Companion Animal Welfare Enhancement Scheme - Special Project: Cat Breeding
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Companion Animal Welfare Enhancement Scheme Special Project: Cat Breeding
Contents
Overview and Objectives.................................................................................................... 3
Number of Identified Breeders ........................................................................................... 4
Breeder Identification ......................................................................................................... 6
Numbers of Queens and Studs............................................................................................ 8
Breed Statistics and Pricing ................................................................................................ 9
Registration Statistics........................................................................................................ 11
Visits to Identified Cat Breeders....................................................................................... 14
Partnership Working with Animal Welfare Network Wales (AWNW) Members ........... 16
Cat Breeding Guide for Local Authorities........................................................................ 19
The Sale of Kittens via Pet Shops in Wales...................................................................... 20
Case Studies ...................................................................................................................... 22
Case Study 1: Potential over-breeding and welfare issues in Merthyr Tydfil .......... 22
Case Study 2: Large-scale cat breeding programme in Swansea ............................. 23
Case Study 3: Breeder in Torfaen placing misleading advertisements..................... 24
Case Study 4: Cat Breeder in Carmarthenshire supplying cats and dogs to Harrods
Pet Shop, London...................................................................................................... 25
Issues Identified ................................................................................................................ 26
Cat Breeders Operating Large-scale Breeding Programmes .................................... 26
Widespread Use of Outdoor Accommodation.......................................................... 31
The Breeding of Cats alongside the Breeding of other Species or other Businesses
involving Companion Animals................................................................................. 35
Refusal of some Breeders to Cooperate with Local Authorities .............................. 36
Conclusions....................................................................................................................... 37
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................... 39
Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 2
Overview and Objectives
The aim of the cat breeding special project was to identify the extent of cat breeding in
Wales, to include pedigree, non-pedigree and mixed breeds. CAWES baseline data has
shown that cat breeding is as prolific as dog breeding and that pedigree cats are being
sold for significant sums of money.
The specific aims and objectives of the project were:
1. To establish the number of cat breeders within Wales
2. To carry out inspections to identified cat breeders allowing an assessment of the
current levels of compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006
3. To identify the level of cat breeding in Wales:
• Establish the number of breeding queens and studs kept by the trader
• Identify the number of breeds/ crossbreeds being kept
• Assess the number of breeders registered with the GCCF
• Identify the number of breeders who are members of a self-regulating breed
club
• Assess the conditions in which animals are being kept and compliance with
the AWA
4. Where traders are located in another Welsh Authority, the traders details will be
forwarded to the relevant authority
5. Where breaches of legislation are found, a referral will be made to the relevant
LA for further investigation. Where appropriate, such investigations will be carried
out in consultation with partner AWNW members.
6. Identify and provide education awareness to traders on the requirements of the
AWA. Such training will be provided according to identified needs, by the
Authority and or in conjunction with partner AWNW members.
7. Report on findings in a timely manner to partner organisations via the Regional
AWNW Fora.
This report presents all information gathered as part of the project including relevant
statistics on breeders, and potential issues identified relating to cat breeding which may
need addressing.
Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 3
Number of Identified Breeders One of the primary objectives of the project was to establish the number of cat breeders operating within Wales. This has been done via the channels outlined the next section. A breakdown of the figures of identified cat breeders by Local Authority can be seen below: Local Authority Number of Identified Cat Breeders Blaenau Gwent 10 Bridgend 19 Caerphilly 20 Cardiff 19 Carmarthenshire 50 Ceredigion 19 Conwy 6 Denbighshire 13 Flintshire 16 Gwynedd 7 Isle of Anglesey 8 Merthyr Tydfil 6 Monmouthshire 11 Neath Port Talbot 15 Newport 11 Pembrokeshire 10 Powys 17 Rhondda Cynon Taff 22 Swansea 29 Torfaen 11 Vale of Glamorgan 18 Wrexham 10 Total 347 A total of 347 cat breeders have been identified across Wales. This includes breeders of all types of cat including pedigrees, cross-breeds and non-pedigrees. The majority of the individuals identified are actively breeding pedigree cats. Originally, the details of all individuals selling litters of kittens or breeding cats were recorded on the database, however when some of these individuals were contacted it became apparent that many were not bona-fide cat breeders, but cat owners whose pet cat had become pregnant. They were then selling the kittens on for a fee in order to help cover any associated costs. Distinguishing between these individuals and bona-fide cat breeders has not always been easy and has been one difficulty faced throughout the course of the project. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 4
Unlike in the case of dogs, the chances of accidental or unplanned litters from pet cats are much higher due to their free-roaming nature and the fact that there are a large number of un-neutered pet and semi-feral cats throughout Wales. On the other hand, a number of individuals have been identified who offer new litters of non-pedigree cats for sale to the public on a recurrent basis, making them to all intents and purposes, cat breeders. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 5
Breeder Identification The project has been successful in identifying cat breeders throughout Wales and information on breeders has been gathered from a variety of online and offline sources. Internet Classified Listings Many breeders choose to list kittens and breeding cats for sale online. The growth of the internet over recent years means that online listings have the potential to reach a large number of people with minimal effort and cost, within a short period of time. Many websites offering online classifieds are free-of-charge and allow the uploading of photographs and other details which may be helpful to the sale. There are hundreds of online classified websites, some dedicated solely to the trading of animals. It has become clear that there are a number of key classified websites which are favoured by breeders when listing kittens for sale. Classifieds websites were checked weekly for any new advertisements placed by breeders in Wales. Due to the high volume of adverts on a handful of websites (including www.freeads.co.uk, www.pets4homes.co.uk and www.preloved.co.uk), these were checked daily for new advertisements whenever possible. Online Breeder Directories Breeders may also choose to list their details with an online breeder directory. This saves the breeder time and effort as they do not have to publish separate advertisements on a regular basis each time they have kittens available. Usually a contact telephone number or email address is published so that potential buyers are free to contact the breeder with enquiries at any time. Breed and Area Cat Club Websites Many breed and area cat clubs publish details of registered breeders on their websites. These sites aid prospective kitten buyers who are seeking to purchase a kitten of a particular breed or within their locality, and are also used to announce any show titles gained by members. Visits have been carried out to some breeders identified in this way, and it has been found that whilst they are still operating an active breeding programme, they do not advertise individual litters of kittens publicly either via websites or printed publications; kittens are sold either internally via the cat breeding clubs or through word of mouth. Breeders’ Personal Websites Details on breeders have also been gathered from their own personal websites, where they are available. Many will list their contact details including addresses, contact emails and telephone numbers. They may also publish details and pictures of the breeds and number of studs and queens that they keep, the accommodation used, and details of club membership. These websites can be useful in helping to determine the scale of the breeding programme. Specialist Magazines Breeders have been identified via listings in specialist cat magazines. There are currently two mainstream magazines which are partially, though not solely, dedicated to cat breeding. These are Your Cat Magazine and Cat World Magazine. Both publish breeder directories, “kitten lists” and stud listings at the back of the magazine. Some Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 6
breeders place regular advertisements where as others may only list when they have a
litter available. Both of these magazines are published monthly and each new issue has
been checked for any new listings and advertisements.
