Choosing Your New Cat - Some Dos and Don'ts

Thinking of getting a cat? Perhaps you've finally moved into a place of your own and have always wanted one? Perhaps your kids have been bugging you for a pet - and Christmas is coming? Here's some advice for the prospective cat owner.

• First, never buy a cat or kitten from a pet store. Not only do these parasitic businesses contribute to the cat overpopulation problem, most of these cats come from kitty mills - money making cat factories plagued by disease and maltreatment. There are pet supply stores that provide space for humane societies to hold adoption days, some even have adoption centres right in the store. These are the responsible corporate citizens you should favour with your business.
• Second, try to find out as much as you can about the cat or kitten before you adopt it. Some humane societies foster their animals in homes, so that they can tell you what the kitten or cat's personality is like. Ask questions... Do you have kids? Make sure the cat is good with small children. Do you already have a cat or a dog? Make sure this cat will do well in that situation. Every cat has his or her own distinct personality - just like people do. The more you know about a prospective cat's personality, the more likely it will be to fit into your home and family.
• Consider adopting an adult cat instead of a kitten, especially if you have never had a kitten before. Kittens tend to be quite rambunctious and destructive, and require a lot of patience, care and attention. Adult cats tend to be more docile and cuddly. Surprisingly, adult cats have a much harder time finding homes; because people all find kittens so cute and irresistible. Humane societies never seem to have a problem finding homes for kittens. So, if you care about animals, and really want to make a difference, adopt an adult cat. Besides, that kitten quickly grows up into... you guessed it... a cat!
• Finally, never get a cat for someone else as a gift, whether it be your friend, parent or child. It is important for people to choose their own pet, and it is important that they actually WANT a pet and have time and money for a pet. Many people are tempted by pet store kittens just before Christmas (these stores know this and play it to the max!), and many of these 'gift pets' end up in humane societies in the new year. You're certainly helping the pet shops make money by doing this, but you're not doing a kindness to the animal or to your family or friend. Do the right thing - get a gift certificate from a humane society and give that - your friend or family member is then free to decide whether they actually want the pet, or would like the money to go as a donation to the humane society; a very good cause indeed.

Remember to spay or neuter your new pet - every year tens of thousands of cats suffer abandonment in each of our major cities. Every cat you help bring into the world takes a home from one of those orphans. You may want your children to see the "miracle of birth' and just want kitty to have one litter - but this is a selfish and irresponsible practice. It's as silly as encouraging teenage pregnancy so that your children can see the miracle of birth. Do the responsible thing... do the humane thing... rent a nature video if you really want them to see the miracle of birth!

Kittens Cats

Choosing Your New Cat - Some Dos and Don'ts

Choosing Your New Cat - Some Dos and Don'ts