When a kitten leaves a reputable cattery, it does not go alone. A responsible breeder sends a set of documents with every kitten — not because the buyer always asks for them, but because the documents are part of what responsible breeding means. They protect the buyer, they protect the breeder, and they demonstrate a level of care that reflects well on the entire cat fancy.
As a Full GCCF Judge who has been breeding pedigree cats since 2004, I have seen the consequences of incomplete kitten paperwork from both sides. Buyers who never received a proper contract and have no recourse when something goes wrong. Breeders who acted in good faith but have no written record of what was agreed. Neither situation is acceptable, and both are entirely avoidable.
This is the complete list of what should go home with every kitten.
1. The kitten contract
A signed kitten contract is not optional. It is the document that defines the terms of the sale and protects both parties if anything goes wrong. Without one, every conversation after the kitten leaves is an exercise in disputed memory.
A properly written kitten contract covers: the sale price and payment terms, any deposit paid and under what conditions it is refundable, whether breeding rights are included and if so any conditions attached, any health guarantee and the specific terms of that guarantee, what happens if the kitten develops a health problem in the first days or weeks, the breeder’s right of first refusal if the buyer cannot keep the kitten, and any breed-specific requirements such as keeping the cat indoors.
A contract that has been copied from another breeder’s contract, or downloaded from a random internet source, is likely to have gaps. It may be weighted heavily in the buyer’s favour, or in the breeder’s favour, or contain clauses that do not apply to your situation. It is worth taking the time to produce a contract that reflects your specific requirements and your specific expectations of buyers.
2. The vaccination record
Every kitten should be vaccinated before leaving for its new home, and the vaccination record from the veterinary practice needs to travel with the kitten. This is not just documentation — it is a medical record that the new owner’s vet will need at the kitten’s first appointment.
The record should show the vaccine brand used, the date administered, the batch number, and the veterinary practice’s stamp or signature. A hand-written note from the breeder saying “vaccinated against cat flu and enteritis” is not a vaccination record. It is an assertion without evidence.
If the kitten has had a full course of vaccinations at the time of leaving, the record should confirm the dates of both primary and booster injections. If only the first injection has been given, the record should show this clearly so the new owner knows when the booster is due.
3. Microchip documentation
Since April 2024, cats in England are legally required to be microchipped by the time they are 20 weeks old. Kittens leaving for new homes should already be microchipped, and the new owner needs written confirmation of the microchip number and the database it is registered on.
It is the breeder’s responsibility to make sure the new owner knows how to transfer the registration to their own name. A kitten microchipped in the breeder’s name, with no documentation and no guidance about how to update the records, is a problem the new owner will discover at the worst possible time.
Provide the microchip number in writing, confirm the registration database, and if possible provide instructions or a link to the database’s ownership transfer process.
4. The GCCF registration certificate
For GCCF-registered kittens, the registration certificate — the “blue slip” — is what allows the new owner to transfer the kitten’s registration into their own name. Without it, they cannot show the cat, cannot register kittens if breeding rights were included, and cannot fully complete the cat’s registration history.
The certificate should either be sent with the kitten or, if it has not yet arrived from GCCF at the time of collection, sent by post immediately upon receipt. This is a commonly delayed item, and delayed delivery erodes trust. If the certificate is not yet available, tell the buyer when to expect it and follow through on that commitment.
For kittens sold on the active register (with breeding rights), make sure the registration reflects this. For kittens sold on the non-active register, the certificate should confirm that status clearly. A kitten sold on the non-active register whose certificate says otherwise is going to cause problems.
5. A pedigree document
A pedigree showing at least four generations of the kitten’s ancestry is standard for pedigree cat sales. This can be produced by the breeder or requested from GCCF. It should clearly show the ancestors’ registered names, prefixes, and titles.
Many buyers value the pedigree document for reasons that go beyond its official function. It connects the kitten to its heritage, shows the bloodlines the breeder has worked with, and provides a framework for understanding where the kitten comes from. Buyers who take an interest in pedigrees are often the most engaged and most appreciative buyers to deal with.
6. A feeding guide
This is the item most often missing from kitten paperwork, and its absence causes a disproportionate amount of stress in the first days after collection. A kitten going to a new home is already under stress from the transition. A sudden change of diet on top of that transition is a common cause of digestive upset, which the new owner then worries about and contacts the breeder about.
