Independent report

Opinion on cat breeding practices

Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) opinion on the effect of cat breeding practices in Great Britain.

Documents

Opinion on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This opinion reviews the welfare impacts associated with specialised feline breeding practices. It covers risks and impacts to breeding cats, their offspring and future generations from current and emergent feline breeding practices for both domestic and hybrid cats.  

The opinion includes consideration of the welfare impacts of genetic conditions, selection of breeding animals and methods of reproduction.  

The Animal Welfare Committee sent this opinion to government on 9 September 2024.

You can read more about the work of the Animal Welfare Committee.

Updates to this page

Published 19 December 2024

Sign up for emails or print this page