The Minimum Requirements of a Cattery
The Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) has set a standard for the minimum requirements need to properly run a cattery. Before you ever consider starting a cattery, study this standard carefully. It includes space guidelines, lighting and ventilation requirements, health and veterinary commitments, instructions on how food, water, and litter should be handled, and much more.
You can easily see that breeding cats requires more than tossing a male and female in a room together to mate and then letting the queen raise her kittens on her own. Responsible breeders not only make sure that their cats have everything they need and more, but they are also there for them every step of the way. Being a good breeder takes commitment and often, sacrifice.
Where Will Your Cattery Be Set Up?
Many new breeders begin their breeding program in their home, often in a spare bedroom. The CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) recommends a minimum space of 30 cubic feet per cat. If you have five females and one male, you’ll need at least 140 square feet – approximately a 12’ x 12’ room.
Your cattery space can be inside your home or in a separate building, but remember that this building will need to have natural light, climate control, and the same safe and sanitary living conditions as if it were in your home. Some cages in a barn or garage will never do! Also, you will be spending considerable time in this area if you are raising your kittens properly.
Cattery Equipment
You will need a 30 cubic foot cage per cat to begin with, even if you intend to be a cageless cattery. Even in cageless catteries, there are times that may require caging, like when a queen has just had kittens and comes into heat and doesn’t need to be bred or if a stud male is sexually aggressive or sprays. You must plan and control your breedings. It is simply irresponsible to let your cats roam around your home and mate at will.
Cageless catteries also require additional space considerations. Where a 12’ x 12’ room can house five females, one male, and a litter of kittens when they are in cages, this same space can’t house all these cats at the same time if they are not in cages. You would need space in a private room for kittens to be raised, extra rooms to separate your male from your females when they aren’t planned for breeding. There might also be times where an ill cat needs private space or a new cat is brought in and needs a week of quarantine before joining the rest of the family.
You will also need:
- A grooming table and grooming tools
- Litter boxes and scoops (one for every cat plus one, more for kittens)
- Food and water dishes
- Scratching posts
- Toys, of course
You’ll need additional equipment and supplies to:
Daily cattery needs include cleaning supplies, different types of cat litter, high quality cat food, and health care needs. It is a good idea to be completely set up and have a good supply of all the necessities on hand before purchasing your breeding cats!
And if you can’t provide all of these things for your cats, do not consider breeding for another moment. These, after all, are just the basics!
Related Articles:
Becoming a Pedigreed Cat Breeder
Feline and Cattery Terminology
Source:
Cat Fanciers’ Association, Inc.
Darlene Cheek, Persian Cat Breeder, Tennessee Persians
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