The County Administrative Board of Dalarna points out that it is the cat owner's responsibility to ensure the cat does not have kittens uncontrollably. The best way to prevent unwanted litters is to have a veterinarian neuter the cat, according to the board. Other solutions recommended by the animal welfare unit at the County Administrative Board include keeping the cat indoors during certain periods of the year, having the cat in an outdoor enclosure, or giving preventive medication to female cats.
Inbreeding is one of the problems with unwanted cat litters that staff at the cat shelter testify about. According to SVT Nyheter, a shelter staff member described that unwanted kittens now arrive year-round at the shelter. Legal regulations stipulate that as a private individual, you may not have an unlimited number of cats; according to the Animal Welfare Act, you may have a maximum of nine cats that are more than one year old without permission from the County Administrative Board.
You also need permission if you breed more than two litters of kittens per year. If you do not comply with the regulations for animal keeping, the County Administrative Board can decide that you must take measures to fulfill the legislation. Your cat must be ID-marked and registered with the Swedish Board of Agriculture, which applies to both indoor and outdoor cats.