GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
FOR BREEDERS AND OWNERS
CONTINUED

Breeders must not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise cats nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of the cat and must draw the attention of purchasers to the implications of the Non-Active register when selling pet kittens.

Breeders selling a kitten on the Active register should offer advice and support to the new owners. Owners should not breed cats in a way that is deleterious to the health of the cat or the breed.

Owners should consider carefully the best means of identifying their cat in case it should become lost. This can be done by means of a microchip which can be painlessly inserted under the cat's skin by your veterinary surgeon and then registering the number of your cat with the PetLog registration scheme run by the Kennel Club/RSPCA and also by notifying the GCCF of the cat's chip number. The alternative is for the cat to wear some of identification on a collar. However, there are dangers for cats wearing collars as they may become hooked up and caught by them or more likely the collar will break or come off over the cat's head, so preventing easy identification.

Breeders/owners must ensure that all relevant Governing Council of the Cat Fancy documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a cat in accordance with Rule 10 (see below).

Recommendation:

The GCCF strongly recommends that no kitten should be permitted to go to a new home before 13 weeks of age and at least seven days after completion of a full course of vaccinations. The breeder should ensure that kittens are house-trained, inoculated and in good general health.

NB: Transfer of Registration - GCCF Rule 10

10a:
When a cat or kitten is advertised or sold as a pedigree cat or kitten the breeder shall, at the time of sale, provide the purchaser with a properly completed pedigree signed by the breeder, carrying three generations at least, showing all the breed numbers and registration numbers, also the breeder's name and address.

10b:
If, at the time of sale, the cat or kitten is registered the seller shall provide the purchaser with a transfer form, duly completed and signed by the seller, unless it is jointly agreed in writing by both parties at the time of sale not to do so.