Finding a Cat and Rescued Cats
Finding a Cat
If you have decided on a purebred cat the best place to get it is with a known breeder. You can get in contact with one through a club with personal breeders, looking in the newspaper or visiting cat shows. Owners and breeders will be happy to explain the different characteristics and breeds to be able to help you choose which one is the best for you. When you purchase a kitten ask to see the mother and companions to verify if they are in good health and well taken care of. A good breeder will be willing to offer a veterinarian exam before completing the sale. A purebred kitten must be over twelve months old before leaving its breeders side and it must be completely inoculated.
Rescuing Cats
There are always cats and kittens that nobody wants and that are looking for a home. Taking in and caring for an abandoned pet and watching it prosper, is extremely rewarding. Get in contact with the rescue organizations of your area. There may even be some especially for cats. The volunteers are anxious to find a proper home for these pets, so don’t be offended if they ask a lot of personal questions to be able to adopt the pet. For example, if you have children it wouldn’t be a good idea to adopt one that has had bad experiences with children in the past. The history of the cat may be unknown but the volunteers knows its temper, they will give it a sanitary control in the veterinarian and it will be castrated once its of age.
Other Sources
Nowadays pet stores don’t sell kittens. Most probably because kittens that were separated from their mothers at an early age might have health or behavioral problems. Its very easy to feel pity for a little defenseless kitten, but a sick one can cost you a lot, both emotionally and financially. Its better to rescue a cat or kitten that comes from a loving home. It is probably healthier and more used to being around people, it may also be sweet and playful, and maybe even trained to live at home.
Certain Things to Observe
- A kitten should be at least eight months old before being separated from its mother (twelve months for a purebred). In this stage it should already be weaned and start to be house trained.
- Make sure the cat is in good health and that its environment is clean. Its eyes and ears should be kept clean (without any filthiness). Its mouth and gums should be pink and look healthy. Its breath should smell sweet. Its fur should be soft and even, without signs of fleas.
- Choose a cat or kitten that is playful and curious and that lets itself be touched. Try not to get one that is nervous and that hides away in a corner, unless you have enough time and dedication to “rehabilitate it”.
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