Preface

This code is designed for everyoneinvolved in the business of breeding kittens for sale. By adhering to the code, people involved in this industry are demonstrating to the general community their concern for the welfare of the animals in their care.

Animal welfare can be thought of as the way an animal's health and well-being are affected by its interaction with its physical and social environments. Since humans can alter or control an animal's environment, animal welfare means that people have duties and responsibilities towards animals. The greater the level of interference with, or control of, an animal's environment, the greater our responsibilities.

The code is neither a complete manual on animal husbandry, nor a static document. It may be revised to take account of advances in the understanding of animal physiology and behaviour, technological changes, changing industry standards, and the community's attitudes and expectations about the welfare of animals.

Compliance with the code does not remove the need to abide by the requirements of any other laws and regulations, such as local government or National Parks and Wildlife Service legislation.

The code has been prepared in consultation with the Royal Agricultural Society Cat Control representing many of those involved in cat breeding, and is endorsed by the NSW Animal Welfare Advisory Council

Definition

'Cattery' is used throughout this document in the sense of 'a colony of cats'.

1. Introduction

1.1    This code sets standards for the care and management of breeding cats.

1.2    It applies to the welfare of all cats kept for the business of breeding kittens for sale or reward.

2. Responsibilities of the owner or lessee

2.1    The owner/lessee of breeding cats is responsible for:

(a)    provision of accommodation and equipment which suits the physical, behavioural and social requirements of the cats held

(b)    protection of cats from people, other animals or adverse environmental conditions

(c)    provision of sufficient space for cats to stand, move around freely, stretch fully and rest

(d)    provision of sufficient quantity and quality of food and water to maintain good health and to support optimal growth and reproduction

(e)    protection of cats as far as possible from disease, distress and injury

(f)    provision of prompt veterinary or other appropriate treatment in cases of illness or injury

(g)    maintenance of hygiene of the breeding premises, and health of the cats held

(h)    supervision of daily feeding, watering and inspection of cats held to ensure their well-being

(i)    supervision of staff, whether working full or part-time and whether or not working for fee or reward

(j)    collation and maintenance of relevant records.

3. Animal housing

3.1    Location

Buildings housing breeding cats should be located away from sources of excessive noise or pollution which could cause injury or stress to the cats.

3.2    Construction

3.2.1    Where cattery buildings are constructed outdoors, they must:

• protect cats from rain and wind

• provide adequate shade

• be partly or fully enclosed, and suitable for night or bad weather quarters.

3.2.2    Where cat housing is constructed indoors (e.g. in a garage, or inside a house), adequate provision for ventilation, humidity and temperature regulation     must be considered.

3.2.3    Where mesh is used in runs or pens intended for occupation by kittens, the mesh must be of suitable size to preclude injury to  the kittens.

3.2.4    The internal walls and floors of cat housing should be maintained in an impervious condition to facilitate washing and disinfection. Wall/floor junctions should be sealed to facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

3.2.5    Covered outdoor run areas of cat housing should be made of solid materials, such as brick, wood or concrete. Grassed or landscaped sections may form part of large outdoor runs, but must be adequately maintained and not allowed to deteriorate into bare earth, which is unacceptable.

3.2.6    Kittening queens must be provided with separate quarters, away from interference by other animals. Such quarters should contain provision for heating and be adequately ventilated but free from draughts.

3.3    Size

3.3.1    Cat housing, whether for a single or a group of cats, must provide enough space for each cat to feed, sleep, sit, stand, lie with limbs extended, stretch and move about, as well as space for a litter tray.

3.3.2    Where groups of cats are housed together, sufficient space should be provided for each cat to exercise, sleep and eat free from interference by other cats.

3.3.3    Pen design must also be constrained by the necessity for all surfaces within pens, including bed boxes, to be readily accessible to facilitate cleaning.

3.4     Temperature

3.4.1    Cats must be protected from extremes of temperature, and the environmental temperature must be controlled to minimise distress to animals.

3.4.2    Very old cats which are more sensitive to changes in temperature may require provision of heating or cooling. Queens in the early stages of pregnancy must not be subjected to constant high temperatures. Queens at kittening and kittens under 3 weeks of age are susceptible to temperature stress and must be maintained in a warm atmosphere, 20 degrees C as a minimum.

3.5     Noise

3.5.1    Noise from stud cats or calling queens must be managed to comply with noise regulations.

3.5.2    Noisy stud cats can be managed using the following methods:

• providing lockable soundproof night quarters in which the stud is held in compliance with noise regulations

• locating the stud house inside another building, or by taking advantage of as much shielding by existing walls and buildings as possible

• providing the stud with companion cats, a more interesting run, or more companionship, such as relocation to where people, other cats and other animals can been regularly seen and talked with.

