So you've made the decision to add a new feline to the family. That's great news, but there is homework to do and questions to answer such as:
(1) Do you want a mature cat or a kitten?
(2) Where is the best place to get a cat or kitten?
(3) Do you want a mixed breed or purebred? and
(4) If you want a purebred, where do you find a respectable and caring breeder?
There are many places to find that perfect kitten for your family. First on the list is contacting a family member, neighbor or friend who owns a cat that has just given birth to a litter. This is actually a very good choice in most cases because you will see the mother, you can find out about any health issues the mother or kittens may have had, and if you are early, you will have many kittens to choose from. Just be careful because you may come home with more bundles of fur than you planned on.
The second option is to go to a shelter or cat rescue to find your newest family member. Most shelters are overrun with unwanted kittens in the springtime and what could be better than giving an adorable bundle of fur a loving home. Most modern shelters provide dedicated space so that you and your family can spend time interacting with a particular cat or kitten on a one-on-one basis, allowing you time to get a real sense of the kitten's or cat's personality to see if he or she would be a good "fit" for your family. Another perk of acquiring a pet from a shelter is that the pet typically will be spayed or neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations, making vet bills in the immediate future less likely.
Buying from a stranger is another option, but not the best one. Although giving a kitten or any animal a good home is always a wonderful thing to do, some of the issues involved in getting a kitten from an advertisement in the newspaper, or from a litter being given away in front of the grocery store or the side of the road are that you have no firsthand knowledge of the mother's health history or the kitten's health history. You may not even be told the kitten's true age. And let's face it, folks who are trying to give away kittens in front of a grocery store are generally not taking responsibility for their pet's well-being to begin with. So, unfortunately, in the case of buying from a stranger, it's Buyer Beware.
Buying a kitten from the pet store is another option. Who has not walked by a pet storefront window, seen a litter of adorable kittens and just had to go inside? We do not want to cast aspersions with regard to pet stores because, in fact, most big box pet stores are generous in allowing shelters and rescue operations space in order to show and adopt out animals to customers. But the fact is, pet stores are a business and owners of pet stores are not unlike any other retailer in that they are in business to make money. The lower the cost of their inventory (animals), the greater their profit potential; therefore, the owner searches out the lowest cost provider of the merchandise he sells. Unfortunately, this usually means, in many cases, that they are either knowingly or unknowingly buying from kitten mills or puppy farms. To any animal lover this is a despicable and unconscionable way to treat any animal. The Internet is a great way to research and get feedback from others who may have adopted an animal from a particular pet store.
If you have already determined you want a purebred cat, and know the breed of cat you would like, or if you have several breeds that you are leaning toward, you will need the services of an experienced and caring breeder. This is especially true if you have aspirations of breeding felines in the future. Finding a respectable breeder is much like finding anything else that is important to you - it involves a thorough search. Family, friends with cats like the one you desire, and, of course, the Internet, are all good places to look, but we have found that the best way to learn about the particular breed you want is to attend cat shows. Not only will you be amazed at all the different breeds of cat, some which you may never have heard or thought of before, but you will see the owners and breeders in action as they prepare to show their animal. You will see for yourself how the breeders treat their cats. In talking with them, you will discover if the breeder has a passion for the breed or is simply trying to make a buck. Some breeders/owners may only have one or two cats but the love they show their animals is undeniable. Others may have 6-10 cats and be very efficient and no-nonsense because showing cats is their business and their livelihood. Careful observation reveals how much they truly care about their cats. When not in "show mode," a good breeder will be very open to answer any questions concerning the breed including potential health problems that may be inherent in the breed, such as breathing or eye problems, temperament of the breed, whether they are good with kids or not, and any other questions you might think to ask. A successful breeder's business lives and dies on their reputation. Nothing travels as fast as bad news, especially with the Internet, Facebook and other forms of social media. So the breeder has a vested interest in making sure the kittens/cats he or she sells are of the highest quality, well cared for and healthy, and are a good fit for the family.
Also, any respectable breeder will also be evaluating you while you are evaluating them. Do not take this personally. They will also make sure you understand everything involved with the breed you want to obtain. The breeder may ask you about other pets you may have, whether the cat will live indoors, outdoors or both. They will ask about children in the home, their ages and who will be the primary caregiver for the kitten. Their goal is to determine if you would be an acceptable owner and to ensure that the new kitten will not be left to fend for itself or overrun by unsupervised children. The breeder will want to make sure that the new kitten and family are a good fit. They want to be sure that you will care for the kitten and treat the animal with love and affection, not just while she's a kitten, but once your cat matures. A reputable breeder will insist on taking the kitten or cat back if you are unable to care for it, or if the kitten becomes unexpectedly ill. The breeder also wants to be sure that if you do elect to breed your cat once she matures, that you will honor any agreements set forth by the breeder at the time of the purchase. One reason is that the breeder does not want to dilute the quality of the breed by selling their kittens to some unscrupulous kitten-mill-type person.
The main message here is to do your research so that you can work with only reputable breeders who will help you pick the breed of cat best suited for your family.
Travis and Diane Medley own and operate http://www.TheCatTreeSite.com and sell many types of cat trees, cat towers, cat condos, scratching posts and cat furniture. If you adopt a kitten or cat from a shelter or cat rescue http://www.TheCatTreeSite.com will donate an amount equal to 5% of the purchase price including shipping to the shelter of your choice.
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