Cattery Opening Guide | Complete Explanation from Animal Handling License Registration to Facility Management for Cat Breeders

More and more prospective breeders are thinking, "I want to start breeding cats seriously" or "I want to turn my hobby breeding into a business." However, to breed and sell cats as a business, registration for Class 1 Animal Handling Business (Sales) is legally mandatory. Selling without registration constitutes a violation of the Animal Welfare and Management Act, making it essential to accurately understand the legal procedures before opening. This article explains the registration requirements, facility standards, and operational practices necessary for opening a cattery from an expert perspective.

Conditions Requiring Animal Handling Business Registration

Under the Animal Welfare and Management Act, registration for Class 1 Animal Handling Business (Sales) is required for acts of breeding and selling cats as a business. The criteria for determining "as a business" are as follows.

• Selling to an unspecified number of customers
• Selling on a continuous and repeated basis
• Engaging in sales for profit

One to two-kitten transfers between individuals for purely hobby purposes (free or cost-recovery only) may be excluded, but if you continuously sell through social media or platforms, you are likely to be judged as engaging in business, so we recommend consulting with the relevant department in your prefecture or municipality beforehand.

Registration Requirements: Appointing an "Animal Handling Supervisor"

The biggest hurdle for registration is the requirement to assign an animal handling supervisor. You must meet one of the following:

Route A: National Qualification Holder (Can Work Alone)

• Veterinarian
• Companion Animal Nursing Technician (national qualification)

Route B: Combination of Qualifications/Education and Practical Experience

• Designated qualifications such as Companion Animal Care Manager or Domestic Animal Manager ＋ At least six months of practical experience
• Or Graduation from a school with an animal-related department ＋ At least six months of practical experience

※The June 2020 revision of the law stipulates that persons other than veterinarians and companion animal nursing technicians cannot be appointed on the basis of "qualification alone" or "education alone," and combining them with at least six months of practical experience is mandatory (the previous "qualification alone" or "practical experience alone" approach was abolished).

Route B requires "at least six months to one year of practical experience," so for those without experience, prioritizing qualification acquisition via Route A (Companion Animal Care Manager is the most common option) is realistic.

Registration Application Process

The application should be submitted to the relevant department (Animal Welfare Center, Division of Public Health, etc.) of the prefecture (or designated city) where the facility will be established.

Application Flow

1. Initial consultation (confirm facility plan with the relevant department)
2. Document preparation and submission (registration application form, facility blueprints, supervisor's qualification certificate, regulations, etc.)
3. Facility inspection (on-site inspection by department personnel)
4. Issuance of registration certificate (normally 1–2 months after passing review)

Main Documents Required for Application

• Class 1 Animal Handling Business Registration Application Form
• Facility layout diagram and floor plan with dimensions
• Animal Handling Supervisor's qualification certificate or proof of practical experience
• Animal Care and Management Regulations (document describing proper care and management methods)
• Registration fee (varies by prefecture, approximately 15,000–25,000 yen)

Cattery Facility Installation Standards

Facility standards vary in detail depending on prefectural ordinances and guidance, but the major common standards are as follows:

Animal Housing Space (numerical standards from the Animal Care and Management Standards Ordinance; see details below)

• Sleeping/resting cage: Length ＝ At least 2 times the animal's body length / Width ＝ At least 1.5 times the animal's body length / Height ＝ At least 3 times the animal's shoulder height, with at least one shelf in a two-tier or higher structure (Ordinance Establishing the Standards for Management of Animals Handled by Class 1 and Class 2 Animal Handlers (e-Gov Law Search))
• Standards are based not on floor area per headcount, but on the specific cat's own body length and shoulder height
• When multiple cats are managed in the same room, provide floor area totaling that required for each individual and height based on the cat with the greatest shoulder height, with a structure that can manage stress and infection between individuals

Sanitation Management

• Material and structure that allows daily removal and disinfection of feces
• Ventilation/air circulation equipment (maintaining ammonia concentration within safe ranges)
• Washing and disinfection drainage equipment

Temperature and Environment

• Air conditioning to prevent high temperatures and humidity in summer (appropriate temperature for cats: 20–28°C)
• Insulated structure protecting from external temperature
• Natural light or artificial lighting

Isolation Room Setup An isolation room for new individuals or suspected infected cats is essentially mandatory. Isolation periods should be at least 14 days (ideally 30 days), and a room with independent ventilation is recommended.

Breeding Records and Document Management

Class 1 Animal Handling Business operators have an obligation to create and maintain ledgers. The main record contents are as follows:

Ledger for Dog and Cat Sales Operators (retained for 5 years from the date of entry)

• Date of sale
• Type, sex, age, and characteristics (breed, coat color, etc.) of the animal sold
• Name and address of purchaser
• Sale price

Animal Care and Management Ledger

• Individual identification information (name, breed, date of birth, sex, microchip number)
• Vaccination records and deworming records
• Health examination records
• Breeding records (parent cats, date of birth, number of offspring, weaning date, etc.)

