Still no sign of my kitten's pedigree papers

S
Scarlett12 Icon representing the flag French

Hi everyone, I’ve joined the forum because I’m having a bit of an issue regarding my cat’s pedigree papers and I haven’t really managed to find any answers online, so I was hoping you might be able to help.

I bought a 3-month-old kitten this summer; both parents are British Shorthairs and each has their own pedigree. The advert clearly stated that the kittens would be registered, and the price naturally reflected that. When I went to collect the kitten, the breeder didn’t have the papers yet, so she drew up a sales contract for a kitten with 'registration in progress', explaining that she’d post them to me as soon as they arrived.

However, my kitten is now nearly 7 months old and I still haven’t heard anything about the papers. I’ve stayed in touch with the breeder, sending her regular photos of the cat and asking every now and then for an update on the pedigree. She just tells me it’s being processed and that she’ll contact the GCCF etc. I even tried to check the progress myself on the GCCF website using my cat’s microchip number to see if an application was registered, but there were no results. I eventually phoned the GCCF for more info, and they told me that no pedigree application has been made for my cat so far; they only have a record of the litter notification and nothing else. They advised me to get back in touch with her so she could actually submit the application, which I’ve done, but I haven't heard a word back since.

I’m really not sure what else I can do at this stage. Is she legally required to send me the pedigree given the amount I paid? I’ve tried looking into the legal side of things, but it’s all a bit complex and vague, so I don’t even know if I’m entitled to demand anything. Do I have any way of taking this further or any legal recourse?

Thanks in advance for any advice or help you can give.

Have a lovely evening.

Translated from French
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9 answers
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    • Blue_Cat
    Blue_cat Icon representing the flag French
    Thanks for the update. To be honest, a pedigree costs money, and quite a few breeders reckon that if they can save themselves a few pounds, it’s a bit of extra profit. That’s how they look at it, anyway. But when you sell a registered pedigree kitten, you are legally obliged to provide the pedigree papers... Scarlett is absolutely stunning; that little beauty is going to turn the heads of many an Ashley or Rhett Butler! 👌
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    S
    Scarlett12 Icon representing the flag French

    Hi everyone,

    I’m back to give you all an update on how things have turned out.

    You were spot on, @Blue Cat – in the end, just as you suspected, the breeder hadn't actually sent off the pedigree application, despite insisting she had and blaming the delay on the GCCF, saying they were "running behind with processing", etc. I've no idea if it was intentional or not; she told me she was sure she'd sent the forms off but then eventually "found" them in a drawer. After that, she claimed she hadn't received the pedigree yet, even though the GCCF had issued it months prior... and then she finally managed to find it and post it (miraculously, just as I informed her I'd be taking legal action via a solicitor 😅). I really don't think this was her first time doing this, and I doubt the other kitten buyers ever got theirs, especially if they weren't too clued up on the process and didn't keep pestering her.

    Anyway, the long and short of it is that after months of chasing, sending recorded delivery letters, and involving a solicitor, I finally received her pedigree today! If anyone else finds themselves in the same boat, don't give up – you are well within your rights! Thanks again to everyone for all your help 😊

    Scarlett is one happy kitty and is now officially registered, haha 😁

    Translated from French
    S
    Scarlett12 Icon representing the flag French
    Evening, no, the breeder doesn't have a website; it’s just a couple who breed British Shorthairs at home. She’s only had two litters so far, spread over several years from what she told me, so nothing professional. She didn’t have a breeder’s licence number on the ad (only the litter registration number), but since she wasn't doing more than one litter a year, it was all above board legally. I have to admit I wasn't particularly wary; she seemed serious (microchipping, vaccinations, health certificate, etc.) and even with the sales contract for a GCCF registered kitten, everything was being done by the book until now. It’s the pedigree request where it’s all gone a bit pear-shaped. As far as I’m aware, she hasn’t done any showing, just breeding. It was a first-time purchase out of love for the breed more than anything else, just like your friend, but they’re still quite pricey even for a pet-quality cat, especially when you’re promised a pedigree that never arrives 😅. In the future, I’ll know that I really need to stick to serious, professional breeders. I’m waiting for a response to the recorded delivery letter as suggested, and if I don’t hear anything back, I’ll get in touch with my insurance then. Thanks for the advice! :)
    Translated from French
    S
    Scarlett12 Icon representing the flag French
    Good evening, thank you so much Blue Cat! Oscar is gorgeous too, and so are all your other cats – you have a lovely little family :) Thanks Yume, I’m a fan of their coats as well, and a tortoiseshell like yours is just stunning.
    Translated from French
    Yume
    Yume Icon representing the flag French
    Hi there, she’s gorgeous. Grey (or blue) cats are my favourites.
    Translated from French
    Blue_Cat
    Blue_cat Icon representing the flag French
    She’s gorgeous! My big lad Oscar was definitely taken with her (check out Oscar on my profile). Mind you, he’s got his papers (lol).
    Translated from French
    S
    Scarlett12 Icon representing the flag French

    Good evening, thank you so much for your replies — I'll follow your advice and keep you posted on how things go.

    And here's a little peek at the kitty's face :)

    Translated from French
    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French

    Hi there,

    Yes, keep the pressure on. Send a letter via Recorded Delivery, reminding them of their obligations.

    You can get help with the process if you have legal expenses cover.

    Keep us posted.

    Any chance of a photo of the kitty? 🙂

    Translated from French
    Blue_Cat
    Blue_cat Icon representing the flag French
    Evening! I hope you’ve kept the original advert stating the kittens were GCCF registered. An advert is a legally binding commitment for a breeder. On top of that, you have the sales contract which specifies the pedigree, making the breeder legally liable. So she’s already in the wrong twice over, as she hasn't even applied for the papers. It’s possible she didn’t apply for the pedigree because there’s a registration fee. She’s likely hoping to sell the kittens at full pedigree prices while saving on the cost of the registration (even though she easily covers that cost through the sale price). Plenty of buyers who don’t plan on breeding 'forget' to insist on the papers. You are well within your rights to demand the pedigree; the law is on your side. Failing that, you could demand a refund of several hundred pounds to bring the price down to that of a 'British type' kitten rather than a full pedigree one. She knows perfectly well that you’d win if this went to court, and it’s probably not her first time trying this on. Don't hesitate to put the pressure on; she hasn't got a leg to stand on. Plus, people like this always dread getting bad reviews for their breeding business. Sending a formal letter via recorded delivery is the first thing you should do.
    Translated from French

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