What a kitten contract should include

A written contract protects you, the breeder and the kitten. It sets out what you are buying, what the breeder promises about health, and what both sides agree to if things go wrong. Most responsible breeders use one, and you should be able to read it before you pay a deposit. Here is what to look for.

The basics

• Names and contact details of the breeder (and cattery name) and the buyer.
• A description of the kitten: breed, sex, color, date of birth, microchip number and the registered names of both parents.
• The price, the deposit amount, what has been paid and when the balance is due.
• The pickup or delivery date and how transport is handled.

Pet or breeding rights

Most kittens are sold as pets with a spay/neuter clause. Look for a clear deadline (often a set age such as six months), what proof the breeder needs (usually a vet's certificate), and what happens to the registration papers. Many breeders hold the papers until they receive proof of spay/neuter, or register pet kittens as non-breeding. Some breeders spay or neuter before the kitten goes home, which removes this clause altogether.

If you are buying with breeding rights, expect a higher price and a more detailed contract covering registration, health testing and sometimes the breeder's involvement in future litters.

The health guarantee

This is the most important section, and the one where contracts differ most. A good guarantee usually has two parts:

• A short-term guarantee against infectious illness, valid only if a vet examines the kitten within a set number of days of pickup. Book that appointment before the kitten comes home.
• A longer guarantee against genetic or congenital conditions, often for a year or more. Some breeders give a longer guarantee for conditions they screen for, such as HCM.

Read the details carefully:

• Which conditions are covered, and which are excluded? Watch for exclusions that cover the breed's main risks.
• What evidence is needed? Usually a written diagnosis from a vet, and sometimes a second opinion or a specialist.
• What is the remedy: a refund, a replacement kitten, or a contribution to vet costs?
• Do you have to return the cat to get the remedy? Few people will hand back a sick cat they love, so a replacement-only remedy that requires a return is worth less than it looks.
• Are there conditions that void it, such as feeding a certain diet or a specific vaccine schedule? Ask why, and check with your vet.

For the health conditions that matter in your breed, see the breed guides and HCM and PKD: health tests explained.

Return policy and right of first refusal

Responsible breeders usually ask you to return the cat to them, rather than rehoming it or taking it to a shelter, if you can no longer keep it at any age. This is a good sign: it means the breeder takes responsibility for every kitten they produce. Check whether any money is refunded on return (often none after the first weeks) and who pays for transport.

Deposit terms

• Is the deposit refundable, non-refundable or transferable to a future litter?
• What happens if the breeder can't provide the kitten, or the kitten fails a vet check before pickup? You should get your deposit back.
• Is there a deadline for paying the balance or collecting the kitten?

Get the deposit terms in writing before you pay, and pay with a protected method. See kitten scams and how to pay safely.

Care clauses

Many contracts include care requirements. Common ones are keeping the cat indoors, never declawing, and keeping vaccinations and vet care up to date. These are reasonable and reflect good welfare practice. Be more cautious about clauses that let the breeder take the cat back at their discretion, or that require you to buy specific products from the breeder.

State pet purchase laws

Some states have pet purchase protection laws (sometimes called 'pet lemon laws') that give buyers rights if an animal is sick at the time of sale. Coverage varies a lot, some laws apply only to dogs, and some apply only to pet shops or larger sellers. Check your state's rules; a contract may give you more protection than the law, but generally can't take away rights the law gives you.

Before you sign

• I have read the whole contract before paying anything.
• The kitten's details and both parents' registered names are correct.
• I understand the spay/neuter deadline and how papers are released.
• I know exactly what the health guarantee covers and what I must do to keep it valid.
• I have booked a vet visit within the guarantee window.
• The deposit terms and refund conditions are in writing.
• I know the breeder's policy if I can't keep the cat.