Stop and imagine: you have a cat and, as a result, its breed is banned in the country. Well, that’s what happened in the Netherlands. Starting in January, Sphynx and Scottish Fold cat breeds will be prohibited as pets on site.
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However, the measure was taken with animal welfare in mind. According to Nature Minister Jean Rummenie, the aim was to avoid unnecessary suffering for cats, because their particular appearance is linked to health problems which compromise their quality of life.
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Health problems
Scottish Fold kittens are so called because of their folded ears. However, this trait also causes them to have cartilage problems, which can make movement difficult.
Ear anatomy can cause health problems
“Reproducing an animal that we know has a very high risk of developing pathologies is problematic from an ethical point of view,” said Marco Melosi, president of the National Association of Italian Veterinarians (ANMVI), in an interview with a local website.
In the case of the sphynx, Marcos said the main conditions involve cold and dermatological problems, because they require extreme caution to avoid accumulation of sebum. “They also have heart problems and, if exposed to the sun, they are at risk of sunburn. These genetic mutations lead to an extremely painful life.”
Cats of this breed suffer a lot from the cold
Affected cats
Undoubtedly, some people think otherwise. Svetlana Dimtcheva, who raised shpinxs, said they were not suffering and this could put them at risk of extinction. “Animal welfare is important. We need to help these cats regulate their body temperature. I have never had a cat that got sunburned,” he told a Dutch newspaper.
Cats can no longer be sold or participate in competitions or exhibitions. The ban applies to people born after January 1, 2026 and those who do not have a microchip. If arrested, the owners will be fined 1,500 euros, the equivalent of around R$10,000.
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