Burmilla Kittens: Adopt or Buy in Australia?

The short answer

If you want a papered Burmilla kitten, buy from a breeder registered with a cat council and ask to see both parents' DNA results (GM2 gangliosidosis, hypokalaemia, PKD 1 and the Burmese head defect on the ACF list). In November 2026 one member breeder published $2,300 for a Burmilla Shorthair kitten on its own website; one breeder is not a range, and no council or club publishes a guide price. If papers do not matter, rescues list grey and long-haired cats for a rescue fee (RSPCA NSW listed $270 for a kitten under 6 months on 13 November 2026). Prices change, so check with them; reference only, not a quote.

A silver shaded Burmilla with green eyes rimmed in dark colour, resting on a sofa — Shaded silver with green eyes and dark eyeliner: the Burmilla look. Registration papers are the only proof of a purebred.

Should you adopt or buy a Burmilla?

It depends on whether the papers and the DNA results matter to you. The Burmilla carries the Burmese side's inherited conditions, and only a registered breeder can show you that both parents were tested. If what you want is a gentle, playful cat with a silvery coat, the grey and long-haired cats in rescue are worth a look first: numbers change daily, and the fee covers desexing, microchipping and vaccination.

The RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase encourages prospective owners to adopt from the RSPCA or another reputable animal welfare, rehoming or rescue organisation. If you buy from a breeder, it suggests at a minimum checking they are registered by the relevant authority in your state or territory, visiting the place where the animal was born, and meeting the parents, especially the mother.

Route	Reference cost	What you usually get	Main risk
Registered breeder	One member breeder published $2,300 for a shorthair (November 2026; see below); one breeder is not a range	A papered kitten with known, DNA-tested parents	Waiting lists; you still need to see the test results
Rescue	A rescue fee; see the examples below	Grey and long-haired cats of all ages, desexed, microchipped and vaccinated	Unknown parents and no DNA results; a breed label describes looks, not papers
Online ad or social media	Anything; Scamwatch says a very cheap pet is likely a scam	Anything from a real litter to a kitten that does not exist	Scams, untested parents, silver tabbies sold as Burmillas

Prices and fees read 13 November 2026 on the pages linked below. Reference only, not a quote: breeders and rescues set and change their own prices, so check with them.

How do the registries treat the Burmilla?

As one breed in two coat lengths, with Burmese and Persian-type cats allowed as outcrosses. The CCCA and the ACF each publish a Burmilla standard, and ANCATS includes the Burmilla in its breed profiles. Read on 13 November 2026:

Registry	What it publishes	Outcrosses
CCCA	A Burmilla Longhair and Burmilla Shorthair standard, issue date July 2026: “an active, muscular cat of medium foreign type with striking contrast between the coloured shading/tipping and the silver undercoat.”	“Tipped and shaded Persian and Exotic cats and the European Burmese with no loss of generation.”
ACF	A Burmilla (Longhair and Shorthair) standard, amended June 2023, which names FIFe (1997) and the ACF (2004) as its sources: “an elegant cat of foreign type and medium size with green eyes”	Burmese (Australian/European)
ANCATS	A breed profile: the Burmilla “originated in the United Kingdom as a result of an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a Lilac Burmese”; a separate profile for the Australian Tiffanie	Not stated on the profile

The CCCA standard's update log records that red, cream and tortoiseshell were added on 30 November 2024, and that on 15 July 2026 the allowable outcross was changed to include golden shaded and tipped colour with silver. The two councils list different outcrosses: the ACF names Burmese (Australian or European), while the CCCA names tipped and shaded Persian and Exotic cats and the European Burmese. Ask a breeder which council registers the kittens.

Overseas, the Cat Fanciers' Association says the breed began with an accidental 1981 mating of a Chinchilla Persian male and a lilac European Burmese female, that both coat lengths were accepted for CFA registration in 2011, and that they advanced to championship status in 2014. TICA says the first kittens were born on 11 September 1981 and gives about 8 to 12 pounds (roughly 3.6 to 5.4 kg) for a medium-sized cat.

