As soon as you decide that you would like to start breeding cats, you should 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 the requirement to have a cat desexed or to buy an 'entire' (non-desexed) cat.
Selling Cats FAQs
Is giving away a cat defined as selling a cat?
Yes. Under the
Cat Management Act 2009 selling a cat includes giving away a cat, trading a cat, taking money for a cat, transfering ownership of a cat and offering a cat for sale.
Can a cat be sold that has not had its vet work done if the new owner agrees to have it done?
No. All cats that are sold (or given away) must be desexed, microchipped, appropriate vaccinated with F3, free from external parasites and have received at least one treatment for internal worms. In addition to any vet work a cat must be at least 8 wekks of age when it is sold, given away or rehomed.
Does a person have to be a registered breeder or hold a Cat Breeding Permit to sell a cat?
No. Anyone can sell a cat prvovided it is at least 8 weeks of age or older, desexed, microchipped, appropariately vaccinated, free from external parasites and had at least one treatment for internal worms.
I cannot keep my kitten/cat and I cannot afford to get it desexed and microchipped. What can I do with the kitten/cat?
If you have a cat or kitten that you can no longer keep but you cannot sell (or give away) because the cat is not compliant with the
Cat Management Act 2009 or
Cat Management Regulations 2022, you will need to contact your closest
Cat Management Facility to arrange the surrender of the cat/kitten to them.
Is it okay to advertise kittens to give away on social media or the internet (e.g. Facebook or Gumtree)?
Yes. As long as the kittens/cats is at least 8 weeks of age or older, desexed, microchipped, treated for internal worms, free from external parasites and appropraiately vaccinated before ownership can be transferred to another person (for further details see section 22 of the
Cat Management Regulations 2022).
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, make sure the cat/kitten is desexed, microchipped, at least 8 weeks of age, and has been vaccinated, had at least one treatment for internal worms and free from external parasites. Ensure you get all the paperwork associated with the cat at the time of taking ownership of the cat.
If a cat/kitten you are looking at appears to be unwell in anyway, do not buy/take the cat.
My neighbour has some kittens she is giving away. Should I take one?
All cats/kittens sold (which includes giving away) must be at least 8 weeks of age, desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, have had at least one treatment for internal worms and be free from external parasites.
If a cat/kitten does not meet the above requirements, do not take possession of the cat/kitten.
Should I buy a cat/kitten that is not microchipped or desexed?
No. Under the
Cat Management Act 2009, a person is not premitted to sell or give away a cat that is not microchipped and desexed, unless there is a letter from a veterinary surgeon stating that microchipping and/or desexing will impact the cat’s health and welfare, or you are a registered breeder and can purchase an entire (undesexed) cat, but it will still need to be microchipped.
For further information: