Cats
and kittens can be purchased in numerous ways - through newspaper
or magazine ads, from animal shelters, from families that
have a household cat that gave birth to a litter, and even
strays found on the street. Whatever your method of
obtaining your cat, you should understand the benefits and
drawbacks of each one.
Strays
The saying, "You don't choose a cat, it chooses you," often
applies very well in this category. Many people that
never knew they liked cats suddenly become cat lovers overnight
when a stray finds them and decides that they will be their
new owner.
You
should always check with your local shelter to make sure
that your newfound love doesn't already belong to someone
else first. After you've done that, strays are free
to acquire and cost the same as a new cat would, except
for the fact that they might require a few extra shots
or treatments (an example of this being flea/tick medication).
Litters
This is often a cheap way to acquire
a new kitten. Many
times the family cat comes home pregnant, and her owners are
not ready to handle multiple furballs. Look for ads in
newspapers, on the internet, and outside of pet stores for specifics on litters
and make calls right away when you see something you're interested
in. Most times these kittens go quickly, as is the case
with kittens in shelters.
When
visiting a home, make sure to observe the environment. Is
it clean? Does it look like the mother and her babies
have been cared for in a proper manner? Are the kittens
clear-eyed, energetic, and have healthy-looking fur? If
not, thank the owner and move on. If need be, report
cases where dangerous conditions may exist to your local
SPCA so that the animals can stand a chance at survival.
When
questioning the owner about your future kitten, find out
what shots he has received. Find out if he has been
tested for Feline Leukemia and other diseases. Make
sure the mother and babies are parasite free. What
happens if you cannot provide a home for the cat later
on? Would they take it back, or do they not care
what happens to it (someone who does not care should not
be giving away kittens)? Go with your gut feeling
when in this situation - more times than not, the owners
are very responsi
ble and happy to help you in any way.
Shelters
Your
local animal shelter is a great place to go to acquire your
new furry friend. You can find cats of all ages, from
baby kittens to older cats. Some of these cats came
from bad situations and require special care, so make sure
to fully note all of the features of your
new cat.
There
is a fee for kittens and cats, and it varies from shelter
to shelter. The price usually ranges between $50-$100,
but most time this includes their first round of shots
and sometimes even the spay/neuter before or at the time
of purchase, or a voucher for a later date.
Because
many people are so attracted to kittens at shelters, older
cats and mothers of litters are often left behind. If
you do adopt a kitten, consider adopting a second older
cat that also needs a good home. Kittens will be
adopted within a few days of arriving at a shelter, while
their mom and most older cats spend a much longer time
there, sometimes being euthanized if not adopted within
a certain time frame.
Purebreeds
Purebred cats are expensive
and breeders should be researched before
you conduct business with them. Please
be aware that some breeds have special needs, so if you are
deciding on a purebred cat you will want to do extensive research
on the breed beforehand.
Cat
Fanciers provide excellent information about a number
of pure breeds, as well as list books that might interest
those who are fond of each breed. All of the proceeds
that come from sales through their site go directly to
the Winn Feline Foundation to help fun veterinary research
benefiting cat.
|
