Buying or adopting a cat

Bringing home a new cat is an exciting time, but it’s important to make sure your new pet will be a healthy and happy addition to your family.

Every year, thousands of cats in NSW are looking for loving homes. You can give a rescue animal a fresh start by adopting from:

a council pound or shelter
an animal welfare organisation
an animal rehoming organisation.

Rescue animals are usually microchipped, vaccinated, and, if old enough, desexed with these costs often included in your adoption fee.

Whether you’re adopting or buying from a breeder, asking the right questions matters. This helps you avoid potential problems and ensures your new pet’s health and welfare.

Download our handy checklist below to see the key steps to protect yourself and your new pet.Download checklist for buying kitten

Top tips for buying a kitten

Are you ready for the responsibility of owning a pet?

Caring for a pet takes time, energy and dedication. Think about how a cat will fit into your:

Lifestyle – Will you have time for play, enrichment and care?
Work schedule – Are you away from home for long hours?
Holidays – Do you have plans for your pet’s care when you’re away?
Family dynamics – Are all family members ready for a pet? If you have children, teach them how to safely interact with your new pet. For homes with other animals, check whether the new pet will be compatible and get professional advice if needed.

Pet care costs can stack up quickly. It’s important to research the long-term financial commitment, including:

Food and litter
Vaccinations and vet bills
Flea, worming, and tick prevention
Grooming (especially for long-haired breeds)
Cat enclosures or secure housing options
Emergency care or pet insurance

Understand the breed and animal’s characteristics before you commit. Ask yourself:

What is the breed’s typical energy level and temperament?
How long do they usually live?
Do I have enough time and money to properly care for them?

This will help you choose a pet that suits your lifestyle.

The NSW Office of Local Government provides useful resources on responsible pet ownership. Visit their website for more tips and tools.

How to choose a responsible breeder?

Research the breeder or seller. If possible and safe to do so, visit the facility where the animal has been bred or is being housed. Are the conditions clean and comfortable? Do the animals and their mother look happy and healthy?
Check health records. Ensure the animal is up to date with vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and has a microchip.
Confirm identification details. Check the breeder identification number (BIN) or the rehoming organisation number (RON) located on the advertisement or provided by the seller for cats sold or transferred in NSW, by putting the number into the NSW Pet Registry.

Avoiding scams - things to consider before you make a purchase

Before making any payments or committing to a purchase:

Have you been prevented from seeing the animal in person?
Has the breeder or seller offered to meet in a public place like a car park?
Have they requested full payment or a deposit before you’ve seen the animal?
Will the breeder/seller provide you with a documented receipt?
Are any microchip or identification numbers invalid on the NSW Pet Registry?

If you answered yes to any of these, it could indicate a scam or an unethical breeder. Do further checks or report concerns.

Know your rights

Did you know you are able to return a kitten within 3 days and receive a 50% refund if the animal is not acceptable for any reason? See section 9 of the NSW Breeding Code of Practice for more information.

If you have purchased a new pet and something has gone wrong, you can contact NSW Fair Trading for information on what to do next.

Get a vet check

Did you know you can ask the breeder to have a veterinarian to conduct a health check before you buy a kitten?

A health check is separate to a vaccination certificate. Vets can perform a health check to help identify any health or breed related health concerns.

How to report a suspected unethical breeder?

If you suspect or have dealt with an irresponsible or unethical breeder or have witnessed animal cruelty, you can report it. Animal welfare inspectors can then investigate your complaint.

Find reporting options on the reporting and enforcement page.

Microchipping and registration - what you need to know before you buy

Step 1: Check for a microchip and identification numbers

In NSW, it’s illegal to sell, rehome or give away a cat without a microchip. You can verify a microchip number on the NSW Pet Registry.

By law, any advertisement for a cat must include an identification number:

a microchip number, or
a relevant breeder identification number, such as a
- breeder identification number allocated under the Companion Animals Act 1998
- membership number of a recognised breeder organisation under the Companion Animals Act 1998, or
a rehoming organisation number allocated under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

Step 2: Verify details on the NSW Pet Registry

Use the identification information to check the NSW Pet Registry to confirm the numbers are valid.

Microchip search: confirms breed, sex, age, desexing status, registration
Breeder ID search: shows if the number is active, suspended or cancelled, plus any business names
Rehoming organisation search: displays organisation details and status
From 1 December 2025, additional details such as if the breeder identification number or rehoming organisation number is active, suspended or cancelled will be displayed.

Step 3: Transfer ownership after purchase

If you decide to buy a cat, the breeder or seller will transfer you official ownership using details on your NSW Pet Registry profile once you’ve confirmed your pet purchase. You’ll receive a confirmation notification from the NSW Pet Registry.

For more details please visit the NSW Pet Registry.

Questions and answers

How can I search for information on a pet using an identification number?

You can access the NSW Pet Registry and search for a microchip number, breeder identification number, or rehoming organisation number.

What do I do if I don't see an identification number in an advertisement?

If you see an advertisement that does not include the relevant identification information, or you suspect an advertisement is misleading or includes a false information, you should lodge a complaint regarding cruelty to animals. No identification number on an advertisement is an offence and is a warning sign that the person selling the pet may not be an ethical breeder.