What the Australian standard asks for

Body: muscular, medium in size and length, with slender but strong-boned legs. The CCCA says the cat should give the impression of being heavier than it looks, and withholds awards for any tendency to Persian or Exotic type.
Head: a gently rounded top, a medium short blunt wedge and a gentle nose break, with medium to large ears.
Coat: the Shorthair is short, silky and smooth lying; the Longhair is semi-long, very soft and silky, with a full bib, britches and tail plume preferred.
Colour: shaded or tipped silver in black, brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream and tortoiseshell, plus golden. Evenness of shading matters more than the colour.
Eyes: luminous, any shade of green with clear green preferred; a yellow tinge is acceptable in kittens and young cats.

What does a Burmilla kitten cost in Australia?

We found one published price. No Australian cat council or club publishes a Burmilla guide price, and Cats Victoria (GCCFV) says kitten pricing is up to individual breeders and will vary depending on the breed. In November 2026 we checked the council breeder directories we could reach: the Cats Victoria Burmilla page says there are no breeder listings for the breed, the NSW CFA directory lists one Burmilla breeder, whose website publishes no price, and the GCCFSA Burmilla page lists one breeder with a website.

That GCCFSA-registered breeder publishes its 2026 pricing on its own website, on a page marked as updated in November 2026: $2,300 for a Burmilla Shorthair kitten, including desexing, microchipping, a certified pedigree and age-appropriate vaccination, with a holding fee once a kitten is offered and interstate freight extra. It publishes no Burmilla Longhair price. One breeder is not a range, so ask several breeders what they charge and what is included. We do not quote prices from listing sites or social media.

Route	Reference figure	Read
One member breeder (GCCFSA, own website)	$2,300 Burmilla Shorthair kitten, desexed; interstate freight extra	13 Nov 2026
Cat councils and clubs	No Burmilla price published	13 Nov 2026
RSPCA NSW	$270 kitten under 6 months; $220 cat over 6 months	13 Nov 2026
Cat Protection Society of NSW	$150 per cat or kitten; $250 for two	13 Nov 2026

Reference figures only, not quotes. Breeders and rescues set and change their own prices and fees, so check with them. Fees in other states are in our guide to kittens for sale in Australia.

When you ask a breeder, ask what the price includes. Cats Victoria suggests asking whether the kitten is desexed, how many vaccinations it has had, whether it is microchipped and whether there is a health guarantee, and says the kitten must be 10 weeks of age or older before it comes to you. ANCATS rules set 10 weeks as the minimum and ANCATS recommends 12.

Which DNA tests should a Burmilla breeder do?

Four, on the Australian Cat Federation's minimum testing list (October 2025), and the ACF adds that because Burmillas are interbred with Burmese, breeders should test for all diseases known in that breed.

Test	What it is	Source
Hypokalaemia (Burmese)	Episodes of muscle weakness from low blood potassium; severely affected cats may collapse. A simple gene test is available	International Cat Care
Burmese head defect	A recessive craniofacial mutation; kittens with two copies are stillborn, and carriers can pass it on	Langford
GM2 gangliosidosis (Burmese type)	A fatal, inherited neurological disease; affected kittens usually show tremors and poor coordination from 6 to 8 weeks (ACF lists the test at one laboratory)	Langford
PKD 1	Polycystic kidney disease, which UC Davis says is commonly seen in Persians and cats with Persian ancestry; Langford lists the Burmilla as low risk	Langford; UC Davis
Blood type	The ACF says AB blood group types should be monitored in all breeds	ACF

A buying checklist, not veterinary advice. Read 13 November 2026.

International Cat Care names the Burmilla and the Tiffanie among the Burmese-related cats affected by inherited hypokalaemia and recommends that potential breeding cats are tested. Langford Vets lists the Burmilla among the breeds at risk of the Burmese head defect. Ask to see the laboratory reports for both parents, not just a line in an ad.

See grey and silver cats listed near you

Grey cats and kittens from the rescues and shelters we aggregate, with each rescue's notes on personality and other pets. Numbers change daily. Every listing links to the rescue, where you apply directly.

