Australian cat councils

In Australia, three independent national bodies oversee the cat fancy — the world of pedigree cats. These are the Australian Cat Federation (ACF), the Co-Ordinating Cat Council of Australia (CCCA), and Australian National Cats Inc. (ANCATS). Collectively they cover 18 member bodies across every state and territory in Australia.

While the CCCA and ACF work as national networks of state clubs, and ANCATS operates as a single national body, all three share a common goal: ensuring that the cats we bring into our homes are bred ethically, treated humanely, and given the best possible start in life.

This page explains what each council does, how they operate across different states, and how to check that a cat breeder is properly registered.

The three cat councils

The ACF and CCCA are federated bodies — they set national breed standards and coordinate across their state and territory member bodies, but it's the member bodies that handle breeder registrations, issue pedigree papers, and manage cat shows in each state. ANCATS takes a different approach, managing members and pedigrees as a single national body with no separate state affiliates. For more on what pedigree papers are and why they matter, see What is a pedigree?

Australian Cat Federation (ACF)

The ACF works to protect and promote the health and welfare of all cats through its member bodies across Australia. They focus heavily on education and the elimination of genetic diseases, ensuring that kittens are bred with care and that every cat — whether a champion pedigree or a beloved household pet — is treated with the respect and protection it deserves.

The ACF was formed in 1973, is a member of the World Cat Congress, and has 11 member bodies — in every state, and the Northern Territory.

Australian National Cats Inc. (ANCATS)

ANCATS is Australia's first single-body national registry, built on the belief that "every cat is a winner" and focusing on the health, quality of life, and companionability of all cats and kittens. They use a modern, inclusive approach to promote ethical breeding through a strict Code of Practice, ensuring that breeding programs prioritize the wellbeing of the animals so they can become healthy, lifelong members of their new families.

ANCATS was established in 1997 and is affiliated with the World Cat Federation (WCF).

What do the codes of ethics cover?

Each council's published code of ethics covers breeding limits, health testing, vaccination protocols, microchipping, desexing requirements, cattery prefix registration, and the minimum age at which kittens may go to a new home. Registered cat breeders who are members of these councils are bound by standards that go beyond what state law requires.

Why does Perfect Pets require cat council membership?

We choose to work with ACF, CCCA, and ANCATS because they have a depth of experience that we believe provides a strong foundation for ethical cat breeding in Australia. They offer decades of hands-on breed expertise, established codes of ethics, and international recognition. As part of our breeder vetting process, we have worked with ANCATS, ACF and CCCA member bodies to verify every cat breeder listed on Perfect Pets since 2013.

Why do cat councils require kittens to be older before rehoming?

Kittens separated from their mother too young can be more prone to aggression, anxiety, fearfulness, and compulsive behaviours as adults. Those extra weeks with mum matter — they allow kittens to:

• Complete their primary vaccination course and build a stronger immune system
• Finish weaning and master litter training
• Develop the social skills they need from their mother and siblings

Kittens rehomed at 8 weeks have often only started their core vaccination course, rather than completing the primary rounds typically given by 12 weeks.

Read more: why kittens need 12 weeks with mum — the welfare evidence

Not every Australian breeder organisation requires this higher standard. Some set their kitten rehoming minimum at 8 weeks — the same as the common state legislative minimum.

How do I verify a registered cat breeder?

To make sure that a breeder is registered, it's important to understand what registration actually means. Cat council membership and government breeder registration are separate things that serve different purposes.

Cat council membership means the breeder is bound by their council's code of ethics, breeds to recognised breed standards, has their cats recorded in a verified pedigree registry, and holds a registered cattery prefix. You can contact a breeder's cat council via the links below under your state or territory.

Government breeder registration (where applicable) provides a traceable identification number and confirms legal compliance with state animal welfare legislation — but it does not cover breed standards, pedigree papers, or codes of ethics. Not all states and territories have a public online verification portal — Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory do not currently offer centralised online breeder lookup. See our state-by-state verification guide for direct links to every available register and what to do in states without one.

We verify every cat breeder to ensure they comply with both types of registration before their account is approved. Connect with our fully verified cat breeders here.

Find your state or territory body

Most pedigree cat registration in Australia happens at the state level through ACF or CCCA member bodies. ANCATS members register directly with the national body.

Last updated: May 2026. Authored by Maria Arnold, Founder and Director of Perfect Pets. Council codes of ethics, breed standards and registration requirements may change over time — if you believe any information is out of date, please contact us.