Breeding and Registration Rules
date of issue: 01.01.2008
3 Husbandry and Environment
3.1 General Care
Adult cats and kittens must have their vaccinations updated regularly.
Sick cats and kittens must receive veterinary attention as soon as possible.
Parasites such as fleas, ticks, mites, intestinal worms, heart worms etc, are sometimes unavoidable, but all cats must be regularly examined and treated.
Special measures must be taken for the prevention or spread of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases, including the use of vaccinations where available.
3.2 Accommodation
3.2.1 General Conditions
Living accommodation, bedding, dishes, litter trays etc, must be kept clean at all times.
Cats must have water bowls with fresh water at all times, the right food when required or prescribed, comfortable bedding, play and activity items and climbing poles or similar.
Cats must have adequate space in which to move and play and should enjoy domestic living.
For cats unused to extreme temperatures, a range between 10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F) is acceptable but temperatures either below or above these averages necessitate either heating or cooling assistance.
Ventilation facilities to be provided with fresh air (windows, doors, air conditioning) in order to minimize odours, moisture and drafts.
Natural and artificial lighting must be provided.
Cleaning and disinfecting facilities for floors, walls and furniture must be always available.
Although individual cats enjoy the company of other cats, overcrowding is to be avoided as this can lead to stress and aggression and, more importantly, can increase the risk of diseases.
Every cat or kitten must be given daily individual attention; this should include handling which allows for a check of the general health.
3.2.2 Separated accommodations
Where accommodation is separate from a domestic environment, facilities must be for the cat’s best management and maintenance.
Under these conditions:
- a minimum of 6 square meters of floor space with a height of at least 1.80 m per cat is required. More than one level must exist and a sleeping and/or refuge area must be included.
- All areas must be suitable for human access and weatherproof.
With outdoor facilities:
- cats must be provided with sufficient shade to give them protection from direct sunlight.
- In these cases, cats must be allowed access inside in order to remain dry if it rains or snows. Areas must be constructed to facilitate easy drainage.
3.3 Re-homing of cats
3.3.1 Agreements
Any agreements or limitations with purchasers of kittens or users of stud cats must be in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
3.3.2 Pet shops or research facilities forbidden
It is not allowed to sell or hand over cats with FIFe pedigrees to pet shops or similar organisations nor for any experimental research or testing.
It is also not allowed for members of FIFe clubs to offer/trade cats or services, such as stud services, by auction or similar actions either on electronic or actual events.
3.3.3 Kittens
Kittens must not go to a new owner (home) before they are 12 weeks old and have been fully vaccinated against Panleucopaenia and ‘cat flu’, unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian.
3.4 Studs
Stud cats, which have to live in enclosed accommodation must have:
- a minimum of six square metres of floor space with a minimum height of 1.80 m available to them, at least two square metres must be enclosed and weatherproof. If this accommodation is shared, then the available surface must be larger.
- In all accommodation there must be more than one level and a sleeping or refuge area must be included.
- All areas must be suitable for human access.
3.5 Queens
All births must be attended in case problems occur.
Queens about to give birth or unweaned kittens must have the possibility to be kept in a separate area/room.
