A contract is not just paperwork. It is the foundation of every kitten placement you make. It protects you when things go wrong. It sets clear expectations so misunderstandings do not become disputes. It demonstrates to buyers that you are a professional who takes this seriously.

Most new breeders either skip the contract entirely or use a template they found online without understanding what it actually says. Here is what your contract needs to include — and why each element matters.

Identification of the Kitten

Your contract should clearly identify the specific kitten being sold: name, date of birth, color, sex, TICA registration number, and microchip number if applicable. This prevents any ambiguity about which animal the contract covers.

Purchase Price and Payment Terms

Specify the total purchase price, the deposit amount, when the deposit is due, when the balance is due, and what payment methods are accepted. Be explicit about whether the deposit is refundable and under what circumstances.

Most breeders make deposits non-refundable if the buyer backs out, but refundable if the kitten does not survive or if the litter does not produce a kitten matching the buyer's preferences. Whatever your policy is, it needs to be in writing.

Spay/Neuter Requirements

For pet placements, your contract should require spay or neuter by a specific age (typically 6 months) and require proof of the procedure. Include a clause specifying what happens if the buyer does not comply — typically the right to reclaim the cat.

Health Guarantee

Your health guarantee should specify: what conditions are covered, for how long, what documentation is required to make a claim, and what the remedy is (replacement kitten, partial refund, etc.). Be specific and realistic — a lifetime guarantee against all health issues is not enforceable and not reasonable.

A standard health guarantee covers genetic conditions detectable at the time of sale for a period of one to two years. It typically requires a veterinary diagnosis within a specified timeframe of the kitten going home.

Return Policy

Include a clause requiring the buyer to return the cat to you if they can no longer keep it, rather than rehoming it independently. This is standard in responsible breeding contracts and protects the cat from ending up in a shelter or with an unknown party.

Breeding Rights Clause

For pet placements, explicitly state that the cat is sold without breeding rights and that breeding the cat without written permission from you is a breach of contract. Specify the remedy — typically the right to reclaim the cat.

Using AI to Draft and Review Your Contract

AI can be a useful tool for drafting contract language, identifying gaps in your existing contract, and translating legal concepts into plain language. Ask an AI to review your current contract and identify any clauses that are ambiguous, unenforceable, or missing.

That said, for a document as important as a sales contract, having a lawyer review the final version is worth the investment — especially if you are doing significant volume or selling breeding rights.