Animal Welfare - Key to a Reputable Breeder

Health

  • General Health

    All our breeding cats are enrolled in an ongoing observational study for well-being across generations.

    They have to meet certain requirements:     They must be clear and screened for genetic diseases, fit and healthy, have no heart murmurs or abnormal blood pressure, have a good body score (good weight), and have no underlying eye issue, gum disease or dental misalignment.

    Our vets visit the cattery regularly for health check and kitten vaccinations. Our cattery is inspected annually for Government licensing purposes.

  • DNA Profile

    All our breeding lines are tested by MyCatDNA and are 100% free of over 50 Health Diseases:

    PKD
    For MCO negative for the A31P mutation in HCM
    Blood Disorders
    Cardiac Disorders
    Endocrine Disorders
    Immunologic Disorders
    Metabolic Disorders
    Muscular Disorders
    Neurologic Disorders
    Neuromuscular Disorders
    Ocular Disorders
    Renal Disorders, Including PKD
    Skeletal Disorders

  • Blood Pressure & Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

    British Shorthair: Blood pressure testing lets us check the ‘heart health’ of our cats. 41 cats from our cattery, which are the foundation cats, were tested. There is no statistical relationship between blood pressure (BP) and the genetic status of cats for the CORIN copper mutation, silver cats, or our Classic Golden. Blood pressure was normal, regardless of coat color.

    Maine Coon: Our breeding Maine Coons over the age of 16 months, have had an echocardiogram for HCM (along with their kidneys, liver, and spleen), and their results are registered with pawpeds.com; We breed only with cats that meet the approved health threshold as normal. They are also negative for the A31P mutation in HCM.

  • FIV/FELV

    All of our breeding cats are tested for FIV/FELV.

    All cats tested negative.

  • Vaccinations

    All our cats and kittens are fully vaccinated against feline enteritis (panleucopaenia) virus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV) and, if required, feline herpesvirus (FHV).

  • Hearing

    The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test is a non-invasive hearing assessment for animals that measures electrical activity in the brain and ear. It can detect inherited or acquired deafness in cats, and other domestic animals. 

    We have tested all our Maine Coon and British Shorthair lines, they all have ’normal’ hearing.

  • Feline Coronavirus (FCoV)

    Through our FCoV Free Clinic site we support research into FCoV management and FIP treatment.

    With regular testing and prophylactic treatment we are assured that our cats and kittens will not leave our home with the FIP disease.

General Welfare

  • Licensing

    We are licensed by our local authority for breeding and boarding and exceed their required standards.

  • Standards

    We are members of The International Cat Association® (TICA®) and hold their Outstanding Cattery certification.

    TICA is the world's largest genetic registry.

  • Accommodation

    All of our cats reside in insulated, heated accommodation with considerably more space than is required by our licensing authority. All cats have free access to outdoor play areas with lots of opportunities to climb.

  • Socialisation

    All of our kittens are introduced to members of our family from a young age. This includes our grumpy old pet moggies and our pack of Spaniels and Collies.

    Our customers often comment on the confidence of their Belle Ayr kittens.

Breeding and Kittens

  • Breeding

    Our breeding queens are restricted to three litters every two years and we generally retire them from breeding at around four to five years old.

  • Kitten Release

    We do not release our kittens until they have have been vaccinated.

  • Active Kittens

    We only release active kittens to registered catteries that are members of a recognised body.

  • Pet Kittens for Show

    Please be aware that show standard types vary by club, our show cats meet TICA and FiFe standards.