Ad Trader Magazine
Breeders have been identified through listings placed in Ad Trader Magazine which is
published on a weekly basis and covers South and West Wales. Again, some breeders
publish a weekly advertisement where as others will place them periodically as and
when new litters become available. This is published and was checked on a weekly
basis for any new advertisements.
Local Welsh Newspapers
Cat breeders have also been identified via listings in the classifieds section of Welsh
newspapers. Newspapers which have been monitored include the NWN Media Group
(which covers North Wales and publishes newspapers including the Wrexham Leader
and North Wales Chronicle), Trinity Mirror Group newspapers (including the South
Wales Echo and Merthyr Express), the South Wales Argus, the South Wales Evening
Post and the Brecon and Radnor Express. In most cases these are published weekly
and were also checked weekly for any new advertisements.
Details forwarded by Local Authorities
In some cases Local Authorities have already been aware of certain cat breeders in their
area. This is down to work carried out as part of the baseline assessment or where the
breeder is already known to the Authority for other reasons (e.g. they also breed dogs).
Details forwarded by the Special Project Officer for the Internet Trading of Companion
Animals
Some breeders have also been identified by analysing older adverts which have been
recorded and forwarded by the Special Project Officer, based in Powys, who has been
looking into the internet trading of all companion animals across Wales.
All information gathered on cat breeders in Wales has been stored on a secure Microsoft
Access database. This has been specially designed to include all relevant data on each
individual breeder, including:
• Personal details such as name, address, email, website and telephone numbers
• Details of any advertisements placed including location and date placed, in
addition the body of text from the advert and asking price.
• Details on the number of breeding queens and studs kept by the breeder, as well
as details on membership of any breed clubs and registration bodies.
• A box where any additional comments can be made e.g. on the details of a visit,
any correspondence with the breeder or whether they appear to also be breeding
other species.
The database has been an effective tool for logging and monitoring the activities of
breeders. The database enables the production of reports, which list breeder details and
any adverts being placed according to Local Authority. These reports have been
forwarded to Local Authorities on a monthly basis so that they remain up-to-date on the
whereabouts, details and breeding activities of cat breeders located in their Authority.
Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 7
Numbers of Queens and Studs Another aim of the project was to establish the numbers of cats, both male and female, being kept at premises across Wales for the purposes of breeding. Established figures are outlined below: Sex Number Identified Male (Stud) 227 Female (Breeding Queen) 564 Total 791 From these figures it is evident that the number of pedigree cats being kept for the breeding purposes across Wales is significant. However, it should be noted that these figures will regularly fluctuate due to natural wastage, new cats being utilised for breeding and others being bought and sold from other locations across the UK. Also, as not every identified breeder has been visited by a Local Authority Officer it is difficult to confirm overall numbers. When taking all these factors into account, whilst these figures are useful as a baseline indicator, the true number of cats being kept in Wales for the purpose of breeding is likely to be significantly higher. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 8
Breed Statistics and Pricing From the information gathered, it is possible to identify a number of trends relating to the popularity of certain breeds of pedigree cat being sold across Wales, and the prices they command. The majority of individuals identified as regularly and intentionally breeding cats for sale to the public are primarily pedigree cat breeders. It should be noted that some individuals are breeding more than one type of cat; for example they may breed cross bred kittens in addition to pedigrees. This is more prevalent where they breed more than one type of pedigree cat. As has already been stated, although a huge number of litters of non-pedigree kittens are also advertised for sale and were originally recorded on the database, it has subsequently been found that most of these litters are “one-off”, “accidental” or “unplanned”. Often, they are the result of an unspayed pet cat becoming pregnant and the kittens are then sold on for a small fee via the classifieds. Large numbers of non-pedigree kittens are given away “free to good homes”, thereby limiting the price that people are willing to pay for this type of kitten. Finally, there are also a large number of rescued, abandoned or unwanted cats and kittens in shelters and sanctuaries across Wales. Here prospective owners can adopt a pet kitten or cat (which will usually have already been vaccinated, neutered and micro-chipped) for the price of a small donation. The vast majority of non-pedigree kittens are advertised and sold for less than £50, indicating that the long-term commercial viability of intentionally breeding non- pedigree kittens for sale is limited. However the problem of large numbers of unwanted or unplanned litters of non-pedigree kittens being born to un-neutered pet, stray or feral cats is ongoing and could warrant further attention. In contrast, pedigree kittens command considerably higher sums and this is where the project has primarily focused. The most well-known breeds and the number of identified breeders are outlined in the table below: Breed Number of Identified Breeders Bengal 42 Birman 16 British Shorthair 48 Maine Coon 23 Norwegian Forest Cat 9 Persian 50 Ragdoll 36 Siamese/ Oriental 76 Sphynx 6 N.B. Some individuals breed more than one type of cat, in some cases it can be as many as three or four different breeds. However, usually it will be limited to one or two breeds. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 9