Grey cats in Sydney →Grey cats in Melbourne →Grey cats in Brisbane →Grey cats in Perth →Grey cats in Adelaide →

What is a Burmilla like to live with?

A middle path between its two parent breeds. The Cat Fanciers' Association describes friendly, inquisitive cats with easy-going personalities and a great love of play, energetic but not hyperactive, people oriented and loving without being needy, and not typically vocal or demanding. It says Burmillas get along with dogs, other cats and children, enjoy some independence, and can be left alone during the work day, but need toys, things to climb and perches. TICA describes gentle, laid-back cats with a playful and mischievous side.

Grooming is simple in both coat lengths. The CFA says Burmillas shed like other cats and should be combed or brushed at least once a week, with regular nail trims, ear cleaning and dental care, and TICA calls both varieties low-maintenance.

Good fit: a household that wants a sociable, playful cat that does not demand constant attention, with climbing space indoors.
Think twice: if you cannot get DNA results for both parents, or if you want a very active, talkative cat.
Not a reason to choose one: allergies. ASCIA says all cat breeds can cause allergies; our hypoallergenic cats guide covers how to test a cat first.

Not sure what kind of cat suits you? Try the what cat breed am I quiz, and see our cost of owning a cat guide for the ongoing costs.

How do you check a Burmilla breeder?

Rescue is not right for everyone. A registered breeder makes sense if you want a kitten with known, tested parents, plan to show, or want a particular coat length or colour. If you go that way:

Registration. Ask which council the breeder belongs to: ANCATS, a member body of the Australian Cat Federation, or a member council of the CCCA. Check with that council directly, not through a link the seller sends.
Papers that say Burmilla (Shorthair or Longhair), not “Burmilla cross” or Burmese.
DNA reports for both parents: hypokalaemia, the Burmese head defect, GM2 gangliosidosis and PKD 1.
The mother, in person or on a live video call, and where the kittens are raised, before any deposit.
Age and paperwork. At least 10 weeks old, vaccinated, microchipped and desexed or with desexing agreed in writing.
Your state's rules. Some states require a breeder or source number in kitten ads. Our kittens for sale guide has the state-by-state table.

What do Burmilla scams look like?

Never pay for a kitten you have not seen with its mother, in person or at least on a live video call, and never pay a deposit to a seller you cannot verify.

Scamwatch says scammers set up fake websites, and fake social media and marketplace profiles, to get you to pay for popular breeds and pets that do not exist. Its advice: view the pet in person by visiting the breeder or seller, ask to see the pet on a video call with the breeder, verify the breeder is legitimate and accredited, and compare prices, because a very cheap pet is likely a scam. It also warns about being asked to pay by money order, pre-loaded card, or to several different PayIDs or accounts.

A silver tabby sold as a Burmilla. The standards want shading without tabby markings in adults. Without council papers, a silvery kitten could be any cat.
“Health tested” with no reports. Ask for the laboratory results for both parents.
“Registered” with no council named, or a membership you cannot confirm with that council.
Copied photos. Run a reverse image search on the kitten photos and search a sentence of the ad.

If you have already paid, contact your bank straight away and report it to Scamwatch.

Where to find a Burmilla type cat to adopt

We do not have a Burmilla breed page, so watch the grey and long-haired cat listings and set an alert. A rescue's breed label describes how a cat looks; ask the foster carer about personality and other pets.

Grey cats in the big cities

Long-haired cats

Longhairs in Sydney, Longhairs in Melbourne, Longhairs in Brisbane, Longhairs in Perth, Longhairs in Adelaide. Australia-wide: the grey cat page and the Burmese page.

Comparing the parent breeds? Our guides to Burmese kittens and Persian kittens cover each side, and grey cat breeds compares the silver and blue breeds. Before you apply, the adoption readiness check takes a few minutes, and our guide to adopting a cat in Australia walks through the process.

