What Is a Cattery? Breeding Cattery vs Boarding Cattery Explained
By: Responsible Group Australia Updated 24 July, 2026
If you’ve started to research what is involved in breeding cats in Australia, you have likely come across the word “cattery” being used in a variety of ways. The term can be applicable to different meanings depending upon the context in which it is used. For instance, is the term used to describe a location where cats are sent on holiday? Does it also mean the same as a breeding operation for cats? Or, is it possible to require a licence to operate a breeding cattery?
In this guide, we will define the word “cattery”, discuss the two different types of catteries that exist in Australia, and describe what would be required to establish such a cattery with the intention of breeding cats.
What Is a Cattery?
A cattery is a building, enclosure or property in which cats are housed, cared for and (in some cases) bred. The size of a cattery can range from a single room dedicated to cats within a private home, to facilities constructed especially for the housing and care of cats.
In Australia, catteries can be divided into two main categories:
Broadly speaking, catteries in Australia fall into two categories:
- Boarding catteries — temporary accommodation for pet cats while their owners are away
- Breeding catteries — dedicated setups used by registered cat breeders to raise litters
While both of these involve cats being housed within the facility, each of these categories has a different purpose, setup, and regulations associated with them. If you are considering breeding cats, though, the second of these categories will be more important to you.
Boarding Cattery: A Cat Hotel, Not a Breeding Setup
Labour is divided into three stages. The first stage of labour is often one that is missed due to the fact that there is no visible straining; however, it is the most important to recognize that the second stage of labour is about to begin.
Stage 1 lasts between 6 and 12 hours, although can last up to 24 hours for those having a baby for the first time. During this stage, the cervix is dilating, but the contractions that occur are felt internally by the mother only and are not visible to those who are observing the labouring mother.
A boarding cattery is essentially a cat hotel. Owners drop their cats off for the duration of a holiday or work trip, and the cattery provides food, a clean and secure space, and daily care until the owner returns.
Typical features of a boarding cattery include:
- Individual suites or pens to prevent cats from mixing with unfamiliar animals
- Climate control (heating and cooling)
- Enrichment such as scratching posts, cat trees, and window views
- Proof of vaccination required before check-in
- Daily feeding, litter changes, and basic health monitoring
Boarding catteries don’t breed cats, and they don’t generally offer grooming or veterinary services. If you’re a breeder, you probably don’t need to establish a boarding cattery yourself, although you may want to use one should you ever need to board your own cats.
Breeding Cattery: Where Responsible Cat Breeding Happens
A breeding cattery is a space – usually within a private residence – established with the intention of housing, mating, whelping and raising litters of kittens. Unlike boarding catteries, breeding catteries are not established with the intention of providing a boarding facility for cats from outside locations to be cared for for short periods of time. Instead, breeding catteries are established by individuals who intend to breed their own cats and raise their own kittens.
A good breeding cattery typically includes:
- Separate, secure housing for entire (unaltered) males and females
- A queening area for pregnant and nursing queens, which should be placed in a quiet and low-stress area
- Isolation space for new arrivals or unwell cats, to prevent the spread of diseases
- Appropriate ventilation, temperature control, and easy-to-clean surfaces
- Enrichment appropriate for kittens as they grow and become more mobile
Due to the relationship between breeding catteries and the health of the kittens that will go to new owners, these facilities are held to a higher standard than boarding facilities, and in most Australian states, some form of registration with the local council is required.
Cattery Registration and Naming
If you are truly looking to start breeding cats, then you will encounter the term “cattery name” or “cattery prefix.” This is the registered name that will be attached to your breeding operation and, more importantly, to the pedigree names of your kittens. Registering your cattery name with a recognised breed registry establishes your credibility as a breeder and ensures that no other breeders within the same registry will use the same prefix for their breeder names.
Depending on your state, you may also need:
- Council approval or a permit for keeping breeding animals
- Compliance with local cat breeding legislation (requirements vary by state)
- Microchipping and desexing compliance for any non-breeding cats on the property
As the requirements differ from state to state, it’s always worth checking the local council and state legislation in your area, or better yet, connecting with an organization that can provide you with this information up to date.
Setting Up Your Breeding Cattery the Right Way
Whether you’re planning your very first litter or formalising an existing setup, a few principles apply across the board:
- Prioritise health over aesthetics. A cattery doesn’t need to be luxurious, but it does need to be clean, well-ventilated, and easy to disinfect between litters.
- Plan for isolation. New cats, sick cats, and queens close to giving birth all need separate space from the general cat population.
- Think about long-term welfare, not just the next litter. Responsible breeding means you have to consider the genetic health, temperament, and the wellbeing of your breeding cats.
- Keep records. Make sure you have records of your cat’s vaccination history, mating dates, litter outcomes, and buyer details. These are useful for your own management and will also be useful for demonstrating your responsible practice to prospective kitten owners.
How RPBA Can Help You Breed Responsibly
Setting up a cattery and breeding your first litter of kittens requires consideration of a variety of different aspects of cattery and breeder operation. You don’t have to work through establishing and setting up these different aspects of breeding on your own.
Responsible Pet Breeders Australia (RPBA) was founded with the intention of providing both pedigree and non-pedigree cat and dog breeders with the knowledge, resources, and tools necessary to breed their cats and dogs in an ethical manner. RPBA members have access to:
- Breeder templates and guides covering everything from pre-mating preparation through to sending kittens home with their new families
- A structured path from Probationary to Full Membership, including a practising veterinarian audit for full members, so you can demonstrate real credibility to prospective buyers
- A Code of Ethics and Standards to guide your breeding decisions and cattery setup
- Mentorship and community support from other breeders who’ve been through the same learning curve
- Exclusive member discounts on pet essentials, supplements, DNA testing, and more
- Listing on the RPBA Registered Breeders directory, helping ethical breeders stand out to buyers looking for a trustworthy source
Whether you’re starting with the very first breeding cat colony, or turning years of experience into accredited breeding cat lovers, RPBA membership gives you the tools to start breeding – and to show new cat owners that their kitten is from a responsible breeder.
Join Our Community
We are Australia’s largest community for all breeds. 29% of Australians have been judged by their pet’s colour, look, heritage, or breed. RPBA is an all inclusive community and we do not discriminate.
As an RPBA member, you get access to the following RPBA discounts:
Become A Registered Breeder
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