The pattern of these figures, notably the increased popularity amongst certain breeds, bears some correlation with GCCF statistics for registered breeds over recent years.1 The money involved in the buying and selling of these pedigree cats is significant and is in line with that of many breeds of pedigree dog. Adverts for pedigree kittens and breeding cats have been recorded with asking prices ranging from £50 for an older Bengal breeding Queen, to £2000 for a Sphynx breeding queen, though these figures represent extreme examples. Utilising information contained within the 1,299 recorded advertisements, pedigree kittens tend to be advertised for around £350 as “pet-only”, depending on breed and registration details. Kittens registered for breeding on the GCCF/ TICA “active” register will generally be sold for around double the “non-active” (not for breeding) price. The sums involved for breeding cats will typically be around £500-650 per cat for the majority of breeds. With regard to unregistered breeders, kittens sold by these individuals will usually undercut the price of an equivalent fully registered kitten. For example, a fully registered, vaccinated, and health checked Ragdoll kitten will be advertised for around £325 - 400. A non-registered Ragdoll kitten, which in most cases will also be sold without vaccinations, pedigree certificate, or any other extras such as a microchip, will be offered for around £200 - 300. If we compare these figures to those of pedigree dogs, certain breeds such as Yorkshire terriers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are bought and sold for very similar sums. 1 GCCF, Analysis of Breeds Registered by the GCCF 2006-2008 (GCCF, 2009), Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 10
Registration Statistics
The project has also looked at how many of the identified cat breeders are registered
with one of the feline governing / registration bodies, either by holding a registered
breeder / cattery “prefix” or by registering litters of kittens individually. This gives some
indication as to how many breeders currently fall under some form of self-regulation
which is administered by the feline governing bodies and breed clubs. Each governing
body sets their own welfare and breeding guidelines which affiliated breeders are
expected to adhere to.
Examples of these breeding recommendations include:
• Ensuring kittens are not offered for sale until they are 13 weeks old having
received their full course of initial vaccinations and having been checked by a
qualified veterinary surgeon.
• Ensuring that kittens are not supplied to commercial third-parties (e.g. pet shops,
pet dealers)
• Ensuring that the health and welfare of all cats in their care remain the primary
considerations at all times.
• Ensuring that prospective kitten purchasers are not knowingly misled regarding
the characteristics of the breed or the health or quality of the cat. .2 3 4
There are currently three main registration bodies for cats in the UK. These are:
• The General Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)
• The International Cat Association (TICA)
• Felis Britannica (the British element of FIFe)
There are other bodies, such as the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA), and the World Cat
Federation (WCF), however the three organisations listed above are the most popular
and most widely recognised in the UK. The GCCF is usually cited as the largest and
most popular feline governing body in the UK, and positions itself as “the feline
equivalent of the Kennel Club”.
The main role of these bodies, which comprise of numerous individual clubs, is to store
the details of registered pedigree cats, to process associated paperwork, to license cat
shows throughout the country, and to regulate and promote responsible breeding and
feline welfare amongst affiliated breeders.
2
FIFe, Felis Britannica: Breeding and Registration Rules (FIFe, 2004),
3
GCCF, General Code of Ethics for Breeders and Owners (GCCF, 2010),
4
TICA, Voluntary Code of Ethics (TICA, 2009),
Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 11It has been established that 240 of the 348 identified breeders either hold a registered cattery prefix, or register litters individually with one of the three main registration bodies prior to sale. Below is a table which breaks this figure down by individual registration body: Registration Body Number of registered breeders: GCCF 235 TICA 45 FIFe GB (Felis Britannica) 11 N.B. The above figures total more than 240 as some individuals hold a cattery prefix with more than one registration body (known as “dual-registration”) 188 breeders have been identified as being a member of a self-regulatory breed club. Membership of a breed club is a pre-requisite should a breeder wish to register a cattery prefix with one of the main governing bodies. It is clear that the GCCF is by the far the most popular registration body for pedigree cats within Wales, although it is important not to discount others as they can be more popular amongst certain breeds. For example, Bengal breeders tend to favour TICA registration over GCCF registration as TICA were quicker to recognise and accommodate this particular breed. There are certain breeds, such as the Scottish Fold and the Serengeti, which are not recognised by the GCCF and therefore if breeders of these cats wish to participate at cat shows (almost all cat shows are sanctioned and administered by these governing bodies) and other such events, they must register their cats with TICA or another GCCF alternative. In many cases, breeders tend to favour registration with more than one governing body in order to gain the benefits of dual membership, such as access to cat shows licensed by both organisations. Some breeders have also expressed a personal preference for the format of TICA cat shows compared to those licensed to the GCCF. It is encouraging that the majority of cat breeders in Wales choose to register their kittens, as it means that they come under the self-regulatory jurisdiction of the governing bodies. However, a number of breeders who have been spoken to throughout the course of the project have been critical of these governing bodies. In particular they have expressed concern over a perceived lack of effectiveness on the part of these organisations in dealing with health and welfare issues and complaints. The GCCF in particular has been faced with significant financial difficulties owing to rising costs and lower registration numbers in recent years and as of 2009 has been forced to raise prices in many areas. None of the feline governing bodies carry out regular visits or inspections to registered breeders, instead relying on self-regulatory measures in the form of breeding guidelines and welfare officers in individual cat clubs to uphold feline welfare. They may however impose punitive measures such as fines or membership suspension where it can be proven that guidelines have been significantly breached. In order to make an official welfare complaint about a registered breeder to the GCCF, a £10 compulsory administration surcharge must be paid. This could act as a disincentive to people coming forward with genuine welfare concerns. Some breeders have also expressed a dislike for the “politics” and perceived lack of impartiality which, they say, exists within some breed clubs and certain elements of the registration bodies. They feel that a more independent method of regulation could be more appropriate. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 12
