~Cats & Kittens - Breeders - Code of Ethics
The cat seldom interferes with other people's rights. His intelligence keeps him from doing many of the fool things that complicate life." - Carl Van Vechten
Code of Ethics for Hobby Breeders
The FCCQ Inc was established in 1965 and is the cat control body for registration of pedigree cats in Queensland, Australia.
1. SELECTION OF BREEDING STOCK
Animals should be:-
(a) Healthy
(b) Of good temperament
(c) Of lines free from any known genetic fault
(d) Not displaying any generally accepted genetic fault
2. GENERAL CARE OF BREEDING STOCK
(a) Entire female cats must not roam free unless under supervision. Calling females must be confined.
(b) Entire male cats must not roam free.
(c) Must be groomed regularly and handled daily.
(d) Must be given facilities for climbing and scratching.
(e) Be given a balanced and varied diet.
(f) Be housed in hygienic conditions.
(g) Be provided with hygienic toilet facilities that are kept clean and disinfected regularly.
(h) Food and water bowls to be changed at least once a day.
(i) Receive prompt veterinary attention if and when required.
(j) Be vaccinated in accordance with the current veterinary advice.
(k) Be treated on a regular basis for internal and external parasites, in accordance with the current veterinary advice on various Parasitic Cycle controls.
3. MINIMUM DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
(a) Cats should be fed a varied diet except on veterinary advice to the contrary.
(b) Guidelines for suitable meals:
> Raw meat (no preservatives)
> Kidney, Heart, Raw Liver (not more than once weekly)
> Tinned food
> Cheese, cottage cheese, egg yolk (not egg white)
> Dried food
> FRESH WATER MUST ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE.
> ADULT CATS SHOULD BE OFFERRED FOOD TWICE A DAY.
4. MINIMUM HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
(a) Outdoor units must protect cats from rain, wind, extreme heat and cold, and must be partially enclosed to provide a sheltered sleeping area
(b) Unit must be designed and maintained to avoid injury and/or escape.
(c) The structure to be non-porous or coated with non-toxic materials to facilitate easy cleaning.
(d) Units must be kept clean.
(e) Cleaning and disinfecting agents should be used only in the recommended concentrations. Where a disinfectant solution has been applied, the area should be allowed to dry before the animal/s is allowed to return, as some solutions can be absorbed through the skin/paw pads. PHENOLS, PINE OIL, EUCALYPTUS OIL must not be used.
(f) Minimum cage size for a single cat confined at nighttime only or for no longer than (8) eight hours = 1200mm long x 400mm wide x 600mm high / 4ft x 1.4ft x 2ft.
(g) Minimum permanent unit size for a single adult cat = 1600mm long x 1600mm wide x 1950mm high / 5ft x 5ft x 6.6ft or equivalent area.
(h) Minimum permanent unit size for two to four (2-4) cats = 3600mm long x 2400mm wide x 1950mm high / 10ft x 8ft x 6.6ft. No more than four cats to be housed on a permanent basis in a unit this size, as cats are territorial animals and over-crowding causes undue stress.
(i) Animals housed in units within homes, garages, etc must have access to sunshine and such areas must be well ventilated at all times.
(j) Where cats are permanently confined to units, provide adequate scratching posts and high level shelving for exercise. Also see Section 8 - Stud Quarters and Care
5. CARE OF THE PREGNANT QUEEN AND KITTENING
(a) Queens shall not be overbred. Maximum of two (2) litters per every twelve (12) months is recommended.
(b) All breeders to familiarise themselves with the kittening process, prior to breeding a litter.
(c) Increase food amounts to the Queen as pregnancy progresses and/or as the Queen requires. Ensure an adequate calcium supply during pregnancy and lactation.
(d) Provide a clean, adequately sized box and bedding at least one (1) week prior to expected kittening.
(e) Assist the kittening process where necessary.
(f) Queens must not be left more than two (2) hours in unproductive labour before seeking veterinary advice.
(g) Once all kittens are born, replace bedding and/or box and change bedding at least every two (2) days.
(h) Queen and kittens to be kept in a draught free but well ventilated area.
(i) Check the Queen daily for undue bleeding and signs of mastitis.
(j) Check kittens daily for weight gain.
(k) Seek veterinary advice on sickly or deformed kittens.
(l) Eyes should be checked daily in small kittens and if eye infections occur veterinary treatment should be sought.
