Cat Registration Papers Explained

“Registered” is one of the most casually used words in the cat world, and also one of the easiest to claim without evidence. Understanding what registration actually means puts you in a much stronger position when comparing breeders.

What registration is

A cat registry is an organisation that maintains pedigree records — the documented family tree of a pedigree cat. When a breeder is registered, they have a membership number with that body and their litters are recorded with it. When a kitten is registered, its parentage is on file.

Australian registries

Australia does not have one single national registry. Instead there are state and breed bodies, including bodies operating in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, among others. Because they are state-based, a legitimate breeder can always tell you which body they belong to and give you their membership number — and that number can be checked.

Papers versus quality

Registration documents parentage; it does not on its own guarantee health or temperament. A registered kitten from a breeder who does no health testing is still a registered kitten. Treat papers as one piece of evidence among several, alongside health records, socialisation and the breeder’s openness.

How to verify a claim

• Ask for the registry name and membership number. Vague answers — “we’re fully registered” with nothing behind it — are a warning sign.
• Ask what paperwork you will receive and when.
• Ask whether the kitten is registered as pet or breeding quality. Pet-only registration is normal for companion homes.
• Check the number with the registry if you can.

Questions about our own paperwork

We would rather you asked than assumed. Please get in touch and we will tell you exactly what documentation we provide. Our FAQ covers the questions families ask most often, and the breeder question checklist is a useful companion to this guide.