Bitesize training: an overview of cat breeding: domestic, extreme breeds & wild cat hybrids

Overview

Cat breeding is licensed in Scotland under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, and whilst this is not the case in the rest of the UK, this is likely to change in the near future.

This bitesize event is designed to offer you a competent understanding of cat breeding and to increase your knowledge generally on cat husbandry. The first part of course will focus on The Basics of Cat Breeding followed by Extreme Breeds and Wild Cat Hybrids. There will be a presentation for each topic and Q&A session after each part.

Basics of Cat Breeding will include:
• The legislation in Scotland
• The cat reproductive cycle
• Planned breeding including genetic testing
• Unplanned breeding (around three-quarters of litters are unplanned)
• Accommodation and basic hygiene including accommodation for stud toms.
• Health care of the queen and kittens
• Diet for queen and kittens
• Socialisation

Extreme Breeds will include:
• What is considered to be extreme conformation in cats with examples and what negative impact these have on welfare eg folded ears, short legs
• Why do people want them?
• Wild cat hybrids – what are they and what are the welfare issues of both the parents and kittens.
• What is the implication on the safety of people, other cats, wildlife and other animals?

Objectives

Delegates will gain a basic understanding of
• Why licensing of cat breeding is desirable across the UK
• Feline reproduction
• Planned and unplanned breeding
• Basic husbandry of the parents and offspring
• Extreme cat breeds and why they lead to poor welfare
• Which wild cats are used to produce hybrid cats for the commercial market and what the consequences of this is for welfare.

Who should attend

• Environmental Health Officers
• Animal Welfare Officers
• Animal Wardens
• Public Health Officers
• Technical Assistants

CPD: 2 hours 30 minutes