3.5.3    Calling queens can be managed with the following methods:

• removing the calling queen from an outside pen and placing indoors in a special pen, which can also be further covered over at night

• taking the queen promptly to stud, either entire or after vasectomy

• any other method advised by a veterinary surgeon.

3.5.4     Loud or sudden noise which may distress animals should be avoided.

3.6    Lighting

3.6.1     Lighting should be as close as possible in duration and intensity to natural conditions.

3.6.2    Sunlight is the preferred means of lighting, provided shaded areas are available.

3.6.3    Artificial light should be provided where needed to allow cat housing to be thoroughly cleaned and cats to be inspected.

3.7     Ventilation

3.7.1 Ventilation must be sufficient to avoid dampness and noxious odours in cat housing without draughts.

3.8     Bedding

3.8.1    Cats must be provided with a draught-free bed box containing bedding.

3.8.2    Cat bedding must be changed frequently, and kept clean, dry and free of parasites.

3.8.3    Kittening queens must be provided with a covered kittening box, lined with clean bedding. Bedding must be changed at least once a day.

3.9    Security

3.9.1    Cattery buildings must be securely lockable.

3.9.2    Door closing devices must be of a type which the cats cannot undo.

3.9.3    Double barriers, for example to prevent the escape of visiting queens, are recommended.

3.9.4    Any security methods used must allow for ready access of staff to cats, and ready exit of staff and animals from the premises in the event of an emergency.

3.9.5    Firefighting equipment must be readily available. (e.g. domestic type extinguishers or a garden hose with a reliable supply of water).

4. Hygiene

4.1    Cleaning and Disinfection

4.1.1    Cat houses, pens, runs and enclosed equipment must be kept clean so that the comfort of the animals can be maintained and to assist with disease prevention.

4.1.2    Enclosures should be managed to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

4.1.3    Cat houses, pens and runs should be cleaned daily (eg, sweep, wipe, shake the bed, refill water bowls).

4.1.4    At least once a week wall and floor surfaces, shelves and bed boxes should be washed down and disinfected and water bowls washed before refilling. This standard of cleaning should also be carried out, in conjunction with a bed and litter tray change:

• after an outbreak of disease

• before introducing a new cat

• when internally reorganising cat colonies

• before the arrival of a visiting queen.

4.1.5    Cleaning and disinfecting agents should be safe, suitable and effective. Disinfectants, in particular, must be used according to the manufacturers instructions, to avoid ineffectiveness (if too dilute) or harm to the cats (if too concentrated).

Some common disinfectants, particularly those derived from or containing coal or wood tar products are toxic to cats. Pine oil, phenol, cresol and chloroxylenols are such products, and must be avoided.

4.1.6 Methods of cleaning cat housing must be such that at completion all surfaces are dry.

4.2    Pest Control

4.2.1    Pests, including fleas, ticks, flies, lice, mosquitoes and wild rodents, must be controlled.

4.2.2    Chemicals used for pest control must be registered under the Pesticides Act, and must only be used for the purposes and in the manner specified by the manufacturer.

4.2.3    Because cats and humans may be adversely affected by pest control agents, expert advice should be sought before pest control operations are carried out.

Understanding the environmental causes of pest buildup, and then suitably modifying the environment, is preferable to using chemical control.

4.2.4 Breeding queens and young, old or sick cats should never be exposed to pest control chemicals, except under veterinary supervision.

4.3    Waste Disposal

4.3.1    Soiled litter, food waste and animal bodies must be disposed of promptly and hygienically and in accordance with the requirements of the local government authority.

4.4    Litter Trays

4.4.1    All confined cats must be provided with litter trays.

4.4.2    Litter trays should be checked daily, scooped and replenished or changed. All litter to be changed at least once a week, when trays should be washed and disinfected.

4.4.3    Trays should contain sufficient depth of material such as a commercial cat litter, sawdust, shavings, sand or shredded paper to allow cats to satisfy their desire to dig. Trays should be of sufficient size to comfortably accommodate a digging or sitting cat. Trays should contain a sufficient volume of material to remain unsaturated by the number of cats/kittens in the group over a 24 hour period.

5. Management

To ensure adequate care of cats kept for breeding or potential breeding, all such cats must be under effective control at all times.

5.1     Care of Cats

5.1.1    Cats are to be protected from distress or injury caused by other animals, and from excessive handling or interference by prospective purchasers.

5.1.2    Appropriate records relating to the owner/lessee's cats must be kept of:

• acquisition and disposal of cats

• vaccination and worming treatments

• breeding.

