(1)  In this section –

purchaser, of a cat, means the person  –

(a) to whom the cat is sold; or

(b) who reclaims the cat under section 24 ;

seller, of a cat, means the person –

(a) selling the cat; or

(b) from whom the cat is reclaimed under section 24 .

(2)  If a cat is not microchipped before the sale of the cat for either of the following reasons, the parties to the sale must enter into a written agreement that the cat involved in the sale will be microchipped, within the period specified in the agreement:

(a) the cat, in the opinion of a microchip implanter, does not meet the health requirements to be microchipped before the proposed sale;

(b) the seller is unable to arrange for the cat to be microchipped before the sale despite making reasonable efforts.

(3)  If a cat is not desexed before the sale of the cat for any of the following reasons, the parties to the sale must enter into a written agreement that the cat involved in the sale will be desexed, within the period specified in the agreement:

(a) the cat, in the opinion of a veterinary surgeon, does not meet the age, weight or health requirements to be desexed before the sale;

(b) a voucher has been given to the purchaser by the seller to enable the purchaser to have the cat desexed at a later date;

(c) the seller is unable to arrange for the cat to be desexed before the sale despite making reasonable efforts.

(4)  Each party to the sale of a cat must keep a copy of a care agreement in respect of the cat until the agreement is fully complied with.

(5)  If there is a care agreement in respect of a cat, the purchaser must ensure that the care agreement is fully complied with by the later of the following:

(a) the ninetieth day after the day on which the cat was sold;

(b) the thirtieth day after –

(i) if the care agreement relates to microchipping the cat, the day on which the cat meets a microchip implanter's requirements for microchipping; or

(ii) if the care agreement relates to desexing the cat, the day on which the cat meets a veterinary surgeon's requirements for desexing.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(6)  A person must not enter into a care agreement except as specified in this section.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a first offence, a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units; or

(b) a subsequent offence, a fine not exceeding 40 penalty units.

(7)  If a cat in respect of which a care agreement is entered into is sold before the cat is desexed or microchipped in accordance with that care agreement and a second care agreement is entered into in respect of that cat, the first care agreement is void.