I look at cat breeder websites from two directions. As a web designer who has been building cattery sites since 2004, I notice the technical things — layout, navigation, loading speed, mobile display. But as a Full GCCF Judge, qualified to judge Sections 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, I also look at cattery websites the way a serious buyer or fellow breeder would: with a professional eye for what the site tells me about the person behind it.
Those two perspectives have taught me a great deal about what a cattery website needs to do. This article is about the second one. What does a knowledgeable, experienced person in the cat fancy actually look for when they visit a breeder’s website? Because that knowledgeable person is also the buyer you most want to attract.
Health test results — present or absent
This is the first thing I look for, and I look for it quickly. For most pedigree cat breeds, responsible breeding involves regular health screening of breeding cats — cardiac ultrasound for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, DNA tests for relevant genetic conditions, eye examinations. A breeder who is genuinely committed to the health of their lines tests their cats and is not embarrassed to say so.
A website that mentions health testing without providing specifics tells me very little. “Our cats are health tested” means nothing without dates, test types, and results. A breeder who lists the specific tests each cat has had, with the dates and outcomes, is demonstrating actual commitment rather than just using the language of commitment. Serious buyers know the difference. I certainly do.
Conversely, a site that makes no mention of health testing at all raises an immediate question. It does not mean the breeder does not test. But it does mean they have not considered that this is the first thing a knowledgeable buyer will look for. That tells me something about how much thought has gone into the rest of the site.
Photos of the actual cats in the actual environment
Stock photos are an instant credibility loss. I have seen cattery websites that use generic tabby kitten images from photo libraries to represent breeds they supposedly produce. Anybody in the cat fancy will recognise these images for what they are. Even buyers who are new to pedigree cats will sense something is off.
What builds trust is photographs of the breeder’s actual cats in the actual environment where they are kept. This does several things at once. It shows the cats are real. It shows the environment — clean, spacious, appropriately equipped. It shows the cats’ condition. And it demonstrates that the breeder is confident enough in what they are doing to invite scrutiny.
Show wins and titles in photos carry additional weight. If I can see a cat who has been awarded at GCCF shows, with the relevant titles visible, that is a specific credential that cannot be faked. A Best in Show rosette in the background of a photograph says more than a paragraph of text about breeding quality.
The GCCF registration prefix
A GCCF-registered breeder has a registered prefix — their cattery name, approved and recorded with the Governing Council. I look for this on every breeder’s website. If it is not there, I cannot confirm the breeder is who they say they are without additional research.
The prefix should appear naturally on the site — in the About page, in the cat names, in any reference to GCCF registration. A breeder who does not mention their prefix at all has missed one of the most fundamental trust signals available to them.
The “About” page: person or persona?
The About page is where I find out whether I am dealing with a real person or a marketing exercise. There is a significant difference between an About page that says “We are passionate breeders dedicated to producing healthy, well-socialised kittens” and one that says “I have been breeding Siamese under the Burnthwaites prefix since 2004, my cats have been awarded at county level and nationally, and my current stud is a Grade Five in the Judge Progression Group.”
The first could be written by anyone. The second could only be written by that specific person. Specificity builds trust. Vagueness erodes it.
How long have they been breeding? What prefix do they hold? Which shows do they attend? What titles have their cats achieved? These are not boasts — they are the credentials a buyer is entitled to know, and a website that does not provide them leaves a gap that doubt will fill.
The kitten page: information or aspiration?
Many cattery websites have a kitten page that amounts to “kittens are sometimes available, contact us.” That is the minimum information a buyer needs, and nothing more. A well-constructed kitten page does considerably more work.
It explains the breeder’s approach to socialisation — how kittens are raised, what they are exposed to, how they are prepared for their new homes. It explains what the buyer will receive: vaccination record, microchip, pedigree, kitten contract, feeding guide. It sets out what the breeder expects from buyers: experience level, home environment, whether the kitten will be kept indoors or allowed outside, whether breeding rights are available.
A kitten page written with this kind of detail filters enquiries before they arrive. Buyers who read it and contact the breeder are already broadly aligned with what the breeder is looking for. Buyers who would not be suitable often self-select out. That makes the process better for everyone.