Major concern has also been expressed by GCCF / TICA registered breeders over non registered cat breeders (they are not a member of any clubs and do not register their kittens with any governing body). The concern is that as they are non-registered they remain completely outside of the self-regulatory network of the governing bodies and clubs, and therefore their breeding activities continue free of almost any regulation whatsoever. In addition, as they are not an active member of a breed club, it is highly unlikely that they will participate in any effort to eradicate certain health defects which exist in some breeds of pedigree cat. For example, the Ragdoll cat clubs are currently making efforts to eradicate a fatal heart defect, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), from the Ragdoll breed. A similar programme exists amongst registered Persian breeders to eradicate a kidney problem, polycystic kidney disease (PKD). As non registered breeders do not take part club-sponsored programmes, these potentially fatal genetic faults will continue to be inherited by future generations. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 13
Visits to Identified Cat Breeders Details of all cat breeders, including names, contact telephone numbers and addresses (where applicable), along with copies of all advertisements placed by these breeders, were forwarded to each Local Authority on a monthly basis. Individual cases have also been referred, either where a large volume of adverts were being placed, or where information was gathered on a breeder which may have warranted an inspection (e.g. it was discovered that one breeder in Swansea had been fined £500 in 2003 by the GCCF for “causing unnecessary suffering to cats”. In another instance hygiene levels at a premise in Monmouthshire were highlighted whilst carrying out visits to breeders in other Local Authorities). Animal Health and Companion Animal Officers in various Local Authorities across Wales have carried out some visits to identified breeders; where possible this has been done in conjunction with the Special Project Officer. The table below outlines the number of visits carried out as well as any refusals: Local Authority Visits Refusals Bridgend 2 - Cardiff 4 3 Carmarthenshire 3 - Denbighshire 3 1 Merthyr Tydfil 3 1 Monmouthshire/ Torfaen 5 2 Neath Port Talbot 4 2 Pembrokeshire 3 - Powys 2 - Rhondda Cynon Taff 4 - Swansea 3 1 Vale of Glamorgan 4 2 Wrexham 2 - Total 42 12 Officers have given multiple copies of the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats to breeders they have visited; both for the breeders own use and to give to the new owners of any kittens sold. This ensures that both breeders and new owners are aware of their obligations to animals in their care as set out by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. No breaches of welfare legislation have been reported back from successful visits and in general, welfare at visited premises has reportedly been of a high standard. Issues have been raised regarding a lack of cleanliness in a small number of cases as well as possible overcrowding issues due to the total number of cats at some premises (breeders will often keep a number of neutered cats in addition to breeding stock). The largest number of breeding cats identified at a visited premise was 25, comprising 19 breeding queens and 6 stud males of 3 different pedigree breeds. The use of outdoor catteries to house breeding cats is widespread amongst pedigree cat breeders in Wales. This is primarily for housing stud males, although in many cases it is also used to house breeding females. External accommodation is usually necessary for stud cats due to the Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 14
way in which they mark their territory with strong-smelling urine. It also enables the proper regimentation of breeding. The size and quality of this outside housing has varied considerably between breeders. A number of cat breeders have refused to allow Officers access to their premises. Although this has been a minority, the reluctance of some cat breeders to co-operate with Local Authorities has been one of the other difficulties faced throughout the course of the project. Some breeders have given ambiguous reasons as to why they have chosen to adopt this non-cooperative stance; others have stated that they do not wish to take part of any government initiative. A small number of breeders have declined as they admit that they are worried about a licensing regime being introduced in relation to cat breeding, whilst other breeders have stated that they would welcome this provided that it was implemented in a way that did not heavily penalise genuine “hobby” cat breeders. Those who have refused have been fully aware of the limited powers of Local Authorities in relation to the breeding of cats, regardless of the size of the breeding programme being operated. The main issue with refusals is that Officers are then unable to carry out an animal welfare assessment, ensuring that all animals on the premises are being provided appropriate levels of care in line with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and associated Codes of Practice. When the information on the non-cooperative breeders has been analysed, such as their websites and the number of adverts being placed, a number are operating on what can be considered large scale. One breeder who refused access to a Local Authority Officer appears to keep in excess of 15 pedigree cats for the purposes of breeding (according to information on their personal website) and also houses them in outdoor accommodation. They regularly advertise new litters for sale (with 8 unique advertisements over 4 months), and their website facilitates payment via the internet. It is concerning that this minority of breeders have still refused to co-operate with Local Authority Officers even when the primary objective of the CAWES scheme, promoting companion animal welfare across Wales, is explained to them. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 15
Partnership Working with Animal Welfare Network Wales
(AWNW) Members
Efforts have been made to work in partnership with Animal Welfare Network Wales
members wherever possible. Presentations on the background, objectives, and
preliminary findings of the project were made at 3 of the 4 regional CAWES fora; Dyfed-
Powys, South Wales and North Wales. It was hoped that co-operation would be
encouraged by promoting the aims and objectives of the project via these AWNW
regional fora.
