Each breed recognised by the GCCF for registration has its own registration policy set out by the Breed Advisory Committee (BAC) for that breed. These registration policies determine how the cat will be registered with the GCCF based on the cat itself and the colours, patterns, and breeds in its lineage.
The registration policies also stipulate the number of generations of the lineage that is considered in determining the allocated register for the cat. This is the number of generations that is required on a Certified Pedigree in order to be accepted for registration with the GCCF.
As well as the number of generations on the certified pedigree, the registration policies also detail any required DNA test results required for registration on the Active Register (for breeding). To view any breed’s Registration Policy, please visit our Cat Breeds page and select the breed you wish to view. You can locate the link to the breed’s Registration Policy document on the left of their breed page.
Before applying to import a cat to the GCCF please check the registration policy for the breed you are importing. An overseas registration organization may allow breeds/colours/patterns that are not accepted by the GCCF registration policy for your chosen breed.
N.B. The registry body/pedigree must be affiliated to/recognised by one of the WCC member bodies, or we will also accept all clubs that are e.V. If you are unsure whether the registry you are importing from conforms to GCCF’s specification then please contact the office for further advice.
Check the following important GCCF Rule:
GCCF Rules, section 1: 1d
Kittens resulting from matings between i) mother to son, ii) father to daughter and iii) full siblings will be registered on the Non-Active Register unless dispensation for Active Registration has been granted by the relevant BAC and/or approved by Board of Directors. This must be supplied when applying for registration or at any other time the breeder makes an application to transfer the cat from the Non-Active to the Active Register. NOTE: Details on dispensation can be found in the GCCF Breeding Policy Document 4:10. (Existing rules 1d & 1e become 1e & 1f respectively). (Added/amended 02.03.11).
If the registration of the cat has been endorsed “not for breeding” by the original registering organisation, it shall be registered on the Non-Active Register.
Also check this important information from DEFRA about imported dog and cat diseases.
All import registrations will require:
An application form or an online import registration order
A completed GCCF Import Registration Application form which can be found in the Forms & Downloads page of the GCCF Website
or
An online import registration order in progress, which can be completed and paid for from your GCCF Online Services Profile
A Certified Pedigree of the required number of generations for the breed.
This must be an original and posted to the GCCF Office. Posting by Special Delivery or Recorded Delivery is recommended to ensure your documents’ safe arrival with us. We will also return your Certified Pedigree, and any other documents you post in relation to the import registration, by Recorded Delivery.
Please note that the cat you are importing does not count as the first generation. Your cat’s parents are the first generation, the grandparents are the second generation, etc.
If you have a Certified Pedigree with less than the required number of generations for the cat you are importing, the GCCF can also accept Certified Pedigrees of 4 or more generations for both parents, in addition to the pedigree for the cat itself, to complete the full 5 generations required. Certified Copies issued from the registry body/club directly to the GCCF can also be accepted for the parents to complete the necessary generations for the imported cat
Pet Passport or Travel Documents
For all cats born outside of the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, a copy of their Pet Passport or Travel Documents will be required. Either can be posted as originals to the GCCF office, and will be returned with the rest of your documents.
Alternatively, we can accept photocopies by post, or scans/clear photos emailed to the office, as it is not essential that these documents be originals. If you choose to do this, please ensure that all the pages from the Travel Documents, or all the pages from the Pet Passport which have handwriting or stamps/stickers included on the page are submitted.
Proof of Ownership
Proof of ownership is required for all cats you are importing to the GCCF to show that you are the legal owner. Proof of ownership can be in the form of a sales contract, transfer slip or your name recorded on the Certified Pedigree. This can be sent via post or email to the GCCF and can be accepted as an original or a copy. Pet passports or travel documents WILL NOT be accepted as proof of ownership.
Certificate of Entirety
Certificates of Entirety are required for all Active Male import registrations. Unlike for other registrations with the GCCF, import registrations are required to submit the Certificate of Entirety prior to/at the time of registration. In accordance with Rule 1a, the Certificate of Entirety must be signed by a UK Veterinary Practice Surgeon and stamped with the practice’s stamp, stating that ‘at the time of examination the cat (name, breed, colour) had two testicles of normal size and texture correctly positioned within the scrotum’. For the Certificate of Entirety to be valid it must carry the microchip number, which should also be entered onto the cat’s veterinary record at, or prior to, the time of the examination.
A blank copy of the Certificate of Entirety form can be found in the Forms & Downloads page of the GCCF Website, or you can click here to download.
Microchip Number
All cats being imported to the GCCF are required to be microchipped prior to the application for registration. The microchip number must be shown on the import’s paperwork. (Rule introduced 26 June 2013).
Further to above, additional documents may be required for your cat’s import registration, as stipulated by the registration policy. Most commonly, the additional required documents are DNA test results to allow for Active registration for that particular breed. The DNA tests required for active registration will be listed on the registration policy for that breed which can be found on the ‘Cat Breeds’ page.
ALL test result certificates are required to have the microchip recorded on them in order for them to be accepted.
Some breeds require the swab to be taken by a veterinary professional and the microchip to be verified by the vet at the time of the swab, this is then recorded on the test results as vet verified. This will be stated as a requirement on the registration policy for the breed if necessary.
GCCFI registered cats
A fee of only £12 is payable to dual register these cats. Please check with a registrar at the office before applying as in many cases a certified pedigree may not be necessary. You will need to provide the cat’s registration number and the UIN number which can be located on the most recent registration card for the cat.
