These rules are required to be upheld by all QFA Inc Breeders

1. SELECTION OF BREEDING STOCK

Animals should be:

• Healthy
• Of good temperament
• Of lines free from any known genetic fault
• Not displaying any generally accepted genetic fault

2. GENERAL CARE OF BREEDING STOCK

• Entire cats must not roam free unless under controlled supervision eg on harness.
• Calling females must be confined.
• Cats/kittens must be groomed regularly and handled daily to be well socialised.
• Cats/kittens must be given a balanced and varied diet.
• Cats/kittens must be housed in safe and hygienic conditions with facilities for climbing and scratching.
• Cats/kittens must be provided with hygienic toilet facilities which are kept clean and disinfected regularly.
• Food and water bowls to be changed at least once a day.
• Cats/kittens must receive prompt veterinary attention if and when required.
• Cats/kittens must be vaccinated in accordance with current veterinary advice.
• Cats/kittens must be treated on a regular basis for internal and external parasites, as required, in accordance with current veterinary advice on various parasitic cycle controls.
• Crossbreeding is not permitted unless the breeder has an approved Breed Development Program or where it is allowed in line with breeding rules.

3. MINIMUM DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

• Cats should be fed a varied and balanced diet except when veterinary advice is otherwise. The following foods are suitable but are guidelines only -
• Raw red meat (no preservatives).
• Kidney, heart, raw liver – NOT MORE THAN ONCE WEEKLY.
• Cooked and boned fish, chicken, rabbit.
• Cheese, cottage cheese, egg yolk.
• Wet and Dry commercially prepared food.
• FRESH WATER MUST ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE.
• ADULT CATS SHOULD BE OFFERED FOOD TWICE A DAY - Kittens more regularly.

4. MINIMUM HOUSING REQUIREMENTS 

• Outdoor units must be as roomy as possible and protect cats from rain, wind, extreme heat and cold and must be partially enclosed to provide a sheltered sleeping area.
• Units must be designed and maintained to avoid injury and/or escape.
• The structure must be non-porous or coated with non-toxic materials to facilitate easy cleaning.
• Units must be kept clean.
• Appropriate cleaning and disinfecting agents should be used only in recommended concentrations and the area should be allowed to dry before the animal is allowed to return as some solutions can be absorbed through the skin/paw pads. NOTE:  PHENOLS eg Dettol must never be used.  Many essential oils are also toxic to cats.
• Minimum unit size for a single cat confined at night time only, or for no longer than eight (8) hours – approximately 1.2m x 0.4m x 0.6m high
• Minimum permanent unit size for a single adult cat – approximately 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.8m high
• Minimum permanent unit size for 2 adult cats – approximately 2.4m x 1.8m x 1.8m high
• Minimum permanent unit size for 3 or 4 adult cats – approximately 3.5m x 3.5m x 1.8m high.  No more than four (4) cats to be house on a permanent basis in a unit this size, as cats are territorial and overcrowding causes undue stress.
• Breeders must conform to the minimum requirements of their local council where licence/permit systems are in place for breeders.
• Animals housed in units within homes, garages etc, must have access to sunshine, and such areas must be well ventilated at all times.

5. STUD QUARTERS AND CARE 

6. CARE OF THE PREGNANT QUEEN, AND KITTENING 

• Queens shall not be overbred.  Maximum of two (2) litters per every 12 months is recommended.
• Breeders shall keep records of all matings, including mating dates, birth dates, number and sexes of kittens born.
• All breeders are to familiarise themselves with the kittening process prior to breeding a litter.
• Increase food amounts to the queen as pregnancy progresses and/or as the queen requires.
• Ensure the queen is given a completely balanced diet an adequate calcium supply during pregnancy and lactation.
• Provide a clean, adequately sized box and bedding at least one (1) week prior to expected kittening.
• Assist the kittening process where necessary.
• Queens must not be left more than two (2) hours in unproductive labour before seeking veterinary advice.
• Once all kittens are born, replace bedding and/or box, and change bedding at least every two (2) days.
• Queen and kittens to be kept in a draught free, but well-ventilated area.
• Check the queen daily for undue bleeding and signs of mastitis.
• Check kittens daily for weight gain.
• Seek veterinary advice on sickly or deformed kittens.
• Eyes should be checked daily in small kittens and if eye infections occur, veterinary treatment should be sought.