5.1.3    In relation to each cat held short-term for mating, but owned/leased by a person other than the management or staff, the following information must be recorded:

• the cat's name

• name, address and telephone number of the owner/lessee

• contact telephone number and address of owner/lessee (if different from the above) or the owner/lessee's nominee

• anticipated date of collection by the owner/lessee

• details of any special dietary or medical requirements

• vaccination status

• name and contact number of the veterinarian who normally attends the animal.

5.2    Animal Care Personnel

5.2.1    Animal care personnel should respect cats and have experience in handling them. Formal training, such as a technical college qualification in animal care is encouraged.

5.2.2    Animal care personnel should be aware of their responsibilities, and be competent to carry them out.

6. Health care

6.1     Disease Prevention

6.1.1    For both resident cats, and cats held short-term for mating, annual vaccination against feline infectious enteritis (feline parvovirus) and feline respiratory diseases is required.

6.1.2    A program for the establishment and maintaining a feline leukaemia-free population is recommended. This should include a program of testing and vaccination of resident cats in accordance with veterinary advice, and a requirement for a current negative test for visiting queens, studs and new additions to the permanent population.

6.1.3    A program for treatment of gastrointestinal worms must be in place and in accordance with veterinary advice.

6.1.4    A program to control fleas, both on the cats and in the environment, must be in place.

6.2    Health Checks

6.2.1 Each cat and kitten is to be checked at least once daily to monitor its health and well-being.

6.2.2 The person checking the cats and kittens should note whether each cat and kitten:

• is eating

• is drinking

• is defecating

• is urinating

• is behaving normally

• is showing any obvious signs of illness or distress

• is able to move freely

• has a normal coat.

6.2.3    Any changes in health status should be reported promptly to the person in charge.

6.2.4    Cats known or suspected to be suffering from an infectious disease should not be admitted to the establishment.

6.3     Veterinary Care

6.3.1 The person in charge should establish liaison with a veterinary surgeon who is able to attend to any cat or kitten in his or her care, especially at kittening, and who is also able to advise on disease prevention measures.

6.3.2 Veterinary attention must be sought for any cat or kitten showing one or more of the following symptoms:

• runny nose

• eyes runny, inflamed or with swollen lids and protrusion of the third eyelid

• repeated sneezing

• coughing

• vomiting

• severe diarrhoea, especially if bloodstained

• inability to stand or walk

• bleeding or swelling of body parts

• extreme lassitude

• difficulty breathing

• weight loss

• no appetite

• apparent pain

• fits or staggering

• bloating of abdomen

• inability to urinate or defecate

• blood stained urine

• difficulty during kittening.

6.4    Euthanasia

6.4.1    Where treatment to restore the health of an animal is impractical or unsuccessful, animals should be humanely destroyed (euthanased).

6.4.2    When the cat is owned or leased by a person other than the management or staff, then permission from the animal's owner or nominee, preferably in writing, should be obtained.

6.4.3    Euthanasia should only be performed by a veterinarian.

7. Diet

7.1    Food

7.1.1    Cats and kittens must receive appropriate, uncontaminated and nutritionally adequate food. The food should be in sufficient quantity and of appropriate composition to maintain:

• normal growth of kittens

• normal weight of adult animals

• normal requirements of pregnancy and lactation.

7.1.2     A variety of foods, including dry food, canned food, fish and fresh meat, should be supplied.

7.1.3    Breeding queens should be offered additional food during late pregnancy and lactation. The quantity and frequency must be proportional to the size and number of kittens being raised. Studs should be given extra food when actively mating.

7.1.4    Kittens should be offered solid food from three weeks of age.

7.1.5    Kittens must be left with their lactating mother until at least six weeks of age, unless they are orphaned, or early weaning is carried out under veterinary supervision. From three to six  weeks of age, kittens with their mother should be fed 2-3 times a day.

7.1.6    Kittens from six weeks to six months of age must be fed a minimum of twice daily.

7.1.7    From six to nine months of age, kittens may have their twice daily feeds slowly reduced to one a day.

7.1.8    Adult cats should be fed daily. Queens in late pregnancy, and during lactation, should be fed at least twice daily.

7.1.9    Sick animals should be fed in accordance with veterinary advice.

7.1.10  Food should be prepared hygienically and served in clean, unspillable containers.

7.1.11  Food should be stored appropriately, with dry food in a rodent-free place and fresh meat refrigerated.

7.1.12 Uneaten food should be removed and disposed of so that it does not spoil or attract vermin. Serving containers should be collected daily and disposed of, or thoroughly washed, rinsed and dried ready for re-use.

7.2     Water

Fresh water must be available at all times.

