| Do you think every cat is the same, well think again, | | | | because you made the wrong choice. |
| each cat, like humans have their own distinct | | | | Animal shelters are already overloaded not only with |
| personality and breed specific traits. From a domestic | | | | strays, but with a number of pedigrees as well. We're |
| cat to a pedigreed cat the differences vary in | | | | seeing more and more pedigree cats in shelters each |
| numerous ways. | | | | day, through no fault of their own, but due to the |
| Prior to choosing your new cat, especially if you are | | | | fact, the person purchasing them didn't educate |
| looking at purchasing a particular breed, it's imperative | | | | himself or herself on the breed first. Unfortunately, |
| that you know something about their temperament. | | | | with shelters being overcrowded, the majority of |
| You should never purchase a breed just because you | | | | these cats won't have an opportunity to find a |
| like their looks, but one that's also suitable to your | | | | forever loving home. |
| lifestyle. | | | | Most shelters require Government assistance, but in |
| If you have a hectic lifestyle, you want a breed that | | | | order to receive Government assistance, they have |
| is going to be low maintenance and independent. If | | | | a number of restrictions that they must abide by or |
| you're looking for a cat for companionship, you want | | | | they lose their funding. Regrettably, one of these |
| a breed that is affectionate and loving, not one that | | | | restrictions is the length of time they may remain in |
| is aloof and standoffish. If you have children, you | | | | the shelter, prior to being put down. Unless the |
| want to ensure that the breed you pick is laidback, | | | | shelter is self-funded, they have no say in the |
| gentle and tolerant not one that is skittish or | | | | matter. As much as they would love to keep the |
| aggressive in nature. Remember, you are the one | | | | cat, they don't have that option. They do everything |
| making the choice not the cat! If you pick a breed | | | | within their powers to try to find the cat a home, |
| that isn't suitable to your lifestyle the cat is the one | | | | but when time is limited and there are so many pets |
| that pays the price, 9 time out of 10 it's through the | | | | in shelters, it's simply not possible. |
| loss of their life. | | | | Please don't be part of the problem, be part of the |
| Another thing to take into consideration, when | | | | solution! You can and will make a difference if you |
| people see a pedigree cat in a shelter, they | | | | take the time to learn about the breed you're |
| automatically believe that there is something wrong | | | | interested in prior to purchasing that cute little kitty. |
| with the cat. Why would someone pay "big bucks" | | | | Ethical breeders are more than willing to discuss the |
| for a pedigree cat and put the cat in a shelter if | | | | personality of the breed. In fact, ethical breeders will |
| there wasn't? When people have this mindset, the | | | | question you to ensure that their kittens are going to |
| possibilities of the cat in question being adopted are | | | | a good home. Most breeders are not in the business |
| severely limited. Would you put your baby up for | | | | to make money, but for the betterment of the |
| adoption because he or she didn't meet your | | | | breed and their love of animals. |
| expectations? Cats are living creatures that deserve | | | | Ethical breeders rarely sell their cats to pet stores, |
| the right to live a long and happy life and should | | | | thus if you are purchasing a kitten from a pet store |
| never be treated as a disposable item, simply | | | | you are most likely receiving a kitten from a Kitty Mill. |