Cat law in Belgium: neutering, CatID, breeding
The rules for cats in Belgium, Wallonia first: breeding licence, neutering, CatID identification, transfer age, ads.
Key points
- Selling kittens, even a single litter, requires an SPW breeding licence.
- Every cat is microchipped and registered in CatID before transfer.
- Minimum transfer age: 12 weeks.
- Wallonia: cat neutered before being sold or given away, except when sold to a licensed breeder.
- Declawing is prohibited.
Rehoming a cat in Wallonia
| Situation | Neutering | CatID identification |
|---|---|---|
| Sale or gift to a private individual | Mandatory before transfer | Mandatory |
| Shelter adoption | Mandatory before transfer | Mandatory |
| Sale to a licensed breeder, for breeding | Not required | Mandatory |
Obligations and good practice
Selling or rehoming a kitten
- Ad with licence number, age, sex, breed, microchip number, neutering and price.
- Kitten vaccinated, booklet and guarantee certificate given to the buyer.
- Central register extract (keeping permit) requested from the buyer.
Special breeds
- Bengal cats: specific procedure in Wallonia (registration or licence depending on the generation), see wallonie.be.
Stray cats
- Municipalities organise the neutering of stray cats: report them to your municipality.
Frequently asked questions
Must a kitten be neutered before sale?
In Wallonia, yes: a cat is neutered, identified and registered in CatID before any sale or gift, except when sold to a licensed breeder for breeding.
At what age can a kitten leave its mother?
Not before 12 weeks: this is the minimum transfer age set by Walloon rules.
Is a licence needed for a single litter of kittens?
Yes, the SPW occasional breeding licence is required from the first litter intended for sale.
Learn more
- Complete guide to Belgian law (all animals)
- Animal welfare in Wallonia (SPW)
- CatID
- Keeping a Bengal in Wallonia
This guide is for information; it does not replace the official texts. If in doubt, contact your Region’s administration.