the cat’s health and welfare.
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For further information:

Contact

Invasive Species Branch
Phone: 03 6165 3777
Email: invasivespecies@nre.tas.gov.au