Vet and Cat Rescue Survey
58 surveys were sent out to a selection of veterinary practices and cat rescue
organisations across Wales. The aim of the survey was to gather any extra information
or opinions on cat breeding from those who deal with cats on a day-to-day basis, as well
as offering an early input into the project to AWNW members. Though the response was
limited (only 10 surveys were returned, which is disappointing as 26 of the surveys were
addressed to AWNW members) they contained some interesting information and
opinions including:
• Concerns from Cat Rescues over the large numbers of cats being abandoned
which have not been neutered or micro-chipped, as well as increasing problems
with feral or semi-feral, un-neutered cats.
• A cat rescue organisation covering Mid Wales expressed concerns regarding a
potential conflict of interest whereby animal rescues are also breeding and selling
pedigree animals in order to generate additional revenue. They citied a specific
case where an animal rescue and sanctuary was breeding Bengal cats. The
same case was again highlighted by a member of the Dyfed-Powys CAWES
Forum, and by an RSPCA Inspector at the North Wales CAWES Forum. The
relevant Local Authority, in this case Powys, carried out a welfare inspection to
the premises and though no welfare issues were found, it does raise some
important moral and ethical issues.
• One veterinary surgery which deals primarily with people on benefits and low
incomes pointed out that their clients often purchase cats having been told that
they are pedigree, only to discover at a later date that the animal they have
purchased is highly unlikely to be pedigree at all.
• The veterinary practices responded noted an increasing interest in certain breeds
of pedigree cat over recent years, specifically in Oriental breeds, Bengals and
Ragdolls. This fits in with the GCCF UK Registration statistics which show an
increase in registrations for these breeds over the past 5-10 years, despite a
decline in registration numbers overall.5
5
GCCF, Analysis of Breeds Registered by the GCCF 2006-2008
Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 16Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB)
Contact was made with Claire Bessant the Executive Chairman of the Feline Advisory
Bureau in order to make her aware of the project, and to highlight its aims and
objectives. From their point of view, the health of pedigree cats is of paramount concern
and they have worked closely with the governing bodies and breed clubs, especially the
GCCF, in trying to foster a pro-active approach to eliminating the genetic defects which
exist in some breeds of pedigree cat.6 Claire Bessant has written numerous articles
highlighting the need for breeders and governing bodies to act swiftly, in order to avoid
pedigree cats drifting into a similar position to that of pedigree dogs, where up until
recently, genetic defects in certain breeds had effectively become institutionalised.7
Thanks in part to the work of FAB, the GCCF have recently released a new document
outlining a comprehensive policy on healthy breeding.8
FAB has a number of concerns regarding the breeding of cats these are:
• Where breeders are operating on a large-scale and housing significant numbers
of cats in outdoor accommodation. This increases the potential for socialisation
issues (where there is a lack of human interaction) and can increase the chances
of viral or bacterial infections transmitting rapidly amongst the feline population. It
can also impact significantly on the quality of life of cats kept in this way,
especially if they are over-bred. FAB emphasise that domestic cats should be
regarded as pets first, above all else, and are concerned that some breeders can
forget this.
• Breed-specific health concerns. There are a number of breeds of pedigree cat
which are defined in part by their genetic abnormalities. In some cases there is
evidence to suggest that this can impact on their general health and well-being.
Breeds which attract the highest level of concern from FAB include the Munchkin,
Bambino, Sphynx, Japanese Bobtail, Manx, Scottish Fold, Bengal and Ultra-
Persians, all for a variety of different health reasons.9 One of the most recent
practices to arise is the out-crossing of domestic cats with wild species to
produce “hybrids”; for example, the pedigree Bengal cat was originally conceived
by out-crossing a domestic tabby cat with a wild Asian Leopard Cat. All males
born as a result of this outcross are infertile, and Bengals tend to be much more
active and territorial than their ordinary domestic counterparts.
• Inherited diseases, some of which can be fatal. There breeds of pedigree cat
which are more susceptible to potentially fatal health conditions, such as HCM in
Ragdoll cats and PKD in Persians. FAB have emphasised the need for breeders
and governing bodies to work together to eliminate these inherited diseases from
breeding lines as they can impact considerably on a cats quality of life.
6
Feline Advisory Bureau, Inherited Disorders in Cats – confirmed and suspected,
7
Bessant, C. “Special Article: What of Pedigree Cats?” in Your Cat Magazine (Stamford, Lincs: Bourne,
May 2009), pp. 64-67.
8
GCCF, GCCF Breeding Policy: Guidelines for Healthy Breeding (GCCF, 2010),
9
Jasper Copping, “Inbred pedigree cats suffering from life-threatening diseases and deformities”, Daily
Telegraph, 14 March 2009. Available at
Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 17• A lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of new cat breeders and
owners. The growth in popularity of certain pedigree cat breeds, such as the
Bengal, over the past decade has attracted a large number of new and
sometimes inexperienced breeders. It is felt that some move into cat breeding
without fully understanding the level of work involved in doing it responsibly, and
to a standard which does not threaten to compromise the welfare of the cats
involved. It is also felt that many new owners of pedigree kittens do not
understand the additional work involved in caring for certain breeds. For
example, Persians have a long coat which requires daily grooming to prevent
matting, and certain breeds such as the Ragdoll are ideally suited to an indoor
environment due to their unique personality traits.
Cats Protection
Cats Protection has also had some input into the project. In the main, they do not
actively engage with cat breeders; their primary focus is promoting re-homing and
neutering. However, occasionally they do have to deal with some of the negative
consequences of breeding. For example, they may intervene where a breeding
programme has become too large for a breeder to cope with, or where new owners of
pedigree kittens find that they are too much work and are no longer able to care for
them. The Bridgend Adoption Centre was visited and they were able to raise a number
of issues identified through the work that they do. The vast majority of cats and kittens
that they deal with are non-pedigree, and are usually taken in as stray, abandoned or
when owners are unable to care for them any longer due to a change in circumstances.
