What are Papers and Why Are They Important For My Pedigree Kitten?

When you start your research into buying a pedigree, it can be difficult to understand the difference between ‘registered’ and ‘unregistered’. The most obvious difference would be a registration document, registration paperwork, registered papers, or however else they are often named.

There is often confusion around what these ‘papers’ are for. Are they needed if you wish to show your cat? Or if you wish to breed? Or do they have a greater purpose?

The answer is a simple one. Without the paperwork, your cat is not a full pedigree. So, when you’re looking for a kitten and considering the difference between registered or unregistered, the question is - would you like a FULL Pedigree cat, or a ‘moggy’?

A registration card isn’t just a piece of paper.

What is a registration card?

The governing body registration card, either with GCCF or TICA, proves a kitten/cat is registered with a governing cat body and has been bred by two active registered pedigree cats.

All pedigree ‘pet’ cats - cats not intended for breeding and for a pet only - will be registered as ‘Non active’ on their card. All breeding cats - cats chosen by their breeder as suitable for breeding - will be on the ‘active’ register. You should only be looking at ‘active’ cats if you are a breeder yourself.

Reputable cat breeders have the wellbeing of their cats as their main concern in every way, including their health and the environment they live in. Responsible breeders run genetic disease tests, for example the known HCM in Ragdolls and PKD in Persians. A good breeder will ensure their queens (their female active cats), are in perfect health before mating. They will guarantee that all kittens are well socialised within their home environment, and very importantly, never kept in a cage.

Some breeders show their cats, which can be very costly. Showing your cat helps breeders ensure ‘the correct breed standard and type’ is being upheld and produced. By showing their cats, they put them up in classes against cats of their same colouring and sex, and are judged based on the breed standards. In entering, competing and winning competitions like this, it allows the breeder to fully understand which of their cats are best placed for breeding, to continue to produce the best breed standard of their pedigree.

Remember, a registration card is NOT just for breeding and showing. It is to prove a cat’s pedigree!

What does a registration card look like?

Here is an example of a registration card from GCCF. It will have the pedigree name of your kitten, followed by the owners name; this will be the breeders name at first but can be changed into your name once you receive your kitten. Further to this you will see your kittens date of birth, sex, colour and breed, as well as whether your cat is registered as Nonactive or Active, and the details of your kittens parents.

When you buy a registered kitten, as well as the registration card, you will receive a login to GCCF, where you can see it’s ancestors - usually going back 5 generations, absolutely proving the pedigree of your cat. It’s really interesting to see and learn about your kittens heritage!

Why should I buy registered over unregistered?

It is important to understand that buying a genuine pedigree kitten from a responsible registered breeder means the money you are spending goes a long way, you are investing in so much more than simply purchasing a kitten.

When you buy a registered kitten, you are buying its parents genetic tests, it’s parents’ show titles or certificates, the kittens vaccinations, their full pedigree microchip, their worm and flea preventative treatments, their veterinary checks, a great food and nutrition history and 24/7 care - right up until the moment the kitten goes to their new home. So, what may seem like an expensive cost for a pedigree, actually just covers the incredible hard work, time and money already spent by it’s breeder. With a registered kitten, you are also guaranteed the knowledge, skills, commitment and a lifetime of support from an experienced breeder.

When you buy registered, the GCCF are fully responsible for ensuring the breeder is maintaining the guidelines set out by them. You can read more from the GCCF about what to expect from a registered breeder here.

Can you spot the difference between the registered and unregistered kitten?

What if the breeder does not register their kittens?

Have you seen those adverts for unregistered or cheap kittens? They are advertised as pedigree, however without being registered the pedigree can not be proven.

There are a lot of breeders who chose not to register their kittens. There can be so many different reasons for this. Perhaps they purchased a registered kitten themselves, but did not neuter them despite them being a ‘non active’ cat. Firstly, this is breaking the contract they will have signed when they purchased their pet cat. They may say it is an ‘accidental’ litter, or that they simply wanted their female to experience ‘one litter’. Because of this, they cannot register their kittens.

Would you really want to purchase a kitten from an inexperienced, first time breeder? Would you want to pay the same price, or perhaps slightly less, to this breeder as you would an experienced breeder who has been breeding registered kittens for 10+ years?

Perhaps you come across a breeder who does not register out of choice, but is an ‘experienced’ breeder. They may tell you that their papers don’t matter, as they are only important for showing or breeding. But we’ve already established that that isn’t the case.

If a breeder is not registering their kittens, very simply, it means they are not registered with a governing body and therefore do not have to abide by any laws of ethics or breeding standards, and there is absolutely no guarantee that you are buying a pedigree kitten.

Would you chose an unregistered kitten knowing that their breeder, for some reason, chose not to register? There will be a reason down the line why they chose this route. Perhaps an ancestor to the kitten was deemed not appropriate for breeding, or they were purchased as unregistered themselves. Whatever the reason, you simply cannot guarantee where this kittens pedigree originates, therefore there will never be proof that you are buying what the breeder claims to be a ‘pure’ pedigree.

Is my cat still a pedigree without a registration card?

Unfortunately, despite common assumption, there is no such thing as a pedigree kitten if it is not registered with a governing body (GCCF, TICA, for example). If the pedigree is not registered and validated with a governing cat body, there is simply no proof of the background of your kitten. If you buy an unregistered kitten, you are purchasing a ‘moggy’.

The term ‘moggy’ is often seen as derogatory to the cat. It shouldn’t be and has simply been used incorrectly as a way to describe an unkempt or very ordinary cat.

Moggies are and can be just as gorgeous as a pedigree cat. The term moggy simply means that they cannot be classified as any breed specifically - there are no papers, and therefore no guarantee. If you are looking for a moggy, rescues are the perfect place to look, there are plenty of rescues full to the brim - desperate for new owners. If it’s not a full pedigree you are looking for, if this isn’t important to you, consider rescuing. Not only is the cost significantly lower, but you are also giving a much needed home for some gorgeous little kitty.

What do I do if I haven’t received my card?

If you have purchased a ‘registered’ kitten from a breeder who is registered with one of the governing bodies, you should receive a registration card as proof of pedigree. If you haven’t yet had this, it could be because they are waiting for you to neuter your kitten. Some breeders chose to withheld registration certificates to stop anyone breeding their kittens not deemed suitable. If you are unsure, make sure you contact the breeder. They should be providing you with a registration card and if they don’t, are breaking part of the guidelines with their governing body. If you cannot get hold of your breeder, you can get in touch with the governing body directly.

My registration card is in my breeders name, how do I change it?

When you first get your card, it may be in the name of your breeder. You can opt to change this to your name and details once you take ownership of the cat.

You should receive details of this from your breeder, and then you can transfer the cat into your details via the governing body. If your cat is registered with GCCF, you can transfer ownership here. With TICA, you can follow the instructions here.

All genuine pedigree kittens should be registered. Remember, if you buy unregistered, you are not buying a pedigree.

If you aren’t concerned about a pedigree, then don’t pay the price and visit one of the many rescue centres desperate for owners like you.