Last Updated: 01/12/2025
How to Find a Responsible Cat Breeder: The Ultimate Guide
Adding a kitten to the family? Don't get caught out by unethical sellers. Our Australian vet guide covers everything you need to know about finding a responsible cat breeder, understanding health checks, and the top 10 questions you must ask to ensure a healthy pet.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 12 minutes - short read
So, you’ve decided to welcome a new kitten or cat into your life - congratulations! There is nothing quite like the joy of tiny toe beans, rhythmic purrs, and the playful chaos a kitten brings. However, bringing a cat home is a massive commitment. With many cats living 15 to 20 years, you want to ensure your new best friend is happy, healthy, and responsibly bred.
Whether you are looking for a floppy Ragdoll or a chatty Siamese, this guide will help you navigate the world of cat breeding to find a responsible expert who prioritises welfare over profit.
Where to buy a kitten in Australia?
When looking for a feline friend, you generally have three main options:
- Adopt from a shelter (our top recommendation!): Australia has a massive "kitten season" every year where shelters overflow with litters. Adopting from a rescue organisation such as the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League, or using PetRescue saves a life and usually includes desexing, vaccinations, and microchipping.
- Buy from a pet store or online marketplace (NOT recommended): Buying a kitten unseen from a classified ad or a shop window is risky. It often supports "kitten mills" - facilities where cats are bred purely for profit in poor conditions.
- Research a reputable breeder: If you need a specific breed for temperament or other traits, a registered breeder is the way to go. Good breeders select for health and personality, ensuring you get a well-adjusted family member.
For more information about cat and kitten adoption, read through our article all about Adopting a Cat.
What are the rules for breeding and selling cats and kittens in Australia?
In Australia, strict laws govern the sale of cats to ensure animal welfare. In most jurisdictions, kittens must be 8 weeks of age or older, and need to be microchipped prior to being sold or given away. Other regulations vary slightly by state and territory - such as mandatory breeder registration in NSW and South Australia, or specific desexing mandates in Tasmania.
10 Questions to ask when choosing a cat breeder
1. "What specific genetic and health testing do you perform on the parents?"
Why ask: A "vet check" is not enough; it only tells you the cat is healthy today. You need to know if the parents carry genetic diseases that could affect your kitten months or years later. Responsible breeders will have their breeding Queens and Toms genetic and health tested.
- Gold Standard Answer: "We test all breeding cats for breed-specific issues, e.g., Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Maine Coons and Ragdolls or Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in Persians using genetic tests. Here are the certificates. The parents have been tested for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and FeLV (Feline Leukaemia) and are clear."
- Red Flag: "My vet says they are healthy," or "We don't test because our lines are clean."
For specific breeds, ask what they are doing to breed away from traits that affect health. For example in flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, ask what they are doing to breed away from traits that impair breathing, such as narrow nostrils.
Kitten health: Verify that the kittens will be vet-checked, vaccinated, microchipped and wormed before coming home.
2. "Can I visit the cattery or home?"
Why ask: Transparency is everything. While beautiful photos on Instagram are great, you need to see the reality behind the lens. If a breeder refuses to let you visit, or wants to meet you at another location, this is a major red flag.
- Gold Standard Answer: "Yes, of course. Let me show you around the premises."
- Red Flag: "No, we don't allow visitors" or "Let's meet at another location".
When you visit, look beyond the cute kittens.
- Smell: Does the home smell fresh, or is there an overwhelming odour of ammonia (urine)? A slight "pet smell" is normal; a dirty litter box smell is not.
- Enrichment: Are there scratching posts, toys, and high places for the cats to climb? Bored, under-stimulated cats in barren environments can often develop behavioural issues.
Note: Don't be offended if a breeder refuses a physical visit before the kittens receive their first vaccinations (around 6-8 weeks) due to the risk of infectious diseases being spread to the kittens.
3. "Where are the kittens raised and how are they socialised?"
Why ask: You want a confident pet, not a fearful one. Socialisation is the magical window where a kitten decides what is "safe" in their world. This period finishes earlier in kittens compared to puppies, at about 9 weeks of age. A kitten raised in a quiet shed with no handling will likely grow up timid or skittish.
- Gold Standard Answer: "They are raised 'underfoot' with us in the house. They are exposed to household noises (vacuums, TV), handled daily by different people, and accustomed to standard grooming."
- Red Flag: "They live in a cattery building out back," or "We keep them in a separate room to keep them clean."
4. "Can I meet the Queen (mother)?"
Why ask: The "apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is very true for cats. A kitten's temperament is partly genetic and partly learned from observing their mother.
- Gold Standard Answer: "Yes, the mother is here and you can meet her."
- Red Flag: "No, she is protective/moody," or "We don't allow visitors".
If the breeder allows you to meet the mother, observe her closely - is she friendly, relaxed, and happy to be patted? Or is she hissing, hiding, and fearful? If the mother is anxious, her kittens often learn to be anxious too.
She should look healthy and well-fed. Nursing a litter is hard work, but a good breeder keeps the Queen in top condition.
Don't be alarmed if the father (Stud) isn't on the premises. Many breeders use stud cats from other catteries to widen the gene pool. The breeder should be able to show you a photo or video of him.
5. "At what age do kittens go to their new homes?"
Why ask: This is often the single easiest way to spot a bad breeder.