This includes litters of kittens which are born to either stray or to pet cats that roam
unspayed and subsequently become pregnant. This is why they strongly emphasise the
importance of neutering and micro-chipping pet cats and offer a subsidised neutering
scheme to those on low incomes. They do occasionally take in pedigree cats and kittens
for re-homing. The most common pedigree breeds taken into their care are Persians and
Bengals. Both breeds have specific care needs; Persians require regular grooming due
to their long, thick coats and Bengals are known for being highly strung and can be more
destructive than the average house cat due to an inquisitive nature. Often, new owners
who are unable to cope are forced to turn to Cats Protection and other charities for help
and guidance, as the breeder that they originally bought the cat from is unable or
unwilling to offer advice or to have the cat returned to them. It was also felt that many
people start to breed cats, both non-pedigree and pedigree, with a view to earning
money without fully understanding the needs of the animals, and that a breeding
programme requires a significant amount of work and financial input especially should
any unforeseen problems arise.
Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 18Cat Breeding Guide for Local Authorities A guide on cat breeding has been produced for the benefit of Local Authorities and AWNW members. It introduces some of the basic terminology relating to cat breeding, outlines the role of the main registration bodies for pedigree cats as well as what they deem to be “best practice” for breeding, and introduces some of the most popular breeds of pedigree cat for the purposes of identification. It is anticipated that this will be a useful aid when engaging with and carrying out visits to cat breeders, as for many Local Authority Officers pedigree cat breeding has only recently been brought under their remit via the CAWES scheme. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 19
The Sale of Kittens via Pet Shops in Wales
The project has explored the sale of kittens via pet shops in Wales in order to establish
whether there are any commercial links between cat breeders and pet shops. All Local
Authorities were contacted to establish the number of pet shops in Wales which are
regularly selling kittens. Findings are as follows:
Local Authority Number of Pet Shops selling kittens
Caerphilly 1
Cardiff 2
Denbighshire 1
Merthyr Tydfil 1
Newport 2
Rhondda Cynon Taff 3
Vale of Glamorgan 1
Total 11
Of these 11 pet shops, none were found to be selling pedigree kittens. All kittens offered
for sale were non-pedigree type kittens. Prices varied between £20 and £65 per kitten.
This price range would indicate that the long-term commercial viability of breeding non-
pedigree kittens for sale to third-parties, such as pet shops, is fairly limited and appears
to be small-scale and sporadic. The large number of non-pedigree kittens born every
year across Wales, either to a feral or to an unspayed pet or farm cat left to roam freely,
means that they are not difficult to source should a pet shop wish to engage in this
practice.
Through contacting some of the pet shops directly and from information passed on by
some Local Authorities, some common sources of supply can be identified. These
include:
• The selling on of “accidental” or unwanted litters where an unspayed pet female
cat has become pregnant. Sometimes these kittens are given to the pet shop
free of charge though often they will be purchased for a fee. This is the most
common source of supply to pet shops.
• The occasional breeding of a pet cat owned by the pet shop licensee. The kittens
are then sold on via the pet shop.
• One Local Authority highlighted a case where an individual with a small holding
and a population of feral cats was taking kittens from this feral population and
offering them for sale to a local pet shop. The pet shop in question was forced to
return the kittens when they appeared to develop cat flu. They have now decided
to stop selling kittens altogether. It may be that there are individuals breeding
non-pedigree cats for the specific purpose of supplying pet shops; however no
breeders or pet shops in Wales have admitted to engaging in this practice.
Telephone conversations held with some licensed pet shop owners indicate that many
have a fundamental objection to selling kittens or puppies via pet shops. This may go
Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 20some way to explaining the relatively small number of premises engaged in this practice across the whole of Wales. Overall, it would seem that the supply of kittens to pet shops within Wales is sporadic, and there do not appear to be cat breeders supplying pedigree kittens, which have a much higher monetary value than their non-pedigree counterparts, to pet shops. As pet shops selling animals are already subject to a licensing and inspection regime administered by Local Authorities, measures are in place to uphold animal welfare at these premises. However, one other closely-related issue which has been identified is the supply of pedigree kittens to third-parties outside of Wales. One breeder in Carmarthenshire has been identified and visited who supplies pedigree Bengal cats to Harrods Pet Shop in London on a regular basis, and who has also sold pedigree cats to a commercial pet dealer (See Case Study 4 for further details). Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 21
Case Studies Below are 4 case studies which demonstrate some of the issues relating to cat breeding which have been identified as part of the project. Case Study 1: Potential over-breeding and welfare issues in Merthyr Tydfil A Ragdoll breeder was identified in Merthyr Tydfil soon after the commencement of the project via internet classified listings. After a comprehensive search, it was discovered that more adverts been placed by the same individual advertising other various species of animal for sale. The breeder was visited in July 2009 by an Animal Health Officer and the Special Project Officer in order to gain more information on their breeding activities. The breeder maintained that the adverts relating to pedigree dogs were outdated; however at this time she had 3 breeding cats on the premises, 2 females (one of which had just given birth, and one pregnant) and 1 stud male. All were pedigree Ragdoll cats which had been purchased from various sources; another non-registered local breeder, and registered breeders in Swansea and Carmarthenshire. The breeder maintained that the matings were accidental; none of the cats were neutered and the male cat was given free roam of the premise. All cats were housed together inside the family home, and although no clear breaches of welfare legislation were identifiable it was obvious that hygiene and over-breeding could easily become an issue with an entire male freely roaming the house. The local breeder who had originally supplied one of the females was contacted and she informed us that she had recently purchased a kitten from the breeder in question and she had concerns over its health – it was taken to the vet with runny eyes and was found to be underweight and flea-ridden, however it tested negative for cat flu. She also maintained that the female who had just given birth had also had another litter not long before, again raising the issue of potential over-breeding. The matter was therefore referred to the RSPCA for further investigation. The