Illegal kitten breeding – cannot seem to find anyone to do anything

[Miaowing]

Name changed for this as the person in question is dodgy and has dodgier friends – don’t want to risk being outed.

An acquaintance (I refuse to call her friend) is dodgily breeding kittens and I cannot find anyone to do anything about it.

The facts are (and I know they are facts)

1. She has two cats allegedly pets who each get pregnant at least twice a year – she claims she means to get the speyed but always forgets

2. When each is pregnant, she keeps her in a pen in the yard

3. Up until now, she was selling the kittens to a local woman for £75 and the woman then sold them on for £125

4. She now advertises them on gum tree for £100 each – except she advertises them as being 12 weeks old when they are barely six

RSPCA local branch say phone the national inspectors. I used to do a lot of work for the RSPCA and in the past my local branch would have picked this up and liaised with the inspectors so something was done – I’m guessing they are too busy.

The police say call the RSPCA.

The national inspectors say they‘ll look into it but I don’t hold out much hope of them doing anything as it will be low priority.

The council say its not their problem.

The landlord (who was suggested by the RSPCA and the council) doesn’t care as long as the rents paid. To be fair, I didn’t think he would since the house is a shit hole.

The only thing I can think of now is HMRC. I know for a fact she doesn’t declare this or the money she makes from other “ventures” (cleaning, cash in hand work etc) and get universal credit and housing benefit as if she had nothing. HMRC might do something about the tax but my greater concern is the kittens and the cats.

AIBU for wanting to get someone to do something?

could you try contacting Blue Cross on 0300 790 9903? They may be less busy than the RSPCA. I would make it clear when you are talking to them that you have already contacted the RSPCA and nothing has been done x

Try Cats Protection too. Not sure if they can do anything but may be able to point you in the right direction.
Also a long shot but I remember Watchdog investigating a woman who was selling kittens as they were all very ill/ removed from their mum far too early.
You can report to HMRC and to the council for benefit fraud if they're not declaring their income.

Try the cats protection they are really good.

Complain to environmental health. The management and disposal of blood, dead kittens, faeces etc require proper disposal if a regular breeder.

yes try Cat Protection, your council for environmental health if you really feel the house is unsafe and a hazard to anyone and the tax people if you think she is a benefit fraud. social media often gets things moving along.

Ah i was going to suggest cats prorection too they might be able to guide you and maybe get onto the council for you, what a shame those poor cats, I know somebody whos dog always gets "caught" by her male same breed dog and of course the puppies are sold on

www.gccfcats.org/Portals/0/Cats-law-web.pdf

Sorry - but kitten breeding isnt illegal. Immoral, but not illegal.

Tax aside, cash based business, off setting food etc, you'd be hard pressed to get a conviction. People are allowed to sell possessions on auction sites, the law changed recently, George Osborne gave a limit (that I cant remember) I think it was £1,000 a year before earnings had to be declared as a small business. Yup, £1,000.

From April 2016: And, from April, sellers running small businesses online will not be taxed on the first £1,000 they make

Surely if she is breeding and selling she needs a licence from the local authority ?

She's probably making over that though. HMRC is worth a shot.

Report her ad to gumtree every time.

Trading standards, for the young kittens advertised as 12 weeks.

HMRC- not sure but think probably only interested if the value of goods sold exceeds capital gains tax allowance.

RSPCA/ Animal Welfare Officer- only likely to secure a conviction if welfare absolutely hideous, therefore unlikely to be able to do more than visit and advise spay, which she will ignore.

Council- only legislation I know is to do with dogs- premises need to be licensed of selling more than a certain number of litters per year. Don't think such legislation exists for cats.

Where demand exists, supply will exist and the legislation isn't equipped to deal with it.

I'm not sure she's doing anything illegal though

Why is it immoral to breed pet cats?

Thanks all - I’ll continue to chase this.

It was her attitude when questioned about the 12 weeks claims when they are only six weeks.

Said she couldn’t wait another six weeks as her tv was broken and and needed the money. She then said if she could sell them it means she doesn’t have to buy food for them.

The other cat is pregnant now as well.

People like her are the reason rescues are bursting at the seams. Not caring about the poor cats welfare only about making money

It’s immoral to remove them from their mother too young.

It’s immoral to keep the mothers pregnant constantly

It’s also bloody cruel

It's not illegal to breed and sell cats.

"Breeding cats, ...only protected by the Pet Animals Act 1951. This act requires you to have a licence to sell pets through a pet shop or an individual home; however, it is more than 50 years old and has failed to adapt to the changing cat breeding market, where most sales are made online and through small advertisements."

It's immoral because there are so many stray and rescue kittens/ cats who need homes

See if there's any local smaller cat rescue places. They can often help.
Good luck.

Why is it immoral to breed pet cats?

Is that honestly all you got from the OP?

It's certainly reprehensible but I don't think it is actually illegal is it?
I think she does have to have a licence from the local authority though.

Why is it immoral to breed pet cats?

Is that honestly all you got from the OP?

I was interested in the answer to the question I asked. It doesn’t preclude interest in any other questions surrounding the OP. I hope you don’t try and shut down other people when they ask questions like that @FamilyOfAliens it’s how you gain a deeper understanding of subjects you know little about, unless you meet someone who just wants to be an arse.

6 weeks sounds pitifully young to be weaned I think they are advertised at about 8/9 weeks here (rural)

Honestly if she keeps them in a pen in garden can you steal them? In all honesty keep trying the rescues.

@Itwouldtakemuchmorethanthis cats are over populated. Many are pts daily because there's no homes for them. It's also cruel to separate kittens from their mother at 6 weeks because they're tiny and still developing/learning how to be a cat.