Buying a pedigree kitten is an exciting time. Its not something to rush into and you should do extensive research on the breed you are interested in and the breeder your purchasing from. Unfortunately, with the growing demand for purebred cats, scams are becoming increasingly common. Fake breeders, backyard breeders, and kitten mills prey on unsuspecting buyers, often selling sick, non-pedigree, or even nonexistent kittens. Here’s your guide on how you can avoid being scammed and ensure you're buying a happy, healthy, and ethically bred pedigree kitten.
Before looking for a breeder, make sure you fully understand the breed standard and what to expect from a purebred kitten. Different breeds have specific traits, coat patterns, and temperaments, so familiarise yourself with what a well-bred kitten should look like and behave like.
A reputable breeder will be knowledgeable about breed characteristics and work to preserve and improve them, while a scammer may misrepresent mixed-breed kittens as purebred.
One of the easiest ways to verify legitimacy is by ensuring the breeder is registered with a recognised cat association such as:
NSW Cat Fanciers’ Association (NSWCFA)
Feline Control Council (FCC)
Australian Cat Federation (ACF)
A registered breeder must adhere to strict ethical breeding practices and maintain accurate pedigree records. You can confirm their registration on the official websites of these organisations or call to confirm. If a breeder refuses to provide their registration details, consider it a red flag.
If the price of a kitten seems too good to be true, it probably is. Purebred kittens from ethical breeders come with high costs due to health testing, quality care, and proper socialisation.
Typical red flags include:
❌ Prices significantly lower than market value
❌ Extra fees for paperwork (all pedigree kittens should come with their papers)
❌ No health guarantees or contracts
Kittens should stay with their mother and littermates until at least 12 weeks old to ensure proper socialisation and development. Some unethical sellers try to sell kittens as young as 6–8 weeks, which can lead to health and behavioural problems later.
A good breeder will prioritise the kitten’s well-being over making a quick sale.
Many scams operate online, so be wary of:
🚩 Stock images or photos stolen from other breeders’ websites
🚩 No website or social media presence (or an account that was created very recently)
🚩 Insistence on payment via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency
🚩 Poor grammar and vague descriptions in listings
Do a reverse image search on kitten photos to see if they appear elsewhere on the internet.
Reputable breeders will have testimonials from previous buyers, and many will be happy to provide references from past adopters. You can also check online forums or Facebook groups related to your chosen breed to see if others have had good experiences with the breeder. Asking to FaceTime is also another good option so that you can talk with the breeder and ask to see the kitten/s you're interested in.
If something feels off—whether it’s rushed communication, refusal to provide proof, or excessive secrecy—walk away. There are many ethical breeders who take the time to properly raise their kittens and match them with the right families.