GCCF code of ethics - buying a new kitten

[Fran]

http://www.gccfcats.org/ethics.html

[Fran]

The GCCF strongly recommends that no kitten should be permitted to go to a new home before 13 weeks of age. At least seven days prior to this, the kitten should have completed a full course of vaccinations, including a health check, given by a Veterinary Surgeon or by a listed Veterinary Nurse under the direction of a Veterinary Surgeon. The breeder should ensure that kittens are house-trained, inoculated and in good general health

[smudgley]

deleted post as I was questioning why the thread had been moved & some of it deleted, however I can now see the other thread is still in debates.

[charliebubs]

I'm not sure what's been going on here I see that threads have been moved and posts deleted

Anyhow, for the record I want to say that I agree with Fran.

Lily's kittens are nearly 7 weeks old and there is NO WAY that I would consider letting them go anywhere at this early age.

The GCCF guidelines are there for a reason. It's for the benefit of the cats and kittens firstmost, then the breeders and the new owners.

Even as another ethical breeder, when I got Red last year his breeders wouldn't let me have him a moment early. Not because they didn't trust me, but because they are good ethical breeders and want to stick to the GCCF rules and guidelines.

There are so many people that advertise "pedigree" kittens for sale.....but they are not GCCF registered, not vaccinated, no free insurance, not wormed, not de-flead and so on. I agree that people should be made aware that a kitten advertised as a "pedigree with no papers" is NOT a pedigree kitten at all.

I saw one advert like this recently in my local PAH store and the only "benefit" the seller could quote was that the kittens were litter trained and she was still asking £300 for them

People who are not educated about the pitfalls of buying this kind of kitten may naively think they are getting a pedigree kitten and in fact they are not. For just a few pounds more they could have the peace of mind of buying from a reputable breeder, having the support of that breeder throughout the kitten's life, knowing that the cat is vaccinated, wormed, insured, de-flead etc etc etc

I agree that we do need to educate people and think this thread is a good idea

[ellenlouise]

I agree with the guidelines I have had two cats that left Mum at 7 weeks and Lily who left Mum at 13 weeks vaccinated etc... Lily had no behavioural problem never missed her litter tray and was confident from day one. I think this is because she had time to be well socialised and taught good habits by her Mum.

[EmmaG]

I agree with Fran, the guidelines are there for a reason. Experienced cat owner should also understand the reason why the guidelines are a good idea and I would be very surprised if anybody on Catsey (unless they were new) wouldn't agree with them.

But then again you will always get people who do not understand that perhaps the breeders are only trying to get rid of the kittens as they get their money earlier and the breeder hasn't got any further costs to pay.

Good post Fran

[Elaine]

I have no issue with the guidlines but just out of curiousity it states...

Cats that are bought as pets, not for breeding, should be neutered or spayed at the age recommended by your veterinary surgeon. If cats are registered on the Non-Active register, this means that under no circumstances should the cats be bred from; no progeny from these cats will be registered by the GCCF.

How do breeders know that this has been done? Are there any checks made on the kittens sold to make sure? If so what are the checks or do you just take the new owners word for it? Is there any course of action that you, as a breeder can or would take if you knew that one of your kittens were now being bred from?

[Fran]

All kittens not sold for breeding will be registered non active, so no progeny can be registered with the GCCF. A lot of breeders will withold paperwork on a kitten until they receive veterinary confirmation that neutering has taken place. I personally know the 'sexual status' of the kittens I have produced as I make it my business to know. Kittens go with contracts too. That's about the best you can do, although it is debatable as to how effective these contracts are in the eyes of the law.

[Jac]

Caspurr's pink slip was withheald untill I had him neutered but when I phoned to say he had been done his slip was sent on. No "proof" was ever sent.
There again I'm an honest gal

[ellenlouise]

This is only my situation but Lilys breeder made me sign a contract which of course doesn't mean much but because we had such along time of getting to know each other we became friends and therefore began to trust each other. She knows all the new Mums very well and does keep in contact. Usually when the kittens turn 6 months she asks for a pic of the scar. Which I will be sending once Lils is done!