8. Exercise

8.1    Cat housing must provide sufficient room to enable cats to stretch and to move around freely. Pens and runs may be equipped with shelves, scratching posts, climbing ramps and platforms to allow for the need to climb, jump and sharpen claws. Toys may be provided, and changed from time to time to provide entertainment.

8.1.1    Pen fittings should be securely fastened and easily cleaned.

8.1.2    Scratching posts should be secure, but may need to be replaced from time to time. Natural sections of tree trunk, or constructed scratching posts are equally satisfactory.

8.1.3    Toys must be safe. No small items such a buttons or bells, which can be swallowed, should form part of a toy. Toys may be chewed, so should be made of materials which will be harmless if ingested. Simple toys, such a cardboard cartons with holes in them, provide constant entertainment to cats and kittens alike, and can be easily replaced. Soft toys should be regularly washed with bedding, and hard toys washed with the water bowls.

8.1.4    Cats which are penned alone, particularly stud cats, should have daily personal attention from a staff member.

9. Transport

9.1    Cats should be transported in the shortest practicable time.

9.2    Cats must be transported in secure carrying baskets.

9.3    Any vehicle especially designed or regularly used for transporting cats should:

• protect the cats from injury

• provide easy access and operator safety

• protect against extremes of temperature

• protect against unauthorised release of cats.

9.4    During long periods of transport, food, water and access to a litter tray should be available/or offered from time to time.

9.5    Carrying baskets should be strong enough to withstand stacking and general handling and constructed to provide adequate ventilation and light. They should be of sufficient size to allow the cat to stand up, turn around, and lie comfortably, but not so large that the cat slides around inside and may hurt itself on impact with the walls.

9.6    The consignor and consignee should confirm departure and arrival time of cats with the carrier. In the event of delays or cancellations, it is the responsibility of the carrier to ensure the welfare of the cats in transit.

9.7    Containers in which cats are transported must be clearly labelled with the time and date of departure, name and address of consignor and consignee and phone numbers for contacting them.

9.8    Transport by air should be in accordance with IATA guidelines.

9.9    For more detailed information about animal transport, refer to the publication in this series entitled "The Care and Management of Animals by Companion Animal Transport Agencies".

10. Sale or rehousing of cats and kittens

10.1     No kitten may be sold or rehoused before it is 10 weeks of age.

10.2     No kitten or cat may sold to or rehoused with a new owner unless it has been vaccinated against feline infectious enteritis (feline parvovirus) and feline respiratory disease, and is accompanied by a current vaccination certificate.

10.3     The person with whom a kitten or cat is rehoused should be handed, with the cat or kitten, printed advice about the cat or kitten, including information on:

• general care, housing and management requirements

• appropriate diet

• responsibilities of cat ownership

• vaccination, de-sexing, copy of a pedigree (where known) and registration, where appropriate

• identification.

10.4    The adoption of a 'warranty' policy is strongly encouraged and inclusion of the following features is recommended:

• active promotion of de-sexing where the animal is not required for breeding

• a 'cooling-off' period, based for example on production of a veterinary certificate

• provision of information on any condition of the animal which might affect its future well-being.

11. Breeding practices

11.1     Breeding practices must ensure that both breeding cats and the kittens they produce are as sound and healthy as possible. Breeding cats must maintain the best quality of life possible, and kittens must only be produced with a reasonable expectation of finding homes where they are both wanted and appreciated, and are offered a similarly good quality of life.

11.2     Breeding cats should only produce planned litters of kittens of known ancestry.  Rests between litters are recommended.

11.3     When cats are housed together for the purposes of mating, the animal care personnel must ensure that:

• The queen and stud are both eating and using their litter tray0

• They have separate beds and are able to get some rest.

• They have actually mated.

• The stud has an easily accessible shelf on which to jump after mating the queen, to enable him to escape her claws.

• The correct paper work, including mating dates, sire's pedigree and any service agreements or litter registration forms are supplied to the owner/lessee of the queen when she is collected after the mating, or on payment of an agreed fee.

12. Retired breeding cats

When cats reach the end of their useful breeding life, or when mature potential breeding stock is found to be in any other way unsuitable for breeding purposes, it is the responsibility of the owner to:

• have such cats spayed or castrated

• settle the cats into their new condition (ex-studs require considerable patience and care, but can become excellent candidates for pet homes)

• either provide a pet home for the de-sexed cat themselves, or to canvass for and carefully select a new pet home for the cat

• exercise patience and retain responsibility for the animal until such time as a satisfactory new home is established.

It should be remembered that a mature cat has already developed its own personality, and will not always match the first suitable owner, so that more than one attempt may be needed to place the cat. More than two attempts are not really desirable, and the cat should be retained to live out its life with the original owner.

Originally published in October, 1996, by NSW Agriculture