Contact details and response expectations
A website with no phone number, no email address, and only a contact form is creating unnecessary friction. Serious buyers want to know they can reach a real person. A phone number is a trust signal — it says the breeder is confident enough in what they are doing to be contactable directly.
I also look for any indication of how quickly enquiries are responded to. A note that says “I respond to all enquiries within 48 hours” manages expectations and demonstrates professionalism. No indication at all leaves buyers in the uncomfortable position of not knowing whether their enquiry has been received.
What a poor website communicates, even unintentionally
A website that loads slowly, has broken links, has not been updated in two years, or has text that does not display properly on a phone is communicating something about the breeder’s attention to detail — even if the breeder themselves is meticulous in every other respect. That is not fair, but it is how buyers respond to what they see.
A site that looks like it was built by a friend’s teenage son in 2015 and has not been touched since creates an impression that persists throughout the buyer’s interaction with the breeder. First impressions from websites are formed in seconds and changed only with effort.
I have met excellent breeders whose websites let them down badly. I have also met breeders whose websites looked professional and whose actual breeding standards were considerably less so. But in a world where buyers make initial decisions online, the website sets the context for everything that follows.
What the best cattery websites have in common
After twenty years of looking at cattery websites from both sides of the fence, the best ones share a set of characteristics that have nothing to do with cost or complexity.
They are honest. They tell you what you will and will not get, and they say so directly rather than hiding behind marketing language.
They are specific. They name cats, list achievements, publish health test results with dates, and explain exactly what the buying process involves.
They are current. The photos are recent. The kitten information reflects what is actually available. The contact details are correct.
And they are written by someone who knows the breed — not by a copywriter who has googled the breed name and produced generic content that could apply to any cat on earth.
If you are a breeder and you want to know whether your website is working as hard as it should, the simplest test is to imagine a Full GCCF Judge looking at it for the first time. Would they come away confident that you are exactly who you say you are? If there is any doubt, the site has more work to do.
If you would like help building a cattery website that passes that test, the cat breeders websites page explains what Cats Whiskers Web Designs provides and how to get started.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important thing to include on a cat breeder’s website?
Health test results, shown specifically — not just mentioned in passing. For any pedigree breed with known hereditary health concerns, a serious buyer will look for this first. A website that lists each cat’s tests, dates, and results is demonstrating genuine commitment. A site that mentions health testing without supporting it with detail is not providing the reassurance it intends to.
Do cat breeders need to show their GCCF registration prefix on their website?
Yes, if they want to be taken seriously by knowledgeable buyers and fellow breeders. The GCCF prefix is a registerable credential that confirms the breeder is who they say they are. It should appear prominently on the site — on the About page and in the cat names at minimum.
How much does a cattery website affect enquiry quality?
Significantly. A well-constructed website with a detailed kitten page, clear eligibility criteria, and an explanation of the buying process filters enquiries before they arrive. Breeders with informative websites report fewer time-wasting enquiries and more from buyers who are already broadly aligned with what the breeder requires.
Is a Facebook page a reasonable substitute for a cattery website?
No. Facebook does not appear in Google search results the way a website does. Facebook’s terms of service prohibit the sale of animals, which means a cattery page built around kitten availability is operating against the platform’s rules and risks being removed. A website is an asset the breeder owns; a Facebook page is a presence on a platform someone else controls.
What do buyers look for first when they visit a cat breeder’s website?
Most knowledgeable buyers look for health testing information, the GCCF prefix, photos of the actual cats and environment, and evidence of show activity. New buyers tend to look at photos first, then the kitten page to understand the process. Both groups are trying to answer the same question: can I trust this person?
Should cat breeders include prices on their website?
Including a price range is generally good practice. It avoids wasting time on both sides when there is a significant mismatch between what the buyer expects to pay and what the breeder charges. A range is more defensible than a fixed price because it accommodates variation by colour, sex, and availability of breeding rights.
How often should a cattery website be updated?
At minimum, kitten availability and adult cat pages should be kept current. Outdated kitten listings are a credibility problem — buyers who enquire about kittens that are no longer available lose confidence in the site as a whole. Show results pages should be updated after each show season. The About page should reflect current achievements and titles.
