British Shorthair Stud

Kittens must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned before they can leave their mothers.

If you believe this advertiser is letting their kittens go before 8 weeks of age, please report them to us.

Read further information on the minimum age kittens should be before leaving their mothers

If this advert states that the cat or kitten is Registered, it means the cat has been registered with one of the cat registering bodies : GCCF, TICA or FIFE. The cat will have a pedigree certificate which records all of the cats details and the cats ancestors/lineage. Please ask the advertiser for a copy of the pedigree certificate before buying the cat or kitten and confirm it is genuine with the registering body.

If this advert states that the cat or kitten is not registered, this means that the cat does not come with an official pedigree certificate from one of the registering bodies, and its ancestors/lineage cannot be traced.

Microchipping a cat is the process of implanting a chip under the cats skin and registering the keepers details on a national database so that the cats keeper can be traced.

Although microchipping cats is not mandatory like it will be shortly for dogs, it is still advisable that all responsible cat owners/breeders make sure their kittens/cats are microchipped and that their details are kept up-to-date on the microchipping database.

When buying or adopting a cat/kitten that is microchipped, make sure the seller gives you the paperwork that accompanies the pets microchip, and that you contact the microchip company to update your details as the registered keeper of the pet within 21 days.

From 1st October 2018 the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into effect.

• If in a 12 month period their dogs give birth to 3 litters or more, regardless of whether they are in the business of breeding and selling dogs.
• Anyone “in the business” of breeding and selling dogs needs to be licensed regardless of the number of litters they have in a 12 month period. *

Selling Animals as Pets
An animal activities license may be required for someone who is “in the business” of selling animals as pets. This includes all commercial selling of pet animals, including pet shops and businesses selling animals over the internet. This can be any types of pets, from cats, rabbits, rodents and other pets. *

* The decision as to whether you are classed as “in the business” of breeding and selling dogs, or selling animals as pets is decided by your local council and the requirements vary between each local council authority. Many local authorities apply a business test which they will use to determine whether an individual requires a license.

Finding a Local Councils Requirements
You can use the Find Your Local Council website page to check what the requirements are within your local authority as well as the contact details needed to discuss anything further with them.

Third Party Sales
Please note that Pets4Homes do not allow anyone to advertise kittens or puppies bred by third parties. All Puppies or kittens advertised MUST have been bred by yourself, unless you are rehoming an older pet that you can no longer keep.

Reporting an Advertiser
If you believe this advertiser should be licensed and they have stated they are not, then please report them directly to their local council via their website, who are responsible for licensing and should be able to investigate the advertiser and liase with ourselves.

All cats should be vaccinated and have their vaccinations kept up-to-date, this is part of being a responsible cat owner and will be your responsibility.

Kittens should receive 2 vaccinations, the first at around 8 weeks of age and the second, two to three weeks later. Kittens should not be allowed outside until 7 days after their second injection. Cats require booster vaccinations occasionally and should be discussed with your local Vet..

If the seller has not vaccinated their cat/kitten, then it will be your responsibility to make sure this is done straight away.

Many responsible cat breeders will keep their kittens longer, and make sure they have been fully vaccinated before they let them go to new homes.

If the seller has said the cat/kitten is vaccinated, please make sure you receive the cats vaccination record paperwork.

Neutering is a small surgical operation performed by a vet to prevent a cat from being able to have kittens.

If you do not wish for your cat to have kittens, then neutering your cat is a great idea and has many health benefits.

Read Further advice on neutering your pet