| When you have decided that you want to add a | | | | personality can be a bonus which a breeder may not |
| new cat or kitten to your family one of the best | | | | be able to give you in as much depth as someone |
| places to find your feline companion is a rescue | | | | who has spent time getting to know their charges |
| centre. These places usually have an abundance of | | | | (as rescue centre workers often do). |
| kittens or adult cats to choose from. Most people are | | | | Most animal welfare organisations will ask for a |
| looking for kittens but the older cats in a rescue | | | | donation of a specific amount. This helps them to be |
| centre are sometimes the better choice. You can | | | | able to provide care and any type of veterinary |
| even find pure breed cat at some centres. | | | | treatments needed, including vaccinations and |
| The reason that adult cats are sometimes a better | | | | neutering. The cost is usually minimal considering the |
| choice is that they are usually already litter trained. | | | | price of purchasing a cat from a breeder. They |
| They will adapt well to a new home. Older cats are | | | | usually have also given the cat its first vaccinations |
| usually more laid back and appreciate finding a home | | | | and the cat will have a clean bill of health from a vet. |
| where they can spend the rest of their lives. Another | | | | So this is another reason: as well as the initial |
| thing to consider is older cats are harder to place in a | | | | veterinary care having been done already, you can |
| permanent home and they may be put to sleep if no | | | | be happy that you are also helping the charity or |
| home is found for them. | | | | organisation to survive and keep it's doors open to |
| We all know kittens are adorable and hard to resist. | | | | animals in need of help. |
| However, before deciding on a kitten you should | | | | Before you go to pick up your new feline friend |
| remember that they will need more of your time and | | | | make sure you have everything your new pet will |
| patience. They need to be litter box trained and need | | | | need, including a bed, plenty of toys, food and a litter |
| constant supervision. They have boundless energy | | | | box. Once you bring your cat or kitten home, make |
| and have no fear. They will need to be watched | | | | sure you give them plenty of space and time to get |
| carefully until they know what their boundaries and | | | | use to their new surroundings. Cats adapt quickly and |
| limitations are. This can be a rewarding experience, | | | | easily to new environments. In no time at all they will |
| but people with busy lives and hectic schedules or | | | | fit right in with the rest of your family and you will |
| even those who are elderly and perhaps less mobile | | | | know that you saved an animal from an uncertain |
| should consider carefully if they have time and | | | | future. |
| energy for this kind of commitment. | | | | To make sure your adopted kitten or cat stays |
| When you are visiting the shelter try to find out as | | | | healthy and will enjoy a long life, you might want to |
| much as possible about a cat or kitten that you are | | | | consider getting cat insurance in case their will be |
| interested in. You want to find out why or how the | | | | unforeseen medical expenses in the years to come. |
| cat ended up in the rescue centre. The staff might | | | | You have health insurance on the rest of your family |
| be able to tell you a little about the cat's | | | | and for peace of mind you might consider buying cat |
| circumstances or the people who had them before | | | | insurance on your newest feline companion. |
| they ended up there. Knowing a little about a cat's | | | | |