Buying a purebred kitten online is risky. Every year, hundreds of people wire money to catteries that don’t exist. The deposit vanishes. The kitten never arrives.

But fake breeders are easy to spot — if you know what to look for. Real catteries leave a paper trail. Here’s what to check before you send a single euro.

The 7-point verification checklist

1. Check the cattery registration

Any cattery worth your money is registered with WCF (World Cat Federation), TICA, FIFe, or CFA. Ask for the number. Go to the organization’s website and verify it yourself. Two minutes of work.

Floriente Cattery: Cattery name FLORIENTE (in capitals) registered with WCF #50188-2025. Verify at wcf.de/en/cattery-names

2. Ask for a video call

A real breeder will show you the kitten on camera — at home, with the parents nearby. If they refuse, dodge with excuses, or send “new photos” instead of a video — that’s your answer. Move on.

Floriente Cattery: We offer video calls before reservation. You'll see the kitten, the parents, and our home.

3. Verify health testing

Breeders who care test parents for genetic diseases before breeding. For Orientals and Siamese: PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), PK Deficiency, blood type. Ask which lab ran the tests. If they can’t name one — they probably didn’t test.

Floriente Cattery: All parents tested at NeoVetLab. Results shared with buyers before reservation.

4. Request the contract

No written contract — no deal. The contract should cover health guarantees, sterilization terms, return policy, and transfer of ownership. If they say “we don’t do contracts” — that’s not a cattery, that’s a seller.

Floriente Cattery: Full sales contract provided. Documents the kitten's condition at handover, microchip, vaccinations, and registration paperwork. Spells out care terms, sterilization, return process, and ongoing owner support. Not a formality — it's about transparency and accountability on both sides.

5. Check the titles

Breeders love to mention titles. Champion, Grand Champion, International Champion — each one earned at official shows judged by licensed experts. Ask for proof. Titles are public record.

Floriente Cattery: Sebastian and Simona — Grand Inter-Champions (GIC), World Cat Federation. Cat show photos and certificates on our website.

6. Look for real reviews

Real names. Real photos of kittens in their new homes. No stock images, no anonymous quotes. Ask the breeder to connect you with a previous buyer. Anyone who refuses has something to hide.

Floriente Cattery: Every kitten is in a loving home. Owner testimonials with photos on our homepage. We're happy to connect you with previous families.

7. Know what’s included in the price

Vaccinations, microchip, passport, pedigree, sterilization, food starter kit, adaptation guide. A serious breeder lists all of it openly. If the price is vague or suspiciously low — walk away.

Floriente Cattery: Full breakdown on our How to Buy page — 8 items included with every kitten.

Red flags: when to walk away

100% prepayment before you’ve seen the kitten on video
No registration number, or refusal to share it
Stock photos instead of real photos of kittens and parents
Price significantly below market — Oriental/Siamese kittens from registered breeders cost €800–€1,500+ (pet class)
No contract, or “we don’t do contracts”
Pressure to decide quickly — “this kitten won’t last long” or “deposit today or lose it”
No social media presence — no Instagram, no Facebook, no history of activity

Before you send money, ask these seven questions

What’s your cattery registration number? Which club are you registered with?
Can we do a video call to see the kitten and parents?
Which genetic tests have the parents passed? At which lab?
Can I see the contract before committing?
What titles do the parents have? Where can I verify?
Can I talk to a previous buyer?
What exactly is included in the price?

A breeder with nothing to hide will answer all seven without flinching. Vague answers, stalling, pushback? Trust your gut. Keep looking.

How to Verify a Cattery Before Buying a Kitten