breeder was contacted again by an Animal Health Officer a few weeks later with regard to fair trading advice after new adverts were placed. She maintained that she was now selling all the cats due to asthma, however she also admitted that she had bought additional breeding cats (one male and one female) three months ago. These were quickly sold as she found the care of 5 cats and their offspring too burdensome. At the beginning of September 2009, new adverts were again being placed for another litter of kittens and their mother. When contact was made it became clear that the breeder lacked knowledge in relation to both the characteristics of the breed and cat breeding in general. All kittens were being sold non-registered without vaccinations and below the price of an equivalent registered kitten. Despite having previously maintained that they were selling all the cats due to health reasons, in February 2010 they began advertising more breeding cats, this time Chinchilla Persians which are a long-haired breed requiring regular grooming to avoid any matting of the coat. Once again, when contacted the breeder maintained that they had purchased the cats from a registered breeder in Cardiff, and was now selling the cats due to health reasons. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 22
An officer from the Licensing Section visited the premises to inform them that if they continued to purchase and re-sell animals they would require a pet shop license. They have since maintained that they will no longer be keeping any animals for the purposes of breeding or re-sale. This case demonstrates how a lack of knowledge can potentially lead to a breach of animal welfare legislation. The breeder in this instance had not acted responsibly, by either pursuing a responsible breeding programme; housing the stud male separately from the females, or having all cats neutered. The main governing bodies strongly recommend that a breeding queen should have no more than three litters in two years, and should have at least a nineteen-week break between litters. Due to the conditions that the cats were kept in, it is highly unlikely that the breeder could have properly regulated their breeding activities and the chances that the females would be over-bred were significant. However, as this breeder was not registered, the governing bodies had no powers to deal with or pursue any complaints. The case shows how outside of any registration body or breeding club, a cat breeders activities can carry on virtually unmonitored and unregulated. It also demonstrates how there are individual breeders in Wales who appear to view pedigree cats and other companion animals as little more than as a source of extra income and as commodities to be bought and sold. Case Study 2: Large-scale cat breeding programme in Swansea As part of the project, internet classified sites have been monitored on a regular basis in order to identify cat breeders by the number of adverts being placed. It is clear from the frequency of adverts being placed by some breeders that they are operating large breeding programmes and are producing numerous litters of kittens on a regular basis. One breeder in particular was found to have placed a total of 22 advertisements via at least 5 different websites throughout July and August. Although some had been duplicated, it was possible to discern 6 separate litters and breeding cats being advertised for sale during this period. Some of these were registered pedigrees and offered for sale as breeding stock. Others were “designer cross-breeds” as well as a litter of non-pedigree kittens. Asking prices ranged from between £60 as “pet-only” up to £600 for a registered breeding queen. Due to the volume and frequency of adverts being placed, the case was referred to Swansea Council. It was found that they were aware of this breeder owing to a previous referral from the Internet Project Officer in Powys, who had logged a large number of adverts for pedigree dogs. They had been trying to gain access to the premise to carry out an inspection; however the breeder was initially proving un-cooperative. It was discovered that she also breeds Maltese terriers and Shar - Pei’s, and has an outdoor cattery at the rear of the premise. Subsequently, an inspection was carried out by an Animal Health Officer and local vet, and no welfare issues were reported. However, it was clear to officers that a dog breeding license was required. The breeder was identified as having 6 Maine Coon breeding queens, 2 Bengal breeding queens as well as a number of stud cats. The breeder has continued to place frequent adverts for litters of kittens as well as adult Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 23
breeding cats, regularly asking as much as £650 for a female of breeding potential. It is likely that the number of cats kept on the premises for the purpose of breeding is fluctuating regularly. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of recording and monitoring internet adverts as a way of establishing an individual’s level of breeding activity. It also demonstrates that there are cat breeders in Wales who are operating large cat breeding programmes, in this case alongside the breeding of pedigree dogs. It is difficult to argue that this level of breeding activity would fall under the remit of a “hobby”. Under current legislation the presence of a significant dog breeding programme meant that this premise could be brought into an annual inspection and regulatory regime. However, had no dog breeding programme been present, the large-scale cat breeding programme could have continued virtually unchecked, owing to the absence of any licensing regime currently being in place for cats. Case Study 3: Breeder in Torfaen placing misleading advertisements At the beginning of August 2009 a breeder from Pontypool, Torfaen, began advertising a litter of kittens for sale. Internet searches revealed that the same breeder had previously advertised another litter of kittens in May 2009. The adverts were flagged as the kittens were being widely advertised as being of the Ragamuffin breed; a newly recognised pedigree breed which has only recently been introduced into the UK from the United States. However, both the asking prices (£50-£60) and lack of any pedigree paperwork indicated that the kittens were unlikely to be pedigree as was being claimed. In order to gain more information on the breed, a breeder of genuine pedigree Ragamuffins in another Local Authority was visited. It was discovered that the UK Ragamuffin breed club was already aware of the individual in question, and that they had previously been in contact with her. This subsequently resulted in her website, which was used to advertise the kittens, being taken offline. The genuine breeder also emphasised the huge difficulty and expense she and others had faced in importing the breed into the UK from the United States. Taking into account purchase, import and registration costs, it was estimated to have cost around £6000 to bring the cats (one female breeding queen and one stud male) into the country. It was established that genuine Ragamuffin kittens will sell for around £600 with GCCF registration, and both the dam sire will have a certificate of registration with the ACFA (American Cat Fancier’s Association). It causes concern amongst breeders who are attempting to develop and enhance pedigree breeds when others mislead consumers in order to boost the attractiveness of their kittens. It also raises the issue of consumer rights and protection, as it could be argued that these adverts were inaccurate and deliberately misleading to potential buyers. This case study identifies the problem of misleading advertisements being placed for kittens and cats; however this problem is unlikely to be limited to cats and may be common amongst all species of companion animal. These types of misleading practices cause concern amongst breed clubs and registration bodies, as their members often contribute a large amount of time and money into getting new breeds recognised by UK Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 24
