Buying or adopting safely
How to avoid scams and poorly bred kittens.
See the kitten with its mother
Visit the home where the kittens were born and see them with their mother. Be wary of anyone who offers to meet you halfway or deliver.
Check the age
Kittens should not leave their mother before 8 weeks old. Many welfare charities recommend waiting until 12 to 13 weeks.
Ask for the paperwork
Ask for the vaccination record, microchip number and, for pedigree cats, registration papers. Licensed sellers must show their licence number in the advert, and you can check it with the council that issued it.
Never pay a deposit before you visit
Scammers ask for deposits by bank transfer for kittens that do not exist. Do not pay until you have met the cat in person.
Report anything that worries you
Use the Report button. You can also report concerning adverts to the Pet Advertising Advisory Group at paag.org.uk.