'Bully' cat breeders illegally sell kittens on social media

The craze for hairless "bully" cat kittens is leading unlicensed breeders to illegally use Instagram and Facebook to sell the animals for thousands of pounds each, an investigation has uncovered.

- JANE DALTON

"Bully" cats, which have soared in popularity on social media, are born to suffer, according to critics. Bred to be short-legged and hairless, the animals are at high risk of health problems and die younger than other cats, welfare experts say.

But a network of breeders and "middlemen" are cashing in on the fashion for the pets with wrinkly skin, selling each for as much as £6,000 - so a litter of six would fetch their owner £36,000.

The Independent has seen numerous posts on Instagram and Facebook by users advertising newborns or young kittens, asking would-be buyers to privately message them.

Under "Lucy's Law", introduced five years ago, only licensed breeders may sell pets under six months old. Anyone selling puppies or kittens without a licence could receive an unlimited fine or be jailed for up to six months.

Licensed breeders would typically provide their full name, registered premises and licence number.

But some sellers are offering kittens imported from abroad as young as four months. The Independent has seen an exchange of messages in which one breeder offered to send a white hairless kitten to the UK from Russia for £6,000.

Several Facebook groups dedicated to "bully" cats have thousands of devoted members, often asking where they can get one. As well as being illegal in the UK, the trade is in breach of the policies of Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.

The breed was created by crossing hairless sphynx cats with munchkin cats, which have short legs. They are called "bully" cats because of a supposed resemblance to bully dogs, bred to look aggressive with a solid build and wide body.