The GCCF strongly recommends that no kitten should be permitted
to go to a new home before 13 weeks of age. At least seven days
prior to this, the kitten should have completed a full course
of vaccinations, including a health check, given by a Veterinary
Surgeon or by a listed Veterinary Nurse under the direction of
a Veterinary Surgeon. The breeder should ensure that kittens
are house-trained, inoculated and in good general health.
1 |
Owners should think carefully
and take advice before getting a kitten and choose a breed
of cat suited to their lifestyle. They should only keep as
many cats as they can care for adequately. |
2 |
Cats and kittens must be provided with
warm and comfortable housing, with plenty of opportunity
for exercise and play. Cats should be kept indoors at night
for their own safety. Drinking water must be available at
all times and cats must be fed regularly and adequately.
Breeders will supply written details of all dietary requirements
and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing
cats in a new home. |
3 |
All cats need some grooming to keep
the coat in good condition and to check for parasites, e.g.
fleas. Longhair cats need daily grooming to prevent the formation
of knots and matted areas of fur which cause considerable
discomfort to cats. |
4 |
Veterinary attention must be sought
whenever a cat is showing signs of illness. |
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 5:19 PM
5 |
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. |
6 |
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. |
7 |
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. |
8 |
Breeders must not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics
of the breed nor falsely advertise cats nor mislead any person regarding
the health or quality of the cat and must draw the attention of purchasers
to the implications of the Non-Active register when selling pet kittens. |
9 |
Breeders selling a kitten on the Active register
should offer advice and support to the new owners. Owners should not
breed cats in a way that is deleterious to the health of the cat or the
breed. |
10 |
Owners should consider carefully the best means
of identifying their cat in case it should become lost. This can be done
by means of a microchip which can be painlessly inserted under the cat's
skin by your veterinary surgeon and then registering the number of your
cat with the RSPCA registration scheme run by the Kennel Club and also
by notifying the GCCF of the cat's chip number. The alternative is for
the cat to wear some form of identification on a collar. However, there
are dangers for cats wearing collars as they may become hooked up and
caught by them or more likely the collar will break or come off over
the cat's head, so preventing easy identification. |
11 |
Breeders/owners must ensure that all relevant Governing Council of the
Cat Fancy documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring
a cat in accordance with Rule 10 (see below), including a copy of this
code |
N.B. Transfer of Registration - GCCF Rule 10 |
10a |
When a cat or kitten is advertised or sold as a pedigree cat or kitten
the breeder shall, at the time of sale, provide the purchaser with a properly
completed pedigree signed by the breeder, carrying 3 generations at least,
showing all the breed numbers and registration numbers, also the breeder's
name and address. |
10b |
If, at the time of sale, the cat or kitten is registered the seller shall
provide the purchaser with a transfer form, duly completed and signed by
the seller, unless it is jointly agreed in writing by both parties, at
the time of sale, not to do so. |
GCCF |
5 King's Castle
Business Park |
The Drove |
Bridgwater |
Somerset TA6
4AG |
UK |
Tel: +44 (0)1278
427575 |
|