6. KITTEN CARE & WEANING
(a) Kittens shall not be taken away from their mother until such time as they are fully weaned.
(b) Between four to six (4-6) weeks kittens may be introduced to suitable foods. For example:
> Cereal
> Baby food (chicken, fish, beef broth)
> Specially prepared commercial kitten food
> WATER MUST ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE
(C) Between six to twelve (6-12) weeks kittens may be introduced to:
> Finely chopped or minced meat, chicken, and rabbit
> Grated cheese, cottage cheese, egg yolk
> Tinned food
> WATER MUST ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE
(d) Provide litter shallow trays suitable for kittens as soon as kittens are mobile.
(e) Kittens shall be fed a minimum of three (3) times a day until three to four (3-4) months of age; after which they may be fed twice daily.
(f) Kittens' quarters shall be safe, to avoid injury from falling.
(g) Kittens shall be vaccinated in accordance with the current veterinary advice.
(h) Kittens must be treated on a regular basis for internal and external parasites, in accordance with the current veterinary advice on various parasitic cycle controls.
7. SALE OF KITTENS
(a) No kitten may be sold under the age of eight (8) weeks of age, and preferably not until ten (10) to twelve (12) weeks of age.
(b) As Kittens sold under ten to twelve (10-12) weeks cannot be fully vaccinated and wormed, it is the breeder's responsibility to ensure that the New Owners are provided with current vaccination records and fully informed of the requirements.
(c) Kittens shall be healthy, fully weaned and litter tray trained.
(d) No kitten with any infectious disease shall be sold or placed.
(e) Breeder shall provide purchasers with: Diet, grooming and care information.
> Pedigree may be supplied (but in the case of Pet Only, pedigree may be withheld until proof of desexing of the kitten is supplied to the Breeder's satisfaction.
(f) It is not recommended that cats and/or kittens be sold to commercial cat wholesalers or retail pet dealers. They may not be given as a prize or donation for a contest of any kind, or be advertised as a give-away.
(g) A Breeder shall not misrepresent the characteristics of the breed, nor falsely advertise or mislead any person regarding the pedigree or performance of any kitten on the show bench or as a pet.
(h) Kittens sold as breeding stock shall only be sold to registered breeders.
(i) Pet Kittens shall be desexed at five (5) months of age. It shall be the Breeder's responsibility to ensure that the purchaser is made aware of any current law in this regard.
(j) Breeders shall keep record of names and addresses of all purchasers.
8. STUD QUARTERS & CARE
(a) Quarters must be as roomy as possible with the minimum size being = 2100mm long x 2100mm wide x 1950mm high / 7ft x 7ft x 6.6ft with an area set aside within the enclosure for the introduction of visiting queens.
(b) Quarters shall be kept clean in order to keep the odour to a minimum.
(c) Climbing and scratching facilities must be provided, plus a high shelf for the Stud to retreat to after mating.
(d) Studs require plenty of companionship both human and feline. On a daily basis, some time should be spent grooming and handling the Stud. A feline companion such as a desexed cat may be beneficial.
(e) Each Stud must have individual quarters.
(f) Current vaccination certificates must be sighted before accepting a visiting Queen.
(g) Visiting Queens should be examined for cleanliness and state of health prior to introduction to the Stud.
(h) Matings shall only be accepted from cats owned by registered Breeders.
(i) Queens should be permitted to remain with the Stud for a reasonable time after mating and not be removed from the Stud Quarters before a minimum of three (3) matings have been witnessed.
9. DISPOSAL OF BREEDING STOCK
(a) Entire over 9 months of age:
No breeding cat shall be excessively passed around, be leased, loaned or sold in total more than three (3) times in it's breeding life before being desexed. It is the owner's responsibility to ascertain the acceptability of the prospective owner's [lessee, borrower, buyer] premises and standard of care before the cat is relocated. The prospective owner must be a registered breeder.
(b) Desexed:
It is the Owner's responsibility to desex all stock no longer required or unsuitable for breeding.
Desexed breeding stock may be found homes if necessary, to avoid overcrowding in the cattery.
10. BREEDERS REGISTRATION
(a) All Breeders must be registered with an approved Governing Cat Control Body.
(b) No person may knowingly cross breed two breed groups without having applied to a recognised council and been granted an experimental license to do so.
©2003 Feline Control Council of Queensland Inc