Taiwanese authorities have shut down an illegal cat-selling operation in Hsinchu, good news for animal welfare and for people hoping to adopt a pedigree cat cheaply.

• Hsinchu City's animal protection office seized 10 pedigree cats — including Ragdolls, Maine Coons and British Shorthairs — from a pet business whose license had already been revoked.
• The bust followed a tip from the public that the seller was still trading cats illegally.
• The cats are recovering at the city shelter and have all been neutered, vaccinated and dewormed.
• A public adoption lottery is set for the morning of Sept 2, with one entry per household and one cat per person.
• Would-be adopters must be 18 or older, finish an owner-responsibility course by Aug 31, and get landlord or parental consent if renting or still in school.

Outlook: The cats should go to new homes in early September, and the case signals tighter enforcement against unlicensed pet sellers in Taiwan.