Thinking about getting a kitten for adoption? Well, first stop (and hopefully only stop)should be the local animal shelter. If you really want a specific breed of cat and can't find one at the shelters, try a breed rescue group.
By adopting a "shelter" or "rescue" animal, you are giving an animal a second chance, and maybe it's last chance. Overcrowding and lack of resources results in many of these cats and kittens being euthanized.
Don't forget food, vet expense, possible boarding or pet sitting, groomers, kitty litter, etc.
Some cats do not tolerate other cats well. If you are renting, are pets allowed? My favorite breed of cat is the "domestic shorthair", a catch-all term for mixed breed cats. Really, unless you are looking to show or breed the animal, there is really no reason to choose a purebred cat.
Mixed breed cats tend to be healthier. The animals will usually exhibit the most predominant traits of their breeds so knowing something about the different breeds will tell you something about the animal you are considering. Most breeds of cats differ only in physical characteristics, personalities are not determined by breed. When visiting a shelter, remember that cats are usually much more timid than dogs, and are often frightened by large, noisy spaces. Talk to the shelter personnel, find out as much as you can about the cat's normal behavior.
Some cats do not tolerate other cats well. If you are renting, are pets allowed? My favorite breed of cat is the "domestic shorthair", a catch-all term for mixed breed cats. Really, unless you are looking to show or breed the animal, there is really no reason to choose a purebred cat.
Mixed breed cats tend to be healthier. The animals will usually exhibit the most predominant traits of their breeds so knowing something about the different breeds will tell you something about the animal you are considering. Most breeds of cats differ only in physical characteristics, personalities are not determined by breed. When visiting a shelter, remember that cats are usually much more timid than dogs, and are often frightened by large, noisy spaces. Talk to the shelter personnel, find out as much as you can about the cat's normal behavior.
Should You Get a Cat, Or a Kitten?
Kittens are, without a doubt, some of the cutest little critters on the planet. And they are loads of fun, too... if you can keep up with them. Kittens are fragile, tiny, naive and too trusting. If a child hasn't yet learned the difference between a live animal and a furry toy, the "live toy" may not survive the experience.
When the single dad who lived next door to my shelter was annoyed that I refused to let him adopt one of our kittens for his little girl (so she could "have her very own little kitty to play with"), he easily found a local farm with the usual "excess cats" on the place and got not one, not two, but FOUR little kitties for her to play with.
In those cases, there should be no small pets in the home unless parents are willing to completely supervise the children. If you work all day, it's not fair to isolate an active, energetic kitten, as they really need to be able to run and play at normal intervals throughout the day. Instead, they will learn to sleep a lot and reserve more play time for night, when you are home. But if you are trying to sleep, this could be annoying.
Unfortunately, most people think nothing of giving kittens away at 6, 5 or even 4 weeks old. That's like sending your child to kindergarten at age 2 and expecting him to successfully fit in, learn to read, color, stack blocks, and behave correctly. If your life doesn't have room for the extra work involved with a baby animal, then give an older cat a chance. It may take a little longer for an adult cat to learn to trust you, especially if it came from a home where the people couldn't be trusted, but once you bond, the relationship will be very rewarding... for both of you.
Kittens are, without a doubt, some of the cutest little critters on the planet. And they are loads of fun, too... if you can keep up with them. Kittens are fragile, tiny, naive and too trusting. If a child hasn't yet learned the difference between a live animal and a furry toy, the "live toy" may not survive the experience.
When the single dad who lived next door to my shelter was annoyed that I refused to let him adopt one of our kittens for his little girl (so she could "have her very own little kitty to play with"), he easily found a local farm with the usual "excess cats" on the place and got not one, not two, but FOUR little kitties for her to play with.
In those cases, there should be no small pets in the home unless parents are willing to completely supervise the children. If you work all day, it's not fair to isolate an active, energetic kitten, as they really need to be able to run and play at normal intervals throughout the day. Instead, they will learn to sleep a lot and reserve more play time for night, when you are home. But if you are trying to sleep, this could be annoying.
Unfortunately, most people think nothing of giving kittens away at 6, 5 or even 4 weeks old. That's like sending your child to kindergarten at age 2 and expecting him to successfully fit in, learn to read, color, stack blocks, and behave correctly. If your life doesn't have room for the extra work involved with a baby animal, then give an older cat a chance. It may take a little longer for an adult cat to learn to trust you, especially if it came from a home where the people couldn't be trusted, but once you bond, the relationship will be very rewarding... for both of you.
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