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Your local animal shelter probably has many excellent cats who are in need of a good home, and most animal societies will suggest this as the first place to start looking for a cat. Shelters usually have a large variety of cats to choose from, so they are a good option if you can't decide beforehand which kind you want. Animal shelters usually charge a small adoption fee as well as a fee to cover the cost of spaying/neutering and vaccinations. You can also adopt an older cat from a shelter, if you want. That way you will already know something about its temperamentfor example, if it is ready to live with children, how playful it is, if it is house trained, etc. Many animal shelters allow you to preview available cats online ahead of time. Always see the cat in person before you decide to take it home, however. Much like animal shelters, cat rescue groups have many felines ready to find good homes. These groups place the cats in foster homes until permanent owners (such as you) can be found. You can look online to see if such a group is available in your area. Cat rescue groups may charge a small adoption fee as well as a fee to cover the cost of spaying/neutering and vaccinations. Some pet stores may sell kittens. Many, however, work with animal shelters to help rescued cats find new homes. Some pet stores hold regular adoption fairs, connecting cats with potential owners. These are also opportunities to find out more about caring for cats, finding a good vet, etc. In addition to the cost of the cat, pet stores may charge fees for spaying/neutering and vaccinations. If you want to buy a purebred cat or kitten from a store, make sure that it is not from a "kitten mill" that practices irresponsible breeding. Make sure that you can find out who the cat's breeder is and how the cat was cared for. Many pet stores may not sell purebred cats at all because cat associations prefer breeders to sell their felines directly. Pet stores focus on selling, so they may or may not not give you good information about caring for the the cat long-term. If you are certain that you want a particular breed of cat, your best choice is a good breeder. Do research on cat breeders in your area ahead of time. Your local animal association should have a list of reputable breeders. Be prepared to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for a purebred cat. Reputable breeders will be able to supply you with copies of pedigree papers and veterinarian records. These will show that the cat has been fully vaccinated and treated for worms and fleas. Ask when the kitten was born, how old its mother is, and how many litters she has had. Visit the place where the kitten was born, and make sure it is clean and safe, free from odors, and that there is room for the kittens to play and get exercise. Breeders may ask you to spay/neuter the cat as a condition of ownership. Use good judgment: if any breeder does not want to share information with you, or if you see signs that the breeder is not taking good care of the cats, seek another one. It is often relatively easy to find offers of "free kittens" or "kittens free to a good home" online, on community bulletin boards, advertised in newspapers, etc. These kittens may not have been to a vet, so even if one is initially "free," you will still be paying for it if you want to take good care of the cat. If you take a free kitten home, have a vet inspect it as soon as possible to make sure it is good health, has any vaccinations it needs, and is ready to be spayed or neutered. Cats purchased from breeders should be in excellent health. Most cats offered for adoption at animal shelters or other locations are also in very good health. If you are willing to take care of an animal with a health problem, animal shelters will help you understand its needs. In all cases, you should see the cat before you agree to buy it and bring it home. Gently feel the cat's ribs. Healthy cats will have some fat covering them. The kitten's fur should be smooth and shiny, and its eyes and ears should be clean, with no signs of discharge. Notice how the cat reacts to people; it should not hiss or back away from people. Good breeders will make sure that their kittens have good temperaments and are well-socialized. Animal shelters should be able to give you tips on a particular cat's behavior. Before letting you take a cat home, good breeders or animal shelters will want to make sure that you are prepared to take care of it. Questions they might ask you include: Do you have other animals? If so, how will they react to a new kitten? How often will the kitten be left on its own, and for how long? What kind of space will the animal have access to? How will it be protected from traffic, other animals, getting lost, etc.? Who will be the kitten's vet? What are your plans if the kitten does not adjust to your home? (Good breeders, many pet stores, and some shelters will offer to take back a kitten within a certain time frame if things do not work out.)
Consider getting a cat from an animal shelter. Look for cats available from rescue groups. Research local pet stores. Choose a reputable breeder if you want a purebred cat. Be wary of free kittens. Inspect a kitten carefully before you buy it. Expect questions from an animal shelter or breeder.