A feeding guide does not need to be lengthy. It needs to state: what food the kitten is currently eating, the brand and specific product, how much and how often, and how to transition to a new food if the new owner wants to change. If the kitten has any dietary quirks or particular preferences, mention those too.
A simple typed sheet is sufficient. The effort involved is minimal. The reduction in anxious first-week phone calls is significant.
7. A care and settling-in guide
Experienced cat owners may not need this. First-time pedigree cat buyers almost certainly will. A brief guide covering what to expect in the first days, how to introduce the kitten to its new environment, what is normal in terms of hiding and adjustment behaviour, when to worry and when not to, and when to take the kitten to the vet for its first check-up is a genuinely valuable document.
From a breeder’s perspective, a buyer who has been given clear guidance is less likely to contact you in a panic about something entirely normal. It also demonstrates that you have thought about what the buyer needs, not just what they are required to receive.
8. Your contact details
This seems obvious. It is often overlooked. The new owner should have your phone number, email address, and any other contact details that are relevant, in writing. Not because they always need them, but because a buyer who knows they can reach you with questions is a more confident and less anxious buyer.
Include a note about your typical response times. If you are usually available by phone in the evenings, say so. If you prefer email for non-urgent questions, say that too. Managing expectations at the start of the relationship prevents frustration later.
Getting the paperwork right from the start
The eight items above should be treated as a minimum standard, not a counsel of perfection. Most experienced breeders provide most of them. The gaps tend to be in the contract quality, the feeding guide, and the settling-in information — precisely the documents that have the most direct impact on the buyer’s experience in the first weeks.
If you would like to discuss building a complete, professional kitten paperwork pack for your cattery, get in touch via the contact form below.
Frequently asked questions
Is a kitten contract legally required when selling a pedigree cat?
There is no specific legislation requiring a kitten contract, but the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and related consumer protection legislation govern the sale of goods and animals. A written contract makes the terms of any sale clear and provides both parties with a record of what was agreed. Its absence does not remove legal obligations — it simply makes disputes harder to resolve.
What is the GCCF blue slip?
The GCCF registration certificate, commonly called the blue slip, is the document that confirms a cat’s registration with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. It shows the cat’s registered name, prefix, breed, colour, date of birth, and parentage. The new owner needs this document to transfer the registration into their name and, if applicable, to register any future litters.
When do kittens need to be microchipped in the UK?
In England, cats must be microchipped by the age of 20 weeks, or before being sold or transferred to a new owner, whichever comes first. Breeders are responsible for ensuring the kitten is microchipped before it leaves for its new home. Similar rules apply in Scotland and Wales.
Can a breeder sell a kitten without vaccination?
Legally, there is no requirement for a kitten to be vaccinated before sale. From a welfare and reputational standpoint, selling an unvaccinated kitten to a new home is considered poor practice by the vast majority of responsible breeders and breed clubs. Kittens are most vulnerable to feline respiratory disease and enteritis in the period immediately after rehoming, when the stress of the transition is highest.
What should a kitten contract include?
At minimum: names and contact details of both parties, the kitten’s full registered name, breed, colour, date of birth, and microchip number; the agreed sale price and payment terms; any deposit conditions; the health guarantee and its specific terms; breeding rights status; and any conditions agreed by the buyer regarding the kitten’s care. More comprehensive contracts also address dispute resolution and what happens if the buyer cannot keep the kitten.
What is a four-generation pedigree?
A pedigree document that shows the kitten’s parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents, together with their registered names, prefixes, and any titles or awards. Four generations is standard for GCCF-registered cats. Pedigrees can be produced by the breeder using breeding software or requested directly from GCCF.
Why do so many new kitten owners have digestive upset problems?
The most common cause is a sudden change of diet combined with the stress of moving to a new home. Both factors affect the digestive system. A clear written feeding guide, provided by the breeder, reduces unintentional diet changes in the critical first days and significantly reduces the incidence of settling-in digestive issues.
Does a pedigree kitten need a vet check before going to its new home?
There is no legal requirement for a pre-sale vet check, but many responsible breeders arrange one as a matter of course, particularly for kittens going a long distance. A vet check certificate is a useful addition to the kitten paperwork pack and provides an objective third-party confirmation of the kitten’s health at the time of sale.