Utilizing software for breeders that manages these digitally (such as BreezyBreezer or Small Animal Management Ledger) can significantly reduce the burden of ledger creation.

Numerical Standards for Animal Care and Management: Key Standards for Cats

The Animal Care and Management Standards Ordinance, which took effect on June 1, 2021, introduced specific numerical values to requirements that had previously been described only as "appropriate." Cattery design and operations must comply with these standards.

Cage Size Is Determined by "Multiples of Body Length and Shoulder Height"

Cat standards are based not on floor area per headcount, but on the specific cat's own body length and shoulder height.

When multiple cats are housed in the same room, provide floor area totaling that required for each individual and height based on the cat with the greatest shoulder height. During breeding, one unit of floor area per parent-offspring pair must be ensured, and individuals other than parent-offspring pairs cannot cohabitate. The use of wire mesh for bedding is prohibited except when managed so that paw pads are not damaged.

For large breeds such as Maine Coons, the required dimensions increase proportionally, so choose your cat breed before designing your facility.

Headcount Limit Per Employee

Cats are limited to 25 breeding cats and 30 sales cats per person. Kittens living with their parents and cats no longer used for breeding are not counted in this total. Existing operators are subject to a transitional measure requiring gradual headcount reduction, and this is completely enforced as of June 2024 for Class 1 Animal Handling Businesses.

Numerical Standards for Breeding (Cats: Age-Based Standards)

The age of female cats at mating must be 6 years or younger. When a female reaches 7 years old, the age at mating may be 7 years or younger only if it can be proven that the total number of lifetime litters is fewer than 10. This regulation has been in effect since June 1, 2022.

An important distinction from dogs is that cats have no upper limit on lifetime number of litters (dogs are limited to 6 lifetime litters for females). Since cats are polyestrous animals capable of approximately three litters per year, the Ministry of the Environment adopted an age-based standard in its guidance. Fewer than 10 litters is a "condition for the exception allowing mating up to age 7," not an upper limit on how many times breeding is permitted. Males have no numerical age standards.

Breeding Implementation Record Ledger (Retained for 5 Years)

Using the above exception requires proof via a breeding implementation record ledger. Operators without such records cannot apply the provision allowing mating up to age 7 or younger. Record items include the dates of mating, etc., identification numbers of males and females, date of birth, number of offspring, condition of the female after birth, condition of newborns, age of the female at mating, total number of lifetime litters for the female, and potential for future breeding use. Records must be retained for 5 years. Maintain this format separately from the animal care and management ledger mentioned previously.

Health Examination, Caesarean Section, and Light Environment

• Cats continuously housed for one year or more must receive a health examination by a veterinarian at least once per year, and the examination report must be retained for 5 years. Breeding animals of both sexes require a diagnosis regarding breeding suitability, and individuals diagnosed as unsuitable for breeding cannot be bred.
• Caesarean sections must be performed by a veterinarian, and the birth certificate, maternal condition, and diagnosis regarding future breeding suitability must be obtained and retained for 5 years.
• Breeding facilities must be equipped with thermometers and hygrometers. Additionally, light environment must be managed according to day length through natural lighting or illumination, and artificially controlling breeding through lighting is not permitted.

Sales Regulations for Kittens (8-Week-Age Regulation)

The 2019 revision of the Animal Welfare and Management Act prohibits the sale or transfer of kittens or puppies under 56 days (8 weeks) of age (this provision took effect on June 1, 2021. Animal Welfare and Management Act (e-Gov Law Search)).

This regulation ensures appropriate contact between kittens and their mother and littermates during the socialization period (weeks 2–7 of life). Early weaning has been scientifically confirmed to increase the risk of aggression, behavioral problems, and reduced immune function.

As a responsible breeder, confirm the following before transferring kittens after they reach 8 weeks of age:

• First vaccination completed by 8 weeks of age
• Deworming treatment (roundworms, giardia, etc.)
• Weight confirmation (exceeding the lower limit for breed standards)
• Microchip insertion and registration completed

Ongoing Obligations After Opening

Registration is not a one-time matter; there is a renewal procedure every 5 years. Additionally, the following obligations arise continuously:

• Regular training attendance for animal handling supervisor (once per year)
• Self-inspection of facilities and record keeping
• Notification of changes (facility relocation, scale changes, supervisor changes, etc.)
• Risk of administrative guidance, improvement orders, or registration revocation if violations occur

Summary

Opening a cattery can be a fulfilling vocation for those with deep affection and expertise in cats. However, reliably fulfilling legal obligations—registering the animal handling business, assigning an animal handling supervisor, complying with facility standards, and maintaining ledgers—provides the foundation for a long career as a trusted breeder. If you are considering opening, we recommend first consulting with your local animal welfare center to accurately understand the necessary requirements before moving forward with your plans.