Before getting a new kitten or cat, one of the things to ask yourself is: Can I properly care for a cat and provide it with a stable and safe home for its entire life, which is typically 15 to 20 years? Many statistics show that up to 50 percent of all cats change owners at least once in their lives. This is a terrible and alarming statistic.
Can I afford a cat?
The initial purchase price (or adoption fee) of a cat is not the highest cost, as there will be many other costs throughout the life of the cat. Those costs include food, litter trays, litter, toys, scratching posts and/or cat trees, and veterinary care. Veterinary care (not taking into account any catastrophic health problems) will cost between $100 and $300 per year. Ongoing preventative care is vitally important to the overall health of any cat. If an owner can’t afford veterinary care, it’s probably a good idea not to have a cat. Also, depending on where the owner lives, there will be a one-time fee of between $70 and $500 for the cost of spaying or neutering the cat. Even if the cat is an indoor cat, it is recommended that they have all their vaccinations, including rabies (rabies vaccination is legally required in many cities and/or states for cats and dogs), and depending on where you live, there will be there may be other medications that your vet strongly recommends each year (such as a heartworm preventative). Many people believe that because their cat is an indoor cat, they don’t need a rabies shot. However, consider what would happen to you and/or your cat if you were to bite someone while at home. First of all, the authorities will most likely remove the cat from your home and quarantine it for a period of time (at the expense of boarding and care); if there is a chance that your cat will show signs of rabies, it will be destroyed. It is strongly recommended that a potential owner check with their veterinarian to find out which vaccinations are required by law.
What breed of cat?
All kittens are cute and most people fall in love with a cat or kitten because of how they look (the cuddle factor). Some people prefer a pedigree cat due to certain breed characteristics, while others prefer a mixed breed cat. If a pedigree cat is desired, the characteristics of that breed should be carefully considered. For example: how much grooming will the cat require, how much will she shed, how playful or active is the breed, how big will the cat grow? Are you looking for a cat that gets along well with small children or elderly people? Do you need a cat that gets along with your dog? Do you want a cat that is calm and loves to cuddle and sleep with you at night? These are just some of the things to consider before bringing a cat home.
Should I have a kitten or an adult cat?
Many people, when considering whether or not to get a cat, will only consider getting a kitten. Here are some reasons why an adult cat may be desirable:
- An adult cat has already developed his personality so he will know exactly what he is getting;
- An adult cat is already litter box trained;
- An adult cat should only need annual exams and vaccinations (instead of a series of shots a kitten will require in the first 6 months);
- An adult cat has already gone through its “adolescent” phase;
- An adult cat can “bond” just as well as a kitten with a new owner.
Where to get a cat?
animal shelters – While many shelters don’t kill, most don’t. Getting a cat or kitten from an animal shelter can save it from being killed. In general, you should look for a cat that looks clean, healthy, with a shiny coat and clear eyes. Ask to visit the kitten or cat in a private area to see how it interacts with you. How friendly is it? If the kitten or cat seems lethargic, it may be best to look at another cat, as this one may be sick. Ask the actual caretakers of the cat or kitten for any information they may have about it. Ask why the cat was released to the shelter. Keep in mind that many people don’t always tell the truth to shelter staff when they surrender their pet. Therefore, sometimes the shelter may not be aware that this cat or kitten may have undesirable behavioral traits (i.e. not using their litter box) or have some type of significant health problem that may soon require a very high veterinary bill. Many shelters will already have the cat or kitten spayed or neutered before it goes to a new home. If not, they will usually require you to do so within a certain period of time. Don’t overlook adult cats.
Responsible Breeders – If you are looking for a purebred/pedigree cat or kitten, it is best to find a responsible breeder. To find that person:
- Visit a local cat show, which is a great way to see the different breeds of cats, meet the breeders, and ask questions.
- The Cat Fanciers Association (“CFA”) has an online breeder reference list that is searchable by breed, location, and other search options. (Keep in mind: the CFA does not endorse or recommend any particular breeder or hatchery listed).
- Today, there are many show breeders, as well as hobby breeders, who have websites. To locate a breeder in a particular area over the Internet, use a search engine (ie yahoo, Google, etc.) and type in the particular breed of cat and the state in which it resides to get results from breeders in your particular state or locality. Some breeders advertise in Cat Fancy or other similar publications.
Responsible breeders will have (at a minimum) a written health/genetic guarantee, provide a starter kit that goes home with the kitten or cat (containing the type of food the kitten or cat has been eating, feeding instructions, information on the breed), will have some provision for (or has already been made) the spaying/neutering of the kitten or cat, please provide documentation of pedigree, parentage and vaccination records. When interviewing a breeder, listen to your intuition; if something feels “off” about a breeder, DO NOT get one of their kittens. If this happens, it is recommended that you find and interview another breeder. Remember, a responsible breeder will want to interview you and get to know you as a potential owner just as much as you may want to interview him.
pet stores – A responsible breeder would not allow their kittens to be sold in a pet store or other outlet where they could not personally interview the buyer to ensure that they are aware of the responsibility of caring for an animal. Most responsible breeders belong to breed clubs and sign a breeder’s code of ethics that prohibits them from selling in retail stores (pet stores). Most of the time, the puppies and kittens for sale at a retail outlet come from “puppy” type commercial operations. Some stores (ie Petco, etc.) have cats up for adoption through a local animal shelter, but are not actively involved in reselling cats and dogs. If you get a pet from a shelter through this type of adoption process, make sure the adoption procedures follow that shelter’s normal adoption process.
private sources – Sometimes, if an owner can no longer keep their adult cat, they can place an ad through a local newspaper, grocery store bulletin board, or vet’s office. As long as you can get to know the person, observe the cat in his home environment, and make sure he’s healthy, there’s no reason not to own a cat this way. If it is a kitten, make sure it is at least 12 weeks old, is properly litter box trained, has age-appropriate shots/worming, and appears healthy. (Warning: Responsible breeders would not advertise this way or use Craigslist or the like.)
Getting a cat is a lifelong commitment of not only the owner’s time, but also their money to keep them in food, toys, and proper health. If the ongoing cost of keeping a cat exceeds the initial cost (ie vet, vaccinations, spay/neuter cost, unforeseen health issues/costs and more), then it may not be time to get a pet.
