Animal Welfare Rules

Animal Welfare Rules

Animal Welfare Rules

Effective Date: 31 October 2025

Publisher / Operator: MEOWOOF LIMITED
13 Adelaide Road, Dublin D02 P950, Ireland
Company Number: 755310

Email: privacy@cats.ie

1. Purpose

Cats.ie is committed to protecting animal welfare and promoting responsible pet ownership across Ireland.
These rules ensure all listings and advertisements on Cats.ie meet the standards required by:

  • The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (Ireland)
  • The Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011
  • IPAAG (Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group) Pet Advertising Guidelines
  • The Consumer Protection Act 2007
  • The Criminal Justice (Harassment and Harmful Communications) Act 2020

Compliance with these rules is mandatory for everyone posting on Cats.ie.
Listings that do not meet these standards may be removed without notice.

2. General Principles

Every listing on Cats.ie must support:

  1. Respect for animal welfare – Cats and kittens must always be healthy, safe, and
    treated humanely.
  2. Transparency – Information about animals must be accurate and complete.
  3. Traceability – Advertisers must be identifiable and contactable.
  4. Legality – No ad may breach Irish or EU animal or consumer law.
  5. Responsibility – Rehoming and sales should always prioritise the cat’s long-term
    welfare.

Cats.ie will work with welfare organisations and authorities to uphold these principles

3. Legal Age & Health Requirements

Kittens must be at least 8 weeks old before being advertised or rehomed.

  • Kittens must be fully weaned and in good health.
  • Advertisers must provide honest information about:
  • Vaccination status
  • Microchipping (optional for cats, but encouraged)
  • Neutering (if applicable)
  • Health testing (e.g. FeLV/FIV)

Sick, injured, or pregnant animals must not be sold or adopted through Cats.ie.

4. Breeder & Seller Responsibilities

Private sellers and breeders must:

  • Provide accurate breed information (no misleading “rare” claims).
  • Include clear photos of the actual cat/kitten being offered.
  • Disclose any known health or behavioural issues.
  • Ensure the kitten’s age and DOB are correct.
  • Allow potential buyers to see the kitten with its mother whenever possible.
  • Never advertise animals purely for breeding without clear welfare justification.
  • Never sell more than 5 animals per year unless registered as a Registered Seller of Pets with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

If you sell 6 or more animals per year, you must register with DAFM and display your
registration number when advertising.

5. Rescue & Adoption Standards

All rescues and rehoming organisations must:

  • Be registered charities with the Charities
  • Regulator or Northern Ireland
    equivalent.
  • Display their Charity Registration Number on their profile and listings.
  • Ensure cats are vet-checked, vaccinated, and neutered (where possible) before
    adoption.
  • Charge only reasonable adoption fees (€20–€80 typical).
  • Provide an adoption agreement to new owners.
  • Accurately describe each cat’s temperament and special needs.
  • Never misrepresent a rehomed cat as “free” when fees apply.

Cats.ie reserves the right to verify rescue credentials and remove unverified rescue listings.

6. Prohibited Practices

The following are strictly prohibited on Cats.ie:

  1. Advertising animals under 8 weeks of age.
  2. Selling or transferring animals as gifts or prizes.
  3. Advertising banned or prohibited species.
  4. Offering sick, injured, or sedated cats for sale or display.
  5. Misusing terms like “pedigree” or “registered” without valid proof.
  6. Offering animals for experimentation, research, or fighting.
  7. Posting stock images or false photos of unrelated cats.
  8. Misleading buyers about location or origin.
  9. “Backyard breeding” without proper care or registration.

Any listings or accounts found engaging in these practices will be immediately removed and
reported to the appropriate authorities.

7. Animal Welfare in Imagery

All photos and videos must:

  • Show cats in a safe, clean, and comfortable environment.
  • Be free of collars, harnesses, or accessories that could cause harm.
  • Avoid showing kittens with eyes closed (indicating under 2 weeks old).
  • Avoid excessive filters or edits that misrepresent appearance.
  • Never depict animals in distress or unsafe conditions.

Photos violating these standards will be rejected.

8. Buyer & Adopter Advice

Cats.ie encourages all users to act responsibly when rehoming or adopting:

  • Always view the cat in person whenever possible.
  • Ask for vaccination records and vet documentation.
  • Never hand over money before seeing the cat.
  • Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, walk away.
  • Report suspicious ads directly to Cats.ie moderation or the ISPCA.

For guidance, visit our Adopting / Buying Advice page.

9. Reporting Concerns

If you suspect an ad breaches welfare law or Cats.ie rules:

  • Use the “Report Listing” button.
  • Or email privacy@cats.ie with details (include screenshots if possible).
    Reports are reviewed promptly and confidentially.
    Serious cases are referred to authorities such as the ISPCA, DSPCA, Gardaí, or DAFM.

10. Moderation & Enforcement

ts.ie reviews all new ads and reserves the right to:

  • Request proof of vaccination or welfare compliance;
  • Edit listings for accuracy or clarity;
  • Reject or remove ads that fail to meet welfare standards;
  • Suspend or ban users repeatedly breaching rules.
    Moderation decisions are final.

We prioritise animal safety over commercial or promotional interests.

For broader behaviour standards, please see our Community Guidelines

11. Education & Partnership

Cats.ie actively supports responsible ownership and works with welfare partners including:

  • IPAAG – Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group
  • ISPCA – Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • DSPCA – Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • DAFM – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
  • Registered rescues and veterinary professionals across Ireland

We regularly publish educational content and campaigns promoting adoption, neutering, and
welfare awareness

12. Legal Basis & Enforcement

These rules are enforceable under:

  • Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013 (Ireland)
  • Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011
  • Consumer Protection Act 2007
  • European Directive 2005/29/EC on Unfair Commercial Practices
  • IPAAG Pet Advertising Standards (Ireland)

Breaches may result in account termination and referral to relevant authorities

13. Updates

These rules may be updated from time to time to reflect legal or welfare developments.
The revision date will always be displayed at the top of the page.
Users are encouraged to check regularly for updates

Contact

For welfare or advertising compliance questions, contact:

Cats.ie Welfare & Compliance Team
Email : privacy@cats.ie
Address: MEOWOOF LIMITED, 13 Adelaide Road, Dublin D02 P950, Ireland