Frequently asked questions

Should I adopt or buy a Burmilla kitten?▼

Buy from a breeder registered with a cat council if it has to be a papered Burmilla with known, DNA-tested parents, and expect a waiting list. If what you want is a gentle, playful cat with a silvery coat, check the grey and long-haired cats in rescue near you. Numbers change daily, so check the live listings.

How much is a Burmilla kitten in Australia?▼

In November 2026 one member breeder published a price on its own website: $2,300 for a Burmilla Shorthair kitten, listed as its 2026 pricing and including desexing, microchipping, a pedigree and age-appropriate vaccination. One breeder is not a range, and no council or club publishes a guide price, so ask several breeders. A rescue cat costs the normal rescue fee, for example $270 for a kitten under 6 months at RSPCA NSW. Both read 13 November 2026; prices change, so check with them; reference only, not a quote.

What is a Burmilla?▼

A shaded or tipped silver cat that began with a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese. ANCATS says the breed originated in the United Kingdom from an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a Lilac Burmese, and TICA says the first litter was born on 11 September 1981. The CCCA standard describes an active, muscular cat of medium foreign type, similar to the Burmese but slightly larger.

Is the Burmilla recognised in Australia?▼

Yes. The Coordinating Cat Council of Australia publishes one standard for the Burmilla Longhair and Burmilla Shorthair (issue date July 2026), the Australian Cat Federation publishes one (amended June 2023), and ANCATS carries a Burmilla breed profile. Overseas, the Cat Fanciers' Association says it accepted both coat lengths for registration in 2011 and for championship in 2014, and TICA has a Burmilla breed page.

Is there a longhaired Burmilla?▼

Yes. The CCCA and ACF standards both cover a shorthair and a semi-longhair. The CCCA describes the Burmilla Longhair coat as semi-long, very soft, fine and silky, with a full bib, britches and tail plume preferred. ANCATS also profiles a separate Australian breed, the Australian Tiffanie, which it says was developed in Australia in the late nineties from the Burmilla breeding program by breeding back to the Chinchilla Persian.

What health tests should a Burmilla breeder do?▼

Ask for both parents' DNA results. The Australian Cat Federation's minimum testing list (October 2025) names four DNA tests for the Burmilla Longhair and Shorthair: GM2 gangliosidosis (Burmese type), hypokalaemia (Burmese), PKD 1 and the Burmese head defect. Because Burmillas are interbred with Burmese, the ACF recommends testing for all diseases known in that breed. It also says AB blood group types should be monitored in all breeds.

What is hypokalaemia in Burmillas?▼

An inherited condition that causes episodes of muscle weakness from low blood potassium. International Cat Care says it affects Burmese and related cats including the Burmilla and Tiffanie, that severely affected cats may collapse, and that a simple gene test is available to find out a cat's status. Ask for both parents' results.

What do Burmillas look like?▼

Silver, with dark eyeliner. The CCCA standard describes a striking contrast between the coloured shading or tipping and the silver undercoat, luminous green eyes (any shade, clear green preferred), and a cat that is heavier than it looks. The standard also describes golden coats, and on 15 July 2026 the CCCA changed the allowable outcross to include golden shaded and tipped colour with silver.

What is a Burmilla like to live with?▼

Playful but easy-going. The CFA describes friendly, inquisitive cats with laid-back personalities and a love of play, people oriented without being needy, not typically vocal, and able to get along with dogs, other cats and children. It says Burmillas enjoy some independence and can be left alone during the work day. Every cat is an individual, so ask about the one you are meeting.

Are Burmillas hypoallergenic?▼

No cat breed is. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) says that as all cats have sebaceous glands, all cat breeds can cause allergies. If anyone at home is allergic, get medical advice and spend real time with the individual cat first.

How old should a Burmilla kitten be when it goes home?▼

At least 10 weeks. ANCATS rules set 10 weeks as the minimum and ANCATS recommends 12, and Cats Victoria (GCCFV) says a kitten must be 10 weeks of age or older, vaccinated, desexed and microchipped before it comes to you. A seller offering a younger kitten is a warning sign.

Sources

Keep reading

The Burmese side