How to check a breeder before buying a puppy or kitten
Registration with VMVT is the first thing to check. Check the animal and its documents too.
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Ask for the VMVT number
Anyone breeding puppies or kittens to sell must have registered the activity with VMVT. Ask for the number before you meet.
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Check the number
Enter it here or in the VMVT list. The status should be “Valid”, and the name or kennel name should match the one the seller gives.
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Check the microchip
Dogs, cats and ferrets must be microchipped and registered in the Pet Register (GAR). You can check the microchip number in the GAR search.
GAR search -
See the animal
Meet the breeder and see the young animal together with its mother. If you cannot travel, ask for a video call.
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No deposit unseen
Scammers often ask for a deposit for an animal they do not have. Pay only once you have seen the animal and its documents, ideally with a signed contract.
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Ask for the documents
The pet passport with vaccination records and the microchip number and, for a pedigree animal, the pedigree papers.
Frequently asked questions
Does a puppy or kitten breeder have to be registered with VMVT?
Yes, if they breed for business, that is, for profit. Under the Animal Welfare and Protection Law (Articles 2 and 9) such breeding needs a VMVT permit and the activity must be registered. A kennel that plans litters and sells the young is exactly that. Under the Retail Trade Rules the VMVT number must be stated in the sale ad, so it is always worth asking for. LKD or FCI pedigree papers do not replace VMVT registration: they show the dog's ancestry, not the breeder's registration.
What does it mean if the breeder’s number is not in the list?
The number may have a typo or have been issued very recently: we update the list daily. The breeder may also not be registered. Ask for the VMVT registration certificate, and if in doubt, contact VMVT.
Can I check a cat breeder too?
Yes. The VMVT list does not separate dog and cat breeders, so the check covers every pet breeder, commercial breeding site and animal shelter.
Where does this data come from, and how is it corrected?
From the VMVT public list of controlled subjects, which we update daily. We do not change the data. If it is wrong, contact VMVT: only VMVT can correct it.
Does registration mean the breeder can be trusted?
Not entirely. Registration shows that VMVT knows and supervises the breeder, but it does not guarantee the animal’s health or pedigree. Always see the animal and its documents and sign a contract.