7. KITTEN CARE & WEANING 

• Kittens shall not be taken away from their mother until such time as they are fully weaned.
• Between 4 and 6 weeks, kittens should be introduced to suitable foods, e.g. Specially prepared, commercial kitten food.
• Between 6 and 12 weeks, kittens may be introduced to other foods, e.g. - Finely chopped or minced meat, chicken, rabbit, grated cheese, cottage cheese, egg yolk, tinned food.
• WATER MUST ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE.
• Provide litter trays suitable for kittens (shallow) as soon as kittens are mobile.
• Kittens should be fed a minimum of three (3) times daily until 3-4 months of age, when they may be fed twice daily.
• Kittens’ quarters shall be safe, to avoid injury from falling.
• Kittens shall be vaccinated in accordance with the current veterinary advice.
• Kittens must be treated on a regular basis for internal and external parasites, as required, in accordance with current veterinary advice on various parasitic cycle controls.

8. KITTENS LEAVING FOR THEIR FOREVER HOMES 

• It is a QFA requirement that all kittens must have undergone a full veterinary examination and be microchipped prior to sale.
• Pet kittens born on or after 1 March 2021 must be desexed prior to sale.  All new owners must be provided with relevant documentation including microchip number, a vaccination certificate and desexing certificate issued by a veterinary surgeon.
• No kitten may be sold under the age of 10 weeks of age.
• Kittens under 12 weeks cannot be fully vaccinated, and it is the breeder's responsibility to ensure that the new owners are provided with current vaccination records and fully informed of the requirements.
• Kittens shall be healthy, fully weaned and litter tray trained.
• No kitten with an infectious disease shall be sold or placed.
• Breeder shall provide purchasers with diet, grooming and care information.
• Kittens must not be sold to commercial cat wholesalers, or retail pet dealers and may NOT be auctioned, given as a prize or donation for a contest of any kind, or be advertised as a giveaway.
• 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.
• Kittens sold as breeding stock shall be sold ONLY to REGISTERED BREEDERS.
• Breeders shall keep records of names addresses and contact information of all purchasers.
• Purchasers must be advised to not allow their pets to roam free.

9. REHOMING OF BREEDING STOCK 

• It is the breeder's responsibility to desex all stock no longer required or unsuitable for Breeding. Desexed former breeding stock may be found homes as creating overcrowding within the cattery should be avoided.
• No breeding cat shall be excessively passed around, be leased, loaned or sold ENTIRE more than three (3) times during its life, before being desexed.
• It is the owner's responsibility to ascertain the acceptability of the new owner's (lessee's, borrower's, buyer's) premises and standard of care before the cat is re-located.
• All former breeding stock must be microchipped prior to re-homing.
• Purchasers must be advised to not allow their pets to roam free.
• NO PERSON MAY ADVERTISE A CATTERY SELL-OUT.

10. BREEDERS' REGISTRATION 

• Breeders must renew their prefix annually.
• All QFA breeders are strongly encouraged to enter shows regularly or as a minimum once in each calendar year. This ensures that breeding programmes conform as closely as possible to the ACF Inc. breed standards.
• Breeders must be familiar with the ACF Inc. registration and breeding by-laws that apply to their chosen breeds e.g. breeds that can be intermated, allowable outcrosses etc.  The ACF Inc by-laws and breed standards can be accessed on the ACF website or via links on the QFA website.
• Breeders must adhere to the requirements of all relevant State and local government legislation.