- Gold Standard Answer: "From 8-10 weeks of age." In many jurisdictions it is illegal to rehome kittens until 8 weeks of age. Kittens learn critical bite inhibition and social skills from their mother and littermates, and if possible, the longer they can remain with their mother and litter the better, ideally up to around 12-14 weeks of age. Kittens are also most vulnerable to cat flu and disease between 8 and 12 weeks as their mother's antibodies wear off. Dedicated breeders wait until the second vaccination is effective.
- Red Flag: "6 weeks" or "Whenever they are weaned."
6. "How many litters does the mother have in a year?"
Why ask: Overbreeding depletes the mother's body and is a sign of a profit-driven operation rather than one that prioritises animal welfare.
- Gold Standard Answer: "Maximum of one litter per year," or "We give her a long break between litters to recover fully."
- Red Flag: "She has 2 or 3 litters a year," or "We breed her every time she comes into heat."
In some states like NSW, it is illegal for Queens to have more than 3 litters in any 2-year period, unless a veterinarian approves it in writing.
7. "If I am unable to keep the cat or they become ill, what is your policy?"
Why ask: Ethical breeders take responsibility for the animals they bring into the world even after they are sold. They never want their cats to end up in a shelter. If your cat develops a severe health condition shortly after coming home caused by a genetic defect, your breeder should have a guarantee in place. Similarly if you and your cat are exceptionally ill suited to each other, your breeder should be able to take them back within a certain time frame. Some breeders even have lifelong conditions, which means that if you are unable to care for your pet you must return them to the breeder and not surrender them to a shelter.
- Gold Standard Answer: "You must return the cat to me. I will take them back.", and "We offer a genetic health guarantee [for a reasonable period, such as 1 year]. If the kitten develops a genetic condition in that time, we will replace the kitten or refund the cost."
- Red Flag: "Once you buy it, it's your responsibility," or "You can sell it to someone else." and "We only guarantee health for 72 hours," or no written contract at all.
8. "Will the kitten be spayed/neutered before I pick them up?"
Why ask: This early-age desexing is the mark of a breeder who cares about preventing unwanted kittens and protecting their bloodlines.
- Gold Standard Answer: "Yes, all kittens are desexed before leaving," or "We have a strict contract requiring you to do it by X date, and we withhold registration papers until proof is provided."
- Red Flag: "We don't believe in fixing cats," or selling "breeding rights" to you for an extra fee without vetting you as a breeder.
9. "What are the kittens currently eating, and do you provide food for the transition?"
Why ask: This reveals two things: whether the breeder invests in high-quality nutrition (which is expensive) or cuts corners with cheap supermarket foods, and whether they understand delicate kitten digestion. Sudden diet changes can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration in kittens.
- Gold Standard Answer: "They are currently eating a high quality diet [such as Royal Canin or Hills], including a mix of wet and dry food to get them used to different textures. I will provide a supply of their current food to take home so you can transition them slowly over a week."
- Red Flag: "They eat whatever dry food is on sale at the supermarket," or "You can switch them to your preferred brand immediately; they aren't picky."
10. "What questions do you have for me?"
Why ask: A good breeder guards their kittens fiercely. They won't sell a kitten to just anyone with a credit card, and you should expect them to 'interview' you.
- Gold Standard Answer: They should grill you. They should ask about your other pets, your work schedule, your views on indoor vs. outdoor cats, other pets in the home, your experience with pets and your veterinarian.
- Red Flag: They don't ask you anything and just want to know how you are paying.
Bringing home two: Tips for multi-cat households
Thinking of expanding your fur family, or considering 2 or more kittens?
For the best chance of household harmony, consider adopting littermates or a bonded pair. While some cats love a companion, many others prefer to be the only tiger in the jungle.
If you do welcome a new addition, remember that living with other cats can be a significant source of stress. To minimise tension and support their mental wellbeing, every cat needs their own separate, accessible resources, including:
- Food and water bowls
- Litter trays (ideally one per cat plus one extra)
- Scratching posts
- Resting and hiding spots
- Introductions must be managed carefully to maximise the chance of success, though a conflict-free home is never guaranteed.
For more information on the best way to get cats acquainted with each other, read through our guide to How to Introduce Cats, and How to Reduce Stress in Multi-Cat Households.
FAQs
Finding the perfect feline friend takes time. It can be tempting to click "buy now" on a classified ad when you see a cute face, but patience pays off. By choosing a breeder who tests for disease, socialises their kittens, and offers lifelong support, you are saving yourself from potential heartbreak and problems down the road.
Alternatively, visit your local shelter - your perfect match might already be waiting for you there!
Articles recommended for you
Our vet authored guide to the benefits of feeding your dog fresh food plus tips and advice for introducing it into their regular menu.
See our guide to protecting your pet from parasites from our vet team.
Thinking of getting a fish? Check out our guide for setting up a tank and home care tips!
Looking to understand horse feeds better? This comprehensive guide covers feeding recommendations for horses of all ages and disciplines.
Does your pet suffer from anxiety? Check out our Vet-guide for treatment options to help your pet.
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 27 Nov 2025
Written by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian loves being able to provide depth and detail to pet parents questions, and give up to date, evidence based advice. She loves the variety of pets and inquiries she receives - she especially loves the 'curly' questions that require some research! Seeing the gorgeous photos that pet parents send through of their babies is a highlight of the day! Gillian enjoys to further her veterinary knowledge, and has completed further training in ultrasonography, behaviour and backyard poultry!