registration bodies and cat clubs. It also raises the issue of consumer rights and protection, as consumers are being deliberately misled about animals which they may be looking to purchase. Case Study 4: Cat Breeder in Carmarthenshire supplying cats and dogs to Harrods Pet Shop, London Concerns were raised by one of the cat breeding clubs over a breeder in Carmarthenshire who had been placing numerous adverts for a number of different breeds of cat including Bengals, Maine Coons and Siberians. There was also speculation that the breeder in question was supplying animals to Harrods and that there had been fighting amongst the cats and dogs on the premises. It was found that the breeder in question had not been picked up via internet searches as she had been listing through a Bristol address and telephone number. An internet search of the new telephone number revealed numerous adverts had been placed not only for cats but also for various breeds of pedigree dogs. The matter was referred to the relevant Local Authority, in this case Carmarthenshire, who carried out an inspection to the breeders premise. Upon visiting the premise it was discovered that the individual was breeding pedigree dogs (German Shepherds and Chihuahuas) alongside various breeds of pedigree cat which included Maine Coons, Bengals and Siberians. Cats were advertised for sale at £50 for adult cross-breeds and up to £350 for pedigree Siberians. It was established that the breeder had 15 breeding cats and 13 dogs on the premises. No welfare issues were found, however it seemed likely that a dog breeding license would be required. All cats were housed in a large, heated outdoor cattery which includes an indoor area for sleeping as well as branches and toys for climbing and scratching. All cats were described as being in “excellent” condition. It was also confirmed that the breeder has an agreement in place with Harrods to supply kittens and puppies and an annual inspection of the premises was carried out by a Harrods representative. On one occasion Harrods were unable to purchase a litter of Bengal kittens and they were sold to an animal dealer; an action which the breeder stated she has been roundly criticised for by a number of breed clubs that she was a member of at the time. It was also confirmed that a young Bengal cat had been killed approximately 2 to 3 years ago after falling into a pen with large dogs; however the breeder was ambiguous as to the cause of death. This case study demonstrates that there are cat breeders in Wales who are operating on a commercial basis – in this case supplying kittens to one of Britain’s best-known retailers. It also demonstrates once again that there are individuals who are operating cat and dog breeding programmes alongside one another, potentially as a way of increasing income. As demonstrated here, the presence of large numbers of different species of animal at one premise may increase the potential of welfare issues arising if the situation is not closely monitored. This case also demonstrates the inability of both the breed clubs and the registration bodies to enforce their breeding regulations and recommendations. The breeder here was selling registered kittens and was a member of various breed clubs. All of the main UK breed clubs and registration bodies for pedigree cats specifically prohibit the sale of kittens to dealers or pet shops as part of their rules, regulations and recommendations, though as this case demonstrates they have little power to enforce these upon their registered breeders. Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 25
Issues Identified Cat Breeders Operating Large-scale Breeding Programmes Through the special project, cat breeders have been identified, both registered and non, who are breeding on a scale which it could be argued falls outside any definition of a “hobby” breeding programme. The largest amount of cats confirmed as being kept at any one premise in Wales for the purpose of breeding is 25, comprising 19 breeding queens and 6 stud males. There are similar numbers of cats being kept for breeding at other premises. Through the monitoring of classified adverts being placed, cat breeders have been identified who appear to be consistently breeding 1 or 2 litters each calendar month. When we consider the average sale price of pedigree kittens (typically around the £350 mark, and around 4 kittens per litter, though this varies between breeds), this equates to an annual income totalling many thousands of pounds. Additionally, the tone and content of some breeder’s websites and advertisements lends itself towards being a more commercial practice rather than a genuine hobby. For example, breeders have been identified who accept payment via the internet. Although some pedigree cat breeders have openly stated that they make a profit from their breeding activities, most will staunchly maintain that they do not and as such it remains difficult to prove otherwise. However, on balance is also difficult to see why breeders would continue to operate such large breeding programmes, which require a significant input both in terms of time and money, if such a practice was consistently loss-making. From a welfare aspect, the major issue with large-breeding programmes is that they could expand to a point where the work involved in providing adequate levels of care to all cats exceeds the breeder’s capabilities, eventually compromising animal welfare. There is also the issue that if a breeder became unwell or was forced to take on sudden additional commitments, that they may be unable to devote suitable time and attention to such a large number of cats. There have been a number of high-profile cases in the media recently which have highlighted this scenario as a very real possibility.10 11 As there is currently no licensing regime for cat breeders in Wales, these large-scale breeding programmes continue with little monitoring by outside parties. However, in contrast to this, a large number of identified cat breeders in Wales can be described as operating on a “hobby” basis. It is obvious from visits to some breeders that cat breeding and showing is a passionate personal interest. Many actively show their cats in competitions in pursuit of success on the show bench and take great personal pride in the rosettes, trophies and titles which they have attained. Breeding ensures that the genetic lines of show champions or any traits which they may find desirable in a cat 10 Simon Hardy, “Telford Cat Breeder Banned: Breeder spared jail on cat cruelty”, Shropshire Star, 22nd December 2009. Available at 11 Nick Randall, “Persian Cats Back from the Brink at Gables Farm”, Plymouth Post, 3rd January 2010. Available at Created by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 26
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