Exporting Cats

Helping Your Cat Arrive Safely and Legally in a New Country.

- Laurie Coughlan

Have you ever considered what you would do if you were contacted by someone in another country who admired your cats and wanted to import one as a pet or as a show or breeding cat? Most breeders are pleased when others acknowledge the results of their breeding programs, and many feel a responsibility to share lines for the good of the breed and the cat fancy. If the perfect potential owner of one of your cats turned out to live in another country, would you know how to get your cat safely and legally to a new country?

Establish Agreements

Assume you have carefully screened the buyer, and feel confident that the cat will be well cared for in the new home. Also assume that you and the buyer have agreed upon a written contract, detailing possible contingencies, who is responsible for what expenses and actions to keep your cat safe, and when and in what form payment will be received. It is standard practice for the buyer to cover preparation and transportation costs, including veterinarian fees, pet carriers, government permits and postage. If the buyer requests that the seller keep and show the cat to earn a particular title before sending the cat, the contract should indicate who pays what show or other expenses, and when the cat will travel to the new home. You may also wish to stipulate what happens to a breeding cat when the buyer is through using it in a program. For example, do you want an option to return the cat to the original breeder, to share with other designated breeders, or to spay/neuter and place as a pet.

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